K1 vs tourist visa and get married

[WhidbeyGirl 1]

Hi all,

I am doing research for a collegue's daughter who just met a man in the UK. They are considering a K1 visa, well that was until I gave him the "average" time it takes to get one. Now they are wondering if it would be faster for him to get a tourist visa and then while he's here they get married. Since I am going the CR1 route I am not real sure which would be faster and easier to plan a wedding around. He had told me they were planning an August wedding and that's when I informed him that it would be best NOT to make and set in stone plans because this process can take awhile and they haven't even begun yet.

Thanks in advance for your assistance.

[john & jean 37]

If he comes here on a tourist visa with the plan of getting married, this is FRAUD.....

[Sylvia_n_Joseph 3]

If there is evidence of preplanning a wedding it is considered fraud and there is a chance of a lifetime ban. Some people come and do a quikie ( vegas /ocurt house wedding ) but they are risking being caught also.Personally I wish more would get caught.

[jundp 191]

Better to just follow the rules and deal with the wait IMO

[Otto 83]

Hi all,

I am doing research for a collegue's daughter who just met a man in the UK. They are considering a K1 visa, well that was until I gave him the "average" time it takes to get one. Now they are wondering if it would be faster for him to get a tourist visa and then while he's here they get married. Since I am going the CR1 route I am not real sure which would be faster and easier to plan a wedding around. He had told me they were planning an August wedding and that's when I informed him that it would be best NOT to make and set in stone plans because this process can take awhile and they haven't even begun yet.

Thanks in advance for your assistance.

He doesn't need a K-visa to come to the US to get married - just needs to come on VWP or tourist visa.

Now to come to the US, get married and then remain/live in the US, that's a whole other ball game.

• What are the happy couple's plans?

Edited January 13, 2009 by Karin und Otto

[WhidbeyGirl 1]

Oh wow, will let them know it's better to go K1 route.

I'm still learning of their plans as I just found out today. I think they are planning him coming here and getting married and then him returning to UK and then coming back here. I would assume then they go either the K-3 or CR1 route, correct?

[Otto 83]

Oh wow, will let them know it's better to go K1 route. "Better" is relative - depends on a lot of different things. It is (usually) the fastest route but can have some down sides on the US end.(Such as having to Adjust Status and wait to be able to work/travel etc.

I'm still learning of their plans as I just found out today. I think they are planning him coming here and getting married and then him returning to UK and then coming back here. I would assume then they go either the K-3 or CR1 route, correct?

Correct.

For the married/newly-married, K3 or CR-1 are the only two ways to go - CR-1 has some added benefits though (such as being a bit cheaper in the long run, and obtaining a PR/Green Card on arrival as apposed to having to adjust status after arrival and having to wait. CR-1 typically takes a bit longer though.)

[FCH 1]

one should never get a tourist visa for purposes of marrying. it is indeed fraud.

ive had my tourist visa since i was 12 years old. but when we decided to marry, i went home to my country.

to marry, K1 or K3.

to visit, tourist visa.

its as simple as that. good luck.

[Gemmie 142]

To most of the above posters, marrying on a tourist visa (or VWP in his case) is not fraud.

Staying afterwards would be.