K1, Tourist or none at all?

[jessandmike 0]

Hello All!

This is my first post. Thank you all for any help you can offer.

My fiance, Mike (UK), and I (US) plan on getting married in the US in December.

We are going to apply for my visa to go to the UK in January.

Since we dont plan to reside in the US after marriage, do we need to apply for the K-1 for him to come over? Or is it possible for him to come over on his passport since he will only be here for 1 week before and 3 weeks after the wedding?

Thank you so much for your advice.

Jess

[kitkat1 5]

Hello All!

This is my first post. Thank you all for any help you can offer.

My fiance, Mike (UK), and I (US) plan on getting married in the US in December.

We are going to apply for my visa to go to the UK in January.

Since we dont plan to reside in the US after marriage, do we need to apply for the K-1 for him to come over? Or is it possible for him to come over on his passport since he will only be here for 1 week before and 3 weeks after the wedding?

Thank you so much for your advice.

Jess

He doesn't need a visa to get married in the US. Coming on the VWP is fine. But keep in mind that if he mentions at the point of entry that he is coming to get married, they may give him trouble because they will think he has "intent to immigrate". He should be sure to bring a lot of proof of his ties to the UK and his need to return.

[Jackie&Yosdani 0]

yup..

keep it hushhsshh..

[TimsDaisy 0]

Even the london embassy site explains that a tourist visa or entry on the VWP, if eligible, is all that is needed if one wants to marry, but not remain, in the US.

You shouldn't face too many problems at the border unless you bring them upon yourself. The purpose of the visit is pleasure/tourism. It isn't business. And refraining from spilling your life story does NOT constitute lying or omitting. It constitutes intelligent conduct.

As back up, you can travel with documents that show UK housing, a job, the UK planned wedding party (if there is one), and the return plane tickets for your both. Do not walk up to passport control and plunk down your package of proof. Carry it in your hand luggage and have it if necessary.

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

As everyone's said above, going over for a short spell and getting married in the US without the intent to remain is fine. My UKC husband and I went over to the States in December with his mother in tow, and spent four weeks in New England, getting married about halfway through the trip. We didn't bring any proof of ties back to the UK, just return tickets. Neither Bruce nor his mum said anything about a wedding because they were not asked that question -- I believe the question was "What is the purpose of your stay?" and they said to visit friends and celebrate Christmas with them. Stamp, stamp. We all went back to the UK without any issues.

Use your common sense. If you think it helps, bring some proof of ties, but as Daisy points out, don't offer it up unless specifically asked to do so. What you and your fiance are doing is totally legal because you are not planning to immigrate. Hell, think of all the non-USC's who go to Vegas for a wedding and then go back home -- they don't have a problem and neither will you. Congrats!