Traditional Wedding Before Visa is Approved

[P___M 0]

I have been doing a lot of research and can't find the answer to my question so I was hoping someone here could possibly answer. Me and my fiance are applying for the K-1 visa, however she would like to have a traditional wedding in her hometown (India). We plan to get legally married in the USA within 90 days, but are is okay to have a wedding ceremony in India before that happens?

 

 

[arken 4,197]

Traditional wedding in India is actually the marriage and COs know it. If CO or the POE officer see your wedding photos, your fiance will be very likely either denied the visa or even approved may get denied the entry at POE. In this digital world and so many people posting your wedding photos everywhere, it is not hard to find them online.

[Greenbaum 12,259]

21 minutes ago, SirMarv said:

I have been doing a lot of research and can't find the answer to my question so I was hoping someone here could possibly answer. Me and my fiance are applying for the K-1 visa, however she would like to have a traditional wedding in her hometown (India). We plan to get legally married in the USA within 90 days, but are is okay to have a wedding ceremony in India before that happens?

 

 

There have been may cases that what you see as a "party" to what the CO sees as a possible "wedding". I would hate to see you come all this way and get denied because of an innocent picture. Why give the CO "ammunition" to use against you in ways you never thought possible? I'll give you an example and from there you'll need to make your own decision. If you want more information than in the upper right corner of this page is a search box. Use the words "marriage ceremony" and you will have more examples.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[P___M 0]

Thank you all for the help. Glad I asked before we went to far. Would a traditional/religious wedding ceremony be allowed after the US court marriage?

[Crazy Cat 42,158]

31 minutes ago, SirMarv said:

I have been doing a lot of research and can't find the answer to my question so I was hoping someone here could possibly answer. Me and my fiance are applying for the K-1 visa, however she would like to have a traditional wedding in her hometown (India). We plan to get legally married in the USA within 90 days, but are is okay to have a wedding ceremony in India before that happens?

 

 

Just don't do it.....you can always have a traditional wedding afterwards at some time in the future. ...

Just now, SirMarv said:

Thank you all for the help. Glad I asked before we went to far. Would a traditional/religious wedding ceremony be allowed after the US court marriage?

Yes. 

[payxibka 10,047]

Just now, SirMarv said:

Thank you all for the help. Glad I asked before we went to far. Would a traditional/religious wedding ceremony be allowed after the US court marriage?

Why would it not?  It would not be a legal marriage but can be a ceremony and gala event 

[SalishSea 18,102]

3 hours ago, SirMarv said:

Thank you all for the help. Glad I asked before we went to far. Would a traditional/religious wedding ceremony be allowed after the US court marriage?

Yes, but keep in mind that the beneficiary will not be able to travel for 6-8 months.

[Cyberfx1024 7,980]

5 hours ago, SirMarv said:

Thank you all for the help. Glad I asked before we went to far. Would a traditional/religious wedding ceremony be allowed after the US court marriage?

This is what many people do actually is go back home after AOS or AP for a traditional wedding to include that side of the family. 

 

Just don't do a traditional wedding because you can and will get denied if the CO sees it. I remember a case a couple years ago from Nepal where the American got a traditional Hindu wedding before the interview to "show respect for that culture" and showed the pictures at the interview to help their case. It ended up hurting there case because he was denied.

Edited April 11, 2020 by Cyberfx1024

[Orangesapples 1,954]

5 hours ago, SirMarv said:

Thank you all for the help. Glad I asked before we went to far. Would a traditional/religious wedding ceremony be allowed after the US court marriage?

Of course that it's allowed, you can have a wedding ceremony every month if you choose to do so. The only problem right now is the quarantine but that has nothing to do with visa restrictions. 

Edited April 11, 2020 by Orangesapples

[JesStef 7]

Get married in her country and do the CR-1 visa.  Same amount of paper work, little longer wait, but way more benefits in the end.  Your spouse will receive her green card and social security card upon entry to the US and be able to do things right away.

[Orangesapples 1,954]

1 minute ago, JesStef said:

Get married in her country and do the CR-1 visa.  Same amount of paper work, little longer wait, but way more benefits in the end.  Your spouse will receive her green card and social security card upon entry to the US and be able to do things right away.

Yes, and I'm pretty sure the backlogs on EAD are going to get even worse after the pandemic. 

[JesStef 7]

Also having the wedding in her native country went a long way, not only with my wife but with my wife's family as well.  It makes a good memory that you both will enjoy for the rest of your lives.  Trust me, you'll reap the benefits for sure ;)

[retheem 568]

6 hours ago, SirMarv said:

I have been doing a lot of research and can't find the answer to my question so I was hoping someone here could possibly answer. Me and my fiance are applying for the K-1 visa, however she would like to have a traditional wedding in her hometown (India). We plan to get legally married in the USA within 90 days, but are is okay to have a wedding ceremony in India before that happens?

 

 

That will invalidate her visa an she will have to file CR1 visa. Just so you know, a traditional marriage is a marriage

 

[JesStef 7]

Why do so many people prefer K1 to Cr-1 visa?  My wife wanted to get married in her country so no brainer CR-1.  Was a long process but easy.

[Unlockable 7,315]

10 minutes ago, JesStef said:

Why do so many people prefer K1 to Cr-1 visa?  My wife wanted to get married in her country so no brainer CR-1.  Was a long process but easy.

Because of the perceived "faster being together" aspect of it. There was a time when the K1 could be done in 6 months as opposed to a year with the spousal visa. Obviously, times have changed with that.

 

Another reason is that there are a lot that want to "try things out" first before getting married. To me this is not a good method to start out a union. A couple should already be sure they want to marry when the apply. Not use the K1 as a trial period. 

 

Last reason I have seen is people are uncomfortable with marrying someone then immediately being separated with their spouse for many months. They would rather stay together from the day they wed.

 

The biggest problem we see is that too many people overlook the negatives of the K1. It is not until they come over, marry, then honeymoon phase has ended... then realize that they can't work, go back home, or in some cases, drive for several months that they start to see the negatives.