Unsure about how and when to apply.

[gingerbeacon 0]

Okay so my Fiancee lives in the us (she is a us citizen) and I live in Ireland. She is currently finishing College and we plan to marry shortly after in June of next year. Our plan in to get married in France and move to LA shortly after this. My question is how do we go about getting me a visa nad how long will it take. I cant move over to the US before next Sept as I need to continue working in order to afford the move, wedding etc.

Thanks for any help anyone can be.

Paul

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Okay so my Fiancee lives in the us (she is a us citizen) and I live in Ireland. She is currently finishing College and we plan to marry shortly after in June of next year. Our plan in to get married in France and move to LA shortly after this. My question is how do we go about getting me a visa nad how long will it take. I cant move over to the US before next Sept as I need to continue working in order to afford the move, wedding etc.

Thanks for any help anyone can be.

Paul

If your plan is as you say, you will get married in France. Your (then) wife will rteturn to the USA and file for a CR-1 visa for you. Study the CR-1 visa guides. This will take 8-10 months (currently) give or take a month or two. Sorry, but trying to predict exactly how long is impossible.

Since you are from a VWP country you will be able to visit during this time. Bring plenty of evidence you will return from your visits.

[gmjdmj 2]

Paul,

If you are planning to file a K-1 (fiance visa) you will have to marry in the US. You could get married in the US (small ceremony), file the AOS paperwork that then later in the year, have another ceremony in France. If you choose to marry in France, you will have to file a K-3 or CR-1 after you marry. I would recommend looking at the guides to see what is best for the 2 of you.

[gingerbeacon 0]

Paul,

If you are planning to file a K-1 (fiance visa) you will have to marry in the US. You could get married in the US (small ceremony), file the AOS paperwork that then later in the year, have another ceremony in France. If you choose to marry in France, you will have to file a K-3 or CR-1 after you marry. I would recommend looking at the guides to see what is best for the 2 of you.

Thanks so much for your mega fast replies. One quick question if we get a K1 visa and get married in the US am I able to leave the US while I am waiting for the K3 or the CR1? I ask as I often work in Various countries as I work in film.

Thanks

[gmjdmj 2]

If you file the K-1 and marry in the US. Once you are married and file the AOS, along with that you will file what is called Advanced Parole. Until the AP is approved, you will not be allowed to leave the US. Usually, the AP comes back about 60 days from the time you file it or there abouts.

Edited November 2, 2009 by gmjdmj

[Inky 1,111]

Paul,

If you are planning to file a K-1 (fiance visa) you will have to marry in the US. You could get married in the US (small ceremony), file the AOS paperwork that then later in the year, have another ceremony in France. If you choose to marry in France, you will have to file a K-3 or CR-1 after you marry. I would recommend looking at the guides to see what is best for the 2 of you.

Thanks so much for your mega fast replies. One quick question if we get a K1 visa and get married in the US am I able to leave the US while I am waiting for the K3 or the CR1? I ask as I often work in Various countries as I work in film.

Thanks

If you work in various countrys K-1 visa would probably not be the visa for you. the CR1 might be a better option for you.

[rebeccajo 14]

Can an EU citizen and a US citizen just waltz over to France and get married?

I mean - they might be able to. But you might not. Better check French law.

[gingerbeacon 0]

Can an EU citizen and a US citizen just waltz over to France and get married?

I mean - they might be able to. But you might not. Better check French law.

I used to live in France and have a house in Cannes so as long as I am living there for the 40 days before the wedding we can get maried in Cannes.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Paul,

If you are planning to file a K-1 (fiance visa) you will have to marry in the US. You could get married in the US (small ceremony), file the AOS paperwork that then later in the year, have another ceremony in France. If you choose to marry in France, you will have to file a K-3 or CR-1 after you marry. I would recommend looking at the guides to see what is best for the 2 of you.

Thanks so much for your mega fast replies. One quick question if we get a K1 visa and get married in the US am I able to leave the US while I am waiting for the K3 or the CR1? I ask as I often work in Various countries as I work in film.

Thanks

No, no, and no. If you get a K-1, you will come to the USA and get married. Then you will apply for adjustment of status, during this time you cannot leave the USA. When you have your AP or green card (whichever comes first) you can leave the USA and even have another marriage ceremony somewhere, anywhere, else. Then you do not need a CR-1 or K-3. You get only ONE visa, the have different purposes, uses, benefits and requirements

Read the guides and decide which is best for you...but only one per customer!

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Paul,

If you are planning to file a K-1 (fiance visa) you will have to marry in the US. You could get married in the US (small ceremony), file the AOS paperwork that then later in the year, have another ceremony in France. If you choose to marry in France, you will have to file a K-3 or CR-1 after you marry. I would recommend looking at the guides to see what is best for the 2 of you.

Thanks so much for your mega fast replies. One quick question if we get a K1 visa and get married in the US am I able to leave the US while I am waiting for the K3 or the CR1? I ask as I often work in Various countries as I work in film.

Thanks

No, no, and no. If you get a K-1, you will come to the USA and get married. Then you will apply for adjustment of status, during this time you cannot leave the USA. When you have your AP or green card (whichever comes first) you can leave the USA and even have another marriage ceremony somewhere, anywhere, else. Then you do not need a CR-1 or K-3. You get only ONE visa, the have different purposes, uses, benefits and requirements

Read the guides and decide which is best for you...but only one per customer!

If being able to travel and work is your over-riding concern, there is no substitute for the CR-1. Get married first (here, there, anywhere) and then file for that. You will be able to continue working and traveling uninterupted during the process and will be able to work in the USA and travel anywhere immediately when it is issued.

[SunDrop 59]

Just in agreement with the others but wanting to add the timeframe consideration in.

If you're looking at moving to the US around September next year, and need to be free to travel at all times, then you will want to get married asap wherever you like and are permitted to by law, return to Ireland and file for a CR1. If you want to have the ceremony be the special event, then getting a license and literally undertaking the legalities of marriage infront of a JP in the US is probably best. There are no vows involved, that I'm aware of. My understanding (but please do correct me if I'm wrong!) is that it can be akin to signing a lease on a rental property, namely just a contractual matter. This leaves your ceremony in France as the romantic event and you'll just have 2 anniversaries to remember! lol...

If you are not legally married until your ceremony in France, you need to allow about a year on the safe side before you can enter the US on a CR1. If you apply now for a K1 to get married in the US, you're not going to be able to have a romantic ceremony in June in France because you won't have the AP you'll need to leave the States to attend.

You are allowed to enter the US on a VWP and get married, just as long as you leave afterwards. If you take this route, make sure you have whatever supporting documentation you might need if challenged at the POE to prove your intent to return after your wedding. Think scenario where you say you're going to visit the girlfriend, they decide to search your bags and question you further and they turn up a couple of rings, a tux and a hotel booking for the honeymoon suite at the local hotel! They're not likely to let you in if you can't prove you're going home afterwards...