Wedding in the US Virgin Islands?

[k0mplex 0]

My fiancee is in the U.S. on an F1 student visa which means she has to remain in the country from now until the time her visa is adjusted to permanent resident.

We can't leave the U.S. for a wedding - but, I wonder - can we get married in the US Virgin Islands?

I understand that there is no immigration on the way in, but there is on the way out. As long as we remain in US territory the whole time, will there be any problem returning to the mainland? Or will it (as I hope) be considered the same as if we got married on the U.S. mainland?

I'll call the Dept of Interior tomorrow, but would love your thoughts/experiences in the meantime.

Thanks!!!

Edited April 14, 2008 by k0mplex

[pushbrk 13,117]

My fiancee is in the U.S. on an F1 student visa which means she has to remain in the country from now until the time her visa is adjusted to permanent resident.

We can't leave the U.S. for a wedding - but, I wonder - can we get married in the US Virgin Islands?

I understand that there is no immigration on the way in, but there is on the way out. As long as we remain in US territory the whole time, will there be any problem returning to the mainland? Or will it (as I hope) be considered the same as if we got married on the U.S. mainland?

I'll call the Dept of Interior tomorrow, but would love your thoughts/experiences in the meantime.

Thanks!!!

Has nothing to do with the Department of the Interior. Customs and Border Patrol can tell you whether you are considered to have left the country by going to USVI. It's a gray area for me.

[k0mplex 0]

Anyone else have any experience traveling to USVI for wedding or honeymoon with a fiancee on a student visa?

[payxibka 10,047]

Anyone else have any experience traveling to USVI for wedding or honeymoon with a fiancee on a student visa?

Is F-1 a multiple entry visa?

[*JG* 2]

I've heard some crazy stories about not going in the ocean or something like that cause it makes you out of the country. I have a hard time believing these.

I would do what was suggested and call customs and border patrol and ask.

[payxibka 10,047]

I've heard some crazy stories about not going in the ocean or something like that cause it makes you out of the country. I have a hard time believing these.

I would do what was suggested and call customs and border patrol and ask.

Cruise ships... YES

Direct flights - No (as long as they don't have an emergency diversion....)

Edited April 15, 2008 by fwaguy

[pushbrk 13,117]

I've heard some crazy stories about not going in the ocean or something like that cause it makes you out of the country. I have a hard time believing these.

I would do what was suggested and call customs and border patrol and ask.

Cruise ships... YES

Direct flights - No (as long as they don't have an emergency diversion....)

I take it you mean direct flights are ok and cruise ships aren't, as to the OP's concerns.

My head is now clear on the issue of foreigners arriving on the same flight. They already cleared CBP when they arrived in USVI so a non-stop (Direct just means no change of plane but could have multiple stops.) from a US State or Territory is a domestic flight.

[k0mplex 0]

Thanks for the advice all. I spoke to border control in USVI and they send I shouldn't have a problem.

Here's another question for you though: do you have to file your adjustment of status in the same place you get married?

Let's take a simple case: If we got married in California but plan to live in New York, can we file everything in NY?

[pushbrk 13,117]

Thanks for the advice all. I spoke to border control in USVI and they send I shouldn't have a problem.

Here's another question for you though: do you have to file your adjustment of status in the same place you get married?

Let's take a simple case: If we got married in California but plan to live in New York, can we file everything in NY?

Yes, and it is best not to change address during the AOS process.

[k0mplex 0]

Thanks for the advice all. I spoke to border control in USVI and they send I shouldn't have a problem.

Here's another question for you though: do you have to file your adjustment of status in the same place you get married?

Let's take a simple case: If we got married in California but plan to live in New York, can we file everything in NY?

Yes, and it is best not to change address during the AOS process.

Is that a yes to the first or second question I asked?

[payxibka 10,047]

Thanks for the advice all. I spoke to border control in USVI and they send I shouldn't have a problem.

Here's another question for you though: do you have to file your adjustment of status in the same place you get married?

Let's take a simple case: If we got married in California but plan to live in New York, can we file everything in NY?

Yes, and it is best not to change address during the AOS process.

Is that a yes to the first or second question I asked?

It is not state dependant as you are dealing with a federal agency not a state agency....

[pushbrk 13,117]

Thanks for the advice all. I spoke to border control in USVI and they send I shouldn't have a problem.

Here's another question for you though: do you have to file your adjustment of status in the same place you get married?

Let's take a simple case: If we got married in California but plan to live in New York, can we file everything in NY?

Yes, and it is best not to change address during the AOS process.

Sorry. You can file where you live at the time of filing. The address you use will determine which local office holds an interview, if needed.

[Eric-Pris 1,607]

Thanks for the advice all. I spoke to border control in USVI and they send I shouldn't have a problem.

Famous last words: "it shouldn't be a problem."

[pushbrk 13,117]

Thanks for the advice all. I spoke to border control in USVI and they send I shouldn't have a problem.

Famous last words: "it shouldn't be a problem."

If it is a domestic flight there will be no problem. This can be confirmed.

However, I appreciate your point directly. One of the huge frustrations in the visa process and here on VJ is getting a definite answer to absolutely critical questions. Unfortunately far too much of the process falls in the category of a judgment call, either by the beneficiary, petitioner, adjudicator or Consular officer.

My pet peeve is irrelevant answers or those that unnecessarily hedge their bets.

[k0mplex 0]

Thanks for the advice all. I spoke to border control in USVI and they send I shouldn't have a problem.

Famous last words: "it shouldn't be a problem."

So true. But I spoke to four different agents independently and got the same answer.