I want to get married

[Young p 0]

I want to marry my love. He is in Jamaica and I am in the US. How do we start this procedure. Do we really need a lawyer. Should I marry him there,or wait until he comes here.

How long will this process take

[Ortolan 381]

Have you met him in person yet? If you have, you can either file for a K1 (fiance) visa, or marry him and file for a CR1 (spouse) visa. Search for these terms on this site for directions on how to do either and read up.

You don't need a lawyer unless you've got some issues (criminal history, drug arrests, previous denied visa applications, etc. )

CR1 takes about a year, but he'll have a 2-year green card upon entry to the U.S. and will be allowed to seek work immediately.

K1 is more expensive fee-wise, takes a little less time; you have 90 days to get married after he's granted the visa and comes to the U.S., but he won't be allowed to work until he gets his authorization to do so after you're married and 'adjust status'.

Either CR1 or K1 are fastest if you do your homework and are meticulous with your paperwork. It ain't easy, but you don't need a lawyer if you do it right.

[Unlockable 7,314]

Heed Ortalon's advice.

I want to add that you have to be a US citizen to file a K1. If not a citizen but a permanent resident of the US then you have to marry in his country and file I-130.

[Young p 0]

So I would have to marry him there, but how long before we can actually be together. How much is all of this going to set us back money wise)

[Unlockable 7,314]

I'd say about 2 years and around $2000 from start to finish. Note that this is a rough estimate. YMMV.

The immigration portion will be around $1200. The extra money is for plane tickets, official certs and documents, courier services, etc.

[Young p 0]

So I would have to marry him there, but how long before we can actually be together. How much is all of this going to set us back money wise)

[Pitaya 2,577]

~Moved from K1 Process to What Visa Do I Need Forum~

~Inquiry about family visa processes~

[squareleg 69]

Too vague post. Conduct basic research and this forum will be useful tool to further your case.

[Ortolan 381]

OP, seriously, you need to read both of these, and decide which one you want. Everything you need to know (basically) is here:

K1 Fiance Visa: http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1guide

CR1 Spouse Visa: http://www.visajourney.com/content/i130guide1

Read and learn. Then you can decide.