Can you get married while waiting for the K-1 Visa to be approved?

[schmoopy 0]

After filing all the paper work for K-1 Visa, is it okay to get married without it being approved yet?

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

No.

[Otto 83]

Sure you can, and in the process make yourselves ineligible for a K-1/Fiance visa.

You'd have to start over with a spousal visa.

Edited February 13, 2010 by Otto und Karin

[Downtoride 0]

Sure you can, and in the process make yourselves ineligible for a K-1/Fiance visa.

You'd have to start over with a spousal visa.

Couldn't have said it better myself... but seriously no

[Bernie C 24]

You can do anything you want BUT:

If you get legally married it would invalidate the K-1. You would then have to re-apply for K-3 or CR-1.

or - you could have a wedding ceremony and not really get married. Does that sound crazy? That is what we did.

My family could not travel to Vietnam, her family could not travel here. We had a full blown traditional wedding ceremony in VN so her family and friends (over 350 guests) could be a part of it and now we are planning our "real" wedding here in the US. Not that the one in VN wasnt "real", it was amazing and very real with the exception that we didn't apply for a marriage certificate or liscence in VN. Some people wonder why we didnt just get legally married in VN since we went through all that and I dont think its necessary to go into all the details as to why. I guess the point is that there are lots of options on how to do things. If its important (as it was for us) to have a wedding for family to observe traditions and assure everyones happiness there are more than one way to "skin the cat".

I even submitted pictures as proof of relationship at her interview but I provided a very clear explanation and statement with my initial petition and with our pictures to explain why we did what we did.

Maybe we were lucky, but we had no problems.

Hope I'm not making things confusing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[sachinky 465]

If you get married it invalidates your K-1 which is for a fiancee visa. Then you'd have to apply for a CR-1. No, you don't get your fees back.

[Wis-Can 0]

Wait out the K-1, it will be easier and probably a shorter wait then having to refile for a spousal visa.

[Teffah 5]

If you get married, you will have to cancel the K1 and choose either the K3 or the CR1. I would wait it out...

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

After filing all the paper work for K-1 Visa, is it okay to get married without it being approved yet?

Yes. You can get married anytime you want.

If you get married before the K-1 is approved and your fiancee comes to the USA, the petition/visa will be forfeited and you will start over again. K-1s are for fiancees, not wives. If your fiancee becomes your wife before she gets the visa and comes to the USA, you need a spouse visa.

But the decision is yours...without a doubt.