wedding party after k1 approved.

[geowrian 22,335]

3 minutes ago, Shiran said:

Were those denails by CO, or at PoE? To be honest I am rather curious if PoE denial due to "non-wedding" ceremony are relatively common. The OP question states explicitly AFTER k-1 issued, so it would be after CO/Interview phase. 

Most denials for this are at the embassy stage. There's a handful denied at POE, but I'm assuming that's due to less scrutiny and less people who follow that line of events.

The refusal is based on ineligability of the visa, so CBP is certainly permitted to deny entry if they believe one is no longer eligible for the visa (i.e. if they are believed to be already married).

Edited November 17, 2018 by geowrian

[Unlockable 7,306]

2 hours ago, Greg.D. said:

We did exactly what everybody here says NOT to do. So, there is my example of it not only being allowed and legal, but also practical and a safe way to go.

 

Where is all the evidence that the poster can not have a wedding party? He said it is "not an official wedding". That is all that matters. With no legal certification, he certainly could not get a spousal visa based on a photo album.  

 

Seriously people, if you don't know what you are talking about, how about not dispensing legal advice? Do you think it is easy for the couple to make a second round trip back to the old country to hold a wedding when it was doable while still there?

 

Sheesh! We had 350 people come to our wedding "party". "Wedding" does not equal ""legal marriage". Or, show me where someone successfully got a spouse visa based on some pictures and no legal document from the applicant's country certifying a legal marriage.

 

True, consulate officers have the discretion to deny an application due to suspicion of fraud ... so does the POE officer. But, I have not heard of this happening over a party that a VJ poster thought was too big. I do know of others who did a wedding party in the old country before coming to the US to get legally married.

 

my two cents and, like all free legal advice, worth every penny of it,

 

Greg

Yet we have proof from actual members who were denied doing exactly what you did. @geowrian posted a couple of examples. If you need more I will be happy to post more throughout the years participatating on this board. 

 

Of course there are people, like you, who will have such events without ever being affected. That does NOT mean it doesn’t happen. And honestly, that form of thinking that everybody can do because you did is ignorant thinking. If you run through a red light and don’t get in an accident or a ticket, it doesn’t mean everybody else will. 

 

Seriously, open your mind.

Edited November 17, 2018 by NuestraUnion

[Greg.D. 8]

Running through a red light is the same as having a legal party? Don't think so. 

 

To the original poster and others who find this thread: stand up for your rights, have your wedding celebration but don't get legally married prior to entering the US on a K1 visa. 

 

Others' anecdotes of being denied entry would need closer examination to understand the totality of the refusal. People should believe in what they do and you can't fear an incorrect decision at the POE. Certainly, reports of people being unreasonably denied a fiancé or spouse visa should not stop one from trying. 

[geowrian 22,335]

"Hey, not my case so it's fine to take the unnecessary risk. At least I know I'm right."

[Roel 7,191]

"I shoplifted once before and no one caught me, surely it means that it's fine for everyone else to shoplift also and absolutely nothing bad will happen. 100% guarantee!" 

[Unlockable 7,306]

1 hour ago, Greg.D. said:

Running through a red light is the same as having a legal party? Don't think so. 

 

To the original poster and others who find this thread: stand up for your rights, have your wedding celebration but don't get legally married prior to entering the US on a K1 visa. 

 

Others' anecdotes of being denied entry would need closer examination to understand the totality of the refusal. People should believe in what they do and you can't fear an incorrect decision at the POE. Certainly, reports of people being unreasonably denied a fiancé or spouse visa should not stop one from trying. 

But you did not address the people who have already been denied for having a wedding party/ceremony. Geowrian linked 2 threads including one that happened this week. I bet I can pull up 10 more. What advice do you have for those people? 

 

Of course they have the right to have a celebration, but that does not make them immune to being denied.

 

In fact, @Greg.D., you posted in a thread last year where a person got denied a K1 for having a ceremony. So why are you in here telling people that nothing will happen to them? See your reply on page 2 of the thread below.

 

 

To summarize Greg.D's advice in the above thread, he basically said that he was able to go through the process with no problems yet the person should not appeal and just go with the spousal visa instead. Yet in this thread he is telling "everyone who sees this thread to stand up for their rights".

 

@None11 if you are confident on taking the advice of Greg.D, then you are free to make that decision. Be there is more than enough evidence on this site and others where a wedding ceremony did not work out well for the immigrant.

 

You are better off simply having a going away party or have the ceremony in your country AFTER you come to the US with the K1 and marry.

 

 

Edited November 17, 2018 by NuestraUnion

[Greg.D. 8]

Wow, the drama here! Having a party in your fiance's home country is compared to running a red light and shoplifting. Also, someone said it is a clear violation of the law. 

 

To anyone reading this thread now and in the future, you are in perfect legal compliance to have a wedding celebration prior to arriving in the U.S. I encourage you to do as I and 1000's of others have done and take that opportunity to celebrate with those who may not be able to travel to the U.S. to participate in an official and legal wedding. 

 

Don't go through this process in fear. You know others get denied at various stages of the immigration process and have to fight for their future life together, but you don't let that stop you either. Be smart and be legal. Good luck!

 

Greg

[Lemonslice 4,556]

2 minutes ago, Greg.D. said:

Wow, the drama here! Having a party in your fiance's home country is compared to running a red light and shoplifting. Also, someone said it is a clear violation of the law. 

 

To anyone reading this thread now and in the future, you are in perfect legal compliance to have a wedding celebration prior to arriving in the U.S. I encourage you to do as I and 1000's of others have done and take that opportunity to celebrate with those who may not be able to travel to the U.S. to participate in an official and legal wedding. 

 

Don't go through this process in fear. You know others get denied at various stages of the immigration process and have to fight for their future life together, but you don't let that stop you either. Be smart and be legal. Good luck!

 

Greg

Most posters are erring on the side of caution, which is a much better approach. Unless you are suggesting that you will pay for the "fearless" people who will get caugt after their wedding?  

[debbiedoo 2,339]

6 hours ago, Greg.D. said:

We did exactly what everybody here says NOT to do. So, there is my example of it not only being allowed and legal, but also practical and a safe way to go.

 

Where is all the evidence that the poster can not have a wedding party? He said it is "not an official wedding". That is all that matters. With no legal certification, he certainly could not get a spousal visa based on a photo album.  

 

Seriously people, if you don't know what you are talking about, how about not dispensing legal advice? Do you think it is easy for the couple to make a second round trip back to the old country to hold a wedding when it was doable while still there?

 

Sheesh! We had 350 people come to our wedding "party". "Wedding" does not equal ""legal marriage". Or, show me where someone successfully got a spouse visa based on some pictures and no legal document from the applicant's country certifying a legal marriage.

 

True, consulate officers have the discretion to deny an application due to suspicion of fraud ... so does the POE officer. But, I have not heard of this happening over a party that a VJ poster thought was too big. I do know of others who did a wedding party in the old country before coming to the US to get legally married.

 

my two cents and, like all free legal advice, worth every penny of it,

 

Greg

we see happen ALL THE TIME at least ONCE A WEEK. not legally married but go and show some photos to the wrong CO and now you HAVE to get married cause youre too married for a K1. those denials happen ALL. THE. TIME.

 

just because you managed to get away with it does not mean it is common

[MarkandCharity 17]

Maybe I am reading this whole thing wrong. Are you saying you're planning your wedding for May 2019? In the United States? 

[mushroomspore 3,043]

15 hours ago, None11 said:

Hello everyone,  I am new here and I really need some advise from your experiences. So we have applied for k1 visa and are waiting for our noa2 which is supposed to come in few months meanwhile have planned our wedding in May, everything is set up , not an official wedding just a party with our loved ones. But I've been reading here other people who say that is to risky for the embassy even though we will have the wedding after I get the visa. What should I do? Cancell the wedding ?or applay for spousal visa? 

The K1 is called the fiancé(e) visa. If you have a party that looks like a wedding, you're not gonna look like a fiancé(e) anymore. You're gonna look like you're married, which disqualifies you from the K1. It's not that hard to understand.

[mushroomspore 3,043]

2 hours ago, Greg.D. said:

Wow, the drama here! Having a party in your fiance's home country is compared to running a red light and shoplifting. Also, someone said it is a clear violation of the law. 

 

To anyone reading this thread now and in the future, you are in perfect legal compliance to have a wedding celebration prior to arriving in the U.S. I encourage you to do as I and 1000's of others have done and take that opportunity to celebrate with those who may not be able to travel to the U.S. to participate in an official and legal wedding. 

 

Don't go through this process in fear. You know others get denied at various stages of the immigration process and have to fight for their future life together, but you don't let that stop you either. Be smart and be legal. Good luck!

Lol, you are telling people to "be smart and be legal" while also encouraging them to take an action that has disqualified many couples' K1's?? It's called a fiancé(e) visa for a reason. If it looks like a duck and walks like a duck and quacks like a duck and then the duck has a wedding party before coming to the US, the CO's gonna say, "Sorry but you are now a married duck and therefore not allowed to have the K1. Next."

[Boiler 43,446]

OP called it a wedding, OP has applied for a K1.

 

Getting married and then moving would be a CR1.

[CEE53147 559]

OP,   if you go on and have the party, don't come crying on the forum how unfairly you were treated when future immigration processing is denied on the basis of marriage before entry on K-1. You are warned.

[NikLR 13,220]

Op said they were having a wedding, not a party or celebration but a full wedding with vows, exchange of rings, and cultural clothing.  

Now a party would be different. 

Everyone does need to stop saying the CO will deny because the OP is considering this wedding after recieving the visa but before moving.  That means the CO is out of the picture. 

However the CBP could find out and deny entry.  Also when applying for AOS it could also come to light that the OP is already married. If they file AOS based on the K1 it may be possible to be denied since they violated the terms of the K1. 

I think at this point the OP can make a decision on risk vs reward.  

Legally if they marry before entry to the USA on a K1 visa, they have violated the term of that visa and entered illegally and cannot adjust on that visa.  If thry have a party that is not a wedding so friends and family can wish them well, then they have not.  But I strongly suggest not exchanging vows, rings or wearing cultural wedding attire.