K-1 Visa

[MikeA 0]

My Fiancee and would like to get married in the Philippines before coming to the USA. We would like to have a legal ceremony after getting the Visa in our hands. Does anyone know if doing this just prior to leaving the Philippines can cause a problem with the K-1 visa. We were told as a matter of routine that in the Philippines they do not record a marriage for 3 months. Has anyone done this.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

My Fiancee and would like to get married in the Philippines before coming to the USA. We would like to have a legal ceremony after getting the Visa in our hands. Does anyone know if doing this just prior to leaving the Philippines can cause a problem with the K-1 visa. We were told as a matter of routine that in the Philippines they do not record a marriage for 3 months. Has anyone done this.

Can't do it. If she comes on a K-1 the marriage must take place HERE after she arrives on a K-1. A marriage in any other country cancels the K-1. If you wanmt to get married there, then do so and file for a K-3 or CR-1

To do what you suggest is visa fraud, she could be deported and barred from any future visas

[MikeA 0]

My Fiancee and would like to get married in the Philippines before coming to the USA. We would like to have a legal ceremony after getting the Visa in our hands. Does anyone know if doing this just prior to leaving the Philippines can cause a problem with the K-1 visa. We were told as a matter of routine that in the Philippines they do not record a marriage for 3 months. Has anyone done this.

Can't do it. If she comes on a K-1 the marriage must take place HERE after she arrives on a K-1. A marriage in any other country cancels the K-1. If you wanmt to get married there, then do so and file for a K-3 or CR-1

To do what you suggest is visa fraud, she could be deported and barred from any future visas

We plan on getting married in the USA upon arrival to fulfill the K-1 requirements. We just thought for her family and friends in the Philippines we would also have a wedding there just before departing to the USA. Does this getting married in both countries constitute fraud? If so we won't do it.

[reeses16 8]

To explain it a different way, a requirement of the K1 is that your first marriage occurs in the US. You can have a ceremony ( or second marriage its the same thing) in the phillipines later, After entering the US as a K1, getting married, and filing AOS. As Gary explained, what you are proposing in fraud.

People who file for spousal visa typically married in another country (not the US). If they were married in the US they wouldn't need the visa.

[jennithie 0]

If your fiancee is currently filing K-1 Visa, She should marry only here in the US. . . I understand our families and friends would love to have marriage there in the Philippines before we leave our country but just let your fiancee explain to her parents very well in a respect manner about the K-1 Visa. I am sure they would understand that.

Suggestion: You can just have a farewell party with her family and friends before she leave Philippines.

[Ryan&Joy 0]

couldn't they get married but never fill out the paper work there in the Phili for the marriage. So legally they would never be married. What if they didn't exchange rings either just had the ceremony

[NillandNan 0]

couldn't they get married but never fill out the paper work there in the Phili for the marriage. So legally they would never be married. What if they didn't exchange rings either just had the ceremony

I too am curious about this... Only a ceremony but no paperwork... what is the verdict gang?

[deomaya 0]

My Fiancee and would like to get married in the Philippines before coming to the USA. We would like to have a legal ceremony after getting the Visa in our hands. Does anyone know if doing this just prior to leaving the Philippines can cause a problem with the K-1 visa. We were told as a matter of routine that in the Philippines they do not record a marriage for 3 months. Has anyone done this.

Can't do it. If she comes on a K-1 the marriage must take place HERE after she arrives on a K-1. A marriage in any other country cancels the K-1. If you wanmt to get married there, then do so and file for a K-3 or CR-1

To do what you suggest is visa fraud, she could be deported and barred from any future visas

We plan on getting married in the USA upon arrival to fulfill the K-1 requirements. We just thought for her family and friends in the Philippines we would also have a wedding there just before departing to the USA. Does this getting married in both countries constitute fraud? If so we won't do it.

K1 is marrying ur fiance in the US within 90 days... US not Philippines... if your family and friends think of you they will let you do what is right... as of the moment dont think of them... the application is about the two of you... it's not the people around u... u can have your engagement party here in the phil...then wedding in US... if u want to marry your fiance in the phil.. go back after 1 or2 yrs...

[payxibka 10,045]

There can only be ONE legal marriage.... there can be several "ceremonies"....

For a K-1 the legal marriage MUST occur inside the USA.

[Anh map 2,098]

Have a great party, stand up in front of everyone and exchange vows, just don't have an officiant that will register/validate the ceremony legally.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

My Fiancee and would like to get married in the Philippines before coming to the USA. We would like to have a legal ceremony after getting the Visa in our hands. Does anyone know if doing this just prior to leaving the Philippines can cause a problem with the K-1 visa. We were told as a matter of routine that in the Philippines they do not record a marriage for 3 months. Has anyone done this.

Can't do it. If she comes on a K-1 the marriage must take place HERE after she arrives on a K-1. A marriage in any other country cancels the K-1. If you wanmt to get married there, then do so and file for a K-3 or CR-1

To do what you suggest is visa fraud, she could be deported and barred from any future visas

We plan on getting married in the USA upon arrival to fulfill the K-1 requirements. We just thought for her family and friends in the Philippines we would also have a wedding there just before departing to the USA. Does this getting married in both countries constitute fraud? If so we won't do it.

Maybe I said something unclear. CAN'T DO IT. She cannot enter on a fiancee visa if she is not free to marry. If she already married, she cannot marry. You need to make a decision. If you need to marry in he Phillipines and that is your priority...do it. Then file for a K-3 or CR-1. The option is yours

OR, she can come here, you get married, then after she has her AP or green card you go back and have a ceremony in the PIs

Doing otherwise is fraud and result in her deportation and ban from the USA.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

couldn't they get married but never fill out the paper work there in the Phili for the marriage. So legally they would never be married. What if they didn't exchange rings either just had the ceremony

I too am curious about this... Only a ceremony but no paperwork... what is the verdict gang?

Perfectly legal. But in most of these cases it is the family and/or religious wishes that are the issue. If her family or religion are satisfied by phoney ceremonies put on for show that have no legal or binding status...by all means. Fake 'em out. But then you are NOT married. S what did you satisfy?

Hey have no problem with "ceremonial" ceremonies if it is what the couple want, maybe they can't afford it within the 90 days, maybe they want friends and family to share thier joy, whatever, all of which can be accomplished with a delayed ceremony. But to stage a ceremony to "satisfy" religious or family values is daft! It can not possibly do either.

[rebeccajo 14]

Why not just have an engagement party?

[BermyCat 1]

It's perfectly fine to have your legal marriage at the courthouse in the US and have a second ceremony for friends and family when you've had more time to plan the wedding you want. Lots of K-1 couples do that. There's no reason at all why you can't have a ceremony that is not legally binding and then come to the US and head down to the courthouse.

The trick would be finding an officiant willing to do that. They may be uncomfortable participating in what appears to be a legal marriage when the couple is not married. If the couple is legally married first, it's just a vow renewal and most officiants have no problem with that.

~ Catherine

[Trexy 0]

My Fiancee and would like to get married in the Philippines before coming to the USA. We would like to have a legal ceremony after getting the Visa in our hands. Does anyone know if doing this just prior to leaving the Philippines can cause a problem with the K-1 visa. We were told as a matter of routine that in the Philippines they do not record a marriage for 3 months. Has anyone done this.

Hi! Send me an email: Tere.xander@hotmail.com. I can give you some helpful info.