I don't know the answers to your question, but you better correct your OPT to just say OPT before people here start to see it and laugh at your thread all day.

Cowboys · Dec 20, 2009 6:35 AM

Thanks. It was a typo??

Machaphuchree · Dec 20, 2009 8:02 AM

Marrying a US citizen or resident will not make a difference to your current status.  You still have to maintain your F-1 status and comply with OPT rule until you get your own GC.  That means, you should be either a student until the time you get your green card or should be working under OPT.  Waiting time for Family based preference 2A (marrying a US resident) to get GC is about 4 years .. or may be even more (they will be issuing GC on 1/2010 for applicants who filed petition before 01/01/2006.  http://www.travel.state.gov/vi... There are several free immigration forums moderated by immigration lawyers or people like us on the net .. you should put your question there .. Some of the forums are: http://dir.groups.yahoo.com/gr... http://dir.groups.yahoo.com/gr... Search for more immigration forums ...good luck If you are planning to hire an attorney to file I-130, you should ask these question to hom/her.  

madhesi · Dec 20, 2009 8:14 AM

Machapuchrre Congratulations on your upcoming marriage. Madeshi is right, but once your spouse becames US Citizen then  your statues will be changed  in  6 months. so you have to wait till she becomes US Cititzen. Marrying GC holder makes no diference in your status. She can file I-130 for you but you  have to maintain legal status in your own way.  If you are from STEM major, you can extend your OPT another 17 months or go back to your previous school  or find some cheaper community college and wait till she becomes Citizen.

lonly · Dec 20, 2009 10:06 AM

It is wiser to have your GC holder spouse to file petition for you and wait for your GC for the next 4 yrs or more.  Please do not wait until your wife becomes citizen for her to file petition on your behalf.  When your wife becomes citizen, which she has to wait for 3 years just to apply and another 6 months or so to get the citizenship (total 3.5 yrs to become citizen), she can file petition again as a US citizen on your behalf.  This will take another 6 months for you to get he GC as a wife of a citizen.  So total wait time for you is still 4 years, even as a spouse of a citizen.  You can go both ways and see which one is faster.

madhesi · Dec 20, 2009 10:56 AM

Thank you so much for your suggestion Madeshi.

Machaphuchree · Dec 20, 2009 11:47 AM

Haven't yet decided of getting married...:). Just wants to know the status of mine after getting married. You people gave me the details which infact is the things to admire. Thanks.

Machaphuchree · Dec 20, 2009 11:49 AM