Adjustment of status

[Nate99]

Hi there! I wanted some advice on adjusting my status.

I entered the US on a student visa(F1) on August of 2017 and continued my study up until I was met with financial struggles that I turn led to my classes being dropped and my status revoked on feb 2020. I happened to get married to my girlfriend that same month and planned on applying to adjust status. But problem is, apart from our genuine love for eachother and times spent, we don’t have much evidence to put forward. We’re both fairly young so we haven’t really established our lives together solidly but I know for sure I’m staying with this girl forever. What do you recommend I do going forward and if anyone has any similar experiences please share! Thanks

[aph]

I do not have similar experiences as you and so I may not directly speak to your needs. Nonetheless, I believe you should commence the adjustment of status process especially now when I-944 has been put on hold. You don't wanna miss this window of opportunity!

[Nate99]

Thanks for the tip! One question though. What do you think are the best documents to have to show that it is a Bona Fide marriage? Between me, my wife and our family we all know for sure were legit but that’s not enough for USCIS.

[newacct]

You can open a joint bank account now, and show documents from that opening. You can put each other on each other's auto insurance, health insurance, credit cards. You can put each other as beneficiaries on each other's bank accounts, IRAs, life insurance, etc.

[pigrew]

With dropping classes, F-1 status in the USA may be invalidated. Filing an adjustment of status (especially based on a marriage to a US citizen) will let you legally stay in the USA, at least while the AoS is pending.

Based on what I've read, USCIS weights financial ties and children quite heavily. Get joint bank accounts/credit cards. File joint tax returns. Move in together. Get State IDs/driver licenses with the same address. Bring pictures of yourselves together (preferably in group settings with family). You can also get US citizen friends/family to write affidavits of bone fide marriage, though USCIS apparently doesn't put much faith in them.

[Nate99]

Thank you guys for all the tips!! One other thing I was thinking was if the timing mattered. Like for example, after I get the bank accounts, credit cards, bills, etc... would it be wise to give it time or just file everything once they’re all available?

[newacct]

Thank you guys for all the tips!! One other thing I was thinking was if the timing mattered. Like for example, after I get the bank accounts, credit cards, bills, etc... would it be wise to give it time or just file everything once they’re all available?

You don't need to "give it time". There will be time before the interview and you can bring updated evidence then.

[Nate99]

Got you. Thanks

[jessicapl7]

Here is a little extra to help you guys out. My husband and I married pretty quickly so we went through the same thing. We know that we're genuine but you really have to work harder to prove it to the government.

Unless she has major objections, do make sure she's changed her name. I've been told by a few people that this does help, especially for childless couples. If you are intending to have children anytime soon, that is a major help to your case. If either of you own property or are financing a vehicle, do it jointly or put the other person's name on it. In my case, I owned my own home prior to marriage and I added his name to the deed. The best way to think about it is, if it's infinitely complicated to undo, it makes for better proof. Name changes, deed changes, financing, and children are all more difficult so they are more likely to see these changes as permanent.

Good luck with your immigration journey and your marriage!

[Nate99]

Okay. Thanks!