[benzesandbetter]

I think you need to consider more options, most likely some further outside of your comfort zone.

Are you madly in love with this woman? If so, be willing to consider leaving your job, and going to live in another country where you can both get residency status.

It may also be an option for you two to spend blocks of time in each others countries so that you stay under the visa-free travel requirements. For example, my girlfriend is from a Schengen country and I'm a California native. We can both spend 90 days out of every 6 months in each others' country, and do a bit of travel together in other countries. This has enabled us to let the relationship progress at a natural pace, and not rush into marriage for visa/citizenship reasons. I think that's really important. Some years ago I was dating a woman from New Caledonia whose ability to stay legally in the US was approaching a deadline. She suggested marriage as a workaround, but it really made me doubt the sincerity of her intentions.

If you're totally and completely in love with this woman, then you'll find a way. Asking around on HN can be one part of that, but more likely, you'll need to step your game up, hustle, maybe work some extra projects to cover travel/legal expenses, and possibly make some real sacrifices. If you love her with a real fire inside you, then the most important thing to both of you will be that you two are together and you'll find/make a way.

Sounds like it's time for you to go hard in the paint. Good luck.