Wedding in Caribbean

[Sam and Abby 0]

Hi everyone,

I just have a question that I need a little advice on.

Once we have been granted the K1 visa (we are currently at the NVC stage) I am of the understanding that once you enter the US you are unable to leave and re-enter.

I was wondering if for example we were to go to Jamaica and get married there, then fly from there to my POE and then file everything is this still in the boundaries of the K1???

Any help with this is greatly appreciated

S & A

[ThaitoUSA 15]

Not possible with a K-1 visa: you cannot marry before entering USA or the visa is void and you must marry within the USA and file for the green card before you can leave the country.

You can marry in Hawaii, Puerto Rico, or like we did the US Virgin Islands.

PS Do not go the British Virgin Islands once you are in the US Virgin Islands or else you won't be allowed back in with the K-1 visa.

Edited January 30, 2011 by ThaitoUSA

[Afrikan Queen 11]

Not possible with a K-1 visa: you cannot marry before entering USA or the visa is void and you must marry within the USA and file for the green card before you can leave the country.

You can marry in Hawaii, Puerto Rico, or like we did the US Virgin Islands.

[Sam and Abby 0]

Ok thats great. would we need any special travel docs to travel to the US Virgin Islands?

[Aztec&Taino 144]

Hi everyone,

I just have a question that I need a little advice on.

Once we have been granted the K1 visa (we are currently at the NVC stage) I am of the understanding that once you enter the US you are unable to leave and re-enter.

I was wondering if for example we were to go to Jamaica and get married there, then fly from there to my POE and then file everything is this still in the boundaries of the K1???

Any help with this is greatly appreciated

S & A

Not possible. You need to marry in the US. How about having a wedding party in Jamaica (or elsewhere in the Caribbean) and then enter the USA using the K1 and getting legally married in the US?

[ThaitoUSA 15]

Ok thats great. would we need any special travel docs to travel to the US Virgin Islands?

The US citizen needs to have a valid passport or government issued photo ID e.g. a driver's license AND official copy of birth certificate. The reason is that the US Virgin Islands are an international port, so upon leaving St. Thomas' airport everyone has to pass through immigration and customs. I find carrying a passport is far more convenient than a birth certificate, especially if I want to make a side trip to the British Virgin Islands (Remember, ironically, the British citizen cannot do this or risk having to start the immigration process all over again).

The non-US citizen just needs his or her passport. We had the signed copy of the marriage certificate with us and the agent asked to see it. Agent asked a couple of other questions like "When did you get married?" "When did you arrive in USA?" We were through in just a couple of minutes.

[Al422 221]

A K-1 visa is a single entry visa. Once your fiance enters the U.S. with the K-1, she cannot leave for any reason without either a green card or advance parole, neither of which she can apply for until the marriage is done. And when she makes that single entry, both of you must be unmarried. So there is no way to marry outside of the U.S., either before or after her entry. You can have a wedding party anywhere you want before her entry; just make sure an official marriage is not part of the party.

[payxibka 10,044]

A K-1 visa is a single entry visa. Once your fiance enters the U.S. with the K-1, she cannot leave for any reason without either a green card or advance parole, neither of which she can apply for until the marriage is done. And when she makes that single entry, both of you must be unmarried. So there is no way to marry outside of the U.S., either before or after her entry. You can have a wedding party anywhere you want before her entry; just make sure an official marriage is not part of the party.

Just to clarify, the K-1 can leave for any reason at any time... it is the re-entry after the departure that is the problem without AP or status adjustment...

[TBoneTX 43,019]

Search today's posts for one by (I believe) Just Bob in which he eloquently states reasons NOT to attempt visiting the U.S. Virgin Islands.

[TBoneTX 43,019]

Search today's posts for one by (I believe) Just Bob in which he eloquently states reasons NOT to attempt visiting the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Here it is, in this thread: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/293184-travel-to-us-territories-not-states-for-honeymoon/

[Messybrownhair 251]

Sadly, you cannot do so with the k1.. How about Hawaii instead? We are doing a week at the Trump in Vegas, and then a trip to Guatemala or a southeast asian tour once i get my GC!

[Fandango 1,439]

Hi everyone,

I just have a question that I need a little advice on.

Once we have been granted the K1 visa (we are currently at the NVC stage) I am of the understanding that once you enter the US you are unable to leave and re-enter.

I was wondering if for example we were to go to Jamaica and get married there, then fly from there to my POE and then file everything is this still in the boundaries of the K1???

Any help with this is greatly appreciated

S & A

You answered your own q.

And think about the visa you got - it's a FIANCE visa, not a spouse visa. You enter as a FIANCE, you get married within the US.

[Sam and Abby 0]

You answered your own q.

And think about the visa you got - it's a FIANCE visa, not a spouse visa. You enter as a FIANCE, you get married within the US.

Ok Lisa thanks for POINTING that out to me, I don't know where i would be without you POINTING this out

[ThaitoUSA 15]

Here it is, in this thread: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/293184-travel-to-us-territories-not-states-for-honeymoon/

Seems like they stayed on Saint Thomas, which I would not advise. There are three major US Virgin Islands; St. Thomas, St. Croix, and St. John or sometimes affectionately called the #######, the Lady and the Virgin. St. John is the most pristine since 2/3 of it are National Park. The only place one would encounter Immigration on St. John would be at the ferry dock; officers occasionally ask to see ID or proof of legal residency.

[Fandango 1,439]

Ok Lisa thanks for POINTING that out to me, I don't know where i would be without you POINTING this out

*shrug* if you understood that, this thread wouldn't be here. No need to be snarky, I capped for clarity only.