Marriage outside the U.S. on a K-1 visa

[Jason-Sasha 1]

My darling Sasha and I hope to be together by spring 2008. We want to get married soon after her arrival in an attempt to adjust her status sooner than later. We have also decided to celebrate the occasion with a very small, private wedding away from our home in Virginia. Rather than spending loads of money for a large formal wedding that will only satisfy relatives and friends, we've opted to spend very little on the actual wedding and enjoy a nice long romantic honeymoon. If we spend thousands and thousands on a wedding, we will not be able to take a nice honeymoon together. We would like to take off for somewhere tropical, marry there, vacation for a week, then come home. I'm not sure if she will be able to travel to the Virgin Islands, Jamaica, Barbados, or other Carribean Islands. Is it possible?? Or perhaps we will be limited to somewhere within the U.S. We would settle for Florida or Hawaii, but would prefer to go to the Carribean. I'm sure if I researched enough online I would find the answers, but I'm medicated right now for a severe migraine and I'm feeling quite lazy. So, thanks for anyone who can answer this for me definitively.

Also, does it matter if we get married in any place other than our home state? Thanks again...

[DakotaK1 1]

If you read the FAQ's they are very helpful:

4.11)...My alien fiancee has been issued a K-1 visa. Can we get married abroad and then come back together to the US with the K-1?

A...No. The alien must NOT be married when s/he enters the US on a K-1 visa. Also, if using the K-1, the couple must marry in the US within 90 days of the alien entering on the K-1.

(FAQ Note: Some couples arrange to have a non legal ceremony prior to the fiance(e) leaving their home country, in order to satisfy the wishes of family, or to have a celebration if the family is unable to travel to the US for a wedding.

back

5.12)...Is it okay for us to go to the US Virgin Islands or Puerto Rico on our honeymoon without Advance Parole?

A...Maybe not a wise thing to do. Even though these islands are US territories or possessions, you may have to deal with Immigration and Customs to get back to the United States. You might have trouble getting back home if you encounter an insane USCIS (INS) inspector, plus, there are too many opportunities to "technically" leave US jurisdiction (by visiting the adjacent islands, for example). Best to take the honeymoon somewhere in the 50 States, where there is plenty to see and do.

A..Let me make it as clear as it was explained to me and which the regulation bears out: So long as the K-1'er does not depart ("depart" is also defined in the reg.) the US after making a legal entry s/he can travel to any other location which includes the USVI, PR, Guam, Hawaii, and Alaska.

The inspector I spoke to gave clear examples. (My alien fiancée) can enter the US and we can fly directly from the mainland to the USVI. We can go wherever we want on the islands so long as we don't "touch" ground or water not under US jurisdiction. When we leave she shows her K-1 and I-94 to immigration (which shows she legally entered the US) and off we fly directly to the mainland. However, if while we are there (USVI) we decided to take a trip to the British islands then she would be denied re-entry. I know I used "directly" in this example but we could fly "outbound" mainland-PR-USVI and "inbound" USVI-PR-mainland without fear because in this case she never "departs" the US.

Inspectors (both mainland and USVI) told me that this is not an unusual occurrence. They see K-1'ers all the time.

back

Hope this helps

[~Laura and Nick~ 5]

My darling Sasha and I hope to be together by spring 2008. We want to get married soon after her arrival in an attempt to adjust her status sooner than later. We have also decided to celebrate the occasion with a very small, private wedding away from our home in Virginia. Rather than spending loads of money for a large formal wedding that will only satisfy relatives and friends, we've opted to spend very little on the actual wedding and enjoy a nice long romantic honeymoon. If we spend thousands and thousands on a wedding, we will not be able to take a nice honeymoon together. We would like to take off for somewhere tropical, marry there, vacation for a week, then come home. I'm not sure if she will be able to travel to the Virgin Islands, Jamaica, Barbados, or other Carribean Islands. Is it possible?? Or perhaps we will be limited to somewhere within the U.S. We would settle for Florida or Hawaii, but would prefer to go to the Carribean. I'm sure if I researched enough online I would find the answers, but I'm medicated right now for a severe migraine and I'm feeling quite lazy. So, thanks for anyone who can answer this for me definitively.

Also, does it matter if we get married in any place other than our home state? Thanks again...

Hi

Welcome to VJ.

The answer is no. Once your fiance enters the U.S. with the one time entry K-1 Visa, you must be married within 90 days.

Once you get married you apply for your AOS and at that same time you apply for advanced parole. Without the advanced parole, she can leave the country but will be denied re-entry and will have to start all over again with a spousal visa.

I would get married in the U.S., you can have a small ceremony, you don't need to spend a lot of money. Apply for her AOS, get her AP (which takes a few months to be issued) then take the honeymoon of your dreams..you could even renew your vows down there if you like.

Best of luck

~Laura

[Jason-Sasha 1]

Hmmm. Yes that's what I was looking for. Thanks. But I'm bummed out as it appears to include Hawaii in that list of inadvisable places to go once inside the U.S. on a K1. Hawaii must be acceptable for an American wedding, you would think.... Guess we'll need to plan on someplace in South Florida. We'd like a private sunset beach wedding. Oh well. Thanks for the info though.

[Jason-Sasha 1]

My darling Sasha and I hope to be together by spring 2008. We want to get married soon after her arrival in an attempt to adjust her status sooner than later. We have also decided to celebrate the occasion with a very small, private wedding away from our home in Virginia. Rather than spending loads of money for a large formal wedding that will only satisfy relatives and friends, we've opted to spend very little on the actual wedding and enjoy a nice long romantic honeymoon. If we spend thousands and thousands on a wedding, we will not be able to take a nice honeymoon together. We would like to take off for somewhere tropical, marry there, vacation for a week, then come home. I'm not sure if she will be able to travel to the Virgin Islands, Jamaica, Barbados, or other Carribean Islands. Is it possible?? Or perhaps we will be limited to somewhere within the U.S. We would settle for Florida or Hawaii, but would prefer to go to the Carribean. I'm sure if I researched enough online I would find the answers, but I'm medicated right now for a severe migraine and I'm feeling quite lazy. So, thanks for anyone who can answer this for me definitively.

Also, does it matter if we get married in any place other than our home state? Thanks again...

Hi

Welcome to VJ.

The answer is no. Once your fiance enters the U.S. with the one time entry K-1 Visa, you must be married within 90 days.

Once you get married you apply for your AOS and at that same time you apply for advanced parole. Without the advanced parole, she can leave the country but will be denied re-entry and will have to start all over again with a spousal visa.

I would get married in the U.S., you can have a small ceremony, you don't need to spend a lot of money. Apply for her AOS, get her AP (which takes a few months to be issued) then take the honeymoon of your dreams..you could even renew your vows down there if you like.

Best of luck

~Laura

Haha! Been a very long time since someone welcomed me to VJ! Thanks...hehehe... Yes, I know that we need to be married within 90 days and I know it needs to be on U.S. soil. I was only hoping there were ways around it. I think we'll still have our wedding somewhere romantic and include a nice long honeymoon. but I'd still like to know if Hawaii is acceptable. can't really find a definite answer. Seems like maybe we cannot.

[~Laura and Nick~ 5]

Haha! Been a very long time since someone welcomed me to VJ! Thanks...hehehe... Yes, I know that we need to be married within 90 days and I know it needs to be on U.S. soil. I was only hoping there were ways around it. I think we'll still have our wedding somewhere romantic and include a nice long honeymoon. but I'd still like to know if Hawaii is acceptable. can't really find a definite answer. Seems like maybe we cannot.

LMAO! Sorry, I didn't notice..it's late and I need to be in bed...LOL

How embarrassing!

I agree..Hawaii should be allowed...

I hope you guys can have your dream wedding too

Edited October 30, 2007 by ~Laura and Nick~

[Jason-Sasha 1]

Haha! Been a very long time since someone welcomed me to VJ! Thanks...hehehe... Yes, I know that we need to be married within 90 days and I know it needs to be on U.S. soil. I was only hoping there were ways around it. I think we'll still have our wedding somewhere romantic and include a nice long honeymoon. but I'd still like to know if Hawaii is acceptable. can't really find a definite answer. Seems like maybe we cannot.

LMAO! Sorry, I didn't notice..it's late and I need to be in bed...LOL

How embarrassing!

Its ok. Just made me chuckle a bit. Like going to a grocery store and getting carded for beer! I love that.

[~Laura and Nick~ 5]

Haha! Been a very long time since someone welcomed me to VJ! Thanks...hehehe... Yes, I know that we need to be married within 90 days and I know it needs to be on U.S. soil. I was only hoping there were ways around it. I think we'll still have our wedding somewhere romantic and include a nice long honeymoon. but I'd still like to know if Hawaii is acceptable. can't really find a definite answer. Seems like maybe we cannot.

LMAO! Sorry, I didn't notice..it's late and I need to be in bed...LOL

How embarrassing!

Its ok. Just made me chuckle a bit. Like going to a grocery store and getting carded for beer! I love that.

I'm also blonde, that doesn't help....

Edited October 30, 2007 by ~Laura and Nick~

[pushbrk 12,876]

Hmmm. Yes that's what I was looking for. Thanks. But I'm bummed out as it appears to include Hawaii in that list of inadvisable places to go once inside the U.S. on a K1. Hawaii must be acceptable for an American wedding, you would think.... Guess we'll need to plan on someplace in South Florida. We'd like a private sunset beach wedding. Oh well. Thanks for the info though.

What, I guess if Hawaii is the USC's home State, they better stay away.

You must marry in the USA. Hawaii is the USA. Travel there from Virginia is no less adviseable than driving to the outer banks of NC. For a closer to home option, may I suggest one of the fine Florida resort areas, including Key West. I'm partial to Sanibel Island.

[Jason-Sasha 1]

Hmmm. Yes that's what I was looking for. Thanks. But I'm bummed out as it appears to include Hawaii in that list of inadvisable places to go once inside the U.S. on a K1. Hawaii must be acceptable for an American wedding, you would think.... Guess we'll need to plan on someplace in South Florida. We'd like a private sunset beach wedding. Oh well. Thanks for the info though.

What, I guess if Hawaii is the USC's home State, they better stay away.

You must marry in the USA. Hawaii is the USA. Travel there from Virginia is no less adviseable than driving to the outer banks of NC. For a closer to home option, may I suggest one of the fine Florida resort areas, including Key West. I'm partial to Sanibel Island.

Yes, I've been there a few times. I actually prefer this area to anywhere else. But neither of us have ever been to Hawaii and we thought it might be nice to venture into a state we've never seen. But I am thinking Florida keys is best option. We can have a large formal ceremony later for relatives. But we want to finish this dreaded process as soon as possible, so a marriage soon after her arrival is vital. I will need to do some research on the beach resorts in that area. Something as private and beautiful as possible. Price is our last concern. Hey, look at the money we'll save skipping a reception and large family wedding. Thanks for the info!

[DakotaK1 1]

Hmmm. Yes that's what I was looking for. Thanks. But I'm bummed out as it appears to include Hawaii in that list of inadvisable places to go once inside the U.S. on a K1. Hawaii must be acceptable for an American wedding, you would think.... Guess we'll need to plan on someplace in South Florida. We'd like a private sunset beach wedding. Oh well. Thanks for the info though.

You know I myself was in Key West a few years ago,really really beautiful place so I thought.

Felt like paradise,you might want to have a look there,they do also have beautiful islands there such as one called Dry Tortugas etc.

I am sure you will be able to find something nice,the US really does have beautiful places.

I am kind of bummed out to cos I wanted to go to the Virgin Islands this coming May,now I think we wont be able to do that

[Jason-Sasha 1]

Spent 1 week in St. Maarten in the Virgin Islands while I was in the Navy 15 years ago. It was awesome. I'd love to take Sasha there. I guess we'll wait for an anniversary one year in the future. yep, starting to agree with all of you, Florida Keys might be best option. Since you cannot really plan a wedding until the visa is issued, we think a semi-shotgun wedding would be wise for a faster AOS.

[DakotaK1 1]

Spent 1 week in St. Maarten in the Virgin Islands while I was in the Navy 15 years ago. It was awesome. I'd love to take Sasha there. I guess we'll wait for an anniversary one year in the future. yep, starting to agree with all of you, Florida Keys might be best option. Since you cannot really plan a wedding until the visa is issued, we think a semi-shotgun wedding would be wise for a faster AOS.

I do understand it being a bummer.

I think we will do the same thing,next year as soon as I am able to travel have our late honeymoon or first anniversery in some nice place.

[Dan J 277]

If your not too picky about the order of events, you could meet somewhere with your fiancee and have a honeymoon before she enters the US. Then get married after entering the US together.

You do have to be careful about any flights transiting through the US before you decide to use the visa.

[eau_xplain 2]

If you read the FAQ's they are very helpful:

4.11)...My alien fiancee has been issued a K-1 visa. Can we get married abroad and then come back together to the US with the K-1?

A...No. The alien must NOT be married when s/he enters the US on a K-1 visa. Also, if using the K-1, the couple must marry in the US within 90 days of the alien entering on the K-1.

(FAQ Note: Some couples arrange to have a non legal ceremony prior to the fiance(e) leaving their home country, in order to satisfy the wishes of family, or to have a celebration if the family is unable to travel to the US for a wedding.

back

5.12)...Is it okay for us to go to the US Virgin Islands or Puerto Rico on our honeymoon without Advance Parole?

A...Maybe not a wise thing to do. Even though these islands are US territories or possessions, you may have to deal with Immigration and Customs to get back to the United States. You might have trouble getting back home if you encounter an insane USCIS (INS) inspector, plus, there are too many opportunities to "technically" leave US jurisdiction (by visiting the adjacent islands, for example). Best to take the honeymoon somewhere in the 50 States, where there is plenty to see and do.

A..Let me make it as clear as it was explained to me and which the regulation bears out: So long as the K-1'er does not depart ("depart" is also defined in the reg.) the US after making a legal entry s/he can travel to any other location which includes the USVI, PR, Guam, Hawaii, and Alaska.

The inspector I spoke to gave clear examples. (My alien fiancée) can enter the US and we can fly directly from the mainland to the USVI. We can go wherever we want on the islands so long as we don't "touch" ground or water not under US jurisdiction. When we leave she shows her K-1 and I-94 to immigration (which shows she legally entered the US) and off we fly directly to the mainland. However, if while we are there (USVI) we decided to take a trip to the British islands then she would be denied re-entry. I know I used "directly" in this example but we could fly "outbound" mainland-PR-USVI and "inbound" USVI-PR-mainland without fear because in this case she never "departs" the US.

Inspectors (both mainland and USVI) told me that this is not an unusual occurrence. They see K-1'ers all the time.

back

Hope this helps

My darling Sasha and I hope to be together by spring 2008. We want to get married soon after her arrival in an attempt to adjust her status sooner than later. We have also decided to celebrate the occasion with a very small, private wedding away from our home in Virginia. Rather than spending loads of money for a large formal wedding that will only satisfy relatives and friends, we've opted to spend very little on the actual wedding and enjoy a nice long romantic honeymoon. If we spend thousands and thousands on a wedding, we will not be able to take a nice honeymoon together. We would like to take off for somewhere tropical, marry there, vacation for a week, then come home. I'm not sure if she will be able to travel to the Virgin Islands, Jamaica, Barbados, or other Carribean Islands. Is it possible?? Or perhaps we will be limited to somewhere within the U.S. We would settle for Florida or Hawaii, but would prefer to go to the Carribean. I'm sure if I researched enough online I would find the answers, but I'm medicated right now for a severe migraine and I'm feeling quite lazy. So, thanks for anyone who can answer this for me definitively.

Also, does it matter if we get married in any place other than our home state? Thanks again...

Hi

Welcome to VJ.

The answer is no. Once your fiance enters the U.S. with the one time entry K-1 Visa, you must be married within 90 days.

Once you get married you apply for your AOS and at that same time you apply for advanced parole. Without the advanced parole, she can leave the country but will be denied re-entry and will have to start all over again with a spousal visa.

I would get married in the U.S., you can have a small ceremony, you don't need to spend a lot of money. Apply for her AOS, get her AP (which takes a few months to be issued) then take the honeymoon of your dreams..you could even renew your vows down there if you like.

Best of luck

~Laura

Haha! Been a very long time since someone welcomed me to VJ! Thanks...hehehe... Yes, I know that we need to be married within 90 days and I know it needs to be on U.S. soil. I was only hoping there were ways around it. I think we'll still have our wedding somewhere romantic and include a nice long honeymoon. but I'd still like to know if Hawaii is acceptable. can't really find a definite answer. Seems like maybe we cannot.

Yes, you and your fiancee can travel (and get married) in Hawaii. Since it is one of the 50 states, travel to and from there is considered domestic travel and you won't be going through any customs/immigration checks.