Jump to content
Mmorales710

Wedding celebration on K1 Visa in a foreign country before filing for legal marriage in the US

By Mmorales710 in K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures

 Share

65 posts in this topic

Recommended Posts

Crazy Cat Grand Master

Crazy Cat   39,328

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Taiwan
 Timeline
Posted (edited)
12 minutes ago, DavidX said:

Everybody says don't do it. I wonder how many have actual experience with it? (notwithstanding that example from Australia, I suppose it could be a problem for some though.)

 

We checked with our immigration attorney, and he said it's not a problem in Thailand and that the Bangkok embassy staff is very familiar with the difference between a family ceremony only and a legal marriage registered with the local Aumpur.

 

-David

 

There have been numerous posters here over the past 3 years who can testify that the risk is real..........one is free to accept or ignore those examples of actual experience..

Edited by missileman

"The US immigration process requires a great deal of knowledge, planning, time, patience, and a significant amount of money.  It is quite a journey!"

- Some old child of the 50's & 60's on his laptop 

 

Senior Master Sergeant, US Air Force- Retired (after 20+ years)- Missile Systems Maintenance & Titan 2 ICBM Launch Crew Duty (200+ Alert tours)

Registered Nurse- Retired- I practiced in the areas of Labor & Delivery, Home Health, Adolescent Psych, & Adult Psych.

IT Professional- Retired- Web Site Design, Hardware Maintenance, Compound Pharmacy Software Trainer, On-site go live support, Database Manager, App Designer.

______________________________________

August 7, 2022: Wife filed N-400 Online under 5 year rule.

November 10, 2022: Received "Interview is scheduled" letter.

December 12, 2022:  Received email from Dallas office informing me (spouse) to be there for combo interview.

December 14, 2022: Combo Interview for I-751 and N-400 Conducted.

January 26, 2023: Wife's Oath Ceremony completed at the Plano Event Center, Plano, Texas!!!😁

February 6, 2023: Wife's Passport Application submitted in Dallas, Texas.

March 21, 2023:   Wife's Passport Delivered!!!!

May 15, 2023 (about):  Naturalization Certificate returned from Passport agency!!

 

In summary, it took 13 months for approval of the CR-1.  It took 44 months for approval of the I-751.  It took 4 months for approval of the N-400.   It took 172 days from N-400 application to Oath Ceremony.   It took 6 weeks for Passport, then 7 additional weeks for return of wife's Naturalization Certificate.. 
 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • Replies 64
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

Popular Days

Top Posters In This Topic

Popular Days

Popular Posts

geowrian
geowrian

DO NOT engage in any sort of marriage ceremony/celebration/whatever before entry into the US on the K-1 visa. The visa may be denied as a result, or you may be denied entry into the US, even if not le

Unlockable
Unlockable

Not a good idea. It can be a risk.    Honestly, this should have been taken into consideration when you were deciding which visa to choose. In this case, the spousal visa would have been b

pushbrk
pushbrk

It won't just "look bad".  K1 is for a fiancee.  A married person cannot be issued a K-1 visa, so it doesn't matter a bit what it looks or smells like.  The visa MUST BE DENIED if you "marry".  Even i

DavidX Contributor

DavidX   40

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Thailand
 Timeline
Posted
1 minute ago, missileman said:

There have been numerous posters here over the past 3 years who can testify that the risk is real..........one is free to accept or ignore that risk.

 

Sure .. however ...

 

I don't think it's that straightforward. It probably depends on the local customs and the country. In Thailand, unofficial ceremonies are common.  We did seek professional advice in our case.

 

-David

 

N-400

Spoiler

Apr 5, 2020 - submitted electronically
Dec 22, 2020 - Biometrics Reuse Notice issued
Dec 30, 2020 - Interview Scheduled Notice Jan 28, 2021

Jan 28, 202i - Interview and Oath Ceremony!

 

ROC

Spoiler

 

Mar 11, 2019 - 90 Day Window Opens

Mar 11, 2019 - i-751 mailed to Phoenix, AZ lockbox

Mar 19, 2019 - NOA1 Text received, eff date Mar 18, case assigned to LIN

Mar 23, 2019 - NOA1 + 18 month extension letter received.

Sep 26, 2019 - Biometrics Appointment

Jan 28, 2019 - Status change to "Card is Being Produced"

 

 

AOS

Spoiler

 

Nov 13, 2016 - Married

Dec 21, 2016 - AOS packet mailed to Chicago

Jan 12, 2017 - NOA1 Notice Date

Feb 07, 2017 - Biometrics Appointment Honolulu

Apr 12, 2017 - EAD/AP approval notifications received (112 days)

May 05, 2017 - NOA2 for AOS interview received

Jun 09, 2017 - I-485 Interview - Status updated to "New Card Being Produced"

 

 

K-1

Spoiler

 

Feb 05, 2016 - Packet mailed to USCIS

Feb 11, 2016 - NOA1 received, assigned to CSC

Jun 02, 2016 - NOA2 case approved (received via app) - 112 days

July 19, 2016 - Interview - visa application approved!

Oct 29, 2016 - POE Honolulu

 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Crazy Cat Grand Master

Crazy Cat   39,328

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Taiwan
 Timeline
Posted
1 minute ago, DavidX said:

 

Sure .. however ...

 

I don't think it's that straightforward. It probably depends on the local customs and the country. In Thailand, unofficial ceremonies are common.  We did seek professional advice in our case.

 

-David

 

Agree that it varies from consulate to consulate....there is no set rule......but beware-  there have been more than a few examples of bad advice from attorneys reported here as well.....

"The US immigration process requires a great deal of knowledge, planning, time, patience, and a significant amount of money.  It is quite a journey!"

- Some old child of the 50's & 60's on his laptop 

 

Senior Master Sergeant, US Air Force- Retired (after 20+ years)- Missile Systems Maintenance & Titan 2 ICBM Launch Crew Duty (200+ Alert tours)

Registered Nurse- Retired- I practiced in the areas of Labor & Delivery, Home Health, Adolescent Psych, & Adult Psych.

IT Professional- Retired- Web Site Design, Hardware Maintenance, Compound Pharmacy Software Trainer, On-site go live support, Database Manager, App Designer.

______________________________________

August 7, 2022: Wife filed N-400 Online under 5 year rule.

November 10, 2022: Received "Interview is scheduled" letter.

December 12, 2022:  Received email from Dallas office informing me (spouse) to be there for combo interview.

December 14, 2022: Combo Interview for I-751 and N-400 Conducted.

January 26, 2023: Wife's Oath Ceremony completed at the Plano Event Center, Plano, Texas!!!😁

February 6, 2023: Wife's Passport Application submitted in Dallas, Texas.

March 21, 2023:   Wife's Passport Delivered!!!!

May 15, 2023 (about):  Naturalization Certificate returned from Passport agency!!

 

In summary, it took 13 months for approval of the CR-1.  It took 44 months for approval of the I-751.  It took 4 months for approval of the N-400.   It took 172 days from N-400 application to Oath Ceremony.   It took 6 weeks for Passport, then 7 additional weeks for return of wife's Naturalization Certificate.. 
 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
geowrian Grand Master

geowrian   22,335

Posted
Filed: Lift. Cond. (pnd) Country: Philippines
 Timeline
Posted (edited)

I imagine many people have ceremonies, religious or otherwise, without a problem. I'd even say it is likely the exception rather than the norm where it becomes an issue.

But the risk exists with every country, both with the CO to get the visa and with CBP when trying to enter via it. The CO may know local customs and can easily tell what may be married vs not, but I am very doubtful every CBP officer knows that.

 

Proceed at your own risk. Know that it can be and has been a reason for refusal of the visa and/or denial at POE. How much of a risk is debatable...but we do see multiple refusals every year due to being "too married" for similar actions on this website alone. It's not a "rare" event IMO...but probably is not the norm either.

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
Ontarkie Grand Master

Ontarkie   13,918

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Canada
 Timeline
Posted (edited)

~~Thread locked to further replies. The OP's questions have been covered.Do not restart this thread or continue in other threads.~~

Edited by Ontarkie
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
 
Didn't find the answer you were looking for? Ask our VJ Immigration Lawyers.
Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.
 Share
Go to topic listing
- 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...