k-1 visa Marriage ceremony on a k1 visa

[Ontarkie 14,169]

~~Similar threads merged. Please do not start more then one thread for related questions. I helps members give you the best possible replies when they see all your questions in one thread.~~

[ricky90501 15]

Why don't you guys do an unofficial (non-legal) ceremony in Mexico before she moves to the US on the K-1 and then officially get married in the US after she moves here? That is what my wife and I did in Japan. The only problem with that is she can't go back to Mexico while her AOS is in process (unless she files for advance parole).

[geowrian 22,337]

19 minutes ago, ricky90501 said:

Why don't you guys do an unofficial (non-legal) ceremony in Mexico before she moves to the US on the K-1 and then officially get married in the US after she moves here? That is what my wife and I did in Japan. The only problem with that is she can't go back to Mexico while her AOS is in process (unless she files for advance parole).

This is possible but also pretty risky. Unofficial ceremonies or receptions have gotten people refused for a K-1 for being "too married". There was a user here denied for this exact reason days ago:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/639695-k-1-visa-denied-what-now-appeal/

[caliliving 606]

Do a quick courthouse wedding, don't tell anyone...fill out the paperwork and then in 6 months when u get the green card go back to Mexico and have a real wedding there...i say don't tell anyone bc if people know they won't show up lol and no one understands immigration so ppl won't even know ur married!!!

[Scandi 4,111]

I went with the K-1 route but recommend the CR-1 instead. CR-1 allows you to get married whenever and wherever you want, once approved she'll get a greencard out of it. With the K-1 you only have 90 days to get married and only within the US, and once you're married you still need to go through the whole AOS process to get a greencard and that can easily take a year.

 

So from the day you send in the petition for the CR-1 visa until she's approved and gets her greencard, that part is much faster than going the K-1 route + AOS. The only difference is that you get to be together while the AOS is processing if you go for the K-1.

[USC1961 251]

2 hours ago, caliliving said:

Do a quick courthouse wedding, don't tell anyone...fill out the paperwork and then in 6 months when u get the green card go back to Mexico and have a real wedding there...i say don't tell anyone bc if people know they won't show up lol and no one understands immigration so ppl won't even know ur married!!!

This seems to be your best option according to what you have told us.  IMO after everything is legal and done properly, perception is what is most important.  You'll still have the wedding that you always dreamed of and no one will ever know the difference.  You can have your cake and eat it too!  

Edited July 21, 2017 by Cruise77

[Alysia&Luis 522]

With the K1 Visa there really is no way around it. Once she enters the US on the K1 Visa you will have 90 days to get married then you will be able to file for AOS and AP Concurrently (as others have said AP is taking approx 90 days currently).  Once she has AP she will be able to leave the US and return. 

 

My fiance is actually arriving to the US tomorrow on K1 Visa!! We are planning to get married in the DC courthouse then next year will be going back to Peru for a ceremony with his family. 

 

Congrats on your engagement!! I think you have received advise on all the options available!  

Edited July 21, 2017 by Alysia&Luis

[Seth And Quynh 77]

don't do any ceremony or courthouse marriage if you do they sometimes deny petitions based on a unofficial ceremony they will think you are too married for the k1 visa. stick with the plan and get married in the USA don't risk your visa over this.