Getting Married in the US (Just Engaged but Booked Vendors Already!)

[wayfarer1983 0]

Hi everyone! Im not sure if I posted on the right (sub)forum, but here's my deal anyway. I'm hoping some of you could offer some advice.

My fiance (Naturalized American) and I (Filipina) were originally looking into filing for a fiance Visa but my family wanted a "proper" Catholic wedding in the US. I caved in (even though I was really okay with a small civil ceremony) and during my last visit we started booking vendors.

Since I am getting married in the US, I know I will have to come back to the Philippines so I could file for a Spouse Visa. I used to be okay with this (since I didn't really have a choice), but realized that the reason my FI and I are getting married is so that we could FINALLY be together already after 4 years. Getting married only to be 7000 miles apart again doesnt really make sense.

SO my question is this -- do you think I could file for AOS? What are my options? A part of me is willing to go through immigration lawyers -- would that help?

Thanks again!

[Laura_Z 1]

Hi everyone! Im not sure if I posted on the right (sub)forum, but here's my deal anyway. I'm hoping some of you could offer some advice.

My fiance (Naturalized American) and I (Filipina) were originally looking into filing for a fiance Visa but my family wanted a "proper" Catholic wedding in the US. I caved in (even though I was really okay with a small civil ceremony) and during my last visit we started booking vendors.

Since I am getting married in the US, I know I will have to come back to the Philippines so I could file for a Spouse Visa. I used to be okay with this (since I didn't really have a choice), but realized that the reason my FI and I are getting married is so that we could FINALLY be together already after 4 years. Getting married only to be 7000 miles apart again doesnt really make sense.

SO my question is this -- do you think I could file for AOS? What are my options? A part of me is willing to go through immigration lawyers -- would that help?

Thanks again!

Hi,

I am not 100% sure, but from what I understand, if you entered the US with a valid visa, you should be able to marry the US citizen and Adjust Status while still in the US. You may want to search some info on this site, and maybe others could confirm this for you. You should also go on www.USCIS.gov and see what you can do in your specific situation. Good luck!

[Nik+Heather 121]

I totally get where you are coming from regarding being apart for so long just after you get married. We didn't want that either, so that's why we went with the K-1. But, you cannot enter the US on a non-immigrant or tourist visa (except a K visa) with the intent to stay and adjust status without committing visa fraud and misrepresenting yourself. These are serious charges, and since you are planning for this wedding, and I'm sure you'll be bringing quite a few belongings with you too, it's quite obvious what your intent was.

Why not get the fiancee visa (K-1)? We had a perfectly wonderful wedding with all the vendors and flowers and all the family and friends we wanted there. Having the K-1 visa doesn't preclude you from doing just that. Once the visa is issued, you have 6 months before you must enter the US using that visa, and then once you enter, 90 days to marry, so that's roughly 9 months at the maximum between having the visa and needing to be married, so it's more than enough time to plan and sort out a beautiful event.

[*Snowdrop* 604]

Hi everyone! Im not sure if I posted on the right (sub)forum, but here's my deal anyway. I'm hoping some of you could offer some advice.

My fiance (Naturalized American) and I (Filipina) were originally looking into filing for a fiance Visa but my family wanted a "proper" Catholic wedding in the US. I caved in (even though I was really okay with a small civil ceremony) and during my last visit we started booking vendors.

Since I am getting married in the US, I know I will have to come back to the Philippines so I could file for a Spouse Visa. I used to be okay with this (since I didn't really have a choice), but realized that the reason my FI and I are getting married is so that we could FINALLY be together already after 4 years. Getting married only to be 7000 miles apart again doesnt really make sense.

SO my question is this -- do you think I could file for AOS? What are my options? A part of me is willing to go through immigration lawyers -- would that help?

Thanks again!

Where are you now? If you are in the US and are going to get married without leaving then yes, you could file AOS. However if you are not in the US you can't fly back for the wedding with the intention of then staying and adjusting status.

If your family want you to have a big wedding in the US I don't really understand why you don't go with your original plan and do the fiancee visa. Once you have the visa and have entered the US with that - then you can have your big Catholic wedding.

[wayfarer1983 0]

Thank you for the replies! I've been kicking myself for not doing the K1 to begin with, but I've started wondering whether I could go through with the wedding and just file for Spouse Visa without having to go back. I suppose I really have to.

I think I should start contacting the vendors again and ask if I could postpone/change dates.

Thank you again, I appreciate the replies!

[canadian_wife 1,822]

Entering the US with intentions of getting married and adjusting status is illegal because it is misuse of a tourit visa (gernally also requiring you to lie to the CBP when asked 'how long are you staying for"). The results can be devestating, a lifetime ban from the US.

Don't risk it. We all face separation which is why VJ is so good for not only advice, but support. Look into the K-1 visa if a Catholic ceremony in the US is what you want

Good luck

[LotofPatience 65]

I agree! If one wants to get married in the U.S, go for K1 path and then adjust the status here, not a tourist visa.

Loto

[wayfarer1983 0]

Thank you again for the replies, it is much appreciated!

I am currently in Manila but will be back in the US on October.

I already looked at the timelines of some and noticed that the average range for filing to getting a visa is around 8 months. Any chance it will be shorter? I understand it's shorter in some filing offices and shorter in some months.

Thanks again!

[canadian_wife 1,822]

Wager on 6 - 10 months for processing from start to finish. USCIS is averaging about 4-5 months alone!.

Good luck

Edited August 12, 2010 by canadian_wife