Illegal Alien will marry USC. Need some pointers and advice.

H

hbk2006

New Member
Hi. First off thanks for reading my post.

I was on F-1. I got out of status this past September (in Houston). I am planning to marry.

* How should I start? (i.e. what forms to fill after getting a marriage liscense)

* Do I have to pay a fine for all the days that I have been illegal??

* How much is the averege cost through a lawyer?

* How long does the whole process take with the INS?

Thanks and I hope you all have a safe and happy holidays!
 
How long have you been out of Status, why were u out of status ? did u complete ur degree caz someone on this board is in the same position as you

You need to File
I-130
I_485
I-765
Affidavit of support and Medical by a USCIS certified doc

Lawyer-- Depending on the complexity of a case -- $2000 to $4000
 
Talk to an immigration attorney, any 'advice' given to you on the internet might be incorrect. But here are my 5 cents:

1.) get married (take your spouse, your drivers license, your birth certificate to city hall/county courthouse and get a marriage license. Then have a minister or judge marry you. Take some friends along, wear the requisite clothing, flowers etc. Be sure to have someone take boatloads of pictures)

2.) Move in with your spouse, get a common checking account, get life insurance with each other as beneficiary

3.) have your spouse collect their last couple of years tax returns, bank statements.

4.) sit down and fill out
Spouse: forms I130 & Affidavit of support
You: forms I485 & I765
Add the required checks
Mail the package to the lockbock address in chicago

5.) wait, do not leave the country

6.) after a couple of months you should get your work permit and eventually a conditional green-card.

7.) after two years you have to file to have the 'conditions' removed. You and your spouse have to go for an interview (and here is where the pictures, the common bank accounts and all that come in). You will have to convince USCIS that you are genuinely married to the person. People who are living as married couple rarely have problems during the interview. People with sham marriages tend to get caught.

Check out www.visajourney.com for more information on family immigration. It can be done by yourself (if you are able to write and read). Or hire an attorney.
 
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