Hi!

[CoquettEl 0]

Hi All. I'm new here. Just trying to gather the best info possible.

I am currently a permanent resident and would like to get married to a guy from England. Trying to figure out the best possible route. Thanks!

[Hypnos 6,578]

Unless you're British or an EU citizen you will need a visa to be able to marry him in the UK.

Alternatively, he could fly here on the VWP and you can marry in the US.

Edited January 14, 2014 by Hypnos

[CoquettEl 0]

Thanks for your response. We want to both live in America but from what i have read, i need to become a U.S Citizen first, otherwise it will take over 3 years for him to be able to move out here with me. I'm not sure if the information is correct or not.

I'm originally from Australia and i've been living in America for about 11 years. We considered marrying in England then applying for a visa spouse visa but again, not too sure if that would be a better route to take.

Edited January 14, 2014 by CoquettEl

[Hypnos 6,578]

An LPR can petition for a spouse, but not a fiancé. You can either:

(1) Get married (either in the UK or US, it doesn't matter) then file an I-130 under the F2A category for him, seeking an immigrant visa. This process will take ~6 - 12 months.

(2) Become a US citizen, then file an I-129F seeking a K-1 fiancé visa for him. He enters on his K-1, you marry in the US within 90 days then file for adjustment of status to receive his green card.

[CoquettEl 0]

Would you say the first option would be best?

I should also state i have a record due to being arrested, but the police department expunged it. It was regarding a supenor but it wasn't lawful and the expunge was done by them and i didn't pay a lawyer.

I dont want to hurt our chances of him moving out here. We don't care where we get married, we just want to start our future together as soon as possible

[Hypnos 6,578]

It's really up to you. An immigrant visa grants a green card immediately upon entry, but with a K-1 you have to enter, marry, then file for adjustment of status before you receive your green card, and that can take a year or so.

It depends on how fast you want to do it and whether money is a factor (a CR-1 immigrant visa will be cheaper by a few hundred dollars).

[CoquettEl 0]

Thanks for all this info. Money isn't really a factor. I'd rather pay more and have him out here sooner.

[Pitaya 2,577]

Welcome to the forum.

[TBoneTX 46,062]

*** Thread moved from Introducing Our Members forum to the "What Visa Do I Need" forum -- OP is weighing visa paths. ***

[NikLR 13,232]

You would have to be a US citizen first to do the K3 but if you get married aand file the I-130 for a spouse you can do your citizenship at the same time and upgrade the petition afterwards. It gets your foot in the door anyhow.