Married on tourist visa... need some info.

[hpwc121 0]

Hi,

Met my wife 8 years ago while both of us was on vacation in HK. She lives in Malaysia and we meet at least once or twice every year and talk/chat all the times within this past 8 years. We traveled to a good number of countries together and she also have been to the states a few times. This time we went to Las Vegas for a short vacation and I was driving past a chapel and decided to ask her to marry me, she accepted.

I have been reading a lot on this about getting married with a tourist visa. Both of us did not intent to get married as it just happened in the spur of the moment. Now I just need to know what I should do or what to file for her to stay.

I know the I-130 and I-485 are required... how about I-864, do I need to file this also?

Since she was not intending to get married, all her personal stuff are still home in Malaysia. And if I file the I-131, will it be ok for her to return home while the applications are being processed? If she is approved on the I-131, and returns to Malaysia... will that affect the application process? And when she comes back to the USA, can she use her travel visa to re-enter the states or is she required to use the I-131 approval to enter?

Is there anything else I need to know?

Sorry for all the questions and thanks in advance!

[Teacher Mark 53]

DO NOT LET HER LEAVE THE COUNTRY! There is nothing illegal about what you have done if there was no intent to marry when she arrived. Canadians and nationals of other Anglo Countries do it all the time. Consider yourself lucky that she was able to get in. Personally, I don't think it's right, but there is no law against it. If she leaves and there is a problem with visa then you'll kick yourself in the rear. I think the I-130 is what you need to file. This topic has been argued ad nauseum in other forums. Try putting "married on a tourist visa" in the search engine.

[GFL 0]

Hi,

Met my wife 8 years ago while both of us was on vacation in HK. She lives in Malaysia and we meet at least once or twice every year and talk/chat all the times within this past 8 years. We traveled to a good number of countries together and she also have been to the states a few times. This time we went to Las Vegas for a short vacation and I was driving past a chapel and decided to ask her to marry me, she accepted.

I have been reading a lot on this about getting married with a tourist visa. Both of us did not intent to get married as it just happened in the spur of the moment. Now I just need to know what I should do or what to file for her to stay.

I know the I-130 and I-485 are required... how about I-864, do I need to file this also?

Since she was not intending to get married, all her personal stuff are still home in Malaysia. And if I file the I-131, will it be ok for her to return home while the applications are being processed? If she is approved on the I-131, and returns to Malaysia... will that affect the application process? And when she comes back to the USA, can she use her travel visa to re-enter the states or is she required to use the I-131 approval to enter?

Is there anything else I need to know?

Sorry for all the questions and thanks in advance!

Assuming/considering you are a US citizen and she entered here legally (under a visa) you both can apply for an AOS (adjusment of status) - application for a green card. HOWEVER, she CANNOT leave the country while in the process (which may take a few months) - UNLESS you request for authorization to travel.

I personally and highly recommend she waits until permanent resident card is issued. To file for the process there are a bunch of applications and forms that need to be completed. You can research more on the topic or maybe consult an attorney if you are not sure what to do/where to start.

A few forms you will need are: I-485, I-130, G-325A for you, G-325A for her, I-765 (employment authorization for her), I-864 (your income has to qualify), I-693 (medical exam).

Good luck with everything and definitely do a little research before doing anything. I had a friend who was married here and left the country without the proper authorizations in place and his wife was deported on the way back into the country (the wife being the immigrant).

Good luck my friend!

God bless you! AND CONGRATULATIONS with the baby and getting married!!!

[hpwc121 0]

Hi,

Met my wife 8 years ago while both of us was on vacation in HK. She lives in Malaysia and we meet at least once or twice every year and talk/chat all the times within this past 8 years. We traveled to a good number of countries together and she also have been to the states a few times. This time we went to Las Vegas for a short vacation and I was driving past a chapel and decided to ask her to marry me, she accepted.

I have been reading a lot on this about getting married with a tourist visa. Both of us did not intent to get married as it just happened in the spur of the moment. Now I just need to know what I should do or what to file for her to stay.

I know the I-130 and I-485 are required... how about I-864, do I need to file this also?

Since she was not intending to get married, all her personal stuff are still home in Malaysia. And if I file the I-131, will it be ok for her to return home while the applications are being processed? If she is approved on the I-131, and returns to Malaysia... will that affect the application process? And when she comes back to the USA, can she use her travel visa to re-enter the states or is she required to use the I-131 approval to enter?

Is there anything else I need to know?

Sorry for all the questions and thanks in advance!

Assuming/considering you are a US citizen and she entered here legally (under a visa) you both can apply for an AOS (adjusment of status) - application for a green card. HOWEVER, she CANNOT leave the country while in the process (which may take a few months) - UNLESS you request for authorization to travel.

I personally and highly recommend she waits until permanent resident card is issued. To file for the process there are a bunch of applications and forms that need to be completed. You can research more on the topic or maybe consult an attorney if you are not sure what to do/where to start.

A few forms you will need are: I-485, I-130, G-325A for you, G-325A for her, I-765 (employment authorization for her), I-864 (your income has to qualify), I-693 (medical exam).

Good luck with everything and definitely do a little research before doing anything. I had a friend who was married here and left the country without the proper authorizations in place and his wife was deported on the way back into the country (the wife being the immigrant).

Good luck my friend!

God bless you! AND CONGRATULATIONS with the baby and getting married!!!

Thank you for the information, I will take a few days to go through all the details before I submit any documents.