US trying to Marry Sri Lankan

[MaggieD 0]

I'm desperate to marry my boyfriend from Sri Lanka and don't know how to go about it. I just left the country so we can't get married there now unless I go back. Everything is actually really fine with his family, there is no drama there. My family however would not be helpful with finances or visa sponsorship. He is going to apply for a tourist visa but we might be tempted to marry when he comes over. Would this be a big problem? Fiancee visas seem to take a long time, I don't make much money and have no family to help sponsor him. If I go back to Sri Lanaka to marry him can I stay there with him while his visa is processed for the US? Or do we both need to physically be in the US for his to get a visa. Confused....

[Unlockable 7,314]

You have a few things to think about.

If he applies for a tourist visa he has to convince the CO he won't try to stay. This is why it is difficult for people in certain countries to obtain a tourist visa. But if you two are PLANNING on marrying and adjusting his status while he is here on a tourist visa then that is considered fraud. Tourist visas are for touring.

Second, even if he gets a tourist visa and while here you spontaneously decide to get married, you will still need to show that you earn enough for the affidavit of support for the adjustment of status. If you don't, you will need a cosponsor. So regardless of whether he is in Sri Lanka or in the US if you don't have a cosponsor you won't be able to adjust his status.

Which leads to the next point. It takes time and money regardless of which route you use. Immigration has to make sure everything is legit with him. Background checks (criminal, civil, and medical) are very important yet they take a lot of time. If, for example, he is in the US and you two marry it will take over $1,000 in fees and may take several months to complete. He will NOT be able to work, travel, or possibly even obtain a driver's license until it is all done. If you can't afford the fees and/or don't have a cosponsor to meet the minimum income to sponsor him, he will not be able to adjust and will be pretty much be sitting in limbo until you do.

Use this site to educate yourself on everything you need. Read the guides. It will give you idea on costs and timelines. Feel free to ask questions. We are here to help.

The first step in any journey is knowledge.

[Gregory&Dyn 113]

I feel compelled to answer outside of your line of questions. Please understand that this post is meant to be constructive.

You are not ready to be married, and most certainly not to somebody from another country. I am not judging, I'm really not. Your relationship with him lacks experience time and depth. Those are the things that make the backbone of any successful relationship. Do you have that?

Like anybody in the beginning stages of immigration, you have many questions. We were all unprepared in the beginning and we started just like you. But, you are unprepared in more ways than one. You can't afford to qualify for a K1 visa which indicates that you likely can't afford to support the two of you together in a marriage. You lack support from your family. He will be unable to work upon arrival. How will you survive? Where will you live? Do you have a life plan?

For your sake, and for the wellness of your family, take your time with this. Move forward slowly. Think real hard about where this will go. I'm not discounting your love for him, nor am I indicating that he is using you, but tread carefully. Even if you had met him here in the states, you would take your time. Distance is not a need to rush.

If you are sure about moving forward, then do yourself and your fiancé a favor. Educate yourself on the process. Read. Read. Read. Visit country specific forums. Know the ins-and-outs of the different types of visas. Understand the dynamics of his embassy. Become intimate with his country, A quick vacation to Sri Lanka is not enough. Are you prepared for the cultural differences in your marriage? Know ahead of time what path you will follow regarding immigration. Know how much money you will be expected to spend. Understand that outside of all the itemized expenses, you will have to pay for flights, bus trips and hotels to the the embassy. Pre-interview medical costs and much more. This is a very big responsibility. Tread cautiously.

Edited October 23, 2016 by Gregory&Dyn

[MaggieD 0]

Thank you for your replies. So after looking at the income requirements they are way lower than I expected so I am able to sponsor him fully by myself without my family. Him not being able to work is also not a problem. Although I'm not rich I apparently overestimated the requirements financially. $1,000 in fees is affordable and 6-12 months of unemployment for him is doable on my part.

[Anitafeliz 1,133]

I believe you have to pay for civil surgeon in the US to examine him if you marry here. That's an additional cost.

[Unidentified 2,930]

And remember that if he is able to receive a tourist visa, coming here with the INTENT to marry and adjust is visa fraud.

[MaggieD 0]

We don't want to commit any fraud that will stop us from being able to live in the U.S. in the future. If we do get married on a tourist visa while he is here (we plan to have two ceremonies anyway) then he will return to his country afterwards so it won't matter and won't be fraudulent. We just really want to be together through all of this and not have to spend years apart trying to be together. Luckily although we are from different cultures his family is quite untraditional so there's not many issues with that. I really lucked out. My family doesn't support me in any way financially and therefore I'd never want them to on this. It's just our personal boundaries. I now know thanks to the link someone inboxed to me that I don't need them to.

Our next step is seeing how long I can stay there as his wife while we await some processing in U.S. I appreciate all of the positive responses and the helpful replies.

[RobertM54 36]

Our next step is seeing how long I can stay there as his wife while we await some processing in U.S. I appreciate all of the positive responses and the helpful replies.

Can you still meet the financial requirements if you do this?

Good luck to you,