Going to the US to get married...

[ticktacksir 0]

Hi. Me and my fiancee plan on getting married in two weeks in Georgia where she lives. I'm Canadian and she is a US born citizen. We haven't applied for the K1, and after the wedding, I will be returning back to Canada and then we will be applying for the K3....and then waiting....

I don't have any intentions of staying in the US except for a couple weeks of course after the wedding for a honeymoon but returning to Canda after that. From reading here it seems like this is perfectly legal, but it sounds like I should have as much paperwork as I possibly can tieing me back to Canada, which I am in the process of gathering up.

My question is what exactly should I state for the purpose of my visit when I fly down? Should I simply say that I'm visiting my fiancee or should I just be right up front and tell them I'm getting married?

Thanks for your help!

[MaxOnline 0]

Don't mention anything about Marriage, or visiting fiancee, you can say you're visiting friends or Tourism... if people can just go to the US and get married while they're visiting so why there's K1 visas...(unless getting married was not on their Agenda!)! go there get married and get back then apply for K3 or CR1.... if you were planing to stay you'd be able to apply for adjustment of status... but you mentioned that you're only spending 2 weeks in the US.

Edited October 15, 2008 by MaxOnline

[MsZ 6]

if people can just go to the US and get married while they're visiting so why there's K1 visas

There is a K1 so people who go to get married can get married and stay in the US while the AOS portion is processed.

We got married in the US (twice!) and my husband has been living in Canada while we have been going through the CR1 process. He's visited a bazillion times while we've waited and have never had a problem.

[Reba 2]

Answer questions that are asked, and don't elaborate. When they ask the purpose of your visit, say "vacation" and stop. If they ask you if you will be visiting with friends or family while here, say yes, and stop. If they ask who specifically, say fiancee. And stop. Never lie to a US official, They Will Catch You in it. That's their job. Be confident but not rude, and look them in the eye. If you're looking down at your shoes, they'll think you're suspicious.

As for ties to home to prove you will be returning, a letter from your employer stating you are on approved vacation leave, and you are expected back on XX date, a copy of your rental or mortgage agreement on your residence, copies of utility bills etc etc etc. just anything that shows you have obligation to return to Canada at the end of your specified trip. But don't offer any of it up unless they ask for it.

[ticktacksir 0]

if people can just go to the US and get married while they're visiting so why there's K1 visas

There is a K1 so people who go to get married can get married and stay in the US while the AOS portion is processed.

We got married in the US (twice!) and my husband has been living in Canada while we have been going through the CR1 process. He's visited a bazillion times while we've waited and have never had a problem.

Thats correct. I was thinking the difference between the K1 and what we plan on doing is that I plan on returning to Canada and doing the long slow process of immigration whereas with a K1 I would be able to stay in the country.

I guess my fear is simply the fact that I've heard some stories of people being sent home at the border. My intent is not one bit to lie to the border guards and I honestly have no choice but to come home as I'm am quite thoroughly tied to Canada with work and mortgage and such. I'm working with my company and they are possibly going to get me working from the States so I don't want to mess that up by getting married and then staying down there illegally...I couldn't do it consciously<sp> in the first place anyways.

[ticktacksir 0]

Answer questions that are asked, and don't elaborate. When they ask the purpose of your visit, say "vacation" and stop. If they ask you if you will be visiting with friends or family while here, say yes, and stop. If they ask who specifically, say fiancee. And stop. Never lie to a US official, They Will Catch You in it. That's their job. Be confident but not rude, and look them in the eye. If you're looking down at your shoes, they'll think you're suspicious.

As for ties to home to prove you will be returning, a letter from your employer stating you are on approved vacation leave, and you are expected back on XX date, a copy of your rental or mortgage agreement on your residence, copies of utility bills etc etc etc. just anything that shows you have obligation to return to Canada at the end of your specified trip. But don't offer any of it up unless they ask for it.

Yes thanks, that sounds honest and not lieing, which is what I'm looking for. I've got a letter from my supervisor, my boss, and HR at work, and my preacher all stating they expect me back in Canada on the 10th of November, and I plan on bringing a letter or at the very least a mortgage statement from my bank. If none of that works...nothing would I think.

[Reba 2]

If you plan to continue working for your Canadian company after you move to the US, you may want to consider just pursuing the CR1 visa, and not the K3. The CR1 is work authorized, the K3 is not. You would be unable to work after entry to the US for about 3 months.

[pushbrk 12,975]

If you plan to continue working for your Canadian company after you move to the US, you may want to consider just pursuing the CR1 visa, and not the K3. The CR1 is work authorized, the K3 is not. You would be unable to work after entry to the US for about 3 months.

I'd seriously consider sticking with The CR1 for that reason and that the fees are far less.

My advice at the border would vary slightly, in that if asked about "Who (specifically) I was visiting, I'd say their name and City, such as John Doe and his family in Racine and some of my other friends there. Only if asked about a relationship would I indicate "fiance(e)". As already stated, the key is to be truthful and answer the direct questions asked.

[MsZ 6]

If you plan to continue working for your Canadian company after you move to the US, you may want to consider just pursuing the CR1 visa, and not the K3. The CR1 is work authorized, the K3 is not. You would be unable to work after entry to the US for about 3 months.

There was a time when I would have suggested the same thing. But with the K3 being a multi-entry visa, returning to Canada to work for 3 months while waiting for the green card might be faster than waiting for the CR1. You have to weigh the timelines. If the K-3 and CR1 are running neck-and-neck to get through USCIS, go with the CR1. If not, go with the faster of the two.

We'll likely be done with the CR1 in December but we still have a house to sell in Canada so that means Canada is still very much on the radar for us for at least a few months.

My husband's company is transfering him to the US, too. It is great when that works out.