marriage in home country or USA?

[Marlita 0]

You could have an "unofficial marraige ceremony' in JA if you want to celebrate with his family. Basically have all the wedding hooplah but sign no official forms. I know that would be a nice way to include his family in the start of your lives together. I'm big on family so it was not even an option for me to have the big wedding here in the States cause his family would not be able to go.

I'm a CR1 filer and I know these visas take longer but you can be done with all the paperwork stuff when your hubby arrives. I think on average CR1's process about 3 months after K1's. So its really not that long of a difference. NVC processing for CR1 visas is extremely faster now that the payments went online. Once you get out of CSC or VSC you can process NVC in 6 weeks.

You know it all a draw with how long things will take. My process will be about 10months, but Shrewdie(CR1) who applied same time as me is still waiting at VSC. Deyoungting(K1) waited about 8 months. its all a draw. Personally I like the idea of the CR1 cause I am done with USCIS for 2 years. I do wish my husband would've been here faster but if I had done the K1 he would've gotten here in 2 months sooner and I would've had to adjust his status for over $1000 he'd not be able to work or go to school until his AOS process was underway. The CR1 just seems more fluid for me.

So either way you go, you'll have a bit of a wait. I would think long term to make this decision.Not just of the initial timeline cause the stuff after he gets here is a big factor in choosing the route you want to take.

[*JG* 2]

I got married in JA and did the K-3 Visa and filed for Adjustment of Status once here. Took about 4 months for K-3 Visa and 4 months for his Conditional GC. May be more steps but he got here quickly which was our whole goal! Sorry I don't have much info on the CR1's!

Good Luck!

Was that a while ago?

Our K-1 took almost exactly 5 months start to finish. I think those quick times are gone for now.

If you do some sort of "unofficial" Jamaica ceremony, please be careful with flashing the pictures around. Several people have expressed problems with the embassy interviewer thinking it was official. The word seems to be if you do this, keep any reference of it to yourself.

[*JG* 2]

Want to know how stressful, Honey? Ask Marlita and Shrewdgal. I don't think you are going to like their answers.

We did the K-1 route with the intention of renewing our vows in Jamaica around Christmas 2006. Still havent' made it back. Life has a way of taking control of everything. We'll be married 2 years next month, so the whole where we marry thing was of little consequence.

BTW.....if you marry in JA after filing the K-1, it is voided out and you have to start all over with the paperwork and the waiting for the CR-1. Think carefully before you do anything rash.

And, no....you can plan a wedding in the US in less then a week if need be. We did. Call a rent-a-preacher....call your friends and family.....buy some cake and champagne. You are good to go.

JG --

I just love you..........

Right back at you, sweetie!

[Unruly Gal 0]

I got married in JA and did the K-3 Visa and filed for Adjustment of Status once here. Took about 4 months for K-3 Visa and 4 months for his Conditional GC. May be more steps but he got here quickly which was our whole goal! Sorry I don't have much info on the CR1's!

Good Luck!

Was that a while ago?

Our K-1 took almost exactly 5 months start to finish. I think those quick times are gone for now.

If you do some sort of "unofficial" Jamaica ceremony, please be careful with flashing the pictures around. Several people have expressed problems with the embassy interviewer thinking it was official. The word seems to be if you do this, keep any reference of it to yourself.

After a K1 is approved how much time does the non-US citizen have to come to America? With a K1 are you legally bound to get married in the states? I ask because maybe you could go back to Jamaica after your fiance is approved, have your wedding in JA and then return with your husband to the states.

[sus 70]

The K1 visa is good for one entry into the US - After the visa is approved, it is valid for between 3-6 months (I forget what JA is) depending on the country. Your fiance can use it to fly to the US ONE TIME, then you have to get married within 90 days and file to adjust status - your fiance CANNOT leave the US without advanced parole (separate fee and filing) or approval of his AOS - If he does so, it invalidates the K1 -

With a K1, you must marry in the US, no way around it.

[TRELAWNY PARISH 10]

The K1 visa is good for one entry into the US - After the visa is approved, it is valid for between 3-6 months (I forget what JA is) depending on the country. Your fiance can use it to fly to the US ONE TIME, then you have to get married within 90 days and file to adjust status - your fiance CANNOT leave the US without advanced parole (separate fee and filing) or approval of his AOS - If he does so, it invalidates the K1 -

With a K1, you must marry in the US, no way around it.

Right Sus;

My girl please be careful. My brother's friend left without the proper travel documents (Advance Parole) (returned for his son's birth). Now, they're having a really hard time getting things straightened out so he can return to the states. I don't even know what to tell them. He has another appt. with the embassy in September.

[*JG* 2]

And, it's 6 months. You have 6 months to activate the K-1 visa by stepping foot in the US. Then, you have 90 days from that point to marry.

I know someone else who did the same thing......came on the K-1, married and then left after 2 weeks without AP or AOS. I hear they are now filing for a CR-1. I'd KILL my husband if he had done that to me. The time and expense........over and over again.

[TRELAWNY PARISH 10]

And, it's 6 months. You have 6 months to activate the K-1 visa by stepping foot in the US. Then, you have 90 days from that point to marry.

I know someone else who did the same thing......came on the K-1, married and then left after 2 weeks without AP or AOS. I hear they are now filing for a CR-1. I'd KILL my husband if he had done that to me. The time and expense........over and over again.

Girl, who you telling. I would do the same thing...and the reason...to be there for the birth of his child...which he later found out was not his. HANDS IN THE AIR

[JaHoney 3]

And, it's 6 months. You have 6 months to activate the K-1 visa by stepping foot in the US. Then, you have 90 days from that point to marry.

I know someone else who did the same thing......came on the K-1, married and then left after 2 weeks without AP or AOS. I hear they are now filing for a CR-1. I'd KILL my husband if he had done that to me. The time and expense........over and over again.

Girl, who you telling. I would do the same thing...and the reason...to be there for the birth of his child...which he later found out was not his. HANDS IN THE AIR

OMG!!! my head hurts just from reading all of this info, but i appreciate each and every single one of you who took the time to give me input. I will talk with my SO tonite, so we can determine which way might be the best for us. THANKS AGAIN ALL!!!

[*JG* 2]

Your head hurts from this information? Oh, girl.......just wait until you actually go to file a visa. You are in for a real treat!

[JaHoney 3]

Your head hurts from this information? Oh, girl.......just wait until you actually go to file a visa. You are in for a real treat!

LOL... i know i know, i never have been big on paperwork of any sort,my boo better be glad i love his butt, cuz im allergic to anything paperwork related. I guess because my job requires ungodly amounts of paperwork... enough to make me want to just scream sometime

[SupportOAFJF 0]

STOP SCARING THE POOR GIRL ..JG

[*JG* 2]

STOP SCARING THE POOR GIRL ..JG

[SupportOAFJF 0]

STOP SCARING THE POOR GIRL ..JG

[sus 70]

STOP SCARING THE POOR GIRL ..JG

LOL, it's more like