Jump to content
Tampa Wildcat

Engagement party or "marriage" after interview, approval location

 Share

13 posts in this topic

Recommended Posts

Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Vietnam
Timeline

I have, what I think is, a bit of an interesting question. My fiancee is in Vietnam and the family would like to have some type of party or ceremony there. I know that anything official before approval is a big no-no, and would then require a marriage visa, but what about something done AFTER the interview and approval? Can something like this be done in Vietnam, either officially or unofficially, or do we 100% have to marry in the US first. I would think an unofficial party would be fine anytime, as long as we don't actually get married, and photos aren't shared, but what about after approval? I apologize if this has been asked before and I missed it. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Tampa Wildcat changed the title to Engagement party or "marriage" after interview, approval location

Even if the K-1 is issued and approved, getting married in Vietnam officially is not okay. The K-1 is for going to the US to get married. You have to 100% marry in the US first. If marriage in Vietnam is more important than marriage in the US, you should have done the CR1. Maybe have a family send off/get together? Or even better, once you are married in the US and she has an approved Advanced Parole (The travel permit applied for when you apply for AOS after marriage), go back to Vietnam and have a wedding party there. 

Edited by K & R

K-1 VISA

I129F Sent: 08/23/2017

NOA 1: 08/25/2017

NOA 2: 02/27/2018

NVC Received: 03/14/2018

NVC Case #: 03/15/2018

NVC Left: 03/24/2018

Embassy Received: 03/28/2018

Medical: 05/08/2018

Interview: 05/15/2018 

Visa issued: 05/18/2018

Visa received: 05/23/2018 

 

AOS

POE: 06/07/2018

SSN applied: 06/12/2018

SSN received: 06/28/2018

AOS Sent: 07/27/2018

Biometrics: 08/23/2018

Interview: 10/30/2018

Approval: 10/30/2018 

NOA2: 11/05/2018

Green card Received: 11/08/2018

 

 

NO MORE USCIS UNTIL ROC!!!!!😁

 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Before the interview or after is the same. If CBP discovers a reason what appears to be a marriage then they can deny entry. Proceed at your own risk.

 

Any sort of official marriage is an even bigger no-no. That would be fraud to use a K-1 visa while married - one must remain free to marry through entry.

Edited by geowrian

Timelines:

ROC:

Spoiler

7/27/20: Sent forms to Dallas lockbox, 7/30/20: Received by USCIS, 8/10 NOA1 electronic notification received, 8/1/ NOA1 hard copy received

AOS:

Spoiler

AOS (I-485 + I-131 + I-765):

9/25/17: sent forms to Chicago, 9/27/17: received by USCIS, 10/4/17: NOA1 electronic notification received, 10/10/17: NOA1 hard copy received. Social Security card being issued in married name (3rd attempt!)

10/14/17: Biometrics appointment notice received, 10/25/17: Biometrics

1/2/18: EAD + AP approved (no website update), 1/5/18: EAD + AP mailed, 1/8/18: EAD + AP approval notice hardcopies received, 1/10/18: EAD + AP received

9/5/18: Interview scheduled notice, 10/17/18: Interview

10/24/18: Green card produced notice, 10/25/18: Formal approval, 10/31/18: Green card received

K-1:

Spoiler

I-129F

12/1/16: sent, 12/14/16: NOA1 hard copy received, 3/10/17: RFE (IMB verification), 3/22/17: RFE response received

3/24/17: Approved! , 3/30/17: NOA2 hard copy received

 

NVC

4/6/2017: Received, 4/12/2017: Sent to Riyadh embassy, 4/16/2017: Case received at Riyadh embassy, 4/21/2017: Request case transfer to Manila, approved 4/24/2017

 

K-1

5/1/2017: Case received by Manila (1 week embassy transfer??? Lucky~)

7/13/2017: Interview: APPROVED!!!

7/19/2017: Visa in hand

8/15/2017: POE

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Vietnam
Timeline

This is what I assumed, but I wanted to double check it. I am fine with an engagement party and I have expressed that to my fiancee that it can in no way be anything official, like a marriage ceremony, exchanging vows, signing documents, etc. She's from a small village and they just wanted a party with family members.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Vietnam
Timeline

An engagement party in Vietnam is perfectly acceptable and even expected in Vietnam.  We included photos of our engagement ceremony with our K1 application. 

 

A marriage ceremony (official or unofficial) is not acceptable.  The K1 requires you to be married after arrival in the US.

 

Search the Vietnam forum for engagement ceremony or dam hoi.  Good luck!

 

Jason

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Canada
Timeline

You can always have a going away party too :)

Spoiler

Met Playing Everquest in 2005
Engaged 9-15-2006
K-1 & 4 K-2'S
Filed 05-09-07
Interview 03-12-08
Visa received 04-21-08
Entry 05-06-08
Married 06-21-08
AOS X5
Filed 07-08-08
Cards Received01-22-09
Roc X5
Filed 10-17-10
Cards Received02-22-11
Citizenship
Filed 10-17-11
Interview 01-12-12
Oath 06-29-12

Citizenship for older 2 boys

Filed 03/08/2014

NOA/fee waiver 03/19/2014

Biometrics 04/15/14

Interview 05/29/14

In line for Oath 06/20/14

Oath 09/19/2014 We are all done! All USC no more USCIS

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Canada
Timeline

There was an old thread a while back where the VJ member reported being denied entry on the K1 due to having some sort of "wedding" ceremony after K1 approval but before entering the US...if I remember correctly, CBP looked through her luggage and found photos, etc.  She was denied entry due to the visa not being valid anymore.  

 

My suggestion would be to skip the engagement party and instead return to her home country later on for a second wedding reception..much safer option, in my opinion.

Edited by Going through

Applied for Naturalization based on 5-year Residency - 96 Days To Complete Citizenship!

July 14, 2017 (Day 00) -  Submitted N400 Application, filed online

July 21, 2017 (Day 07) -  NOA Receipt received in the mail

July 22, 2017 (Day 08) - Biometrics appointment scheduled online, letter mailed out

July 25, 2017 (Day 11) - Biometrics PDF posted online

July 28, 2017 (Day 14) - Biometrics letter received in the mail, appointment for 08/08/17

Aug 08, 2017 (Day 24) - Biometrics (fingerprinting) completed

Aug 14, 2017 (Day 30) - Online EGOV status shows "Interview Scheduled, will mail appointment letter"

Aug 16, 2017 (Day 32) - Online MYUSCIS status shows "Interview Scheduled, read the letter we mailed you..."

Aug 17, 2017 (Day 33) - Interview Appointment Letter PDF posted online---GOT AN INTERVIEW DATE!!!

Aug 21, 2017 (Day 37) - Interview Appointment Letter received in the mail, appointment for 09/27/17

Sep. 27, 2017 (Day 74) - Naturalization Interview--- read my experience here

Sep. 27, 2017 (Day 74) - Online MYUSCIS status shows "Oath Ceremony Notice mailed"

Sep. 28, 2017 (Day 75) - Oath Ceremony Letter PDF posted online--Ceremony for 10/19/17

Oct. 02, 2017 (Day 79) -  Oath Ceremony Letter received in the mail

Oct. 19, 2017 (Day 96) -  Oath Ceremony-- read my experience here

 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

4 minutes ago, Going through said:

There was an old thread a while back where the VJ member reported being denied entry on the K1 due to having some sort of wedding ceremony (cannot remember if it was an actual legal ceremony or mock-wedding of sorts) after K1 approval but before entering the US...if I remember correctly, CBP looked through her luggage and found photos, etc.  She was denied entry due to the visa not being valid anymore.  

 

My suggestion would be to skip the engagement party and instead return to her home country later on for a second wedding reception..much safer option, in my opinion.

Second that. The best option is go to the US, get legally married at the court house, wait for EAD/AP and plan for a wedding in Vietnam if that something y’all decide you want 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Canada
Timeline

Definitely celebrate in Vietnam, just avoid a “wedding” ceremony (official or unofficial).

 

Since my husband and I planned to just have an incredibly teeny tiny ceremony with immediate family in a state park, we had a larger celebration (a bon voyage, if you will) with my family and friends before I came to the US. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

13 hours ago, Tampa Wildcat said:

I have, what I think is, a bit of an interesting question. My fiancee is in Vietnam and the family would like to have some type of party or ceremony there. I know that anything official before approval is a big no-no, and would then require a marriage visa, but what about something done AFTER the interview and approval? Can something like this be done in Vietnam, either officially or unofficially, or do we 100% have to marry in the US first. I would think an unofficial party would be fine anytime, as long as we don't actually get married, and photos aren't shared, but what about after approval? I apologize if this has been asked before and I missed it. 

Just a bit of caution with the use of the engagement photos and the visa process. Though it may not be true for your embassy but those in other countries have faced a higher amount of scrutiny when "engagement photos" are used for evidence of a continued relationship. Some applicants have used them in front of the CO and the CO interrupts the pictures of the engagement as a "wedding" and without notice DECLINES the visa application. This is typically a problem for those in India who dress in customary traditional clothing that is worn at a wedding. I'm not up on Vietnam and their customs but I just want to make you aware of it. I would hold the pictures close to the vest and only offer if they are asked by the CO. Just my experience and the experience of many others on VJ. Safe travels. 


https://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/639695-k-1-visa-denied-what-now-appeal/
https://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/593292-not-legal-wedding-ceremony-prior-to-k1-visa-interview/
 

Spoiler

Adjustment of Status

AOS March 5, 2014 Submitted AOS with EAD/AP package to Chicago USICS

Delivered March 8, 2014 AOS packaged delivered to USCIS drop box

Accepted March 19, 2014 Text message with receipt numbers

Biometrics April 16, 2014 Biometrics completed

EAD May 23, 2014 Employment Authorization Document approved and went to card production

TD May 23, 2014 Travel Document approved and went for card production

Receipt EAD/AP May 30, 2014 Received combo card EAD/AP

Green Card Approved July 11, 2014 Approved, no interview. Went to card production.

Green Card received July 17, 2014 GC received without interview

Removal of Conditions

Mailed I-751 Dec 16, 2015 Submitted ROC (removal of conditions)

Received Dec 18, 2015 USPS notification of successful delivery

Check Cashed Dec 21, 2015 Check was cashed

NOA-1 Issued Dec 21, 2015 NOA-1 for ROC issued

NOA-1 Issued Dec 26, 2015 NOA-1 Received

Biometrics Appt. Jan 29, 2016 Biometrics Appointment Scheduled [Completed]

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Vietnam
Timeline
20 minutes ago, Greenbaum said:

Just a bit of caution with the use of the engagement photos and the visa process. Though it may not be true for your embassy but those in other countries have faced a higher amount of scrutiny when "engagement photos" are used for evidence of a continued relationship. Some applicants have used them in front of the CO and the CO interrupts the pictures of the engagement as a "wedding" and without notice DECLINES the visa application. This is typically a problem for those in India who dress in customary traditional clothing that is worn at a wedding. I'm not up on Vietnam and their customs but I just want to make you aware of it. I would hold the pictures close to the vest and only offer if they are asked by the CO. Just my experience and the experience of many others on VJ. Safe travels. 


https://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/639695-k-1-visa-denied-what-now-appeal/
https://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/593292-not-legal-wedding-ceremony-prior-to-k1-visa-interview/
 

Thank you for the post. I had no intention of using those photos as evidence of relationship, we have plenty of pictures and I will be there in a month and plan on taking quite a bit more. I was already 99.9% sure that this was a no-go, but just wanted to confirm my suspicion. I've already made it clear to her that we cannot do anything like that, even if there's no gov't official documentation. Just don't want to risk it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: Citizen (pnd) Country: Morocco
Timeline

Don't even try this

one K1 moroccan woman was turned back at the airport as she had henna which shows marriage in our country

so, a ring or other things can and are looked at by customs and immigration

 

If this was ok   all of us would have done it to let both families participate

but a ceremony and/or party looks like a wedding  celebration and is against the K1 format

you have a choice 

marry there and do CR1

K1 and marry here

 

truth is once a person decides to marry (and move) so far from home (even state to state) we and the foreign family miss out on a lot of family time

i moved several states from my family

i can not go home for every holiday, birth,  weddings and funerals 

we give up a lot just to be with one person

 

it can be extremely hard on some with no support 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Croatia
Timeline
19 hours ago, USS_Voyager said:

Second that. The best option is go to the US, get legally married at the court house, wait for EAD/AP and plan for a wedding in Vietnam if that something y’all decide you want 

This is what my fiancé and I are planning. When he comes, we'll get married in the courthouse with no friends or family present to keep it as low-key as possible. Of course we'll build evidence of our relationship in ways aside from wedding photos (bills, bank accounts, life insurance, etc). We'll have a wedding ceremony a full year later in his country, Croatia, and my friends and family will also fly over from the US so everyone can be together. We're planning it a whole year later to allow time for advanced parole so he can leave the country. Since we want to have a ceremony in the church we've spoken with his priest and they'll allow us to have a religious ceremony even though we'll already technically be married. Anyway maybe you can do something like this if you want a way to celebrate but also want to be together ASAP and not file the CR1.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 
Didn't find the answer you were looking for? Ask our VJ Immigration Lawyers.

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
- Back to Top -

Important Disclaimer: Please read carefully the Visajourney.com Terms of Service. If you do not agree to the Terms of Service you should not access or view any page (including this page) on VisaJourney.com. Answers and comments provided on Visajourney.com Forums are general information, and are not intended to substitute for informed professional medical, psychiatric, psychological, tax, legal, investment, accounting, or other professional advice. Visajourney.com does not endorse, and expressly disclaims liability for any product, manufacturer, distributor, service or service provider mentioned or any opinion expressed in answers or comments. VisaJourney.com does not condone immigration fraud in any way, shape or manner. VisaJourney.com recommends that if any member or user knows directly of someone involved in fraudulent or illegal activity, that they report such activity directly to the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement. You can contact ICE via email at Immigration.Reply@dhs.gov or you can telephone ICE at 1-866-347-2423. All reported threads/posts containing reference to immigration fraud or illegal activities will be removed from this board. If you feel that you have found inappropriate content, please let us know by contacting us here with a url link to that content. Thank you.
×
×
  • Create New...