Marrying on a B2 Visa

[viajerop83 0]

I'm a Colombian citizen with a B1/B2 visa, and I'm marrying an American citizen who resides in Colombia.

After marrying, we will go back to Colombia where we will live together for at least 1 more year.

Is there any limitation on the B1/B2 visa for me to get married in the US, with no intention to immigrate right then?

My fear is that the immigration officers will ask the purpose of my visit to the US, and upon saying "I'm getting married" I'll be denied entry ecause they're suspicious that I will stay in the US.

[jkelly07 120]

if your a us citizen living in colombia you can get married there,you can go to the colombian consulate and apply 1-130,DCF it is much faster and save you a lot of time, if you read the vjguides-WHAT IS DCF AND WHY DO I CARE.you get good information there,

[viajerop83 0]

Hi -

We want to get married in the US for sentimental and family reasons. Already have begun the planning process. (Also I believe DCF is now not available in Colombia)

We are mainly looking for experience and advice of anyone who has come through immigration (on a tourist visa) and responded to the question Why are you here? with "I am going to get married" Is this too literal an answer that will raise too many red flags or is it important to be completely honest above all else.

[Little_My 464]

There is absolutely nothing illegal or wrong with coming to the US to marry a US citizen while on a tourist visa, as long as the foreigner leaves the US before his/her authorized stay expires and does not plan or attempt to remain in the US and immigrate permanently.

If asked at the border whether the purpose of the visit is business or pleasure, answer "pleasure". If asked "what is the purpose of your visit", I would advise to go with a similar response - pleasure, tourism, something to that end. In my opinion, the only situation in which you should state that your plan is to marry a US citizen while here is if you are directly asked "do you plan to marry a US citizen while in the US". Never lie, but also don't volunteer too much information. As mentioned earlier, it is absolutely fine to come and marry here as long as you plan to and will leave the country before your I-94 expires, but if you tell the CBP officer that the purpose of your visit is to marry a USC, he might not be convinced that you will actually leave and not try to immigrate and deny you entry.

[viajerop83 0]

I was asked about the purpose of my visit and I said I was coming to get married. I was sent to secondary inspection, but I wasn't really asked much there anyway, despite having a bunch of documents proving I was going to leave after marrying. And of course, I left the country a bit after getting married.

Now we're starting the process of applying for a CR-1 visa and will file the I-130 soon. Will I be able to enter the US on my B1/B2 tourist visa while the I-130 is being processed? What about during the rest of the CR-1 approval process?

Edited August 17, 2012 by viajerop83

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Yes, you can continue to visit.