Starting Spouse Visa Process in Advance?

[mms 0]

Hello all,

This is my first post and I'm hoping for some advice. I am a US citizen, recently engaged to a UK citizen who is residing in Belize. We are planning a formal wedding ceremony for next summer in Belize. Short of having a civil ceremony before I leave Belize in two weeks, is there any way to start the spouse visa process before the June 2009 wedding?

And is there any legal problem with having "two" weddings abroad?

Thanks in advance!

[john_and_marlene 162]

Hello all,

This is my first post and I'm hoping for some advice. I am a US citizen, recently engaged to a UK citizen who is residing in Belize. We are planning a formal wedding ceremony for next summer in Belize. Short of having a civil ceremony before I leave Belize in two weeks, is there any way to start the spouse visa process before the June 2009 wedding?

And is there any legal problem with having "two" weddings abroad?

Thanks in advance!

No

[payxibka 10,047]

Hello all,

This is my first post and I'm hoping for some advice. I am a US citizen, recently engaged to a UK citizen who is residing in Belize. We are planning a formal wedding ceremony for next summer in Belize. Short of having a civil ceremony before I leave Belize in two weeks, is there any way to start the spouse visa process before the June 2009 wedding?

And is there any legal problem with having "two" weddings abroad?

Thanks in advance!

Considering one of the primary tenants of a spouse visa is that you officially have a spouse, you are unable to pre-empt that. You need only one "legal" ceremony... you can have as many non-binding ceremonies as you desire.

[Steve Y Jessica 1]

NO!! You cannot start the Spouse visa until after you are married.

You can either do as you said, have a marriage before you leave, then petition for the spouse visa. Or if you already plan on her not coming to the US until next summer, just go for the fiance visa. And get married in the US.

[daisychain 0]

nope. you need to submit an official marriage certificate for the I-130 and I-129F.

[mms 0]

I thought as much, but thanks for the confirmation. Two follow up questions:

1. What is the window for initial entry (to the US) once the visa is granted?

2. If we waited to get married and then file in June 2009, could my husband (UK citizen) still visit the US on the VWP while its in process?

Thanks

[john_and_marlene 162]

I thought as much, but thanks for the confirmation. Two follow up questions:

1. What is the window for initial entry (to the US) once the visa is granted?

2. If we waited to get married and then file in June 2009, could my husband (UK citizen) still visit the US on the VWP while its in process?

Thanks

1. 6 months

2. yes, but entry is not guaranteed.

[payxibka 10,047]

I thought as much, but thanks for the confirmation. Two follow up questions:

1. What is the window for initial entry (to the US) once the visa is granted?

2. If we waited to get married and then file in June 2009, could my husband (UK citizen) still visit the US on the VWP while its in process?

Thanks

1. 6 months

2. yes, but entry is not guaranteed.

1. 6 months if IR(CR)-1 visa or up to two years if K-3

[patrickboy 0]

I think all that you can do right now is gather and prepare documents that proves your relationship. In our case this was the time we wrote each other letters (though we talk everyday online), give each other gifts (which we keep the receipts) and call long distance once in a while (for telephone billing).

It will also be advisable (at least in our case, here in the Philippines) that the spouse should undergo some medical tests similar to the tests they undergo in the medical examination (I personally had myself tested 6 months before the actual medical examination). I don't know if this is applicable in your country though but if ever there will be some findings, this could be remedied / treated as soon as possible and save you a lot of time. I know this advice may sound a bit weird but I've heard a lot of cases where the only problem they had was the medical examination. Go research whats required in your country first.

Hope my advice helps. Goodluck!!!

Regards,

Patrick

[Elbereth 0]

Yeah, gathering the documents, understanding the process and forms , and filling the forms takes time. It will help you to get familiarized with these things while you wait.