Time from marriage to applying?

[ChadTaljaardt 4]

Hello,

My girlfriend and I have been in a long distance relationship for around 4 years. We met each other through Facebook when we were 16 and ever since then, we have spoken every day. We have met each other in real life 3 times, the first time was 2 weeks, and the 2nd and 3rd where for around a month. We are planning to get married so that we can live together, I will go there (North Carolina) from the UK. We are planning to meet up again around late august and will apply for the CR-1 visa shortly afterwards. My question is; Is there any time restriction that will influence the visa in terms of applying for the visa straight after marriage?

Thanks a lot!

[ChadTaljaardt 4]

Just now, Dee elle said:

There is no stipulation on how soon or long after the marriage is the rignt time or even the best time to apply. The criteria is evidence of bonafide relationship , no petition is ever guaranteed. Supply strong valid evidence and you are giving it your best 

What type of evidence can this be? Pictures of us together?

[Wuozopo 4,293]

4 hours ago, ChadTaljaardt said:

Hello,

My girlfriend and I have been in a long distance relationship for around 4 years. We met each other through Facebook when we were 16 and ever since then, we have spoken every day. We have met each other in real life 3 times, the first time was 2 weeks, and the 2nd and 3rd where for around a month. We are planning to get married so that we can live together, I will go there (North Carolina) from the UK. We are planning to meet up again around late august and will apply for the CR-1 visa shortly afterwards. My question is; Is there any time restriction that will influence the visa in terms of applying for the visa straight after marriage?

Thanks a lot!

 

Some things to know up front of more importance than how long after marriage should you apply. Just a heads up in case you haven't researched it well yet.

• You marry then live back in the UK while you wait on the CR1 visa processing. Could be a year.
• Any convictions or UK cautions are reviewed to see if you are eligible.
• Any drug use ever can work against you.
• Your girlfriend needs a job making $20,300 or somebody else in the US willing to sign on as your financial support. 
• It's going to cost you a couple of thousand in immigration fees and such. 

[ChadTaljaardt 4]

7 hours ago, Dee elle said:

Read through the threads and guides on this website.. there are many many posts which talk about this very question.. take time to research then come back with specific questions.. people are always happy to help, especially if you have taken the time to do your own research...good luck. 

Thanks for your advise, i will look into it!

 

 

3 hours ago, Wuozopo said:

 

Some things to know up front of more importance than how long after marriage should you apply. Just a heads up in case you haven't researched it well yet.

• You marry then live back in the UK while you wait on the CR1 visa processing. Could be a year.
• Any convictions or UK cautions are reviewed to see if you are eligible.
• Any drug use ever can work against you.
• Your girlfriend needs a job making $20,300 or somebody else in the US willing to sign on as your financial support. 
• It's going to cost you a couple of thousand in immigration fees and such. 

Hello, 

 

Thanks for your response. 

We are planning to get married around late August this year. We will get married in the USA. Once we have completed this process, ill return home and then apply for all the visa stuff. 

I don't have any convictions, don't have any drug use, my girlfriend has a job that pays $20,800 however she has only recently started this job. I heard that you need to have 3 years worth of W-2.  Right now we are exploring the option of a sponsor. 

 

I have read the visa costs in total $1500 with some variable costs, of course there is other costs involved for instance travel etc. But this shouldn't be a issue. When the time comes i should have a few thousand saved up. 

[JessieABC 159]

2 hours ago, ChadTaljaardt said:

Thanks for your advise, i will look into it!

 

 

Hello, 

 

Thanks for your response. 

We are planning to get married around late August this year. We will get married in the USA. Once we have completed this process, ill return home and then apply for all the visa stuff. 

I don't have any convictions, don't have any drug use, my girlfriend has a job that pays $20,800 however she has only recently started this job. I heard that you need to have 3 years worth of W-2.  Right now we are exploring the option of a sponsor. 

 

I have read the visa costs in total $1500 with some variable costs, of course there is other costs involved for instance travel etc. But this shouldn't be a issue. When the time comes i should have a few thousand saved up. 

Here's a great read to start:

https://citizenpath.com/proving-a-bona-fide-marriage/

 

Regarding financial requirements which won't be required until you reach the NVC stage after your I-130 is approved, her income cutting it pretty close to the 125% of poverty limits (see https://www.uscis.gov/system/files_force/files/form/i-864p.pdf).  It's $20,300 for a household of 2 currently so you'll probably need a joint sponsor.  You'll need photocopies of the latest taxes - either an IRS Tax Transcript (W2s required if filed jointly) OR a copy of the filed tax return along with all relevant W2s and 1099s.  You can read up on what you'll need at the NVC stage here:  https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/immigrate/immigrant-process/documents/Step_4_Collect_Financial_Documents.html

 

We just filed last September and included the following as Proof of bona fide marriage

• Evolution of Relationship letter
• I-94 travel records, (my) UK Marriage Visitor Visa, Boarding passes, passport stamps
• Travel itineraries with both our names
• Payment and receipts for wedding/engagement rings
• Payment for wedding arrangements
• Bank letter stating we've added each other as authorized users to our Credit card account(s)
• Bank letter confirming I've designated my husband as my savings account beneficiary with my account id and amounts available 
• Proof we've added each other as beneficiaries to Life insurance/savings plan/401K/investment account/life insurance
• Photos of us over the course of our relationship (including wedding photos)
• Photos with friends and family
• Receipts of gifts sent to each other 
• Scans of cards/gifts sent to each other via post
• Conversation logs (Skype, Google Hangouts, Whatsapp)
• Affidavits from friends/family (including wedding witnesses)

Hope that helps and good luck!

Edited May 11, 2017 by JessieABC

[JoannaV 174]

You can apply as soon as you have your marriage certificate.

The only evidence I provided was a random boat insurance document that happened to have both our names on it and three short affidavits from US family/friends. JessieABC's list sounds good!

[kellyh 27]

22 hours ago, ChadTaljaardt said:

Thanks for your advise, i will look into it!
Hello, 

 

Thanks for your response. 

We are planning to get married around late August this year. We will get married in the USA. Once we have completed this process, ill return home and then apply for all the visa stuff. 

 

If you have not yet applied for a K1 visa, it is considered illegal to marry in the USA. 

See visa guide if you have not yet already done so http://www.visajourney.com/content/compare

 

[Wuozopo 4,293]

29 minutes ago, kellyh said:

 

If you have not yet applied for a K1 visa, it is considered illegal to marry in the USA. 

See visa guide if you have not yet already done so http://www.visajourney.com/content/compare

 

It isn't illegal. See FAQ (7th one) on London website https://uk.usembassy.gov/visas/immigrant-visa-faqs/

 

We are traveling to the United States to marry and will return to the United Kingdom after marriage. Do I still need a fiancé(e) visa?

 

If you will return to your permanent residence you may apply for a tourist B-2 visa, or if eligible, travel visa free under the Visa Waiver Program.  At the time you apply for the visa and/or travel to the United States you will be required to show that you have a residence outside the United States that you do not intend to abandon. There is no set form that this evidence takes as it varies with each person’s circumstances

[kellyh 27]

4 minutes ago, Wuozopo said:

It isn't illegal. See FAQ (7th one) on London website https://uk.usembassy.gov/visas/immigrant-visa-faqs/

 

We are traveling to the United States to marry and will return to the United Kingdom after marriage. Do I still need a fiancé(e) visa?

 

If you will return to your permanent residence you may apply for a tourist B-2 visa, or if eligible, travel visa free under the Visa Waiver Program.  At the time you apply for the visa and/or travel to the United States you will be required to show that you have a residence outside the United States that you do not intend to abandon. There is no set form that this evidence takes as it varies with each person’s circumstances

Apologies, I've no knowledge regarding tourist B-2 visas.

 

OP, please discard my previous post.

[Wuozopo 4,293]

1 hour ago, kellyh said:

Apologies, I've no knowledge regarding tourist B-2 visas.

 

OP, please discard my previous post.

 

Ther OP does not need a tourist visa. He/she can go on visa waiver and get married. So can somebody from Canada.  The illegal part is if you plan to skip the proper immigration process, enter on visa waiver as a tourist (rather than as an immigrant) then stay and adjust status to get a greencard. But people who do that get by with it all the time when they marry a US citizen and they "suddenly decided to get married and stay" but had not planned it as a way to circumvent visa processes.