QUESTION

Can I still marry although my visa has run out?

Asked on Jul 11th, 2013 on Immigration - Utah
More details to this question:
I intend to get married on the 12th of October 2013 to my American girlfriend. I am British. The problem I have is that my B2 visa runs out on the 26th of September.
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12 ANSWERS

Immigration Law Attorney serving San Francisco, CA at Law Offices of S. Ouya Maina
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You may still marry. If you intend to remain in the US your wife should petition for you as soon as possible after the marriage, as you will then be out of status and subject to being taken into custody and removed from the US.
Answered on Jul 18th, 2013 at 7:18 AM

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It is fine. You can get married even after your visa runs out as long as you entered the US lawfully and can prove that lawful entry. After the marriage you can apply for adjustment of status to permanent residence on the basis of the valid marriage to a US citizen. Please let me know if you have any additional questions or how I can be of further assistance to you in this matter.
Answered on Jul 15th, 2013 at 8:46 PM

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Immigration Law Attorney serving Atlanta, GA
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Generally, a foreign national who entered the U.S. lawfully and with inspection (such as with a B2 visa), and then later marries a U.S. citizen, may apply to Adjust Status in the U.S. to become a Permanent Resident (to get a "Green Card"). This is true even if the foreign national may have overstayed his original nonimmigrant visa by a few weeks (or even by a very long time).
Answered on Jul 15th, 2013 at 1:11 PM

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Adebola O. Asekun
Yes, you can still marry your US citizen girlfriend right here in the United States even after your B-2 visa has expired. Should you so desire, your then US citizen wife can file a Form I-130 petition for you concurrently with a Form I-485 Adjustment of status application[ green card]. Done properly, you should get a green card within 6 months or so of filing the applications. Please note that in filing for these applications some other issues bearing on your eligibility to get a green card might come up which is not addressed in your question or the response to it. I suggest you consult in detail with an experienced immigration attorney
Answered on Jul 12th, 2013 at 8:30 AM

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You may get married at any time regardless of your immigration. You can apply for a green card afterwards even if your current immigration status expired as long as your spouse is a U.S. citizen.
Answered on Jul 11th, 2013 at 7:23 PM

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Immigration and Naturalization Attorney serving San Diego, CA
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You should be fine.
Answered on Jul 11th, 2013 at 7:23 PM

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I guess that you intend to stay in the U.S. with your wife and are concerned that USCIS will give you hard time for overstaying your visa. Don't be: if you entered the U.S. on a visa, and were inspected and admitted, a visa overstay or another violation of your non-immigrant status (for instance, accepting employment without authorization) do not disqualify you from receiving a green card as a husband of a U.S. citizen who filed an immigrant petition for you. In other words, it's okay to have a wedding 2 weeks (or even a couple of years) after your authorized stay ends. There are three scenarios you should be careful to avoid: A. If you leave the U.S. after your visa status expires and before receiving your green card, it will be very difficult to get back in. B. If, after your visa status expires and before you receive a green card, US Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrests you, it will be very hard to convince them not to deport you. C. If a state police arrests you for breaking the law, they will call ICE to come get you; besides, even a minor criminal conviction often means disqualification from eligibility for a green card. So, don't leave the country, and don't get arrested. Or you might consider getting married now. After all, being pronounced a husband and wife by an authorized public servant is all that's needed for your wife to petition the government for your immigrant visa. The process will take quite a few months; and, before having to attend the interview with a USCIS officer, you will have plenty of time to have your wedding ceremony in September. This way, you can avoid falling out of status and cut down the time you would have to wait for permission to work in the U.S. (as well as permissions to drive, open bank accounts, travel abroad, and breathe without looking over your shoulder). So, it might be well worth considering. Just make sure that the registration of your marriage occurs not sooner than on 91st day after your entry into the U.S.
Answered on Jul 11th, 2013 at 7:22 PM

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Well, theoretically you probably may. However, you run into the problem of your marriage petition being rejected by the USCIS, you will be in violation of admission laws of the code with all ramifications following this violation. Also, I suggest you check if your girlfriend will be able to file for you affidavit of support with sufficient income.
Answered on Jul 11th, 2013 at 5:51 PM

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Yes, if you are not picked up by Immigration before the marriage.
Answered on Jul 11th, 2013 at 5:30 PM

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Immigration Law Attorney serving San Francisco, CA at Richard S. Kolomejec
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You can marry after the expiration date and still apply for the green card. No penalty in overstaying either. If done correctly, the entire process should take 90 days. And you must remain in the U.S. during this process.
Answered on Jul 11th, 2013 at 4:46 PM

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There is no law against marrying someone. If you are concerned about getting a greencard and remaining in the U.S., you can do it if you are marrying a U.S. Citizen if other conditions are met and no fraud is involved. Please consult with an Immigration Attorney who will walk you through the process, insure that you will not have any problems and help you with the legal paper work.
Answered on Jul 11th, 2013 at 4:45 PM

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Employment & Labor Attorney serving Salt Lake City, UT at Sharon L. Preston, P.C.
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Usually when a person enters the U.S. with inspection and they get married to a U.S. citizen, they can apply for Adjustment of Status ("Greencard"), even if they are no longer in status (i.e., their visa has expired) (There is an except to this rule for people who enter the U.S. on a Visa Waiver Program, but this doesn't apply to you). So yes, since you entered the U.S. on a B2 visa, you will be eligible to apply for adjustment of status after you get married to your U.S. citizen girlfriend. Once you file your adjustment application, you will be authorized to stay in the U.S. even without your B2 status, until your application is approved and you receive your Greencard.
Answered on Jul 11th, 2013 at 4:40 PM

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