Marrying a U.S citizen who's in prison - which visa ?

[Liya S. 18]

10 minutes ago, *Snowdrop* said:

The previous people I've seen on here who have married prisoners and then filed the Spouse visa application have done so because their partner was going to be in prison for a long time - years -and they wanted to be there in the US to be able to visit on a regular basis. 

 

In your case, as he's getting out in a year, I'd give you the same advice I'd give anyone who has begun a relationship with someone online and from another country - give yourselves a lot of time to get to know each other in different circumstances. First face to face - and then in your case face to face outside of the prison environment - meet his family, meet his friends, see if your goals and futures are compatible, see if your living habits and needs are compatible. 

 

THEN... make the big life-changing decisions about marriage. Work out what his prison record means for his travel options, will he ever be able to go to Switzerland with you? If you have children with him in the USA then you will have to commit to living there until they are adults if he can't leave the country. 

 

This is what I'd advise to anyone in a relationship where there has been little in person experience of each other. 

Thank you for the advice!

[Timona 4,207]

4 minutes ago, Liya S. said:

Ok thank you !!

Just Swiss

 

But were you born Swiss? That'll answer one of your other questions 

[Liya S. 18]

3 minutes ago, Timona said:

 

But were you born Swiss? That'll answer one of your other questions 

My bad lol yes!

[Timona 4,207]

33 minutes ago, Liya S. said:

My bad lol yes!

Hence use VWP

[SalishSea 17,786]

2 hours ago, Liya S. said:

Yes i was planning on visiting him more times until he gets out. And i figured the whole process would take a while lol but is there a visa i can apply for to be able to work and live in the US while waiting on my spousal visa? Thank you for your reply btw !

no.

[SalishSea 17,786]

2 hours ago, *Snowdrop* said:

The previous people I've seen on here who have married prisoners and then filed the Spouse visa application have done so because their partner was going to be in prison for a long time - years -and they wanted to be there in the US to be able to visit on a regular basis. 

 

In your case, as he's getting out in a year, I'd give you the same advice I'd give anyone who has begun a relationship with someone online and from another country - give yourselves a lot of time to get to know each other in different circumstances. First face to face - and then in your case face to face outside of the prison environment - meet his family, meet his friends, see if your goals and futures are compatible, see if your living habits and needs are compatible. 

 

THEN... make the big life-changing decisions about marriage. Work out what his prison record means for his travel options, will he ever be able to go to Switzerland with you? If you have children with him in the USA then you will have to commit to living there until they are adults if he can't leave the country. 

 

This is what I'd advise to anyone in a relationship where there has been little in person experience of each other. 

Totally agree.  Especially with the criminal background and young ages involved.

[PaulaCJohnny 713]

10 hours ago, Liya S. said:

What is VWP?
My family doesn't know about our relationship because i feel like they wouldn't approve which is understandable. I'll have to tell them one day anyway but i wanted to do it after our first visits. My friends don't know about the whole marriage thing but they don't think anything much of it they just told me to be careful. Thank you for your reply btw !

Sounds like you are really young. Am my right?
 

One super important thing that you need to start to research and understand is the limitations of a ex fellow person in the US.

 

Maybe you are not seeing this right now but a relationship where you prefer towards ridding it from others isn’t a good sign.

 

Please be really careful because not just this relationship sounds very new but also the consequences after this can be harder than you think.

 

How long have he been incarcerated? What as the charges? How old are you both?

 

This is not judging you! I’m just trying to make sure you understand how life can be without pink glasses.

 

Good luck.

[mniceguy16 186]

14 hours ago, Liya S. said:

Hi everyone!

 

So my boyfriend & I have been dating for almost 6 months and he's currently in prison. He's getting out in 13 months and has expressed an interest in marrying me. I wanted to know if marrying someone in prison as a foreigner was even possible and if so what kind of visa would i need? He says it is because he knows people who did it but i'm still unsure lol. I haven't met him yet but i plan to in July & August (i got approved for visitation). Would those visits & our messages/phone calls be enough proof? Or would it be better to wait until he's out? I don't really know much about applying for visas & the timelines so i don't know if i could even be approved for one to marry him before he gets out (13 months). I have enough money to support myself but i read that a joint sponsor would be required since he's technically unemployed and will be for the next year. More information : i'm from Switzerland, he's from Kentucky ; we're both in our early twenties (if that matters) & he's in for manslaughter and robbery. Thank you all! 
 

Ps : i don't want to be judged i would like some advice or testimonies before considering consulting an attorney.

Manslaughter, voluntary or involuntary is a crime against moral turpitude. You being young and have never met him and are talking about marriage is sketchy. We see a lot of felons in the USA looking for an easy way out and you may be a victim of such. Just like some people mentioned here, there is more ahead than just trying to get here and work and live. Being a felon in the USA is challenging and you must be ready mentally to support him. Study him, don't hurry into something which you know you will be the one spending  in almost everything, we see a lot of such cases here everyday, talk to family and friends, open up before you venture into this, no parent will want to hear about this kind of adventure when it must have taken a sad turn already. I am not judging you, just being straight forward here.

Edited March 7 by mniceguy16

[JeanneAdil 6,483]

to marry and do the spouse i gave the site for Kentucky prison rules 

Kentucky does not allow conjugal visits so to file CR 1 she would need to wait till he is out

 

Also the inmate must  list her for the  approved visitor list 

 

Before visiting your inmate check all the rules you need to follow. You can find an inmate at Kentucky State Penitentiary , using the Pigeonly Inmate Search if you need help before visitng. After the visitor has been approved by the correctional facility they need to check with their inmate on what days they are allowed to visit.

 

Visitors must register in the Inmate Visitation system prior to scheduling an appointment with the inmate. 

 

Does Ky have conjugal visits?

 

There are only four U.S. states that currently allow conjugal visits, often called "extended" or "family" visits: California, Connecticut, New York, and Washington.Jun 21, 2022

 

 

[Boiler 45,427]

He is getting out in 13 months.

[Rocio0010 5,579]

You have been given enough advice in relation to immigration.

Now, please don't take it personal. Take it from someone that's older than you.

 

Short- distance relationships can be challenging. Long distance ones can be very challenging. Relationships with an immate have an even higher level of complexity. You met him six months ago and you're already thinking of marrying him. Slow down 10x.

 

He's in for manslaughter. That's serious. Your safety might be at risk. There's a reason why you haven't told your family - you say it's because they wouldn't understand. What would you think if your daughter was dating someone in prison that committed manslaughter?

[millefleur 5,046]

Lots of good advice here. No one is judging but when immigration is marriage based it is the CO who will be judging and weighing up the red flags of the case. While your background and country don't seem to present any red flags, the situation involving two younger people who haven't known each longer long and one is in prison for a crime of moral turpitude will. 

 

13 months is not long. You're from a WVP country which gives you the immense privilege to come and go to the US as a visitor with ease. If you slow down and focus on just visiting and getting to know him better, and then build evidence for your case (such as photos and proof of time spent together), that will make your case much stronger on the immigration front as well, in addition to it just being good relationship advice.

 

When he gets out of prison, it's probably not a bad idea for him to visit you in your country either (if that's possible.) This would also be good evidence for the case.

[Bethie 102]

As one poster said you have been given good information,   but also,   you need to check into his back ground to see if any trouble he got into if any before this conviction, do not just take what information he provides.

Also you need to meet and know his family & friends.

You need a lot of back ground on this guy before saying I do or even just him filing a fiancé' visa.

 

You should truly do your homework on this man,    see if you can read the court records  on him on these charges. 

 

Make yourself think with your head &  not just with your  heart.  Prisoner who are counting down the freedom days will do and say anything to a woman to have a place to stay when released. That just don't mean a place to sleep, but also financial support, employment to gain for him may not be easy to find  with his convictions. 

Best wishes.

 

 

 

[Liya S. 18]

5 hours ago, Rocio0010 said:

You have been given enough advice in relation to immigration.

Now, please don't take it personal. Take it from someone that's older than you.

 

Short- distance relationships can be challenging. Long distance ones can be very challenging. Relationships with an immate have an even higher level of complexity. You met him six months ago and you're already thinking of marrying him. Slow down 10x.

 

He's in for manslaughter. That's serious. Your safety might be at risk. There's a reason why you haven't told your family - you say it's because they wouldn't understand. What would you think if your daughter was dating someone in prison that committed manslaughter?

I honestly wasn't even thinking about marriage bc i just met him so i was kind of surprised when he brought it up. I agree with the other posts & you saying i shouldn't be rushing things and get to know him outside the prison. So that's what i'm going to do before considering marrying him. 

I also understand everyone's concern bc it is a serious crime and honestly if my daughter was dating someone that committed manslaughter i would be concerned as well lol. I just think some people make very bad decisions and it happened when he was a teenager so i believe he changed. But obviously this is just an assumption and the only way i can find out is by spending more time with him, which i plan on doing when he gets out. Thank you for your reply!

[Liya S. 18]

3 hours ago, Bethie said:

As one poster said you have been given good information,   but also,   you need to check into his back ground to see if any trouble he got into if any before this conviction, do not just take what information he provides.

Also you need to meet and know his family & friends.

You need a lot of back ground on this guy before saying I do or even just him filing a fiancé' visa.

 

You should truly do your homework on this man,    see if you can read the court records  on him on these charges. 

 

Make yourself think with your head &  not just with your  heart.  Prisoner who are counting down the freedom days will do and say anything to a woman to have a place to stay when released. That just don't mean a place to sleep, but also financial support, employment to gain for him may not be easy to find  with his convictions. 

Best wishes.

 

 

 

I'm not sure how i can get the court records but i'll take your advice and do some research. And yes after reading other posts i think i'm going to take things slow because after all marriage didn't even cross my mind.