Military gets married to foreigner

[cogaidethuong]

Hi,

I'm an international student that came to the States on the F-1 visa, and still currently on F-1 visa. My boyfriend is Native American, we know each other for almost 3 years, and we're planning to get married soon. He is on active duty military and just got back from the battles. We're ready to get marriage license, marriage certificate, and file I-485 and I-130 forms. So I know the process of getting green card after filling forms and stuff is usually about 6 months or so; however, I was wondering what if my bf is in military, will we get things proceed faster? In other words, will we be prioritized because of his situation and not waiting for months ? He's taking vacation in the States now, but he'll never know when he deploys again until they call. Have anyone here ever experienced in marrying an US soldier and actually know how long it probably would take? Any help is appreciated. Thank you!

[km1]

There is a clause for military that will expedite your paperwork if he is deployed or will deploy.



Good luck!

[rayb]

The link you provided only describes expedited citizenship for family members of military deployed abroad.

For standard immigrant and Adjustment of Status petitions, military status of spouse is not an expediting factor.

Years ago one of my client petitioners was stationed in Kuwait when Iraq started slinging missiles there. His wife's Adjustment of Status was in process at the time, and she was given a delay for the husband's signature that appeared to be a photocopy and for the husband's inability to be at her Adjustment interview (while he was dodging missiles in Kuwait).

There are at least three benefits a spouse can obtain while her husband is deployed abroad:
1. Expedited citizenship processing if she is with him.
2. Exemption from I-751 filing or fee.
3. Ability to file a widow petition, even if marriage is less than 2 years, if spouse is killed.

--Ray B

There is a clause for military that will expedite your paperwork if he is deployed or will deploy. The information can be found in the link below:



Good luck!

[km1]

The site says is deployed or will be deployed. Today's military is on constant alert and always able to get tasked for a deployment. In the time as an enlisted member I'd say there's only about 6 months out of every 2 years that you're not either gone or tasked to go. That's the Air Force. Other branches (such as the Army in the original posters case) hits longer deployments with sometimes evenness time at home. Finding a window of taskings for a deployment to expedite this process is easier than you'd think.