Where to get married?

[CQUELIS 19]

Hello!

 

My boyfriend and I have been in a LDR for a few months, but we know each other for years. He recently enlisted in the military so we are planning on getting married soon. He is now deployed to Korea and our plans are to get married when he gets his vacations at the end of this year and I would like to know our best option to be together as soon as possible.

 

Im confused whether getting married in the Dominican Republic (where I live) and applying for the K-3 or the CR-1, and if so, which would be our best option of these two; or apply to the fiancee VISA and get married in the US, but my question with this option is if I could stay in the States after the wedding and while we wait for the  I-130 to be approved.

 

Please I need you help because all of this is very frustrating to me.

 

[OrihimeandIchigo 216]

21 minutes ago, CQUELIS said:

Hello!

 

My boyfriend and I have been in a LDR for a few months, but we know each other for years. He recently enlisted in the military so we are planning on getting married soon. He is now deployed to Korea and our plans are to get married when he gets his vacations at the end of this year and I would like to know our best option to be together as soon as possible.

 

Im confused whether getting married in the Dominican Republic (where I live) and applying for the K-3 or the CR-1, and if so, which would be our best option of these two; or apply to the fiancee VISA and get married in the US, but my question with this option is if I could stay in the States after the wedding and while we wait for the  I-130 to be approved.

 

Please I need you help because all of this is very frustrating to me.

 

IMO I think getting Married in USA is the best option there's no question the validity of the Marriage certificate and having to have it certified translated and making sure its legit and accepted by immigration authorities. 

 

Also from what I hear the K-3 Visa is no longer a option basically. Your best bet would be K-1 the fiance visa or CR-1 the conditional spousal visa. For the K-1 after you get married in the U.S. you can wait for your I-130 to be approved while in the USA but you cant work for a long time and its more expensive with all the forms and filing fees you do. BUT you get to be with your spouse so that's a plus. The CR-1 route is cheaper but takes longer and so you'll be separated longer unless you travel to visit each other but when you enter USA when the visa is approved you can work right away and have your green card in a couple of week after you enter that's a plus. 

 

Congratulations and best of luck   

Edited March 12, 2020 by OrihimeandIchigo

[Crazy Cat 39,226]

A K-3 visa is not an option.  They are almost non-existent.  Last year, only 5 were issued world-wide.  This is my comparison between a K-1 fiance visa and a CR-1 spousal visa.

Every couple has their own priorities, and each couple must decide which visa is better for their situation.

K-1
    Slightly faster arrival in the US 
    More expensive than CR-1    
    Requires Adjustment of Status after marriage (expensive and requires a lot of paperwork)    
    Spouse can not leave the US until she/he receives approved Advance Parole (approx 5-6 months)    
    Spouse can not work until she/he receives EAD (approx 5-6 months)    
    Some people have had problems with driver licenses, Social Security cards, leases, bank account during this period    
    Spouse will not receive Green Card for many months after Adjustment of Status is filed.

  

CR-1
    Slightly slower arrival in the US 

    Less expensive than K-1    
    No Adjustment of Status(I-485, I-131, I-765) required.    
    Spouse can immediately travel outside the US    
    Spouse is authorized to work immediately upon arrival.    
    Spouse receives Social Security Card and Green Card within 2 or 3 weeks after entering the US    
    Opening a bank account, getting a driver's license, etc. are very easily accomplished with GC, SS card, and passport.

    Spouse has legal permanent Resident status IMMEDIATELY upon entry to US.
  �

 

 

[Crazy Cat 39,226]

***Moved to Which Visa Do I Need discussion area****

[Crazy Cat 39,226]

4 minutes ago, OrihimeandIchigo said:

For the K-1 after you get married in the U.S. you can wait for your I-130 to be approved while in the USA

There is no I-130 needed after a person who enters via a K-1 unless they fail to marry within 90 days.

Edited March 12, 2020 by Lucky Cat

[payxibka 10,044]

6 hours ago, OrihimeandIchigo said:

IMO I think getting Married in USA is the best option there's no question the validity of the Marriage certificate and having to have it certified translated and making sure its legit and accepted by immigration authorities. 

The department of state has a listing from every country as what constitutes the legitimate documents, so that is not a concern someone should have. 

 

Nothing in immigration requires a  certified translation,  an attested translation is all that is needed.

[OrihimeandIchigo 216]

5 hours ago, payxibka said:

The department of state has a listing from every country as what constitutes the legitimate documents, so that is not a concern someone should have. 

 

Nothing in immigration requires a  certified translation,  an attested translation is all that is needed.

Yes I know they accept different types. I suggest this website link all the time. I told her IMO it was a opinion. Also yes they now pretty much require certified translations. Back years ago they would have accepted attested ones. They've changed alot I can later provide links to where they want official certified translation of documentation.

Edited March 13, 2020 by OrihimeandIchigo

[Just Paul 4,591]

13 hours ago, CQUELIS said:

Im confused whether getting married in the Dominican Republic

If you are doing the spousal visa just get married where ever you want.  We meet in the Philippines, married in Hong Kong and applied for a CR-1 in Mexico. Zero issue!

 

For USCIS you will need a certified copy of the marriage certificate.  If the marriage certificate is not in english it will need to be translated.   You can do this yourself if you are comfortable.

 

Our marriage certificate was in both English and Chinese. 

 

If you are married you can be added to his orders.  You might want to ask over in the military forum for suggestions.

[Cyberfx1024 7,978]

23 hours ago, CQUELIS said:

Hello!

My boyfriend and I have been in a LDR for a few months, but we know each other for years. He recently enlisted in the military so we are planning on getting married soon. He is now deployed to Korea and our plans are to get married when he gets his vacations at the end of this year and I would like to know our best option to be together as soon as possible.

Im confused whether getting married in the Dominican Republic (where I live) and applying for the K-3 or the CR-1, and if so, which would be our best option of these two; or apply to the fiancee VISA and get married in the US, but my question with this option is if I could stay in the States after the wedding and while we wait for the  I-130 to be approved.

Please I need you help because all of this is very frustrating to me.

Get married wherever you want. Once you two get married he can file for the CR1 for you. So is he in Korea on a deployment or actually stationed there? 

[CQUELIS 19]

1 hour ago, Cyberfx1024 said:

Get married wherever you want. Once you two get married he can file for the CR1 for you. So is he in Korea on a deployment or actually stationed there? 

He is on deployment. It is supposed to be finished by the end of this year, but one never knows if it could take longer.

[Cyberfx1024 7,978]

19 minutes ago, CQUELIS said:

He is on deployment. It is supposed to be finished by the end of this year, but one never knows if it could take longer.

Ok, that is great for y'all actually. You two can get married and once he files for you can request an expedite based off of his deployment.