K1 or CR1 benefits

[roxer 3]

Are there any benefits to marry inside of China verses doing the fiancée visa and marrying in the US? Are there privileges that come with marrying in China? Just curious..

[Penguin_ie 5,993]

- the foreign spouses family can attend the wedding

- It tends to be cheaper to get married abroad

- The CR-1 visa is cheaper

- When the foreign spouse arrives on their visa, they can work and travel immediately- useful if they have elderly parents or other potential family obligations.

[Robby999 1,024]

Here is a table with all the pros and cons of each type visa! One thing to keep in the back of your mind before applying for a visa is whether or not your significant other has children and the age of the children. http://www.visajourney.com/content/compare

[roxer 3]

I guess I was curious if marrying a Chinese National in land would give any benefits like visa privileges for the foreign spouse. Chinese visas are very restrictive time wise.

[RandyW 149]

I guess I was curious if marrying a Chinese National in land would give any benefits like visa privileges for the foreign spouse. Chinese visas are very restrictive time wise.

If you're married, you're married. The fact of WHERE the marriage occurred doesn't provide any special benefits

Spouses of Chinese citizens, regardless of where the marriage took place, may apply for visas and/or resident permits with unlimited stay durations at the local PSB of their spouse's residence. I have been in China since Dec. 2009, with only a short return to the U.S. in Jan., 2011 - and no border hops. I am told that I'll be eligible to apply for a green card at my 5 year anniversary (which occurs in Dec., 2014).

You are also eligible for longer term visas when applying at the foreign embassies, although they seem to be issuing shorter duration stays these days. Include a copy of your wife's Chinese ID, passport page, and marriage certificate, whether Chinese or American.

If your marriage certificate was issued in a foreign country (e.g., USA), you may need to have it certified by the Dept. of State, and THAT cerification certified by your Chinese consulate (that is, the SAME certification needed for a stateside singles certificate) before you can use it in China. This is a NEW requirement within the last year or two.

[roxer 3]

Thanks much. That was the type of information I was looking for. I guess a marriage in China just eliminates the certification of the US marriage license for future usage purposes.