K-1 Wedding outside US?

[Peter/Lindsey 0]

Our goal is to marry in Canada (country of non-US citizen), then immigrate to US immediately after wedding. Which course of action would be best for us to file with USCIS, then have our wedding occur in another country, then come right back to the US? Is this possible with a K-1, or any route? It seems like it would be beneficial to file with USCIS during engagement for K-1, then be able to use K-1 immediately after wedding. However, is it a requirement to have the wedding in the United States?

[Sam and Ben 2]

Our goal is to marry in Canada (country of non-US citizen), then immigrate to US immediately after wedding. Which course of action would be best for us to file with USCIS, then have our wedding occur in another country, then come right back to the US? Is this possible with a K-1, or any route? It seems like it would be beneficial to file with USCIS during engagement for K-1, then be able to use K-1 immediately after wedding. However, is it a requirement to have the wedding in the United States?

Yes, the K1 Visa is a single-entry Visa into the US as a fiance, so it would be a requirement to get married after having crossed the border.

If your intent is to get married outside of the US, K3 or CR1 would be your options.

Edited June 30, 2009 by Sam and Ben

[Nik+Heather 121]

You have a couple of options:

#1

Get the K1 visa

Enter the US

Have a courthouse/paperwork wedding

File for AOS/AP(/EAD)

Receive AP

Go to Canada, and have a big party with a floofy dress.

Come back to the US.

#2

Get married in Canada

Enter the US with your Canadian spouse on a tourist visa (entrance not guaranteed - read the visiting FAQ.)

File I130 (CR-1 visa) - maybe this one before entry.

At end of tourist visa/approval, spouse returns to Canada

Complete CR-1 processing in Canada

Enter the US as an LPR.

There is NO legal way to get married in Canada and immediately come back to the US permanently.

[pushbrk 12,883]

Our goal is to marry in Canada (country of non-US citizen), then immigrate to US immediately after wedding. Which course of action would be best for us to file with USCIS, then have our wedding occur in another country, then come right back to the US? Is this possible with a K-1, or any route? It seems like it would be beneficial to file with USCIS during engagement for K-1, then be able to use K-1 immediately after wedding. However, is it a requirement to have the wedding in the United States?

Only a fiance(e) can use a K1 visa, so if the marriage is to be in Canada, K1 is not an option. Please start with this guide.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...page=i130guide1

Note: When you see references to the K3 visa, bear in mind that it is virtually obsolete. CR1 is the path for all but a few rare exceptions, at this time.

[Piefre 15]

Is it possible to have a small ceremony for family that is not a legal in-paper marriage before going to the US?

[pushbrk 12,883]

Is it possible to have a small ceremony for family that is not a legal in-paper marriage before going to the US?

Sure, as long as the "ceremony" isn't conducted by an authorized officiant. It's a "fiance" visa.

[Piefre 15]

Definitely won't be an authorized one, my family just wants something to see me off. This makes me glad, because I am waiting on the consulate to call me back about this question too, so I will update if they call me back and anyone is still wondering for the Canadian rules for an unofficial ceremony. Thanks for your help, pushbrk.

[Marina-Del 10]

As stated, you can have a ceremony in Canada before you come to the US, but it's often not a good idea to do this before you have the interview as sometimes the guys at the consulate get confused and think that you tried to get married. My recomendation is to wait to get the visa, have the NON LEGAL ceremony in Canada and then come to the US. Usually if you show them pictures of your 'non legal wedding ceremony' during the interview they get confused and it can cause you some problems, so that's not usually recommended. But if you get the visa first, then have the ceremony, then you wont run into those problems.

Good luck

[Hugglebuggles 60]

Unfortunately the information you have been given is true. I was in the same situation myself. I wanted to get married in Canada with my family, but I also wanted to be in the US with my fiance as soon as possible. I was also against the idea of having a "fake" or "mock" wedding in Canada or anywhere else. In the end we filed the K-1 and decided to have the wedding in the US. My Canadian family that can make it is coming, and the others who won't or can't travel unfortunately will have to miss out.

Just be aware of your options that have already been laid out for you.

K-1

Enter the US as a fiance, marry, have a celebration in Canada after. OR, have a non legal wedding in Canada before moving to the US, that has some possible dangers as some have suggested. Since you are going through Montreal, you could be with you fiance in 6-9 months.

CR-1 or K-3

Marry in Canada (or the US) and file a fiance visa. This could take a year.

Probably not what you wanted to hear! I wish you luck. Its not an easy process but its a rewarding one.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Our goal is to marry in Canada (country of non-US citizen), then immigrate to US immediately after wedding. Which course of action would be best for us to file with USCIS, then have our wedding occur in another country, then come right back to the US? Is this possible with a K-1, or any route? It seems like it would be beneficial to file with USCIS during engagement for K-1, then be able to use K-1 immediately after wedding. However, is it a requirement to have the wedding in the United States?

Can't do it. The only way you can marry outside the USA is then to apply for a CR-1 AFTER you get married. The K-1 is for a finacee to enter the USA, if you are married she is not a fiancee. with a K-1 you MUST get married in the USA. After she has her Ap or Green Card you can return to Canada and have another more formal ceremony if you want.