Should we get married in the States or Brazil?

[Elisenda 0]

Hi,

Hope someone can help me figure this out.

I'm Brazilian and my fiancé is American. We've been together for 6 and 1/2 years.

Because of our jobs we are currently in a long distance relationship but hope to get married within the next 6 months.

I can't figure out which one is the better way to go. Should I get a fiancée visa and go get married in the States? Or is the process easier if he comes to Brazil, we get married here and then I get a spouse visa?

Does it make a difference in the end?

Thanks for you help!

Li

[lost_at_sea 995]

It makes some difference, mostly in terms of time and overall cost. There's a comparison guide here to show you the pros and cons of each route: http://www.visajourney.com/content/compare

[JohnR! 5,495]

Hi,

Hope someone can help me figure this out.

I'm Brazilian and my fiancé is American. We've been together for 6 and 1/2 years.

Because of our jobs we are currently in a long distance relationship but hope to get married within the next 6 months.

I can't figure out which one is the better way to go. Should I get a fiancée visa and go get married in the States? Or is the process easier if he comes to Brazil, we get married here and then I get a spouse visa?

Does it make a difference in the end?

Thanks for you help!

Li

My sister is married to a Brazilian and they decided to get married in the US, simply because the Brazilian authorities wanted her to produce documents that were unobtainable in the US, besides imposing a waiting period. Her fiance flew to the US, we all drove to Lake Tahoe where they celebrated a confidential marriage and had the whole thing over before happy hour. You can also fly to Vegas and get married with no fuss if time is of the essence.

In the end, if does not really matter where you get married. Congrats and good luck!

[Elisenda 0]

Thanks for your answer guys! it's really helping!

[Elisenda 0]

My sister is married to a Brazilian and they decided to get married in the US, simply because the Brazilian authorities wanted her to produce documents that were unobtainable in the US, besides imposing a waiting period. Her fiance flew to the US, we all drove to Lake Tahoe where they celebrated a confidential marriage and had the whole thing over before happy hour. You can also fly to Vegas and get married with no fuss if time is of the essence.

In the end, if does not really matter where you get married. Congrats and good luck!

Gegel,

Did her fiancé get a K-1? Or did he just go as a tourist?

Thanks you!

Li

[JohnR! 5,495]

Gegel,

Did her fiancé get a K-1? Or did he just go as a tourist?

Thanks you!

Li

He came in as a tourist. He was here for a few days, long enough for them to get married and for him to return to Brazil. Since she was moving to be with him, her Brazilian 'green card' took approximately six months. Their marriage however, is valid for the USCIS if they were ever to decide to move to the US. For the USCIS it does not matter where you get married.

Note however, that if you go that route, consider that if you stay in the US for AOS you will be committing immigration fraud, so make sure you plan to return home to go through the IR/CR process.

[Elisenda 0]

He came in as a tourist. He was here for a few days, long enough for them to get married and for him to return to Brazil. Since she was moving to be with him, her Brazilian 'green card' took approximately six months. Their marriage however, is valid for the USCIS if they were ever to decide to move to the US. For the USCIS it does not matter where you get married.

Note however, that if you go that route, consider that if you stay in the US for AOS you will be committing immigration fraud, so make sure you plan to return home to go through the IR/CR process.

I see... Thank you! That does make sense!

Ok... I guess we're gonna have to deal with the fact that we'll be separated for longer than we imagined...

[JohnR! 5,495]

I see... Thank you! That does make sense!

Ok... I guess we're gonna have to deal with the fact that we'll be separated for longer than we imagined...

If you don't want to be away for the CR/IR, consider the K-1 route. It should be done with in 6 months, after which you will receive a visa to enter the US with the purpose of getting married and doing AOS. That is the correct route for those who wish to marry in the US and stay.

If you are looking for the shortest period of separation, your concern really is not where you should get married, so much as when, in the sense that if you go the K-1 route, it will be faster for you to get married in the US after you get your K-1 visa. If you marry in Brazil you will have to go the CR/Ir route, for once you're married you can't benefit from the K-1 anymore.

Looking on the bright side, if you guys stuck together for 6 1/2 years, chances are a few months away will not do you in.

[Elisenda 0]

If you don't want to be away for the CR/IR, consider the K-1 route. It should be done with in 6 months, after which you will receive a visa to enter the US with the purpose of getting married and doing AOS. That is the correct route for those who wish to marry in the US and stay.

If you are looking for the shortest period of separation, your concern really is not where you should get married, so much as when, in the sense that if you go the K-1 route, it will be faster for you to get married in the US after you get your K-1 visa. If you marry in Brazil you will have to go the CR/Ir route, for once you're married you can't benefit from the K-1 anymore.

Looking on the bright side, if you guys stuck together for 6 1/2 years, chances are a few months away will not do you in.

Thank you so much!

I guess K-1 it is then.

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

~ Moved from K-1 Process to What Visa Do I Need- topic about choosing a visa path ~

[baron555 934]

Hi,

Hope someone can help me figure this out.

I'm Brazilian and my fiancé is American. We've been together for 6 and 1/2 years.

Because of our jobs we are currently in a long distance relationship but hope to get married within the next 6 months.

I can't figure out which one is the better way to go. Should I get a fiancée visa and go get married in the States? Or is the process easier if he comes to Brazil, we get married here and then I get a spouse visa?

Does it make a difference in the end?

Thanks for you help!

Li

The K-1 is faster but you can't work as fast in the US. the CR-1 is best if you want to work right away in the US. Both are about 1 year, start to finish.

[SennaBrigante 92]

K-1 is more expensive and you'll have to wait until you can adjust your visa and get a job. But you'll be able to be together much sooner. You'll have to get married in the US too.

CR-1 is less expensive but takes longer. Upside is that once your application is approved, you'll be a green card holder upon POE (though you won't have a card yet, just a stamp on the passport but just as legit) and you can start working immediately.

I also wondered about which visa we should pursue and we decided on the CR-1 because to us it's more practical and I'll have more peace of mind when I come back to the US.

Congratulations and good luck!

[Ryan H 3,812]

just a stamp on the passport but just as legit

The stamp in of itself does not confer anything; it is a combination of the visa and a standard CBP entry stamp (the endorsement) that allows the visa to act as a temporary green card.

[JohnR! 5,495]

Thank you so much!

I guess K-1 it is then.

I would say that would be the quickest way for you to be together, for it should take about six months from end to end. Upon arrival in the US you must marry within 90 days and IMHO consider starting AOS as soon as you receive the certified copy of your marriage certificate. That should take about 3-4 weeks from the day of the ceremony. Once you start your AOS process, your work authorization should take another 3-4 months. It all means that once you leave Brazil you will probably not be allowed to work for approximately another six months, so plan your finances accordingly.

[Elisenda 0]

I just talked to a friend who went through the k-1 process and she told me she only had her visa in hand to fly to the US 8 months from the date they first filed the documents to USCIS. This is so disheartening... Rod and I have never been apart for more than 3 months... ever. Because he just started a new job, he won't have vacation to visit me during this period.

So, I have a question... while the k1 is being processed, would I be able to visit him with my tourist visa? Please say yes...