Any suggestions

[jackpot007]

I'm an Indian citizen doing J-1 waiver as a physician in an underserved area. I'll be done with my three years in Sept,2006.
My father filed for petition for me in Sept,1999 when he was a greencard holder. Now, he has naturalized to become a US citizen. My category will change from F2B to F1.
I'm not eligible for AOS because I'm still doing J-1 waiver eventhough my I-130 petition has been approved and my priority date is current.
I'll apply for AOS in Sept,2006. My question is: Can I get married after that or do I have to stay unmarried till AOS approval to reatain the priority date.
Any advice will be appreciated.
Thanks

 

[familybased]

F1/f3

You can convert to F-1 from F2B if you stay unmarried or F-3 if you get married. You still retain your priority date. F-1 is current, but F-3 is not (the current cut-off date Jan 22, 1998) . you need to make sure that your marriage take place after your father becomes a U.S. citizen. You need to notify the NVC (national visa center for the upgrade). If you know you will marry an alien, you may want to use F-3 category. Because it takes a green card holder 4-5 years to get his spouse over here. Good Luck. the downsize is that F3 show a slower move recently because many F2B people convert to F3 after years waiting.
Good Luck