Hi, I’m from Mozambique and I came to the U.S. on a J-1 exchange visa for a research program that just ended. I recently got engaged to a U.S. citizen, and we plan to marry soon. My J-1 visa didn’t have the two-year home residency requirement. Can I stay in the U.S. after my visa expires and apply for a green card through marriage? Or do I have to leave the country first? I want to make sure I do this legally.

Yes, since your J-1 doesn’t have the two-year home residency rule, you can marry your U.S. citizen partner and adjust your status from inside the U.S. You’ll file both Form I-130 and I-485 together. You don’t have to leave. Just make sure you stay in the U.S. legally until you apply.

You can stay and adjust status, but make sure you don’t overstay without filing. Once your J-1 program ends, you don’t have status unless you take action. It’s safest to get married and file before your grace period ends, so your presence stays lawful. A lawyer can help you file everything correctly.