US ARMY boyfriend in The Netherlands, I'm Canadian already in the US

[JoseeD 0]

Hi,

I am a Canadian female that has been living in the US for approx 5 years on various working Visas, 0-2 and TN. I met my boyfriend June, 2012. He has since been transferred to The Netherlands for a 3 years contract and I want to move there to be with him. He's not living on an army base but he was transferred as a "single" person. Now that I'm going to join him, we're wondering if we need to get married. If so, I hear that marriage via proxy isn't recognized by USCIS. The thing is I'm joining him right after the marriage and will probably apply for a Green Card at the US consulate. Has anybody dealt with a situation like mine before?

I look forward to hearing from you. Thanks!

Josee

[JohnR! 5,495]

Hi,

I am a Canadian female that has been living in the US for approx 5 years on various working Visas, 0-2 and TN. I met my boyfriend June, 2012. He has since been transferred to The Netherlands for a 3 years contract and I want to move there to be with him. He's not living on an army base but he was transferred as a "single" person. Now that I'm going to join him, we're wondering if we need to get married. If so, I hear that marriage via proxy isn't recognized by USCIS. The thing is I'm joining him right after the marriage and will probably apply for a Green Card at the US consulate. Has anybody dealt with a situation like mine before?

I look forward to hearing from you. Thanks!

Josee

Josee, marriage by proxy is not valid for immigration purposes, so if you are planning to use your marriage as the basis of your request for residency in the US you need to get married in person. It does not matter if you get married stateside or the NL.

Good luck!

[JoseeD 0]

Josee, marriage by proxy is not valid for immigration purposes, so if you are planning to use your marriage as the basis of your request for residency in the US you need to get married in person. It does not matter if you get married stateside or the NL.

Good luck!

Thanks! But doesn't it say that USCIS recognizes a proxy marriage after it is consummated? I will be living with him in The Netherlands for 2 years after the marriage and before we return to the US.

[JohnR! 5,495]

Thanks! But doesn't it say that USCIS recognizes a proxy marriage after it is consummated? I will be living with him in The Netherlands for 2 years after the marriage and before we return to the US.

That is true. If you consummate the marriage you should be ok. Expect the USCIS to ask for all kinds of evidence to that. IMHO you would be better off getting married in the NL once you get there.

[Darnell 8,478]

What about getting married on base in the Chapel there, in the NL?

Clock starts right after that, and is much less hassle.

[JoseeD 0]

That is true. If you consummate the marriage you should be ok. Expect the USCIS to ask for all kinds of evidence to that. IMHO you would be better off getting married in the NL once you get there.

We'll be living together, I'll be taking pictures of our travels during our stay in The Netherlands, pictures of our apartments and will be keeping copies of our insurance and bills and what not. I also have pictures, traveling receipts and emails from us BEFORE he left for the Netherlands. I think it's better if we get married by proxy before I enter The Netherlands for Army purposes & standards, it's not so much for Immigration purposes. My boyfriend is meeting his lawyer Wednesday. We'll know more then. The military, their rules and the fact that he's the one who'se away and I'm here, a Canadian in the US. It can get confusing to say the least. I don't have a problem getting married in The Netherlands but will The Netherlands Immigration let me in is another question too.

[milimelo 4,196]

SOFA card should cover you after marriage but to get the card you'd have to be on his orders. Perhaps he can get those updated/re-issued to include you?