Marry Now or Marry Later?

[floridajay 0]

My love is Canadian, I am American. After reading through many, many posts in various forums, I still don't know which path I should take my next step on. We know we want to live in the U.S. rather than Canada and we are willing to go the K-1 route but, wouldn't it make more sense for her to come here for a visit and get married to me? It seems that bringing my wife here to live carries alot more weight than bringing my fiancee. Is there anything illegal about that plan? Please forgive my ignorance, I may be overwhelmed with info right now. I'm so glad to have found this website! Thanks for any help I can get B)

[rebeccajo 14]

I don't think being married carries more 'weight'. Most people choose the K-1 simply because it means they can be together sooner.

Here is a chart that shows the pluses and minuses of each:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...om&page=compare

The posts here are valuable. But use the Guides, FAQ and Links if you really want to get informed.

[ChristinaM 0]

Planning to come in on a visitor visa and marry is also commiting visa fraud, if you intend for your wife to them stay and adjust status. So you're down to a choice of K1 or K3, and Becca has given you good info about the processing times for each.

Good luck with whichever route you take!

[Peter Miami 0]

ditto

[jaaaaamas 0]

Yes I wouldn't advise coming here and marrying first. That is seem as dishonest and fraud and would leave your case open to all sorts of speculation and suspicion from immigration.

We had our AOS interview just a few weeks ago and one of the things our immigration officer talked about was her frustration the with the stupidity of people who think they can marry first and then tell the government afterwards.

[Kajikit 65]

Of course she can come to the US and marry you if you so choose... BUT SHE HAS TO GO HOME AGAIN AFTERWARDS. It's perfectly legal to come to the US to marry a USC and then leave the country before your legal stay ends, but it's NOT legal to come to the US, marry a citizen and settle down straight away. Most people do a K-1 because it is quicker to process than a K3 and you'll be together sooner...

[Satellite 1]

Most people do a K-1 because it is quicker to process than a K3 and you'll be together sooner...

Statistically speaking the K1/K3 route is rare in comparison to other adjustment of status methods. Although the numbers are not conclusive, my guess is that more people actually come as visitors, marry, and never go back rather than choosing the K1/K3 method. It is the intent to immigrate upon entering as a non-immigrant that is illegal. Therefore, having the intent to visit and to see if your boyfriend or girlfriend is right for you is perfectly acceptable. If that visit blossoms into a decision of marriage it can be done on the spot and no visa fraud is committed and no one has to go back home. Since you have already decided on marriage before your arrival; this method would not apply to you.