Student, Worker…Wife? What Happens When You Marry on a Visa

Love can blossom anywhere — in college classrooms, bustling offices, or city streets. If you’re in the U.S. on a student visa (F-1) or work visa (H-1B) and you marry a U.S. citizen, congratulations! But be prepared: your immigration journey isn’t automatic.

Here’s what you need to know:

1. Adjustment of Status (AOS)

Marriage to a U.S. citizen allows you to apply for a green card without leaving the country, using a process called adjustment of status. You’ll file two main forms:

• Form I-130 to establish your marital relationship

• Form I-485 to apply for lawful permanent residence

2. Timing Matters

If your visa is about to expire, act quickly. You must submit your green card application before your visa status lapses. While spouses of U.S. citizens get special forgiveness (called “immediate relative exception”) for overstays, it’s still smoother if you stay in valid status.

3. Work and Travel After Marriage

Until your work permit (EAD) and travel document (Advance Parole) are approved, you cannot start working or leave the country — even if you’re married.

4. What to Expect When You Marry on a Visa: Intent and Timing Issues

If you entered the U.S. on a temporary visa and marry a citizen soon after, immigration officers might question your intent — did you plan to marry all along? To avoid trouble, show evidence that your relationship developed naturally over time.

Marriage on a visa can feel overwhelming, but with careful planning, it’s a joyful path to permanent residency — and a lifetime together.

At Elizee Law Firm, we guide you every step of the way, so your immigration journey is as beautiful as your love story.

Patricia Elizee is the managing partner of the Elizee Law Firm, an immigration law firm located at 1110 Brickell Avenue, Suite 315, Miami, Florida 33131. Phone 305-371-8846. The law firm was established in 2012. Ms. Elizee earned her Juris Doctorate at the University of Miami School of Law and her Masters in Law from the University of Washington School of Law.