Is getting married online an option?

[Kittylovin 0]

I filed for k1 visa on March 3, 2020. My fiance is in the Philippines and I'm in the US. On September 21, they sent me an RFE. I replied to RFE on October 16. Havent recieved a response as of yet, so I will request update on December 15 (60 days after). The RFE was for evidence of bonafide relationship and I provided everything they requested in excess. 

Now, I am curious about getting married online while we are still separated by travel restrictions. The Philippines won't let me travel there because we are not married. I just read about getting married online as being legitimate and I have vacation planned for January that is use or lose. I would love to be able to go over there and wish now that we had gotten married while I was there in January/February. 

I'm pretty sure I understand that it would kill the k1 visa and I would have to start the process again as a spousal visa. Also, I'm going to wait for a response from USCIS before proceeding with this idea.

I would appreciate feedback as to if this is a good idea or not. I work full time and cant quit and move over there just yet, but I get 5 weeks vacation a year. I really do want to see her, but this would mean potentially more time separated as would need spousal visa instead.

[KULtoATL 1,551]

If I was in your position, I'd rather wait and continue with the K-1 vs. starting over with a spousal visa. Starting over = even longer wait. And with COVID-19, everything is moving super slow. So truly, is it worth your time to start over?

 

The main upside with the spousal visa is that your partner would receive a green card and work upon entry and do not have to adjust status and wait for an EAD. 

[aaron2020 11,651]

Hi,

 

Just don't do it.  Don't get marry online.  Online marriages only create a mess when it comes to immigrating to the US.  

Have patience with the K-1 process.  

[Greenbaum 12,259]

8 hours ago, Kittylovin said:

I filed for k1 visa on March 3, 2020. My fiance is in the Philippines and I'm in the US. On September 21, they sent me an RFE. I replied to RFE on October 16. Havent recieved a response as of yet, so I will request update on December 15 (60 days after). The RFE was for evidence of bonafide relationship and I provided everything they requested in excess. 

Now, I am curious about getting married online while we are still separated by travel restrictions. The Philippines won't let me travel there because we are not married. I just read about getting married online as being legitimate and I have vacation planned for January that is use or lose. I would love to be able to go over there and wish now that we had gotten married while I was there in January/February. 

I'm pretty sure I understand that it would kill the k1 visa and I would have to start the process again as a spousal visa. Also, I'm going to wait for a response from USCIS before proceeding with this idea.

I would appreciate feedback as to if this is a good idea or not. I work full time and cant quit and move over there just yet, but I get 5 weeks vacation a year. I really do want to see her, but this would mean potentially more time separated as would need spousal visa instead.

 

 

 

Ok, let's break this down. You currently have a K-1 that is about to be finalized and it's been about 10 months. If you were to marry, and I don't recommend online as this is causing others all kinds of angst for their visa processing and file a CR-1/IR-1 you are looking at about the same period as the K-1 processing. These are current trends. Then you are looking at fall of 2021 before you will see a visa. But if you wait a bit longer your noa2 will be forthcoming. At that time, she can move forward with her interview and travel to you in the states. Good luck and stay engaged in the process. 

 

Also, there is a sub-forum for the Philippines here on VJ that you should be a part of the conversation. It's a good place to read what others are experiencing which will better prepare you for your interview.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/forum/129-philippines/

 

There is an interesting conversation about who can travel to the Philippines and what they must do to be allowed in the country.

 

Latest Travel Requirements/Guide to the Philippines - Philippines - VisaJourney

Edited December 14, 2020 by Greenbaum

[Adventine 3,196]

Agreed with other posters who are advising you to wait out the K-1 process, as you are already far advanced in the process.

 

It's not a good idea to get married online, which would not only nullify your K-1 application, but also create problems for your spousal visa application.

 

Since you mentioned you need to use up vacation time, why not meet your fiancée in a third country? People in the Philippines subforum have mentioned successfully travelling to Mexico and Brazil to meet up with their partners.

 

 

[Kittylovin 0]

4 minutes ago, Adventine said:

Agreed with other posters who are advising you to wait out the K-1 process, as you are already far advanced in the process.

 

It's not a good idea to get married online, which would not only nullify your K-1 application, but also create problems for your spousal visa application.

 

Since you mentioned you need to use up vacation time, why not meet your fiancée in a third country? People in the Philippines subforum have mentioned successfully travelling to Mexico and Brazil to meet up with their partners.

 

 

She has not even been able to get her passport yet, with the office so far from her and all the closings. Plus she has a young child that is not allowed to travel yet. Thanks for the advice.

[Adventine 3,196]

That's a hard situation. Given everything happening then I'm afraid the only realistic option is to wait some more. Sorry that there isn't any better solution right now. 

[AlaMike 231]

Hello @Kittylovin

We got an RFE for the same information, even though I sent (what I thought) was more than enough proof.

Just send any additional photos, emails, texts and any other proof that you may have not sent the 1st time.

I sent additional pictures, flights, hotel and receipts of my trip and when we were together , since I had visited a second time after application was sent.

Good luck and stay the course....

[HRQX 4,145]

14 hours ago, Kittylovin said:

I just read about getting married online as being legitimate

US immigration is starting to crackdown on online "marriage":

"I expected to be allowed to travel since we are married, but the US border control official at the airport said I couldn't because there's a specific rule that foreign spouses who got married online can't enter the US under the current travel ban since it is a loophole that is open to fraudulent use."