Symbolic ceremony Help!!!!

[HislittleSecret 21]

My fiance and I are getting married in Nigeria in Mid March. We know we will need to file the I130 after we are legally married. We would like to know us it illegal for us to have a symbolic wedding ceremony here with our family and friends that are here in the US? He is not planning to immigrate here until after his PH.D program in England. He will be finished in November and we know that he will not be able to immigrate here until after he has been approved for the spousal visa. Again, we would like to know, is it illegal for us to have symbolic wedding ceremony? We are wanting to plan a ceremony for July 2014. Please help!! Thanks in advance for all your help. We do not want to break any laws so if you think we would be your comment is welcomed as well.

[bob.sansmal 14]

AFAIK that is not an uncommon thing for couples to do, and I don't think you'd run into any difficulties from it. Some countries do not allow a symbolic ceremony without a legal one, but I'd imagine it's permitted in the UK.

[dwheels76 5,468]

My fiance and I are getting married in Nigeria in Mid March. We know we will need to file the I130 after we are legally married. We would like to know us it illegal for us to have a symbolic wedding ceremony here with our family and friends that are here in the US? He is not planning to immigrate here until after his PH.D program in England. He will be finished in November and we know that he will not be able to immigrate here until after he has been approved for the spousal visa. Again, we would like to know, is it illegal for us to have symbolic wedding ceremony? We are wanting to plan a ceremony for July 2014. Please help!! Thanks in advance for all your help. We do not want to break any laws so if you think we would be your comment is welcomed as well.

A symbolic ceremony for what purpose so I understand your question? is it illegal to who if you just a a ceremony? Are you going to do a ceremony and file a fiance" visa or later you will have a wedding and file a spousal visa?

I'm unclear what you are asking here for what purpose.

[HislittleSecret 21]

We want to know if it would be illegal for my fiance to come here on a tourist visa for the wedding ceremony? We will present the official with our wedding certificate so that he would know we are already married. Kinda like renewing our vows type of ceremony. No paperwork, no signing of anything. Just for show for family and friends.

[T&T&T 31]

not clear on your question. To file a 130 for your spouse you must have a legal marriage document.

[HislittleSecret 21]

Ok, we will be going to the registry in Nigeria in March and that would make us legally married. We will have to file an I130 after that is completed. Now, we want to plan for a wedding but our problem is....we need to know if he could get a tourist visa and come over here for the wedding ceremony? He will be visiting for that purpose but not to immigrate until after the i130 visa process.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

After you are married you want to travel to the US to have another wedding ceremony on a tourist visa. This is perfectly fine. But you are not guaranteed the tourist visa.

[dwheels76 5,468]

Ok, we will be going to the registry in Nigeria in March and that would make us legally married. We will have to file an I130 after that is completed. Now, we want to plan for a wedding but our problem is....we need to know if he could get a tourist visa and come over here for the wedding ceremony? He will be visiting for that purpose but not to immigrate until after the i130 visa process.

Okay well that's two questions. One sure you can have as many ceremonies as you want. I know many folk Got married in Nigeria or wherever, Got married in the states and did it again.

The issue you will have now is you are married and he will be applying for a visitor visa and he is Nigerian. Regardless he is in UK. Is he a UK resident that can get a VWP? I doubt but thought I would ask.

You are in US which makes intent high. But with him in a PHD program in UK and all that he can show strong ties and has a better chance to get a visitor visa than most. All he can do is apply.

[HislittleSecret 21]

After you are married you want to travel to the US to have another wedding ceremony on a tourist visa. This is perfectly fine. But you are not guaranteed the tourist visa.

Ok, so if and (when) we get him approved for a tourist visa. Are you saying we would not be breaking any laws?

[dwheels76 5,468]

Ok, so if and (when) we get him approved for a tourist visa. Are you saying we would not be breaking any laws?

Okay you are scaring yourself and worrying over nothing. If he gets a tourist Visa you could actually marry here you don't HAVE to first marry in Nigeria.

It is not against immigration law to come here on a visitor visa and get married. It is against the law to come here marry and stay.

So you can actually do your first ceremony here if you want. Go get the visitor visa now so you know yes or no if he can even come to US and visit. Than you can plan accordingly.

Edited January 26, 2014 by dwheels76

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Ok, so if and (when) we get him approved for a tourist visa. Are you saying we would not be breaking any laws?

Not a single one.

[HislittleSecret 21]

Thank you!!!

[Okay 5]

It is not forbidden to apply for tourist visa while you have the I-130 going, but it is not sure that they will issue a tourist visa. It may be denied unless your spouse proves that she/he will return before the tourist visa expires.

[No name 88 48]

Thank you!!!

I think everyone here is confused by your profile. It says your filing a K-1 which a fiancee visa. I think we have questions.

1. Are you two legally married in Nigeria or anywhere?
2. Do you already have an I-130 filed?

From your posts I think you are already married and have filed and I-130 for a CR-1 visa. Now your asking if you can get a tourist visa to come to the US and have another wedding for US relatives. If that's the case no there is nothing illegal about just having a ceremony but you may have a hard time getting that tourist visa.

[No name 88 48]

Okay you are scaring yourself and worrying over nothing. If he gets a tourist Visa you could actually marry here you don't HAVE to first marry in Nigeria.

It is not against immigration law to come here on a visitor visa and get married. It is against the law to come here marry and stay.

So you can actually do your first ceremony here if you want. Go get the visitor visa now so you know yes or no if he can even come to US and visit. Than you can plan accordingly.

Can we be friends; you speak sense. I'm sick of people here saying you have to do things the "correct" way when there is nothing illegal about it. Some have big hang ups on this.