How and where should we get married?

[mikeybum 0]

Hi all

I am really impressed with some of the time and dedication you guys give to this forum, so many thanks for the countless hours and information. It's been an eye opener. Here is my situation:

I am an Irish citizen, living in the UK for nearly 7 years and plan to marry my Amerian fiancee next year. We first met last year, and since July she has visited me here twice, and I have gone to the US once, always on vacation. Now, I am planning on moving to Canada to go to school in September 07, just until May 08, when I would like to move to the US.

Some questions I have about this are:

• Do we K1 or K3?
  
• And where should we legally get married? We are planing a ceremony in Ireland next March 08, but are quite happy to marry this summer (07) in the US, before I move to Canada, if that would be quicker to process.
  
• If I have to have an interview at the US Embassy in Dublin, will my UK residency for the last 7 years, and the fact that I am moving to Canada now make that impossible, or at least difficult? (Reviews say the embassy is fairly flexible with dates, and quite helpful, which would be great?)
  

The factors which are most important to me, the primary ones you might consider if giving advice:

• ability to work as soon as possible after moving to the US next year
  
• being able to go to my sister's wedding in Scotland, November 2008
  
• keeping it as cheap as possible - I hear some petition fees are hiking to potentially $600 each this summer (yikes)!
  

I hope the above is clear. Thanks in advance for all help!

yours

mikeybum

Edited March 16, 2007 by mikeybum

[TimsDaisy 0]

First - go to the top of this site and read everything you can in the Guides and FAQ section.

Then refine your list of questions and ask again.

We'll be able to help you faster and more efficiently that way!

[mikeybum 0]

The thing is I don't know what is extraneous information from above. I have been reading the forums and FAQs for a while now, and still don't know which is the best route to go, K1 or K3. Much advice on this board says that cases are very different, that it's difficult to generalise rules, so I'm trying to be as specific as possible.

[Mononoke28 135]

Keeping it as cheap as possible would be to file ASAP before the fees go up this year, but that can't be since you'll be in Canada till May of next year.

One way to save money would probably be to file for a K-1 since that way you won't have to file an I-130 which currently is at $190. You would have to come to the US and get married within 90 days and then file for AOS and EAD just like a K-3 person would. If you want to go to your sister's wedding and you're in the US, you have to file for an AP and that's more money.

Another thing to keep in mind is where you are filing at. VSC is approving K-1s within weeks of filing while CSC is taking more than 60 days.

[Yodrak 7]

mikeybum,

All 3 point to an immigrant visa. You enter as a LPR with your application for a SS card already made for you.

Yodrak

.....

The factors which are most important to me, the primary ones you might consider if giving advice:

• ability to work as soon as possible after moving to the US next year
  
• being able to go to my sister's wedding in Scotland, November 2008
  
• keeping it as cheap as possible - I hear some petition fees are hiking to potentially $600 each this summer (yikes)!
  

I hope the above is clear. Thanks in advance for all help!

yours

mikeybum