Back up plan?

[douglas1 0]

I like having backup/alternative plans, I think its becuase I feel less stressed/more confident when I do.

So...as a just in case, I was thinking about a backup plan with the 2 options being I move to Mexico (initial issues with that is I dont speak spanish and finding a job there), and getting married then applying for a K3 or CR-1.

But how/where could we get married?

She did some research and it seems I would have to stay in Mexico for about 45 days for us to get married there, not sure how I could do that and not lose my job.

Is there a way for her to come here to get married if she went right back to Mexico (and if the K1 process was stopped)?

And what is the better/the difference between the K3 and the CR-1?

thanks

[Krikit 1,164]

I've had a few cousins get married in Mexico. They only had to be in the country a few days beforehand. Try googling destination weddings.

The K-3 visa is pretty much obsolete now. The best spousal visa to apply for is the CR-1. (Or the IR-1 if you fit the right circumstances.)

Moving from K-1 Process to General Immigration Discussion.

[Lia792 5]

Hi Douglas1,

I'm getting married to a Mexican in Mexico and it is a lot more complicated as a foreigner to marry a Mexican. Krikit, my guess is your relatives were not marrying Mexicans because it is easy for a foreigner to marry a foreigner in Mexico or a Mexican to marry a Mexican, but it gets out of control for a foreigner and a Mexican.

First of all, I had to go to the "Registro Civil" to get their requirements and find out prices and set up an informal date with them. The most important was a translation of my birth certificate (with the ever-required apostille) from English to Spanish by a "traductor perito." They had a list and we got it done for $480 pesos. We also have to get certain labs done and go to a talk. Plus, they needed a lot of copies of different papers. Luckily I have everything I need with me. In my city, it is going to cost either $700 pesos for a wedding at the "Registro Civil" or $3600+ pesos for a wedding at a location we pick. They also only do weddings on Thursday and Fridays. So you would need to check with your "Registro Civil" before making any plans.

Next, I had to go to Immigration to talk to them and get their list of requirements. It's not that bad of a list, just a lot of different paperwork and copies, but there is a catch. Immigration gives you a permission that is valid for 30 days. Here it costs about $2600 pesos but I have noticed nothing is standardized in Mexico. They claim that this permission takes a week here. Another worker told me two weeks. The INH website says maximum 35 days. So the wedding date could have to be changed at any time depending on how long they take.

After we get the INH (Instituto Nacional de Migracion) permit, then we can go back to the Registro Civil and show proof of everything. This has to be a minimum of 8 days before the wedding. They give us the wedding permit, and then the wedding happens. Thus, it is a minimum of two weeks and knowing how long it takes to do paperwork down here, I would agree with your estimation of 45 days, or probably at least a month beforehand.

So figure all that in and it is at least 6,000 pesos unless you want to get married in the Registro Civil...plus wedding expenses...really making me rethink getting married down here...plus a lot of time and energy. I don't know about a religious ceremony in Mexico - religious ceremonies have no legal value, so most people do them separately. I think I noticed they were pricey too and required talks, etc, depending on the religion, obviously.

I know a lot of Canadians have been able to get married in the US, then go back to Canada and file for Cr-1. It is more complicated from Mexico because you have to get a tourist visa to even get into the US - good for her if she has one, but if she doesn't, they are pretty hard to get. Secondly, if they ask her why she is coming to the US, she would have to show proof of ties so that they don't deny her.

Go to the guides and read the comparison between K-3 and Cr-1. But since you are already started on a K-1, I would just stick with it, because those timelines are pretty fast right now unless the person has illegal presence in the US. I'm living witness to the fact that getting married in Mexico is a hassle.

Good luck!

[gilmoregirl 0]

my thoughts for you is to apply for the k1 visa, much easier. You just have to be patient. Just like your mexican SO I waited a very long time to get it, I was also by myself here in Mexico waiting for him. Our main tool of communication was the messenger, emails, and text messages. Again, the fiancee visa is easier to go through.

My So and I wanted to marry here in Mexico and our lawyer in the USA advised us Not to do it and apply for the k1 instead. I waited 10 months to get it.

This is just an advise.

Take care

Gilmore Girl.

[douglas1 0]

She has a tourist visa, well sort of...her ex husband so far as refused to mail it to her

And we mostly use Skype & facebook chat

[Krikit 1,164]

Hi Douglas1,

I'm getting married to a Mexican in Mexico and it is a lot more complicated as a foreigner to marry a Mexican. Krikit, my guess is your relatives were not marrying Mexicans because it is easy for a foreigner to marry a foreigner in Mexico or a Mexican to marry a Mexican, but it gets out of control for a foreigner and a Mexican.

Ahhhh. Yes, you are correct, Lia. They were not marrying Mexicans. Thank you for the clarification.

[leahandlucas 15]

I'm living witness to the fact that getting married in Mexico is a hassle.

Good luck!

And i am as well Lia...went through the same process in December....and i had to pay migracion AGAIN!...simply because it got put in her name...and not mine...and now we're waiting on hacienda to give a refund...

[Lia792 5]

Hey Leahandlucas,

I didn't notice that you had posted until now. Good luck with that refund...I was owed 30 pesos LOL by Hacienda from my taxes and when I went to my bank they informed me that they were unable to cash refunds.

Hi Krikit, Yeah I never thought it would be so ridiculously exhausting...I have definitely rethought getting married down here quite a few times.

To the OP: I'm glad your K-1 is working out for you, and I hope the interview also goes well.