US Citizen with Foreign Fiancé: When and How to Get Married?

[gandalf1989 3]

Hi Everyone,

 

I am sure this question has been asked many times before, but I wasn't able to find a thread for it, so I apologize in advance.

 

I'm currently living and working in the United States.

My fiancé currently lives in Japan.

We have been dating for about 6 months, and we have met in person several times, but we are not yet married.

My fiancé will be visiting me in the United States on a tourist visa some time in March or April and staying for about 3 months.

We want to apply for the CR1 Visa as soon as possible.

 

I want to know how and when we should get married so that the process goes as smoothly as possible.

 

For example, should we get married when she visits me on the tourist visa? She will be returning to her home country after about 3 months regardless.

In this case, would it be possible to begin the CR1 Visa application while she is still in the United States on a tourist visa? Or should we wait until she is back home in Japan before filing.

Alternatively, should we have a virtual marriage while she is still in Japan, so that I can apply for the CR1 Visa before she visits me on a tourist visa?

Finally, it would be possible for me to visit her in Japan to get married there before applying for the CR1, although that would be the most difficult and expensive option.

 

I appreciate any advice on the subject.

Thank you,

 

Eric

 

PS: We are open to applying for the K1 Visa as well, but I heard that they take about the same amount of time to process, so the CR1 Visa seems to be more advantageous (cheaper overall, can being working immediately, etc).

 

[Crazy Cat 42,640]

16 minutes ago, gandalf1989 said:

For example, should we get married when she visits me on the tourist visa?

Yes.  You can start the process as soon as you are married and you have a marriage certificate. ....even while she is in the US.

 

If you had an online marriage, you cannot file until you have met after the ceremony. 

[gandalf1989 3]

12 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

Yes.  You can start the process as soon as you are married and you have a marriage certificate. ....even while she is in the US.

 

If you had an online marriage, you cannot file until you have met after the ceremony. 

That's great news! Thank you so much!

[wildbug100420 191]

49 minutes ago, gandalf1989 said:

Hi Everyone,

 

I am sure this question has been asked many times before, but I wasn't able to find a thread for it, so I apologize in advance.

 

I'm currently living and working in the United States.

My fiancé currently lives in Japan.

We have been dating for about 6 months, and we have met in person several times, but we are not yet married.

My fiancé will be visiting me in the United States on a tourist visa some time in March or April and staying for about 3 months.

We want to apply for the CR1 Visa as soon as possible.

 

I want to know how and when we should get married so that the process goes as smoothly as possible.

 

For example, should we get married when she visits me on the tourist visa? She will be returning to her home country after about 3 months regardless.

In this case, would it be possible to begin the CR1 Visa application while she is still in the United States on a tourist visa? Or should we wait until she is back home in Japan before filing.

Alternatively, should we have a virtual marriage while she is still in Japan, so that I can apply for the CR1 Visa before she visits me on a tourist visa?

Finally, it would be possible for me to visit her in Japan to get married there before applying for the CR1, although that would be the most difficult and expensive option.

 

I appreciate any advice on the subject.

Thank you,

 

Eric

 

PS: We are open to applying for the K1 Visa as well, but I heard that they take about the same amount of time to process, so the CR1 Visa seems to be more advantageous (cheaper overall, can being working immediately, etc).

 

You can not marry in the US and adjust status. Must return for embassy processing 

[Crazy Cat 42,640]

1 minute ago, wildbug100420 said:

You can not marry in the US and adjust status. Must return for embassy processing 

The OP clearly stated that is the plan to return to home country for CR-1 process.

"She will be returning to her home country after about 3 months regardless."

Edited 3 hours ago by Crazy Cat

[wildbug100420 191]

3 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

The OP clearly stated that is the plan to return to home country for CR-1 process.

"She will be returning to her home country after about 3 months regardless."

Just making sure. People's plans change 

[gandalf1989 3]

2 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

The OP clearly stated that is the plan to return to home country for CR-1 process.

"She will be returning to her home country after about 3 months regardless."

Yes, this is correct.

 

I will add that I want her to come visit me as much as possible on the tourist visa while the CR-1 process takes place.

I believe that as a Japanese citizen, she is allowed to visit the United States for a total of 6 months out of the year, for up to 3 months at a time.

Each time that she comes to visit me on the tourist visa, she will be truthful about the fact that she is visiting her husband in the United States.

She will also bring evidence of her ties to her home country, such as her returning plane ticket, as well as lease agreement, employment, and family ties in Japan.

 

Thank you,

 

Eric

 

[wildbug100420 191]

5 minutes ago, gandalf1989 said:

Yes, this is correct.

 

I will add that I want her to come visit me as much as possible on the tourist visa while the CR-1 process takes place.

I believe that as a Japanese citizen, she is allowed to visit the United States for a total of 6 months out of the year, for up to 3 months at a time.

Each time that she comes to visit me on the tourist visa, she will be truthful about the fact that she is visiting her husband in the United States.

She will also bring evidence of her ties to her home country, such as her returning plane ticket, as well as lease agreement, employment, and family ties in Japan.

 

Thank you,

 

Eric

 

Ok. Each entry is at the discretion of cbp