Green card though marriage to USC while on OPT - appreciate guidance

[nvnvcha]

Hello,

I will be finishing my PhD in couple of months and my OPT will be starting some time in September, 2012. Me and my girl friend (who is a US citizen) have been dating for a year now and planning to get married in September. I know that on the day of the wedding we get a "customer copy" of marriage license and certificate (which has original signatures and notary seal). As I am legally in US on F1 visa for five years, I am thinking that I can start the application for family based green card (concurrent filing) the next day of the wedding. I read that the case becomes stronger if we can show that we have joint bank account, insurance, mortgage, lease, birth certificate of a child born to us etc. In our case, we don't have any of these. Could some one please tell me if it is safe or not to start the application immediately after the wedding? in case its safe to wait, how long should I wait to apply?

Very much appreciate your time to read and respond.

Thank you

[mtouch]

Hello,

I will be finishing my PhD in couple of months and my OPT will be starting some time in September, 2012. Me and my girl friend (who is a US citizen) have been dating for a year now and planning to get married in September. I know that on the day of the wedding we get a "customer copy" of marriage license and certificate (which has original signatures and notary seal). As I am legally in US on F1 visa for five years, I am thinking that I can start the application for family based green card (concurrent filing) the next day of the wedding. I read that the case becomes stronger if we can show that we have joint bank account, insurance, mortgage, lease, birth certificate of a child born to us etc. In our case, we don't have any of these. Could some one please tell me if it is safe or not to start the application immediately after the wedding? in case its safe to wait, how long should I wait to apply?

Very much appreciate your time to read and respond.

Thank you

Of course you don't have those papers coz you are just about to get married. As long as the marriage is authentic you have nothing to worry about. Just file the petition ASAP.

[nvnvcha]

Of course you don't have those papers coz you are just about to get married. As long as the marriage is authentic you have nothing to worry about. Just file the petition ASAP.

Thank you very much for the reply. By the time I start the process, I will be on my OPT and have an EAD (F1 based) and working. I looked at USCIS website for the procedure for concurrent filing. As far as I could understand we need to submit forms I-130, I-485 and I-864. But, I am confused about I-765. As I already have an EAD (F1 based) do I have to submit I-765 to get another EAD (green card based)?

Thank you

[hurryguy]

I am also in the same situation

I work for a software company and I am on my H1 B visa. I got married to my girl friend couple of weeks ago and I am planning to file for family based GC. Can you pls. let me know about the process. Is it easy to do of our own or should we hire an attorney? They charge somewhere about $5K. Pls. help. Is it better to apply for GC soon after marriage?

[Samuel Beckett]

Better talk to the consulate before you get married...Let them give their views..So that you can proceed further...

Hello,

I will be finishing my PhD in couple of months and my OPT will be starting some time in September, 2012. Me and my girl friend (who is a US citizen) have been dating for a year now and planning to get married in September. I know that on the day of the wedding we get a "customer copy" of marriage license and certificate (which has original signatures and notary seal). As I am legally in US on F1 visa for five years, I am thinking that I can start the application for family based green card (concurrent filing) the next day of the wedding. I read that the case becomes stronger if we can show that we have joint bank account, insurance, mortgage, lease, birth certificate of a child born to us etc. In our case, we don't have any of these. Could some one please tell me if it is safe or not to start the application immediately after the wedding? in case its safe to wait, how long should I wait to apply?

Very much appreciate your time to read and respond.

Thank you