Please help... I am so confused

[Think~Pink 0]

Hi everyone, this is my first post so please forgive me if this has been posted before.

I am in a fix..I am a UK citizen, engaged to a US citizen.

We have planned our wedding for June 2009 and have been extremely naive. We didn't realise that he would need some kind of visa in order to marry over here and now I am panicking and stressing out.

We want to get married over here, with the intent of me moving over there as soon as possible afterwards.

We are not having a church wedding, (but if it makes it easier..then we will), but a civil ceremony at a licensed venue, (we are male/female BTW).

All the web sites are quite confusing and I just don't know where to start..is there anyone out there who can please, please help me.

Thanks so much in advance

[stevi1123 0]

Hi,

At one point in time, I was considering the same thing. However, we have since decided to live in the US instead of the UK. There were so many reasons why.

But here is a link that you can go to, where there is more info about the UK visas. It is a different type of procedure there.

http://www.britainusa.com/visas/articles_s...000&a=41191

Good Luck and God Bless

Edited July 7, 2008 by stevi1123

[Think~Pink 0]

Hi and thanks for the reply

I just want to clarify that I am the UK citizen, he is the US citizen and we only want to get married in the UK, (because of my family)..and then I am going to live in the US, (those visas are another story).

Thanks for the link you posted, I will definitely take a look there if it helps me..it's just, people sometimes make things sound confusing..I am but a simple mind lol.

[NickyMcMillan 0]

You can't get married in the UK, then move to the US right after. You would have to file for a visa after the wedding, which would take time. Others will be able to chime in about that process.

It would seem much easier to me, for you to apply for a K1 visa to get married in the US. You can still have a non legal ceremony in the UK, Just don't sign anything. Have somebody be the minister (we had a good friend be our minister at our big non legal ceremony). That way you can start the process now and be sure to move to the US next June after the ceremony. When in the US, goto a courthouse for the legals.

Best of luck

Edited July 7, 2008 by NickyMcMillan

[*julez* 124]

Getting a visa to marry in the UK is pretty quick and easy - most people have it within two weeks, from stories I've seen posted here on VJ. The tricky bit is then getting the correct visa to settle in the US - if your future husband can stay with you in the UK while you wait it out, that would be great. Otherwise, you'll have to face several months apart, with visits when you can manage. Some have opted to have a celebration in their home country, but no actual marriage. that might be an option, if you want ot include your family, or do a K1 fiance visa, marry here (just a quickie civil ceremony) in the US and once you have either Advance Parole, or your Green Card, you can have an "official" ceremony and reception with family & friends back in the UK.

Its not as easy as we all believed when we started out in these long distance relationships! I never realized how complex it all was, but got educated about the process and we got through it OK. You will too! Good luck with your journey!!

[Think~Pink 0]

Thank you so much for your replies..it has helped me a lot.

If I wanted to go over there and have the quick ceremony, then come over here and have the 'offcial' ceremony..what would that entail?

Would I then have to apply for visas etc and would the ceremony over here have to be done by someone who is not licensed, so it would be more like a 'pretend' wedding?

Sorry for all the questions, but there is so much to learn..you have no idea how many websites I have bookmarked lol

[NickyMcMillan 0]

Yes your wedding in the UK would be pretend if you decide todo K1. If you really want the legal wedding done in the UK. You will have to be prepared to spend time apart whilst you go through the visa process after the wedding. Unless your OH can afford to reside in the UK with you, whilst you await for the visa.

If you decide to go for the K1. You would goto a courthouse in the US for your legal marriage. It takes 2 mins todo. My wife was on her work lunch break when we did ours!!! We did have a big ceremony a few weeks later. But it was fake, but for us that will be our wedding anniversary.

Its a very daunting process at first. Whatever route you decide, you will get thro it. The hardest part is the waiting.

[MargotDarko 0]

I think the suggestion of getting the K1 visa and having a non-legal ceremony in the UK is a good one. The safest way to go about it is to get the fiancee visa, move to the US, have the quickie legal ceremony in the US, get advanced parole (the permission you need to leave the country and return before you've become a permanent resident), and then go to the UK together for the non-legal ceremony. Basically something julez suggested. This avoids any weirdness that you may be seen as already married and therefore not eligble for the K1 visa. And also means you can return to the US right after the family party in the UK.

When you have the K1 visa, have entered the US, and gotten advanced parole, you do not need to do any more legal stuff or get any visas to return to the UK together. He can enter as a visitor. He would just say he was there with you to visit family and friends since it's just a party rather than getting married. I'm not sure how it would work to set it up to do vows without actually getting married. I would google for how to a commitment ceremony in the UK for already married couples renewing their vows.

[Think~Pink 0]

Lots of great advice, I am sorry I didn't find this forum sooner

It does sound like the K1 is better all around, especially as he would have to come over here just to attend the 'giving notice of marriage' thing..he has only just gone home lol (wish we had known all this before his trip..it would have saved us a lot of headaches).

If say I take a week holiday to go over there and do the legal marriage in the courthouse..would this other thing, advanced parole...would I be able to get that whilst I am over there, or does it take a while?

[VisaJourneyLady 33]

I guess it's just me, but I would opt for the quickie wedding in the USA, or the visit for marriage visa to the UK, and then apply for a CR-1.

You should look on the timelines here to see what kind of waiting period there is for both. The advantage with the CR-1 is that there is no Adjustment of Status period after you enter, so travel or working is not restricted. It's just what I would do, you have a lot of reading and weighing the options in your future.

To answer your question, if you go over and do the legal ceremony in a courthouse, you are then married, and you are ineligible for a K-1. Your options become CR-1 or K-3.

[KimandRuss 0]

Lots of great advice, I am sorry I didn't find this forum sooner

It does sound like the K1 is better all around, especially as he would have to come over here just to attend the 'giving notice of marriage' thing..he has only just gone home lol (wish we had known all this before his trip..it would have saved us a lot of headaches).

If say I take a week holiday to go over there and do the legal marriage in the courthouse..would this other thing, advanced parole...would I be able to get that whilst I am over there, or does it take a while?

You're going to want to read the guides. They will help you decide what is best for you.

You can come into the country and marry your fiance but you still can't stay without a visa.

If you take the K1 route, your fiance will need to file a petition on your behalf. Depending on where he lives in the U.S. he will either file it with California or Vermont. Right now the process through Vermont is taking 3+ months from NOA1 to NOA2 and 4-5+ months through California. This fluctuates all the time. Vermont generally being the faster of the two centers. Once your petition is approved it is sent to the National Visa Center (NVC) who then send it to the Consulate that you will be interviewing with. Whilst you are awaiting your approval you continue to collect your proof of your ongoing relationship. After the Embassy receives your approved petition you will usually be sent a packet that will ask for even more forms, a medical including vaccinations and x-rays. Your fiance will need to send you an affidavit of support proving you will not become a public charge once in the U.S. From approval to interview date depends very much on the Consulate. You can check the 'portals' or 'embassy info' links at the top to find out how long it is taking at your Consulate. Once you enter on a K1 visa you can not leave the country until you are married and file for AP. Most do so with their AOS (adjustment of status) as it is included in the $1,010 cost of adjusting. Your EAD (employment authorization document) is also included in that price. You can check the timelines for how long it is currently taking to process these documents but it's usually 2-4 months or so after you are married. I have heard from others who have had it expedited in just a matter of days.

A spousal visa is also possible and each comes with it's pros and cons. You'll want to check out the forums here.

As others have stated, it usually means time apart unless you're one of the 'lucky' ones. Good luck whatever you choose.

Edited July 8, 2008 by KimandRuss

[Kamaboko 0]

Lots of great advice, I am sorry I didn't find this forum sooner

It does sound like the K1 is better all around, especially as he would have to come over here just to attend the 'giving notice of marriage' thing..he has only just gone home lol (wish we had known all this before his trip..it would have saved us a lot of headaches).

If say I take a week holiday to go over there and do the legal marriage in the courthouse..would this other thing, advanced parole...would I be able to get that whilst I am over there, or does it take a while?

Hello!

I am one of those examples who got married in the US, filed the Adjustment of Status (greencard) right away along with advance parole letter. It takes at most about 2 months to get this advance parole approved. So if you decide to do K1, you should consider this waiting part too, if you will be willing to wait for two months before you two will eventually be able to return to UK for family visit and quick non legal wed ceremony to fullfil your family's wishes.

I hope this helps. Pls let me know if anything is clear

[msu17 0]

Benefit of doing your original plan: your real wedding and marriage are in the UK in front of your friends and family.

Con: AFTER the marriage, you will then file for one of the 2 marriage visa options. The US doesn't care if he stays there with you or comes back to the US, but you can't move until you have that visa. Probs another 6-12 months after the marriage

Benefit of doing the fiance: You can start filing for your visa nowish and hopefully be able to move to the US much sooner.

Con: You will have to stay in the US until you are married and have AP. If you have already put money down for our 09 wedding, this might be difficult to time.

Another option: Come over to the US or have him go there and do a quickie wedding. File now for the spousal visa and go ahead with your wedding in 09 (non-official now). With the spousal visas, you are free to come and leave the US, so if the visa is approved before the 09 wedding, you can move early if you want and if it's not done, you should be able to move relatively soon after the wedding.

Unless having your wedding be official is very important to you (which it is for a lot of people) I would go with filing the K1 and having the UK wedding be for show (and spiritual reasons/marriage) OR get married now and file for the spousal visa in the next month or so and go ahead with the 09 wedding. That way you'll have less time apart.

[rebeccajo 14]

Is it 'do-able' to have a 'non-official' wedding in the UK?

My understanding (from talking about cultural stuff in the UK) is that most officiants are pretty weird about that kind of thing. But then again, my husband is from Northern Ireland. I think some of their church officials are more 'rigid' in their views.

At any rate, I never like the idea of having 'non-official' weddings before visas are issued. I think it's risky. If you are committed to this large ceremony next summer, I like the idea best of you arriving in the US now on the visa waiver, marrying in a small legal ceremony here, filing for the US spousal visa with you returning to the UK at some point prior to your interview, and having your large ceremony in the UK as planned. Maybe you could call it a renewal of vows.

That way you're not mucking about with a fiance' visa for him PLUS a visa for you.

[Think~Pink 0]

Thank you for the information

It looks like whatever we decide to do, we are going to have to spend time apart, but depending on which route we take, determines how long.

I am just not able to go over there and wait 2 months for the advanced parole thing to come through, I cannot get that time off work.

It will be just as difficult for him to get time off work to come over here for the interview for the notice of marriage..he could well end up losing his job..it just seems we are stuck between a rock and a hard place and it's stressing me out no end.