Living in China

[margarth 1]

Hi, I know this site is focused on Americans moving their foreign spouses to the U.S., so I'm sorry if this is a little off topic, but I wasn't sure where else to go to ask.

I'm a U.S. citizen (by birth) living in China with my fiancé who is a Chinese citizen. We would like to continue to live in China at least for the near future but would like to get married in my hometown in the U.S. Basically, I'm trying to figure out the best way to do this. Should he apply for a K1 visa and then just not apply for Adjustment of Status after we get married? We would like to be able to take trips to the U.S. in as convenient a way as possible after we get married. Obviously a green card is the most convenient, but they won't grant him one if we're not living in the U.S., right? Will we just have to get K3 visas every time we want to take a trip to the U.S. in the future? Please tell me there's a less painful way than that...

Thanks for any advice,

Maggie & Jason

[Hank_ 9,174]

Hi, I know this site is focused on Americans moving their foreign spouses to the U.S., so I'm sorry if this is a little off topic, but I wasn't sure where else to go to ask.

I'm a U.S. citizen (by birth) living in China with my fiancé who is a Chinese citizen. We would like to continue to live in China at least for the near future but would like to get married in my hometown in the U.S. Basically, I'm trying to figure out the best way to do this. Should he apply for a K1 visa and then just not apply for Adjustment of Status after we get married? We would like to be able to take trips to the U.S. in as convenient a way as possible after we get married. Obviously a green card is the most convenient, but they won't grant him one if we're not living in the U.S., right? Will we just have to get K3 visas every time we want to take a trip to the U.S. in the future? Please tell me there's a less painful way than that...

Thanks for any advice,

Maggie & Jason

I would look into getting a Tourist visa, they have there own requirements but should be a lot less "painful" and would allow you to travel with ease. Then you can get married enjoy your visit and head back to China when ready.

Edited February 15, 2012 by Hank_Amy

[margarth 1]

I would look into getting a Tourist visa, they have there own requirements but should be a lot less "painful" and would allow you to travel with ease. Then you can get married enjoy your visit and head back to China when ready.

Thanks for the advice! Unfortunately, he was denied a tourist visa when we applied last October (before we were engaged). Is it much easier to get a tourist visa after getting engaged? I feel like the embassy is just gonna see that he got denied recently and think he's faking an engagement to get into the country... Or do you mean get a tourist visa after we're married and want to visit the U.S.?

[garfield529 47]

It will be difficult to get a B2 visa unless you can prove strong financial ties to China. I would recommend checking out the Candle for Love website for some advice, keeping in mind that most of the guys on that forum are a little older and set in their ways but have

a lot of experience.

You could do a DCF if you get married in China, but you will need to prove domicile to return to the US. The most likely route is that you will have to file for a K-1 using a co-sponser stateside to overcome your financial deficit since you do not have an income stream from a US company. The other option is to return to the states, establish domicile and then apply for a K-1. Just my advice. Good luck!

[margarth 1]

It will be difficult to get a B2 visa unless you can prove strong financial ties to China. I would recommend checking out the Candle for Love website for some advice, keeping in mind that most of the guys on that forum are a little older and set in their ways but have

a lot of experience.

You could do a DCF if you get married in China, but you will need to prove domicile to return to the US. The most likely route is that you will have to file for a K-1 using a co-sponser stateside to overcome your financial deficit since you do not have an income stream from a US company. The other option is to return to the states, establish domicile and then apply for a K-1. Just my advice. Good luck!

Thanks so much! I'll definitely check out that website. I unfortunately don't qualify for DCF as I'm in China on a tourist visa. So I think K1 with a cosponsor might be the only way to go? As far as visiting the U.S. in the future though, what would be the best way to do that? just K3?

[bigdog 376]

Interesting, will send you a PM. Good Luck.

[Darnell 8,478]

Thanks so much! I'll definitely check out that website. I unfortunately don't qualify for DCF as I'm in China on a tourist visa. So I think K1 with a cosponsor might be the only way to go? As far as visiting the U.S. in the future though, what would be the best way to do that? just K3?

After marriage, you can get a 2 year residency permit IN CHINA , to live IN China. Don't forget that, when yer adding items to yer calendar.