US Citizen Marrying UK Citizen

[Cpuckett3]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Missouri

My girlfriend and I met while studying abroad in France. I'm a US citizen and she's a British citizen (we're both women). She and I will finish our undergrad degrees soon and she would like to come with me to graduate school and attend the same university. We also plan on getting married in the near future. Would it be easier for her to come to the US on a student visa and then we get married or should she apply for a fiancée visa?

 

[LdiJ]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Missouri

My girlfriend and I met while studying abroad in France. I'm a US citizen and she's a British citizen (we're both women). She and I will finish our undergrad degrees soon and she would like to come with me to graduate school and attend the same university. We also plan on getting married in the near future. Would it be easier for her to come to the US on a student visa and then we get married or should she apply for a fiancée visa?

It would likely be better for her to come on a student visa. If things between the two of you do not work out, then she can stay until she finishes her education. If she comes over on a fiancée visa then she could not stay if things do not work out.

 

[FlyingRon]

Of course, she could be turned down for the student visa if they realize she has immigration intent.

 

[LdiJ]

Of course, she could be turned down for the student visa if they realize she has immigration intent.

While that might eventually be true, I still think its wiser not to be in a position where you might not be able to finish your education if things do not work out between people.

I suspect she would choose to do graduate school elsewhere if they were not together.

 

[FlyingRon]

Might be advisable from a relationship standpoint, but lying on an visa application is never a good idea.