Marrying on a tourist visa

[sneha 0]

I am an Indian citizen and I want to marry my boyfriend who works in US and have H1B (work visa). Can I visit and marry him legally on tourist visa? Due to work pressure he cannot come to India to marry me. His H1B visa will expire in December,2013.

After marrying, I will come back to India to pursue my career.

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

If I can marry and if the immigration officers will ask the purpose of my visit to the US, and upon saying "I'm getting married" will I be denied entry because they will be suspicious that I will stay in the US.

Reply

[Xanax 349]

You can get married in the US, that is fine; as long as you plan to return home and your purpose is not to marry and stay in the US.

I only ever answer the CBP with what they ask me, I never lie, but they generally ask "business or pleasure?" and "when will you leave?" and I answer those questions with "pleasure" and "xx date".

You don't have to give them any extra information unless they ask directly IE/ "do you plan to get married in the US?" then you would say "yes".

[C-ma'am 684]

So, neither one of you is a US citizen?

[Krikit 1,165]

Moving from K-1 Process to Tourist Visas.

[sneha 0]

Reply to Celeste & C.

Yes none of us are US citizen.

Reply to Krikit.

Never applied for K1.

Just want to know can I marry my boyfriend in US on tourist visa, who is working in US (he holds H1B visa). Both of us are Indian citizens. After marriage I will return back to India to pursue my career.

[JohnR! 5,495]

Reply to Celeste & C.

Yes none of us are US citizen.

Reply to Krikit.

Never applied for K1.

Just want to know can I marry my boyfriend in US on tourist visa, who is working in US (he holds H1B visa). Both of us are Indian citizens. After marriage I will return back to India to pursue my career.

You can marry him here,no problem. However, before you do that make sure your marriage will be valid in India to avoid any surprises.

Good luck and congrats!!!!

[Krikit 1,165]

Reply to Krikit.

Never applied for K1.

You posted in the K-1 forum. I just moved it to the appropriate forum so you wouldn't get erroneous responses.

Edited August 20, 2012 by Krikit

[Krikit 1,165]

Just want to know can I marry my boyfriend in US on tourist visa, who is working in US (he holds H1B visa). Both of us are Indian citizens. After marriage I will return back to India to pursue my career.

No one can say whether you will be refused entry or not. It is legal to visit the US, marry, then return home. Whether the officer at the POE will allow you to do that or not is anybody's guess. You will need to bring a huge amount of proof that you are returning home. And even that may not get you entry. Just be prepared to be denied and have a Plan B. Good luck.

[TimeTravel 78]

Reply to Celeste & C.

Yes none of us are US citizen.

Reply to Krikit.

Never applied for K1.

Just want to know can I marry my boyfriend in US on tourist visa, who is working in US (he holds H1B visa). Both of us are Indian citizens. After marriage I will return back to India to pursue my career.

It is legal to get married in US, and return back to India. Plus he is a H1b holder, so there is no chance for you to remain in USA as intended immigrant, since he is already a non-immigrant visa holder. In future, he may apply H4 visa for you.

Getting entry in USA is not assured for such situation, as it all depend up to POE officer. If you dont mind in case if your entry is denied at POE, then worth to try.

[sneha 0]

Thanx krikit for moving my post to the appropriate forum.

Actually my sister lives in US, and soon my mom, dad and myself are planning to visit her because recently she gave birth to her first child. That's y this idea of marriage n all came into my mind. Actually my boyfriend is not able to come to India and due to this my parents r suggesting don't wait for him and move on in life. I was thinking if I can get married to him during this trip. Is it necessary to inform POE officer about marriage, since actual aim is to meet my sister and see her new born baby. Ultimately I'll return back with my parents. I have done PhD and don't want to stay at home on spouse visa. I want to return back to India and pursue my career. From India I'll apply for any research fellowship available at any US University. (Many of my highly educated friends went to US on spouse visa n just gave up their career n ended up being a housewife.) I don't want to live like them. I just want to marry love of my life.

Thanx krikit for moving my post to the appropriate forum.

Actually my sister lives in US, and soon my mom, dad and myself are planning to visit her because recently she gave birth to her first child. That's y this idea of marriage n all came into my mind. Actually my boyfriend is not able to come to India and due to this my parents r suggesting don't wait for him and move on in life. I was thinking if I can get married to him during this trip. Is it necessary to inform POE officer about marriage, since actual aim is to meet my sister and see her new born baby. Ultimately I'll return back with my parents. I have done PhD and don't want to stay at home on spouse visa. I want to return back to India and pursue my career. From India I'll apply for any research fellowship available at any US University. (Many of my highly educated friends went to US on spouse visa n just gave up their career n ended up being a housewife.) I don't want to live like them. I just want to marry love of my life.

[Xanax 349]

As I said, not it's not necessary to divulge the fact you also plan to marry AND visit family in the US unless the CBP asks you that directly.

[TimeTravel 78]

Actually my sister lives in US, and soon my mom, dad and myself are planning to visit her because recently she gave birth to her first child. That's y this idea of marriage n all came into my mind. Actually my boyfriend is not able to come to India and due to this my parents r suggesting don't wait for him and move on in life. I was thinking if I can get married to him during this trip. Is it necessary to inform POE officer about marriage, since actual aim is to meet my sister and see her new born baby. Ultimately I'll return back with my parents. I have done PhD and don't want to stay at home on spouse visa. I want to return back to India and pursue my career. From India I'll apply for any research fellowship available at any US University. (Many of my highly educated friends went to US on spouse visa n just gave up their career n ended up being a housewife.) I don't want to live like them. I just want to marry love of my life.

Sure! You don't have to mention about marriage at POE unless they ask. You can mention your other reason as POE.