US citizen to marry a UK citizen in UK but now what? Please help

[Exokify 0]

Howdy all! Thanks in advance for taking the time to help me.

I have done tons of research over the past year on the k1 fiancée visa and marrying my UK citizen fiancée here in the US.

It wasn't until tonight I realized the CR1 was a favored option here on visa journey and so I looked more into it.

1) is this cr1 the best option

2) can my UK fiancée actually visit here during the process after marrying in the UK (its been iffy across message boards I don't have an exact answer)

3) any tips as to not be denied

4) the most important, what do I need to do to be able to enter the UK legally to marry there and return shortly after to process the cR1. Any tips on that?

Thank you very much. I am so lost with a head full of brand new knowledge and a new game plan

[Exokify 0]

Other helpful information:

He has visited here:

1 month September 2010

2 months feb 2011

Me

3 weeks England June 2011

Him again

3 months October 2011-feb 2012

[Laure&Colin 557]

1) IMO, yes: with the K1 visa, you basically go through the same immigration process twice, once to get the visa, and once again in the US when filing for adjustment of status.

When applying for a CR1 visa, you're made to produce pretty much the same paperwork as a K1 filer, but in the end, you enter the USA with a lawful permanent resident status, and you're able to work and travel ASAP. You're also done with the USCIS for 2 years.

Honestly I don't understand why K1 seems to be more widespread, it's just beyond me. The fact it can be a little faster than the CR1 doesn't make up for the disadvantages, especially since it's just weeks faster now, at best a couple months.

Look around VJ a little bit and you'll read dozens of posts from people who obviously made a bad decision going the K1 route and who are going nuts once in the US because they can't do anything, can't work, can't travel back home when someone in their family is sick, sometimes can't get their driver's license, etc...

2) yes he can. Nothing in the law prevents him from visiting during the process.

3) there's always a risk he might be denied entry at POE, so he should be bring strong evidence of his ties to the UK (lease, letter of employment...). Since he's just back from 3 months in the US he should probably wait a little before he goes back.

4) I don't know the answer to this question, you might want to ask it in the UK forum.

But you should know that you guys also have the option of getting married in the US during one of his trips. As long as he goes back home before his 90 days expire and you file for CR1, there's no problem with that.

[pushbrk 12,822]

Howdy all! Thanks in advance for taking the time to help me.

I have done tons of research over the past year on the k1 fiancée visa and marrying my UK citizen fiancée here in the US.

It wasn't until tonight I realized the CR1 was a favored option here on visa journey and so I looked more into it.

1) is this cr1 the best option

2) can my UK fiancée actually visit here during the process after marrying in the UK (its been iffy across message boards I don't have an exact answer)

3) any tips as to not be denied

4) the most important, what do I need to do to be able to enter the UK legally to marry there and return shortly after to process the cR1. Any tips on that?

Thank you very much. I am so lost with a head full of brand new knowledge and a new game plan

Question #4 is really the kicker. As a foreigner, you DO need a special visa to marry a UK citizen in the UK. Ask in the UK forum or just Google foreigner marriage in UK.

[Exokify 0]

Oh my goodness I did not know we could have married here if he left and then filed the CR1

I am crushed!! We would have done that over a year ago!!

:,(

He doesn't need anything to enter here except using the waiver program?? Doesn't need to speak of it at the gates? What do we do in order to marry here? That may be the easiest if England proves to be an extra £600

[jayne d 12]

This will tell you more about what is required to marry in the UK from a Visa perspective.

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/visiting/marriage-cp/

Edited February 27, 2012 by jayne d

[Exokify 0]

We have talked and we are just going to have him come here and get married and then him leave again and apply for the CR1. So there is nothing else we have to do in order for us to get married here? No fancy process? No k1 no anything? He just shows up, we have a wedding, he leaves we process?

[hjones 1]

We have talked and we are just going to have him come here and get married and then him leave again and apply for the CR1. So there is nothing else we have to do in order for us to get married here? No fancy process? No k1 no anything? He just shows up, we have a wedding, he leaves we process?

Yep, that's what we did! We came to America and had documents showing that we were returning to the UK (return ticket being the most obvious one!) but my husband wasn't even asked a single question about it and his entry to the US was no different than any other time. Still, better to be prepared and have evidence of ties to the UK. Just check with your home state, or where ever you decide to get married, about any requirements before applying for a marriage license. We got married in Vermont and applied for the license the day before the wedding, but I'm not sure all states are the same. Good luck! And have fun!

[PaulandHelen 0]

I came to the U.K. on a fiance visa and married my wife. We married then applied for a CR-1 from the states. It took two weeks for the petition to be approved, then we did the other happy stuff with the NVC. Most take a while, ours was a bit quick due to I'm an army vet, but at least we are together.

[TattooedAesa 0]

Hey I came to the UK back in August, I met my now husband in september, we were married in December and just started the process to get him moved to the US *laughs* its a long process hun, I am still in the UK on a student Visa, but I have to head back to the US in June... all you have to do to get married is go to the local town hall and give notice that you are getting married that can take a bit to get an appointment so plan ahead! I filed my I-130 a couple weeks back, and I think we are going the CR-1 route... I am still confused on what all we need to do... I just know the I-130 is gonna get the ball rolling

[Exokify 0]

Yep, that's what we did! We came to America and had documents showing that we were returning to the UK (return ticket being the most obvious one!) but my husband wasn't even asked a single question about it and his entry to the US was no different than any other time. Still, better to be prepared and have evidence of ties to the UK. Just check with your home state, or where ever you decide to get married, about any requirements before applying for a marriage license. We got married in Vermont and applied for the license the day before the wedding, but I'm not sure all states are the same. Good luck! And have fun!

I wonder where I can look to find that out. The requirements dont say he has to be a resident of Texas. And just says to show proof of identity.. the only thing that worries me is it says "and social security number" which he doesn't have.

I want to book our venue and be done with this stress. But I am scared now that they won't let us marry? Or do you think im fine

[TattooedAesa 0]

be careful with just getting married and him leaving, my friends wife is from Germany and she came over and they married... she had to go back to Germany and when she came back the next time they arrested her and denied her entry saying that she didn't have the right visa when she married a US citizen... (at least thats the story I was told, don't hold me to it)

[Exokify 0]

be careful with just getting married and him leaving, my friends wife is from Germany and she came over and they married... she had to go back to Germany and when she came back the next time they arrested her and denied her entry saying that she didn't have the right visa when she married a US citizen... (at least thats the story I was told, don't hold me to it)

That's scary. I don't know enough about it but assuming that we have proof of the CR1 in progress when he comes to visit again I don't see how it would be an issue. We don't want to do the K1 visa route anymore and I don't want to get married in England anymore because of the extra expense.

[pushbrk 12,822]

be careful with just getting married and him leaving, my friends wife is from Germany and she came over and they married... she had to go back to Germany and when she came back the next time they arrested her and denied her entry saying that she didn't have the right visa when she married a US citizen... (at least thats the story I was told, don't hold me to it)

Either the story is false or there is more to it. US Law does NOT require a special visa to get married. Hundreds to thousands of destination marriages are performed in the USA every day.

So, let's DROP this story.

[Exokify 0]

Either the story is false or there is more to it. US Law does NOT require a special visa to get married. Hundreds to thousands of destination marriages are performed in the USA every day.

So, let's DROP this story.

Thank you!! Amen!