TN getting married to US Citizen. What to do?

[formerairline]

I've been a TN since April of 2005 in sunny Orange County, California (originally from London Ontario). In 2007 I met a lady, one thing led to another and, long story short, we're getting married.

My TN status is set to expire in early April, the wedding is set for late May of 2010. I assumed that once you get married it was a pretty easy process to getting a greencard like getting a TN... oh what a foolish assumption to make.

I'm kind of at a loss as to what to do given the situation. Any ideas? I suppose I could go on getting the TN. Last April it was the easiest, quickest, most pain-free renewal yet. But renewing every year is such a pain, I have to go through this whole song and dance with the DMV, I can't do work on the side etc.

I know I should get some sort of fiancee or marriage visa. But will that require me to not have my passport? I'm going home for Christmas, and my employer kind of wants to start sending me to Paris every now and then.

[Dremani]

www.visajourney.com

[toronto5481]

well said, Dremani!

[agnelson]

While perusing visajourney, make sure you focus on those with TN -- the stories about those living outside US, or those with H1 do NOT apply to you. Most foreign spouse's come to US to marry first, not work then marry.

Then look at the TN board of immigration.com, since this deals specifically with TNers.

[Reba]

best bet is to get married NOW at the local courthouse before your TN expires, file for adjustment of status and you should have an EAD before your TN expires in April. Then you have have the big frou frou (non-legal) ceremony in May for family and friends to ooh and aah.

[Steven]

My TN status is set to expire in early April, the wedding is set for late May of 2010. I assumed that once you get married it was a pretty easy process to getting a greencard like getting a TN... oh what a foolish assumption to make.

Well it's not hard exactly. The main bit to it is to do your AOS in good time before the TN-1 expires, so either get a new TN-1 before you get married or get married immediately and hope you get far enough into the AOS to get the EAD before it expires.

[newfiesandiego]

Hi formerairline,

I am in a similar situation to yourself and wondered what information you have since learned. Do we have to apply for a fiance visa while we are still TN? I'd love to pick your brain or perhaps join forces to find out the answers. I visited the visajourney website that was posted but it did not pertain to our circumstances.

Would love to hear from you.
Ryan

[Reba]

I know for a fact there are several people at Visa Journey who have been in the US on TN and then got married to an American. NO, you do not need a K1, you need to just go ahead and get married an then apply to adjust status. K1 is ONLY if the foreign half of the couple is still living in their home country, which you obviously are not.

Get married, apply to adjust status.