Why can't the family attend a wedding on the K1 visa?

[TheGirlWonder 0]

I keep reading that the K1 visa means my future husband's family (they are Irish) would not be able to attend the wedding save for obtaining a tourist visa. That doesn't make sense to me — can they not simply come to the States on vacation, like any other person would, when the wedding will take place?

[john_and_marlene 162]

Where are you reading that?

[that_girl 9]

I keep reading that the K1 visa means my future husband's family (they are Irish) would not be able to attend the wedding save for obtaining a tourist visa. That doesn't make sense to me — can they not simply come to the States on vacation, like any other person would, when the wedding will take place?

They could come to the US under the visa waiver program, could they not? Then they would be able to attend your wedding in the States without an issue.

[TheGirlWonder 0]

Under this link in "K1 disadvantages":

http://www.visaservice.com/k1_vs_k3.shtml

I don't see why they would need any kind of visa to visit the U.S. and attend our wedding. It's just like a normal trip, no? They would stay about a week, then go back...just like a normal vacation, yes?

Where are you reading that?

[john_and_marlene 162]

Under this link in "K1 disadvantages":

http://www.visaservice.com/k1_vs_k3.shtml

I don't see why they would need any kind of visa to visit the U.S. and attend our wedding. It's just like a normal trip, no? They would stay about a week, then go back...just like a normal vacation, yes?

That's talking about non VWP countries.

Your family will have to come to the US just like any other person coming as a tourist. For many countries that means obtaining a tourist visa. VWP countries are far outnumbered by those that are not.

[baron555 934]

I keep reading that the K1 visa means my future husband's family (they are Irish) would not be able to attend the wedding save for obtaining a tourist visa. That doesn't make sense to me — can they not simply come to the States on vacation, like any other person would, when the wedding will take place?

Yes

[TheGirlWonder 0]

Excellent. Yeah, my boyfriend is Irish...so it would be his family; I'm American and living in NYC. It is very important to me that they could attend.

We are struggling to figure out which visa is right for us — K1 or K3? Can anyone recommend a good thought process for this? I have done the research and it's still not clear to me which is the way to go. We are very much in love and have been dating for a couple years (he's back and forth from Ireland), so we know we want to do this. We might be facing a lot of time apart this year as a border officer gave him a hard time at the border last time — this will factor into whether we choose K1 or K3.

Any and all advice is GREATLY appreciated.

That's talking about non VWP countries.

Your family will have to come to the US just like any other person coming as a tourist. For many countries that means obtaining a tourist visa. VWP countries are far outnumbered by those that are not.

[christeen 966]

A K3 is if you are already married, so if you are planning on doing the wedding here, then it would be the K1 Fiance visa... But, If you are doing a spouse visa do not wast your time or $$$ on the K-3... It is an obsolete visa... Use the CR1 instead...

As far as family, they can come over like a vacation since they are part of the VWP country... The visa is required for other countrys that cannot readily enter the US without one...

[TracyTN 237]

The K1 visa - like any visa - is for ONE PERSON. They cannot issue 'blanket' visas to cover your fiance and every Tom, ####### and Harry who wants to come over for the wedding.

Honestly a K1 visa is a tad faster than either a K3 or CR1 (which I would do in lieu of the K3) - but only a few months difference. It's negligible.

EVERYONE here who has gone through this is very much and love and wants to be together - so nothing new there! The way we decided was did we want to be apart as an engaged couple or as spouses? We opted to be apart during our engagement. It just seemed weird to me somehow to be married and be apart, but each couple has to determine that for themselves.

[TheGirlWonder 0]

Right, I know the K1 wouldn't cover his family...but they could still travel to the U.S. like a regular Joe going on vacation to New York, and attend the wedding.

I agree with you that I definitely would rather be apart during our engagement than as a wedded couple — I take it that would be the K1 route. I guess I don't know enough about the K3 yet to understand why we would have to be apart after we were already married. Any insight there?

The K1 visa - like any visa - is for ONE PERSON. They cannot issue 'blanket' visas to cover your fiance and every Tom, ####### and Harry who wants to come over for the wedding.

Honestly a K1 visa is a tad faster than either a K3 or CR1 (which I would do in lieu of the K3) - but only a few months difference. It's negligible.

EVERYONE here who has gone through this is very much and love and wants to be together - so nothing new there! The way we decided was did we want to be apart as an engaged couple or as spouses? We opted to be apart during our engagement. It just seemed weird to me somehow to be married and be apart, but each couple has to determine that for themselves.

[pushbrk 12,824]

I guess I don't know enough about the K3 yet to understand why we would have to be apart after we were already married. Any insight there?

You are apart after marriage because the process of obtaining the visa takes several months. Again, forget the K3. If you marry first, take the CR1 route.

A key consideration in the whole picture is how you value the need for work authorization. The K1 route results in several months in the USA without work authorization. Marriage abroad and the CR1 visa results in immidiate work authorization upon US entry.

[TracyTN 237]

Right, I know the K1 wouldn't cover his family...but they could still travel to the U.S. like a regular Joe going on vacation to New York, and attend the wedding.

I agree with you that I definitely would rather be apart during our engagement than as a wedded couple — I take it that would be the K1 route. I guess I don't know enough about the K3 yet to understand why we would have to be apart after we were already married. Any insight there?

Of course they can - but if they were not from a VWP country, then they'd have to procure tourist visas to attend.

You must still go through the visa process whether or not you are married or engaged. Just because you get married doesn't mean he can stay while you await the process.

[TheGirlWonder 0]

And I take it you can file these papers anytime, yes? There is no specific period they accept them or deadline?

Of course they can - but if they were not from a VWP country, then they'd have to procure tourist visas to attend.

You must still go through the visa process whether or not you are married or engaged. Just because you get married doesn't mean he can stay while you await the process.

[TracyTN 237]

And I take it you can file these papers anytime, yes? There is no specific period they accept them or deadline?

'These papers' being what - the initial petition? No, there is no specific period in which you must submit them. Just after you are engaged if a K1, and after the marriage if going the CR1 or K3 route. The guides should illustrate this pretty clearly.

[mrs. wife! 3]

And I take it you can file these papers anytime, yes? There is no specific period they accept them or deadline?

Just make sure you and your fiance have met in the period of 2 years.

When collecting information that "documents proof of having met your fiance(e) within two years" consider information that "factually" places the two of you together first. This means items such as dated photographs, airlines tickets/stubs (proving you boarded) to their country (or for them to the US and your home city), etc.. You should also consider submitting information that validates your relationship which will help the adjudcator understand the scope of your relationship and acts as secondary evidence (photos together, dated emails -edit out personal items first-, etc..).

1. Copies of all airline boarding passes, train passes, itineraries, hotel receipts, passport stamps (make sure you can read the dates on the stamps), and other documentary evidence that you have met within the last two years. You may want to highlight or place post-it notes indicating the dates and locations on the copies (to make the adjudication easier) for the person reviewing your file.

2. Color Photo's of you and your fiance(e) together. Make sure you write your names, date, and location on the back of every photo. Provide two to five photo's. If you only have a single copy of the photo, then make a color copy and send that. If it is a digital photo, have it printed at a company such as kodakgallery.com. You can also make duplicates of photo's at your local photo store (Walgreeens, CVS, etc). Place photo's in a plastic bag or photo sheet and label the sheet. Note that you may not receive originals of photo's back.

3. The following items will not typically show proof of having met in the last two years however will show proof of an ongoing relationship: Copies of phone bills, cell phone bills, emails (you can edit personal info with a marker), letters (edit personal info also), stamps on the letters (to document the date they were sent), and other written documentary proof. Provide a reasonable amount; two to four of each type. Pick a range of dates up to and including the present. You can also include a copy of engagement ring receipt (this is something that is a big optional - do not worry if you do not have a ring yet!)