C1D Visa and Getting Married While in the Country

[Brit2Amer 0]

I'm a Flight attendant for a US carrier and fly international. My fiancee lives in the UK and is a UK citizen and I am a US citizen. We are curious if we can get married in the UK, and then file for a spousal visa when I get back to the US legally.

I know that traditionally when I come to the UK for work I am usually there for 1-2 days. But we are curious if it's a process that would be legal for me to come back and petition to bring my new spouse over to the US.

So the questions I have are as follows:

Is this a process that would be easier than filing a K-1 to bring them to the US?

What are the particular difficulties associated with this method of visa acquirement?

I understand that my spouse wouldn't be able to to just come back with me right after marriage until the paperwork has been filed.

We are trying to weigh out both processes the K-1 versus K3 or CR1/IR1 Visa.

Thank you for your assistance!

​I apologize if my post is missing information but I'm still learning so much of this information on the different visas.

[heo luoi 206]

http://www.visajourney.com/content/compare, lots of other threads on this.

about an hr ago http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/575067-canadian-citizen-wants-to-marry-and-live-with-us-citizen/

Your situation is interesting since you still get to see regularly through work. CR1 may seem better for you since you still get to see each other and dont feel that sense of urgency to be together and can wait longer for the CR1 til he comes over.

Edited November 11, 2015 by heo luoi

[Brit2Amer 0]

Heo Luoi thank you for the comparison. I was having trouble locating the comparison for the different visas. Looks like I was looking in the wrong place the entire time.

I guess my other question would just be with regards to the C1D and getting married while in the UK and then coming back and filing in the US while going through the process. We are just trying to ensure we are aware of all options before we decide.

[aaron2020 11,651]

I'm a Flight attendant for a US carrier and fly international. My fiancee lives in the UK and is a UK citizen and I am a US citizen. We are curious if we can get married in the UK, and then file for a spousal visa when I get back to the US legally. Yes you can.

I know that traditionally when I come to the UK for work I am usually there for 1-2 days. But we are curious if it's a process that would be legal for me to come back and petition to bring my new spouse over to the US.

So the questions I have are as follows:

Is this a process that would be easier than filing a K-1 to bring them to the US? Nothing is easy. The K-1 requires you two to marry in the US and then file for AOS. For about 90 days, he will not be able to legally work while he waits for his EAD/AP card. Furthermore, if he leaves the US without the EAD/AP card, he would abandon the entire process. A CR-1 allows him to work immediately and travel internationally.

What are the particular difficulties associated with this method of visa acquirement? This is discussed often. Use the search function for this website.

I understand that my spouse wouldn't be able to to just come back with me right after marriage until the paperwork has been filed.

We are trying to weigh out both processes the K-1 versus K3 or CR1/IR1 Visa. K-3 is rarely granted because the CR-1 would also need to be file, and overwhelmingly the CR-1 will be adjudicated and the K-3 administratively closed.

Thank you for your assistance!

​I apologize if my post is missing information but I'm still learning so much of this information on the different visas.

Your issue is common - K1 or CR1 - and is discussed often. Use the search function to read more. There are stickies comparing the two visas.

[heo luoi 206]

I have no idea what a C1D is? More details is helpful when soliciting help.

I realize you must be a road warrior...but VJ is best used via a full browser. You will get a lot more utility and clearer pricture if you are not mucking about via a mobile.

K1 may not be for you but this post still is a good primer for newbs on where to look, how some features work and utilize the best parts of the site. http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/300-general-k1-guides-and-info/

Update, so I did my own search. so its a crewmember visa? I assume your SO too works in the industry and its HIS C1D?

Edited November 11, 2015 by heo luoi

[Elf 146]

- Moved from K-1 Process and procedures to What Visa Do I Need -

- Question is about the relative merits of K-1 and CR-1 when beneficiary has an existing C1/D crewmember visa -

[Brit2Amer 0]

Sorry for the confusion.

As I said it hard to convey the inquiry in both the right manner with all of the information and searching for the information on the site. So once again I appreciate your patience.

I am the holder of the C1/D or crewmember visa when I travel to the UK. I was able to search on the site to see someone had a similar situation occur, So i did do a search on it. I suppose I was soliciting opinions on which would be the best route to go. I realize no route is going to be easy, however, since the site has a wealth of knowledgeable individuals I created this topic to solicit information and I suppose inquire of those that have encountered similar situations.

So now that I have some of this cleared up. the question that I have remaining is if it's a difficult process to either go the K1 route or the CR1.

By this I mean, has anyone gone through obtaining a CR1 after marrying while out of your home country on a C1/D? Or had trouble getting married while on a C1/D in another country?

Thank you all for the wealth of information you've provided. It's really clearing up many of my questions.

[heo luoi 206]

A google search yielded the C1D did cause some hurdles but they were pretty old posts. Confused seemed like C1D was for foreign national crew members entering the US. But you keep saying the C1D is yours? I dont see how if you have a crewmember visa to enter UK would be a big deal, you're not immigrating to UK, he's immigrating here. If he has a C1D sounds more problematic as hes wanting to immigrate here. If not enough traction w/ C1D here or in parallel Canvass a few attorneys and leverage their free consults and corroborate all the insights... hopefully the picture will be clear and consensus. GL OP

Edited November 12, 2015 by heo luoi

[aaron2020 11,651]

Why do you have a C1/D visa if you are a US citizen? US citizens do not need visas to enter the US, therefore US visas are not issued to US citizens.

[Brit2Amer 0]

Thank you Heo Luot!

Yeah the C1/D would be mine because I'm the person/crewmember traveling to the UK and getting married.

And then they would be immigrating to the US after the CR-1 would be approved and completed.

I suppose trying to track down people who have been successful at going through this process while on a C1/D in the UK would be difficult.

Because I know, I searched for the C1/D inquires first and found the older information in which you speak.

Thank you again for your friendly and prompt responses and direction.

[heo luoi 206]

http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/other/crewmember.html

Spouse or Children -

• Your spouse and unmarried, minor children may apply for visitor (B) visas to accompany you, if they will not perform services required for normal operation of the vessel.
• If your spouse and/or children plan to enter the United States for another purpose, then they must apply for the visa category required for that purpose of travel. Review all visa categories.

[Elf 146]

Sorry for the confusion.

As I said it hard to convey the inquiry in both the right manner with all of the information and searching for the information on the site. So once again I appreciate your patience.

I am the holder of the C1/D or crewmember visa when I travel to the UK. I was able to search on the site to see someone had a similar situation occur, So i did do a search on it. I suppose I was soliciting opinions on which would be the best route to go. I realize no route is going to be easy, however, since the site has a wealth of knowledgeable individuals I created this topic to solicit information and I suppose inquire of those that have encountered similar situations.

So now that I have some of this cleared up. the question that I have remaining is if it's a difficult process to either go the K1 route or the CR1.

By this I mean, has anyone gone through obtaining a CR1 after marrying while out of your home country on a C1/D? Or had trouble getting married while on a C1/D in another country?

Thank you all for the wealth of information you've provided. It's really clearing up many of my questions.

There's one more issue that you need to consider.

I believe that in order to legally marry in the UK as a non-EEA citizen you would have to enter on a Marriage Visitor Visa, not on your crewmember visa (I'm assuming that if you are a US citizen, your crewmember visa is the UK equivalent of a C1/D? Otherwise I echo aaron2020's confusion over why you have a C1/D). Without a Marriage Visitor visa you won't be able to give the required Notice Of Intention To Marry at a register office, which is the first step in the marriage process. I've no idea what impact that would have on your crewmember visa. and quick searches of both VJ and Google didn't bring up any answers to that. Perhaps this is one of those times where a free consult with an immigration lawyer would be helpful? Or maybe the HR/Legal department of the airline you work for can offer advice I'm sure you're not the first of their employees to marry a Brit and need visa advice.

[Boiler 46,057]

C1D1 is irrelevant.

You need a visa to marry in the UK, even if you are not staying. Then file a CR1 to come to the US.

K1 is for those immigration and marrying in the US.

[Brit2Amer 0]

That's ultimately what I wanted to find out in theory. That's if I could get married while I'm there on work. Now that I know that I have to have a marriage visa that clarifies everything else. Thanks Boiler.

I wasn't sure if I could just get married while I were in the Uk on my C1/D so that helps me.

Thank you all for your assistance.

[Brit2Amer 0]

To finalize and clairify for anyone that was answering.

I wanted to know that if I were in the UK while under a C1/D as a working crewman, would I be able to wed my spouse since I was already in the country legally for work. As Boiler has stated, I would actually need a Marriage visa to wed my spouse. I can then come back to the US and file for a CR1 to petition to bring my spouse to the US.

WHEW!

Sorry for the multiple questioning on the subject. I was just attempting to make sure that I understood completely my options.

Thank you all again for your assistance.