planning to marry in the US but not remain...

[garyx 0]

Here's my situation, I'm currently in New Zealand. I've been out here on the working holiday visa scheme for the past 9 months. I am from the UK, and my fiance is from MA. We have been together for 4 years now, and we plan to marry in September in the US, but the I will return to the UK shortly afterwards and begin the application for my fiances to live and work in the UK, and she will be coming to the UK in Jan 09.

Basically I will be entering the US under the visa waiver scheme, but with complete honesty, I will state that I am intending to marry, but not to remain. I have my plane ticket home already, which is my first line of proof, but after speaking with the San Francisco Port of Entry Officer two days ago, I will need more. First of all has anyone else had this issue before? Basically I need more proof that ties me to the UK, but this is difficult as I have been traveling for 9 months and don't have an apartment or job to walk back into. I have a couple of jobs that I will possibly have temporarily when I get back that will happily write letters up for me to say I will work there when I return but I'm not sure if this is enough. I was thinking of getting a letter from my parents, stating that I will be living with them temporarily when I return while searching for my own place and working, will this help?

I am recently graduated from University with a degree in Design and I fully intend to get on with my design career within good time, but will work immediately in other jobs (ie waiting on tables) on a temporary basis. Its is a unique set of circumstances but I just want to be as honest as possible and hope they believe me I guess.

Does anyone have any other suggestions? Or has anyone every had to deal with this before! I just don't want to be refused entry and send back to England right now!

THANKS, and sorry this is so long,

Gary

[Liam and Sam 2]

Here's my situation, I'm currently in New Zealand. I've been out here on the working holiday visa scheme for the past 9 months. I am from the UK, and my fiance is from MA. We have been together for 4 years now, and we plan to marry in September in the US, but the I will return to the UK shortly afterwards and begin the application for my fiances to live and work in the UK, and she will be coming to the UK in Jan 09.

Basically I will be entering the US under the visa waiver scheme, but with complete honesty, I will state that I am intending to marry, but not to remain. I have my plane ticket home already, which is my first line of proof, but after speaking with the San Francisco Port of Entry Officer two days ago, I will need more. First of all has anyone else had this issue before? Basically I need more proof that ties me to the UK, but this is difficult as I have been traveling for 9 months and don't have an apartment or job to walk back into. I have a couple of jobs that I will possibly have temporarily when I get back that will happily write letters up for me to say I will work there when I return but I'm not sure if this is enough. I was thinking of getting a letter from my parents, stating that I will be living with them temporarily when I return while searching for my own place and working, will this help?

I am recently graduated from University with a degree in Design and I fully intend to get on with my design career within good time, but will work immediately in other jobs (ie waiting on tables) on a temporary basis. Its is a unique set of circumstances but I just want to be as honest as possible and hope they believe me I guess.

Does anyone have any other suggestions? Or has anyone every had to deal with this before! I just don't want to be refused entry and send back to England right now!

THANKS, and sorry this is so long,

Gary

I'm sure that others will chime in soon but how long do you plan on staying in the US? Is it necessary to say you're getting married if you're not intending to stay? Can't you just say you're visiting since you have a return flight home and intentions are to take it?? I would think you could just say you're visiting your girlfriend. Just my opinion but it appears you have honest intentions so why make things more complicated at the POE.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

I would say I am here visiting friends on holiday for two weeks and skip the whole fiance, marriage, etc talk. It's much more unlikely that you will be admitted if you tell them you have the intent to marry. The whole visa waiver thing is based on being a visitor, not coming to marry. That's just my opinion and I'm sure you will get lots of other opinions.

[psiprez 3]

POE Rule #1: Honesty is the best policy.

POE Rule #2: Never volunteer any information not directly asked for by the officer.

Seeing as how you have no intention to immigrate to the US, why volunteer the information about getting married?

When asked the purpose of your visit, simply say you are stopping over for a few weeks holiday on your way to moving back to the UK.

(Now, if you truly ARE planning on staying in the US, just know that the marriage will look fishy and require extra hoop-jumping on your part to be approved for AOS. Best to go about it in the legit way, than try to beat the system.)

[pushbrk 13,118]

POE Rule #1: Honesty is the best policy.

POE Rule #2: Never volunteer any information not directly asked for by the officer.

Seeing as how you have no intention to immigrate to the US, why volunteer the information about getting married?

When asked the purpose of your visit, simply say you are stopping over for a few weeks holiday on your way to moving back to the UK.

(Now, if you truly ARE planning on staying in the US, just know that the marriage will look fishy and require extra hoop-jumping on your part to be approved for AOS. Best to go about it in the legit way, than try to beat the system.)

Exactly. Truthful but not stupid. "Marriage" is not the only thing you'll be doing in the USA. Mostly you'll be "visiting". Your complete itinerary of daily activities is not required. It's just as honest to leave out the detail of marriage as it is to leave out whether you'll be buying any shoes.

By the way, you won't be going through any fiance(e) visa process, so I don't quite understand why this is in the K1 forum.

Edited July 21, 2008 by pushbrk

[garyx 0]

I posted this in the K-1 visa section but someone old me it wasn't welcome there so I'll put it here instead!

Here's my situation, I'm currently in New Zealand with my fiance. We've been out here on the working holiday visa scheme for the past 9 months. I am from the UK, and my fiance is from MA. We have been together for 4 years now, and we plan to marry in September in the US, but the I will return to the UK shortly afterwards and begin the application for my fiances to live and work in the UK, and she will be coming to the UK in Jan 09.

Basically I will be entering the US under the visa waiver scheme, but with complete honesty, I will state that I am intending to marry, but not to remain. I have my plane ticket home already, which is my first line of proof, but after speaking with the San Francisco Port of Entry Officer two days ago, I will need more. First of all has anyone else had this issue before? Basically I need more proof that ties me to the UK, but this is difficult as I have been traveling for 9 months and don't have an apartment or job to walk back into. I have a couple of jobs that I will possibly have temporarily when I get back that will happily write letters up for me to say I will work there when I return but I'm not sure if this is enough. I was thinking of getting a letter from my parents, stating that I will be living with them temporarily when I return while searching for my own place and working, will this help?

I am recently graduated from University with a degree in Design and I fully intend to get on with my design career within good time, but will work immediately in other jobs (ie waiting on tables) on a temporary basis. Its is a unique set of circumstances but I just want to be as honest as possible and hope they believe me I guess.

Does anyone have any other suggestions? Or has anyone every had to deal with this before! I just don't want to be refused entry and sent back to England right now!

THANKS, and sorry this is so long,

Gary

[Marilyn. 340]

not sure why you call it the "visa waver scheme"

it is perfectly fine to come to the US with the intent of getting married as long as you plan on going back home... I wouldn't tell them you are getting married unless they ask...

always good to be truthful but don't answer any questions they don't ask... lol ...does that make sense?

of course it is still up to the POE's digression whether they will let you in or not....

[garyx 0]

ok, thanks... the only thing I worry about is that in the future I will want to apply for citizenship in the US, and I don't want that to be a problem because of something I just didn't mention now! I understand how leaving it out could be simply done, but when I next return to the US, or when I come to applying correctly for a visa, it could be an issue, right??? Surely they're going to be like "well you conveniently forgot to tell us this, what else aren't you telling us?"

[Marilyn. 340]

people come and get married in the US all the time....

it won't be a big deal that you didn't tell them you were getting married.. it won't negatively affect any visa process you go through later.....

but of course do tell them if they ask.. don't lie about it....

Edited July 21, 2008 by *Marilyn*

[pushbrk 13,118]

ok, thanks... the only thing I worry about is that in the future I will want to apply for citizenship in the US, and I don't want that to be a problem because of something I just didn't mention now! I understand how leaving it out could be simply done, but when I next return to the US, or when I come to applying correctly for a visa, it could be an issue, right??? Surely they're going to be like "well you conveniently forgot to tell us this, what else aren't you telling us?"

Answer, "I also bought some shoes." Really, this is no big deal. The UK requires a special visa for a foreigner to marry but the US doesn't. The fiance visa is about "marrying and remaining to immigrate". You aren't remaining so no need to even mention it unless asked and they aren't likely to ask unless you're carrying your wedding dress on your arm.

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

As Marilyn says, you don't need to divulge anything more than the bare facts. If you are point blank asked if you are going to be married whilst visiting, obviously answer that truthfully. My husband (UKC) and I visited the US in 2006 to get married and then subsequently return to the UK. When asked the purpose of his visit, he said he was on holiday and visiting friends, which was completely true. Nobody asked to see any proof beyond that. Good luck -- you'll do just fine.

[MsZ 6]

I absolutely 100% agree that you don't have to volunteer anything they don't ask about. You have dual intent for your trip. Only if they ask do you have to answer and then of course you do have to answer truthfully.