If your girlfriend came to the US over 15 years ago under a tourist visa which has long expired would she have leave and apply come back if you were get married?

It is possible that she would have to leave the US and apply for a visa from her home country in order to come back. However, there may be exceptions to this rule, such as if she has been granted Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) or Temporary Protected Status (TPS). It is important to consult with an immigration attorney to determine the best course of action.

If she does need to leave the US and apply for a visa, she will need to file Form DS-160, Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, and pay the visa application fee. She will also need to schedule an interview at a US embassy or consulate in her home country. During the interview, she will be asked questions about her immigration history, her relationship with you, and her plans for the future. If she is approved for the visa, she will be issued a visa stamp on her passport, which will allow her to travel to the US.

Once she arrives in the US, she will need to adjust her status from tourist visa holder to permanent resident. She can do this by filing Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, with the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). She will also need to provide supporting documentation, such as her marriage certificate, proof of lawful entry into the US, and a medical examination. If her application is approved, she will be granted a green card, which will allow her to live and work in the US permanently.