Advice on the best route to take

jmrhoa123

New Member
I just got back from Thailand where myself and my fiance did our non legally binding wedding ceremony. She is coming to the US next week on her tourist visa to stay for about 3 months. After that three months is up, and she is still happy with everything, we are planning on getting legally married here in the US. I consulted an attorney and he said there were 2 options that we had on what to do next.

The first option was to apply for a fiance visa while she is here. She can stay here while the paperwork processes, then return back to Thailand and do the interview and medical exam. Once the visa is granted, she could reenter the US and we could marry with 90 days.

The other option that he told us was that if she entered the country as a tourist, then we decided later that we wanted to marry, then she could apply for a change of status here and complete the whole process in the US.

Thoughts or opinions would be appreciated.
 
I am in the same boat

I am a canadian engaged to a us citizen and am wondering how illegal it is to enter the US as a student and then apply for an adjustment of status. Alot of people told me it was illegal but my fiances brother did it with his mexican girlfriend who was int he US as a student and they just applied for an adjustment of status.
 
Hello,

Both the options are correct as described by your attorney. But the safest one would be the Fiancee visa, which will incur more travel expenses on you, but the most legal way.

The other option to get married in the US and then file for the change of status is also valid but incurs a bit risk if you get married within 3 months time. Wait ideally for 3 months or more so that you fall out of the scope of 30-60 day rule of the US Govt.

Best of luck!



jmrhoa123 said:
I just got back from Thailand where myself and my fiance did our non legally binding wedding ceremony. She is coming to the US next week on her tourist visa to stay for about 3 months. After that three months is up, and she is still happy with everything, we are planning on getting legally married here in the US. I consulted an attorney and he said there were 2 options that we had on what to do next.

The first option was to apply for a fiance visa while she is here. She can stay here while the paperwork processes, then return back to Thailand and do the interview and medical exam. Once the visa is granted, she could reenter the US and we could marry with 90 days.

The other option that he told us was that if she entered the country as a tourist, then we decided later that we wanted to marry, then she could apply for a change of status here and complete the whole process in the US.

Thoughts or opinions would be appreciated.
 
Wait ideally for 3 months or more so that you fall out of the scope of 30-60 day rule of the US Govt

I am new to all this an concidering my options with my girlfriend, who is a US citizen, i live in the UK...

Could someone explain what that rule is please..

Thanks

Niko
 
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