F1 Student on OPT - getting married to a US Citizen - timeline and work questions

[skbr]

Good afternoon -

We're trying to figure out how all of this works. My OPT ends in June 2016. I am currently residing in the US under an F1 visa. My boyfriend is a citizen. We wanted to get married sometime in 2016, however we are not sure how long it takes for this i130 processing so now we are thinking of getting married sooner.

I don't want to have a gap in my employment - which is why we are worried about the timing of when to send in the petition.

Any help/advice is much appreciated.

[rdnimpa]

Good afternoon -

We're trying to figure out how all of this works. My OPT ends in June 2016. I am currently residing in the US under an F1 visa. My boyfriend is a citizen. We wanted to get married sometime in 2016, however we are not sure how long it takes for this i130 processing so now we are thinking of getting married sooner.

I don't want to have a gap in my employment - which is why we are worried about the timing of when to send in the petition.

Any help/advice is much appreciated.

My advice is that you should get married especially if ya love each other. More time ya wait, the more you get worry as this process is very long and it is very stressful. I am exactly in the same boat as you. I am on OPT STEM Extension which expeired july 1st of 2016 and my employer has offer to sponsor me. I have chosen to get married to my lovely husband and the process with go smothly and fast.

May the Lord guides you through this journey. Hope this help you.