Girlfriend has a multiple entry visa - can she visit and marry me instead of doing a k1?

[Steve Finley 0]

My girlfriend lives in the Philippines. While we have not yet visited in person, through our communications, we are both certain we wish to marry. Normally, I'd go visit her and then get her a fiance visa to come here and marry me. However, she already has a multiple entry visa she and her parents got to visit family in the states. In fact, she has been to Los Angeles before.

Now, since she has the visa to come visit here, could we skip the usual lost time and funds related to processing a fiance visa and just have her come visit on her multiple entry visa and marry me while she's here? Then could she stay? Could it be done that way? We'd hate to wait for me to go see her, only then to wait six more months for a fiance visa to go through, not to mention the costs of it all, plus a round trip ticket for me, etc., etc. I'd love to know that we could skip the usual drawn out process if possible! Thanks to anyone who has some answers.

Steve

Edited June 2, 2009 by Steve Finley

[Ladylethal 12]

And btw, using a tourist visa with the intention of getting married AND staying in the US is fraud, and VJ does not give advice on how to commit fraud.

That being said there's no issue in getting married on a tourist visa then returning to their country to apply for a family based visa.

Edited June 2, 2009 by *Laura*

[Gary and Alla 3,696]

My girlfriend lives in the Philippines. While we have not yet visited in person, through our communications, we are both certain we wish to marry. Normally, I'd go visit her and then get her a fiance visa to come here and marry me. However, she already has a multiple entry visa she and her parents got to visit family in the states. In fact, she has been to Los Angeles before.

Now, since she has the visa to come visit here, could we skip the usual lost time and funds related to processing a fiance visa and just have her come visit on her multiple entry visa and marry me while she's here? Then could she stay? Could it be done that way? We'd hate to wait for me to go see her, only then to wait six more months for a fiance visa to go through, not to mention the costs of it all, plus a round trip ticket for me, etc., etc. I'd love to know that we could skip the usual drawn out process if possible! Thanks to anyone who has some answers.

Steve

Anyone can enter on a tourist visa and get married. You can then apply for a K-3 or CR-1. When her visa visit period expires your wife will have to return to the Phillipines and wait for her K-3 or CR-1 visa to be processed, go to th einterview in Manilla, etc., etc. Marriage and immigration are two different things.

It is visa fraud to enter the US on a tourist visa with the intent to get married and adjust status from a tourist visa.

[John and Camie 39]

I hate these posts so much. You're basically asking all of us who have paid and are waiting if it's okay for you to take a shortcut. Please be fair and lawful and consider filing K-1, or have her return to her country post-wedding while you file K-3. It's not easy, but it's the right thing to do.

[rebeccajo 14]

Meet face to face first.

If you decide you want to marry, then you could always file a visa petition for her whilst she is in the US then she can return home for final processing of it. At least then you are not separated so long.

[Chris_Жанна 11]

Here is the thing..... I was in a similar situation as you and thought that this may be easier then to go through the roller coaster ride that is the K-1 visa process. I have met and spent much time with my fiancee before I asked to marry her. Yes you technically can get married while she is in the USA on a tourist visa (providing that the state you live in will allow for you to marry a foreign national, some states don't some do) But it is visa fraud and when you go to adjust her status you could run into BIG problems. I have talked to many people who have married on a tourist visa and have had success. But here is the thing....... This could go horribly wrong and the government reserves the right to deport your fiance for a few months, years, or forever. It is up to you whether or not you wanna roll the dice on your marriage. Yes, separation is very, very difficult (Everyone on this site is experiencing the same pain) But do you really want to risk not being able to start a life here in America? Believe me I was tempted to do the same as you. But, If you can wait a few months whats the problem? You're going to marry this girl and spend the rest of your lives together. Better to do it the safe and legal way.

[Ladylethal 12]

Meeting in person first and establishing a solid relationship is also part of the steps the OP should take.

Not wanting to hit on anyone's nerve but the story is like the ones we keep seeing in the Effects of Major Family Changes on Immigration Benefits forums. They never met, she has family in the US.

[Bluerose001 4]

Hi!

Please be reminded that entering US thru multiple entry visa is only good for 6 months. Even if you marry your gf there, she needs to come back here in the Philippines within 6 months of entering US otherwise she would be deported.

I am also a holder of a multiple entry visa and had visited my bf there before we got engaged. We filed for K1 visa right after I got back here. Normal K1 visa processing takes about 6-8 months but we were approved within only 2 months of filing.

It is advisable for you to see each other first (evidence of meeting each other is needed in K1/K3 interview), who knows instead of 6 months of waiting, if they see that your relationship is genuine they might fast tracked it to 2 months like ours

Goodluck!

Bluerose

[pushbrk 14,450]

My girlfriend lives in the Philippines. While we have not yet visited in person, through our communications, we are both certain we wish to marry. Normally, I'd go visit her and then get her a fiance visa to come here and marry me. However, she already has a multiple entry visa she and her parents got to visit family in the states. In fact, she has been to Los Angeles before.

Now, since she has the visa to come visit here, could we skip the usual lost time and funds related to processing a fiance visa and just have her come visit on her multiple entry visa and marry me while she's here? Then could she stay? Could it be done that way? We'd hate to wait for me to go see her, only then to wait six more months for a fiance visa to go through, not to mention the costs of it all, plus a round trip ticket for me, etc., etc. I'd love to know that we could skip the usual drawn out process if possible! Thanks to anyone who has some answers.

Steve

Anyone can enter on a tourist visa and get married. You can then apply for a K-3 or CR-1. When her visa visit period expires your wife will have to return to the Phillipines and wait for her K-3 or CR-1 visa to be processed, go to th einterview in Manilla, etc., etc. Marriage and immigration are two different things.

It is visa fraud to enter the US on a tourist visa with the intent to get married and adjust status from a tourist visa.

The above is correct but I so wish people would simply quit mentioning the K3 visa at all. It's really obsolete except in the rarest of circumstances. CR1 is the way to go in this instance. I'll add one caution though and that is when the beneficiary has family in the USA, it can be critical for the petitioner to visit the Philippines in addition to the marriage visit to the USA. It will help overcome the presumption the relationship was entered into purely to obtain an immigration benefit for the foreign national.

[D&R 0]

I hate these posts so much. You're basically asking all of us who have paid and are waiting if it's okay for you to take a shortcut. Please be fair and lawful and consider filing K-1, or have her return to her country post-wedding while you file K-3. It's not easy, but it's the right thing to do.

WELL SAID!!! I couldn't agree more. Why does everyone always have this major rush to get married? So what, you wait 6 months ,10 months a year and a half... you're getting married to spend the rest of your lives together. I know it's not nice being apart (I'm in that situation too) but the way I see it... all that waiting will makes it much more worthwhile in the end.

[Chica Yeyé 41]

And btw, using a tourist visa with the intention of getting married AND staying in the US is fraud, and VJ does not give advice on how to commit fraud.

That being said there's no issue in getting married on a tourist visa then returning to their country to apply for a family based visa.

[Hell0W0rld 10]

My girlfriend lives in the Philippines. While we have not yet visited in person, through our communications, we are both certain we wish to marry. Normally, I'd go visit her and then get her a fiance visa to come here and marry me. However, she already has a multiple entry visa she and her parents got to visit family in the states. In fact, she has been to Los Angeles before.

Now, since she has the visa to come visit here, could we skip the usual lost time and funds related to processing a fiance visa and just have her come visit on her multiple entry visa and marry me while she's here? Then could she stay? Could it be done that way? We'd hate to wait for me to go see her, only then to wait six more months for a fiance visa to go through, not to mention the costs of it all, plus a round trip ticket for me, etc., etc. I'd love to know that we could skip the usual drawn out process if possible! Thanks to anyone who has some answers.

Steve

How in the world can you be certain you want to marry this person without actually seen this person in real life... what if this person is really a fat hairy bald 50 years old 5ft guy that has nothing better to do then to mess with you?

Edited June 2, 2009 by HelloWorld08

[D&R 0]

My girlfriend lives in the Philippines. While we have not yet visited in person, through our communications, we are both certain we wish to marry. Normally, I'd go visit her and then get her a fiance visa to come here and marry me. However, she already has a multiple entry visa she and her parents got to visit family in the states. In fact, she has been to Los Angeles before.

Now, since she has the visa to come visit here, could we skip the usual lost time and funds related to processing a fiance visa and just have her come visit on her multiple entry visa and marry me while she's here? Then could she stay? Could it be done that way? We'd hate to wait for me to go see her, only then to wait six more months for a fiance visa to go through, not to mention the costs of it all, plus a round trip ticket for me, etc., etc. I'd love to know that we could skip the usual drawn out process if possible! Thanks to anyone who has some answers.

Steve

How in the world can you be certain you want to marry this person without actually seen this person in real life... what if this person is really a fat hairy bald 50 years old 5ft guy that has nothing better to do then to mess with you?

Even fat hairy, bald 50 year old 5ft guys need loving!!!!

(also... is it possible to be bald AND hairy?!)

[Gary and Alla 3,696]

My girlfriend lives in the Philippines. While we have not yet visited in person, through our communications, we are both certain we wish to marry. Normally, I'd go visit her and then get her a fiance visa to come here and marry me. However, she already has a multiple entry visa she and her parents got to visit family in the states. In fact, she has been to Los Angeles before.

Now, since she has the visa to come visit here, could we skip the usual lost time and funds related to processing a fiance visa and just have her come visit on her multiple entry visa and marry me while she's here? Then could she stay? Could it be done that way? We'd hate to wait for me to go see her, only then to wait six more months for a fiance visa to go through, not to mention the costs of it all, plus a round trip ticket for me, etc., etc. I'd love to know that we could skip the usual drawn out process if possible! Thanks to anyone who has some answers.

Steve

How in the world can you be certain you want to marry this person without actually seen this person in real life... what if this person is really a fat hairy bald 50 years old 5ft guy that has nothing better to do then to mess with you?

HEY!!!!!!!!!!!! I resemble that remark!!!!!!!! LOL

[Hell0W0rld 10]

My girlfriend lives in the Philippines. While we have not yet visited in person, through our communications, we are both certain we wish to marry. Normally, I'd go visit her and then get her a fiance visa to come here and marry me. However, she already has a multiple entry visa she and her parents got to visit family in the states. In fact, she has been to Los Angeles before.

Now, since she has the visa to come visit here, could we skip the usual lost time and funds related to processing a fiance visa and just have her come visit on her multiple entry visa and marry me while she's here? Then could she stay? Could it be done that way? We'd hate to wait for me to go see her, only then to wait six more months for a fiance visa to go through, not to mention the costs of it all, plus a round trip ticket for me, etc., etc. I'd love to know that we could skip the usual drawn out process if possible! Thanks to anyone who has some answers.

Steve

How in the world can you be certain you want to marry this person without actually seen this person in real life... what if this person is really a fat hairy bald 50 years old 5ft guy that has nothing better to do then to mess with you?

Even fat hairy, bald 50 year old 5ft guys need loving!!!!

(also... is it possible to be bald AND hairy?!)

bald head, hairy body... i think i've seen a guy like that in southpark.

well... his head is not entirely bald but you get my point...

Edited June 2, 2009 by HelloWorld08