Civil marriage before visa approved?

[mcurrie03 0]

Hi,

I was approved by the USCIS (Feburary 5th) and I am still waiting to hear from the NVC. We already have arranged a wedding for July 5th and are unable to push it back with our vendors. Are we able to have a civil marriage and then have a religious wedding once we are approved?

[Harpa Timsah 13,263]

Absolutely NOT.

A K-1 must remain unmarried and enter the US as an unmarried person, and marry in the US. ONLY.

If you enter the US as a married person on a K-1, you will be banned for life for misrepresentation. Yes, it has happened.

[Cori and Rob 55]

As Harpa emphatically and correctly stated, NO. However, depending on how fast you move through the NVC, there is hope that you will get an interview date before your scheduled wedding. No guarantees, but there is hope.

[belinda63 3,055]

And you realize the legal marriage has to be in the US correct?

[Darnell 8,480]

Hi,

I was approved by the USCIS (Feburary 5th) and I am still waiting to hear from the NVC. We already have arranged a wedding for July 5th and are unable to push it back with our vendors. Are we able to have a civil marriage and then have a religious wedding once we are approved?

For a K-1 visa chaser,

there is nothing to 'hear back' from NVC,

although you could call them and find out when:

--casefile hit their door

--casefile left their dock

--Consular Casefile # assigned.

Since it's February, and you've a plan in July,

given duration between timeticks in a timeline for a K-1 visa chaser,

I think you two would be OK simply waiting it out.

Whilst yer waiting, for the 'hear from NVC' bits,

I suggest you study how to do stuff with London IV [there's a how-to posted in the UK forum - have a read, when yer able] as it will help you gain a few weeks after the casefile leaves NVC.

Go Get Em, and Good Luck !

[Nich-Nick 3,355]

I suggest you start following this handy London guide to get all you ducks in a row to get through the process as fast as possible. You could make it by July 5 by being prepared and following the tips. There is a list of things to do right now while you wait for California to send your file to NVC.

London K1. A Complete Guide. http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/474161-london-k1-a-complete-guide/

[SparklePony 238]

Nothing stops you from having a civil marriage IN THE US apart from the religious wedding.

What I don't understand from your question is, are you scared you won't make it to the US on time for the July 5 wedding, or do you want to get married as soon as you hit American soil and keep the July 5 wedding as a religious ceremony only?

[mcurrie03 0]

Nothing stops you from having a civil marriage IN THE US apart from the religious wedding.

What I don't understand from your question is, are you scared you won't make it to the US on time for the July 5 wedding, or do you want to get married as soon as you hit American soil and keep the July 5 wedding as a religious ceremony only?

Sorry for not being clear with the question. I am worried we will not receive the visa in time for the July 5 wedding. I have read different things on the process time of packet 3 and 4 as well as getting an interview date. It also seems as if many people have to wait a while to get the actual visa in hand as well. I called the NVC to get the case number and my fiancé has no made his appointment for his medical. We can't afford to lose out on the money of the venues so I was just wondering if I had any other options incase the visa hasn't been approved by the wedding date. If worse comes to worse my fiancé will just have to come here for the "wedding" not have a legal ceremony and than once approved just go to our church to have an official marriage.

[mcurrie03 0]

For a K-1 visa chaser,

there is nothing to 'hear back' from NVC,

although you could call them and find out when:

--casefile hit their door

--casefile left their dock

--Consular Casefile # assigned.

Since it's February, and you've a plan in July,

given duration between timeticks in a timeline for a K-1 visa chaser,

I think you two would be OK simply waiting it out.

Whilst yer waiting, for the 'hear from NVC' bits,

I suggest you study how to do stuff with London IV [there's a how-to posted in the UK forum - have a read, when yer able] as it will help you gain a few weeks after the casefile leaves NVC.

Go Get Em, and Good Luck !

Thank you for the help. Praying we get it in time!

[Zedayn 486]

Sorry for not being clear with the question. I am worried we will not receive the visa in time for the July 5 wedding. I have read different things on the process time of packet 3 and 4 as well as getting an interview date. It also seems as if many people have to wait a while to get the actual visa in hand as well. I called the NVC to get the case number and my fiancé has no made his appointment for his medical. We can't afford to lose out on the money of the venues so I was just wondering if I had any other options incase the visa hasn't been approved by the wedding date. If worse comes to worse my fiancé will just have to come here for the "wedding" not have a legal ceremony and than once approved just go to our church to have an official marriage.

If you don't get the visa in time you will STILL miss the July 5th wedding. Let me try to understand your thinking. Your fiance is the one getting the visa right? So if your fiance doesn't receive the K-1 visa, your fiance will just "come" to the US? There's a good chance he may not be allowed entry since you were approved the I-129f and you are in process of the K-1 visa (if you haven't received it by then). More than likely they could send your fiance back to finish processing of the K-1 visa...you would still miss the wedding. Another scenario, if you have your wedding ceremony (your fiance was allowed entry), you could be viewed as already married and could be denied the K-1 visa.

If worst comes to worst and you MUST have your wedding...provided your fiance is allowed entry...you have to accept the fact you may have to re file for a spousal visa and start over your process.

Now, you have already been approved your I-129f. The rest of the process goes pretty quickly and you more than likely would receive the visa way before your July 5th wedding. You might even have a couple months to spare. Keep positive thoughts, you will get it in time.

[SparklePony 238]

I would think you have enough time to have the whole process done and over with by July, but it's always a risk to book things without any guarantees.

That said, your biggest hurdle/time waster right now is the fact that California is taking a while to ship the petitions to NVC. I've seen cases of 2 months before they were sent out. They're approved somewhat quick, but then take ages to get to NVC. And until your case is shipped, all you really can do is wait some more.

Given that your NOA2 was over 10 days ago, I suggest you try calling NVC early next week to see if you have a case number yet. If you do, awesome, you're well on your way. If not, it becomes a new waiting game. Try calling once a week until you get your number.

Good luck.

[Ilovemyman 147]

One of the rule in this process is :

Dont make final plan or buy plane ticket until you have your visa in hand.