I am an Indian citizen living in Canada with a Canadian Work Visa. I work at a University and my work contract has recently been extended till Aug 2015.
I have a valid US B1/B2 Visa with which I have traveled to the US several times in the past year without any issue. I have never overstayed in the US beyond the date stamped on my I-94 departure record.
My fiancee is a US citizen living in the US. She and I intend to get married. However, my current situation will not allow me to stay in the US for longer than 2-3 weeks, since I work in Canada. I have a few questions.
1. Is it illegal to marry a US citizen in the US after entering the US on a B1/B2 Visa classification? In other words, does making an application for a marriage license in some way violate the terms and conditions of a B1/B2 Visa (since getting married to a US citizen can be cited as intent to immigrate)?
2. If we get married within the US is it advisable that my wife file (immigration related) forms I-485 and I-130 for me immediately (or as soon as possible), even though it won't be possible for me to be in the US for long periods of time related to immigration/obtaining a Green Card until 2015?
3. Finally, if forms I-485/130 is filed in my name, does that automatically revoke my B1/B2 Visa/Status? In other words, the next time I go to a US border and request permission to enter the US can entry be denied on grounds that an I-485 or 130 is pending in my name?
4. There is a good chance that my next job will be at a US university as a researcher. The usual visa support given by universities in such cases is a J-1 visa. It might be possible in some cases to obtain an academic H1-B visa. Which one is preferable and why? In this case please also note that at the time of applying for either of these visas at a US consulate I will already be married to a US citizen.
5. Can a foreign citizen who is legally married to a US citizen apply for a nonimmigrant visa such as F-1, J-1, etc. or can that be labeled as Visa fraud, thereby preventing future travel to the US?
I look forward to answers to these questions. Thanks in advance.
I realize that some of these questions may not be relevant to the B1/B2 discussion. If a moderator feels the need for me to post this under some other section please let me know.
I have a valid US B1/B2 Visa with which I have traveled to the US several times in the past year without any issue. I have never overstayed in the US beyond the date stamped on my I-94 departure record.
My fiancee is a US citizen living in the US. She and I intend to get married. However, my current situation will not allow me to stay in the US for longer than 2-3 weeks, since I work in Canada. I have a few questions.
1. Is it illegal to marry a US citizen in the US after entering the US on a B1/B2 Visa classification? In other words, does making an application for a marriage license in some way violate the terms and conditions of a B1/B2 Visa (since getting married to a US citizen can be cited as intent to immigrate)?
2. If we get married within the US is it advisable that my wife file (immigration related) forms I-485 and I-130 for me immediately (or as soon as possible), even though it won't be possible for me to be in the US for long periods of time related to immigration/obtaining a Green Card until 2015?
3. Finally, if forms I-485/130 is filed in my name, does that automatically revoke my B1/B2 Visa/Status? In other words, the next time I go to a US border and request permission to enter the US can entry be denied on grounds that an I-485 or 130 is pending in my name?
4. There is a good chance that my next job will be at a US university as a researcher. The usual visa support given by universities in such cases is a J-1 visa. It might be possible in some cases to obtain an academic H1-B visa. Which one is preferable and why? In this case please also note that at the time of applying for either of these visas at a US consulate I will already be married to a US citizen.
5. Can a foreign citizen who is legally married to a US citizen apply for a nonimmigrant visa such as F-1, J-1, etc. or can that be labeled as Visa fraud, thereby preventing future travel to the US?
I look forward to answers to these questions. Thanks in advance.
I realize that some of these questions may not be relevant to the B1/B2 discussion. If a moderator feels the need for me to post this under some other section please let me know.
