U.S. Citizen & CD-1 Holding Cruise Ship Workers want to Marry in U.S. Port

[DrSoszka 0]

Hello,

My fiancee and I work on a cruise ship with our main port being Miami. We were debating getting married in a U.S. port (or protectorate such as St. Thomas or San Juan, P.R.). My fiancee is Peruvian and holds a CD-1 work visa of 10 years duration. I'm a U.S. Citizen.

I've gotten conflicting advice about the implications of us getting married - everything from her visa becoming invalid to expecting massive delays in getting her naturalized once we finish our careers on cruise ships.

So, can anyone give me an idea if there are any pitfalls to getting married in a U.S. port. Is it a good idea, a bad idea. etc.

Is there any advantage of getting married in a U.S. port? does it speed the immigration process?

Thanks,

Shawn

[rebeccajo 14]

If she holds a crewman's visa, she is not eligible to adjust her status to permanent resident based upon marriage to you.

The ONLY alternative is a proper visa.

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

First you can definitely marry in port and then file a spousal visa once you have left. Or you can file a K1 and when its approved get married in the US.

However, it looks like the K1 is out of the picture for you since it restricts travel after admission to the US.

Good luck! As rebeccajo said don't just try and get married and then adjust in the US.