Has anyone gotten married while visiting the States

[Fernb 4]

Well my title says it all really! My partner are I are wanting to get married when I visit him in Houston in September.  Am I legally allowed to do this while entering on the ETSA? 

[Boiler 45,665]

VWP

 

Yes

[EandH0904 1,184]

Sure, but be truthful about your intentions to border patrol and leave when you are supposed to, then go home and file I-130 paperwork to join your spoyse legally. Current time is 12-14 months. 

 

Just don't come here to get married with the intent of staying. That is clear visa fraud. 

[Fernb 4]

Just now, EandH0904 said:

Sure, but be truthful about your intentions to border patrol and leave when you are supposed to, then go home and file I-130 paperwork to join your spoyse legally. Current time is 12-14 months. 

 

Just don't come here to get married with the intent of staying. That is clear visa fraud. 

No I have no intentions of staying because I have my 4 children in Australia, I want to do this all the correct way....

[Sunnyland 639]

8 minutes ago, EandH0904 said:

Sure, but be truthful about your intentions to border patrol and leave when you are supposed to, then go home and file I-130 paperwork to join your spoyse legally. Current time is 12-14 months. 

 

Just don't come here to get married with the intent of staying. That is clear visa fraud. 

 

Ditto.

 

 

[payxibka 10,045]

If it was not allowed then destination wedding venues such as Las Vegas and Hawaii would be pissed

[Fernb 4]

33 minutes ago, payxibka said:

If it was not allowed then destination wedding venues such as Las Vegas and Hawaii would be pissed

Lol I didn’t think of that 

[Sukie 1,464]

9 hours ago, Boiler said:

VWP

 

Yes

Well, both, really, Boiler.  An Australian gets an "ESTA" clearance, which is the electronic version of the "permission" to enter using the Visa Waiver Program.  Australians use the term "ESTA" because that is what they have to pay for.

 

Sukie in NY

[Sukie 1,464]

9 hours ago, Fernb said:

Well my title says it all really! My partner are I are wanting to get married when I visit him in Houston in September.  Am I legally allowed to do this while entering on the ETSA? 

Fernb,

 

If you are asked, point-blank, the reason for your visit to the US, and you say you are getting married, be prepared to be questioned thoroughly.  Be ready to say you are having a "destination wedding"  (great phrase!), and you are returning to Australia while your partner files the I-130.  Be ready to show that you have a job (bring a note from your employer, if you have a job), and explain that you have 4 kids to whom you must return.  Show your return ticket.  Say you know that there is a legal process for all of this, and you are willing and able to do everything above board and legally.

 

It will be up to you to show that you have ties to Australia that will take you back home.

 

Best of luck, and Best Wishes!

 

Sukie in NY

[DJ6372 111]

Yup, did it myself that way.

[Fernb 4]

12 hours ago, Sukie said:

Fernb,

 

If you are asked, point-blank, the reason for your visit to the US, and you say you are getting married, be prepared to be questioned thoroughly.  Be ready to say you are having a "destination wedding"  (great phrase!), and you are returning to Australia while your partner files the I-130.  Be ready to show that you have a job (bring a note from your employer, if you have a job), and explain that you have 4 kids to whom you must return.  Show your return ticket.  Say you know that there is a legal process for all of this, and you are willing and able to do everything above board and legally.

 

It will be up to you to show that you have ties to Australia that will take you back home.

 

Best of luck, and Best Wishes!

 

Sukie in NY

Thanks for the advice, I will definitely have proof of my ties etc, I hate breaking any type of rule so I will be doing everything correct and above board ☺️

[DJ6372 111]

Yup, did it myself that way.

 

Edited June 9, 2018 by DJ6372