marrying in US, starting process after leaving (split topic)

[juninho10 42]

Hi guys,

 

I'm sure it has been asked a million times before, but is it detrimental to your I-130 application to fly to the US and get married when you enter as a tourist? My partner is from the US, I'm from Europe and we live in South America. The bureaucracy down here has to be seen to be believed. It would make matters a little easier if one party were local, but we both live far away from our home countries so it's a borderline impossible task to gather, apostille and translate a lot of the required documents to even get married.

 

Ideally, the plan would be to fly to the US, marry in a few days and head back to South America. Upon arrival, we'd file for I-130. We've been together for 6 years and lived together for 5 FWIW. I also have a work visa and work in South America.

 

My country of residence doesn't have a UCSIS office so I'm figuring that I'll probably have to fly to the US to have one. Will it be difficult to enter again after the fact my previous trip was to marry in the US?

 

Any advice is greatly appreciated,

[TM92 527]

8 minutes ago, juninho10 said:

Ideally, the plan would be to fly to the US, marry in a few days and head back to South America. Upon arrival, we'd file for I-130. We've been together for 6 years and lived together for 5 FWIW. I also have a work visa and work in South America.

 

My country of residence doesn't have a UCSIS office so I'm figuring that I'll probably have to fly to the US to have one. Will it be difficult to enter again after the fact my previous trip was to marry in the US?

Yes, your plan is legal. Right after marriage your partner can submit the I-130 to the Chicago Lockbox. Just remember that only US Citizens are guaranteed entry to the US.

[juninho10 42]

10 minutes ago, TM92 said:

Yes, your plan is legal. Right after marriage your partner can submit the I-130 to the Chicago Lockbox. Just remember that only US Citizens are guaranteed entry to the US.

Thanks for the info! I'm from the UK and last visited the US with my girlfriend in 2014, and had no problems doing so. Fingers crossed it's ok this time round!

[Ryan H 3,813]

***Post and replies split from unrelated thread; please start your own thread with your own questions instead of hijacking threads started by other members.***

[Elrona 101]

We got married in USA when I visited with ESTA. Left US, filed for paperwork and my CR-1 was issued just last week. No questions asked about marrying while visiting on ESTA. After marriage I entered USA 3 more times (for almost 3 months, for 3 weeks, for another 3 months). The last time entry was a bit hard and they asked more questions. All valid though as I didn't had too much time between my visits.