Am I able to marry outside the US after entering US?

[Cmehat 0]

Hey everyone!

My fiance's family is from the Dominican Republic and we were wanting to go there for our honeymoon. Now after I enter the States and marry, am I not able to leave the country for our wedding?? Or even our honeymoon? Please help!

Thanks!

[pushbrk 13,167]

Hey everyone!

My fiance's family is from the Dominican Republic and we were wanting to go there for our honeymoon. Now after I enter the States and marry, am I not able to leave the country for our wedding?? Or even our honeymoon? Please help!

Thanks!

If you enter using the K1 visa, your legal marriage must take place in the USA. Once you arrive, you need advance parole to leave and be allowed to return. If you leave without advance parole, you will not be allowed to re-enter the USA without the proper spouse visa. That means starting a months long process over again. Those are terms of the fiance(e) visa program. Did you not read about the visa before deciding to embark on the fiance(e) visa journey?

[Penguin_ie 5,997]

You cannot leave for your legal wedding, that needs to take place in the US, as pushbrk said. If you are wanting to get legally married in the Dominican Republic, you need to apply for a spousal visa (CR-1 or K3). You can have a quick legal wedding in the US, at a court house, and then immediately apply for AP (advanced parole). Once you receive that (timelines vary, but I believe it usually happens within 3 months) you can go to the Dominican Republic for your honeymoon, and if you wish, have a religious, non-legal ceremony there.

[Cmehat 0]

Thank you for clearing that up. That's what I thought but I had a few people telling me I was able to leave but I assume they had been talking about the AP. Alright, that sure helps! Thanks so much. Pushbrk you are awesome! Thanks for always helping me answer my questions. Congrats on your beautiful bride !