marry US citizen on tourist visa and have religious ceremony but not legal ceremony

[nightingalejules 678]

Yes, I pointed that exact thing out in my previous post! Read above

Sorry! I'm a bad vj person and responded without reading all the posts!

Administering slap to my own wrist. Ouch! Lol

[Ketsuban 1,034]

Ah, just so that OP won't have a wrong impression, we already have K-1 in hand and we'll be having an unofficial ceremony right before coming over to the US side. I didn't realize OP was asking before getting K-1.

That can also cause problems, if USCIS thinks you got married before entering the States. It renders your K-1 invalid.

[Ketsuban 1,034]

I'm just throwing this out there (because it's been grinding my gears from most of your posts I see) that although you are giving the OP correct information, your tone and wording, in most threads, is really unnecessary and almost condescending. Many people might not know all the facts, thus why they're asking for clarification, there is no reason to tell people to "stop trying to circumvent the system just because you want to be together faster" when they are clearly looking for answers and the correct and legal way to proceed. Half that paragraph could have been cut to avoid your personal remarks and just include the facts.

In addition, it seems like any thread who has someone who is AOSing fro a tourist visa you have a bitter attitude with. Myself, and various other people adjust from a B2 visa who had no pre-conceived intent to want to immigrate, just solely because we didn't have to go through consulate processing isn't a reason to make assumptions or speculate one's case. Life happens, circumstances do change, doesn't mean "fraud" needs to be screamed at every opportunity. Leave the judgement for the USCIS.

I agree with you. The condescending attitude that is more prevalent on some websites than others is the reason I steer totally clear of Britishexpats.com. While they are super informative, they are also super rude to people asking questions. If they don't want them asking questions, they shouldn't run a forum >.>

Edited March 31, 2014 by Ketsuban

[JE57 239]

You *might* have another option... If you can establish residency in India for 3 months than you may be eligible for Direct Counsulate filing in India which can be very quick. This is definately not the easiest ways but in limitted specific circumstances it might be the best. If you were able to secure residency then you would move to India and Marry her. Then file I-130 via DCF. BUT there are many many potential pitfalls with this approach. Overall my recomendation would be K-1 visa, legal ceremony at a justice of the peace in USA... Then apply for Adjustment of Status and Apply for Advanced Parole at the same time. Figure the K-1 process could be as little as 5 months start to finish and then add 3 months for waiting for AP meaning. Of course if her culture or religion requires a religious ceremony in India prior to living with you then the ONLY option you have is Marry in India and Apply for I-130 and plan to be apart after you marry for a year (or more). Be aware that after you file either a K-1 or an I-130 (or are married) or she states on entry to the USA that she is engaged to you that her tourist Visa may not allow her to enter as in she could be denied entry at the airport. This would be disasterous. So my advice given the limitted knowlege of your circumstances is.. Have her come to the USA on her tourist visa, while she is visiting with you dedicate some time to putting together the K-1 visa Application together and file that application as soon as she leaves the USA... Once approved have her return to the USA, marry her legally and immediately apply for Adjustment of status, and advanced Parole... Travel back to the India together to do the religious ceremony. Total time apart as little as 5 months and total time from Legal to Religious ceremony as little as 8 months.