Zoom Wedding for CR-1

[lastrose 60]

Has anyone done an international Zoom wedding (when partners are not physically in the same place) and successfully used this to apply for a CR-1? 
 

My partner and I are eager to get the visa process started and are debating between CR-1 and K-1. We already know all the general advantages and disadvantages of each. There are certainly appealing aspects about the CR-1 but aren’t able to see each other any time soon due to the pandemic and other factors. A friend of mine is having a Zoom wedding, which made me wonder if this could be a potentially pathway to pursue the CR-1. Any relevant experiences out there ?

[Crazy Cat 39,363]

Even if you had an online wedding, you cannot successfully file an I-130 and start the CR-1 process until after the marriage is consummated (after the wedding). 

Edited January 26, 2021 by Lucky Cat

[JeanneAdil 6,220]

Zoom or any other type of wedding is not considered legal marriage by immigration

Not acceptable marriage proof for a CR1

you must consummate a marriage and show proof of the relationship which for our African countries means a lot of time and several visits to be approved

 

and yes,  CR1 is the best way to go/ any possibility you can meet and marry legally in another country?

 

 

and have you actually met ?  and can apply for K1?

Edited January 26, 2021 by JeanneAdil

[lastrose 60]

Thanks for the quick responses, but still just want to confirm as the website that officiates such weddings notes that it should be valid for immigration purposes (see screenshot) - has anyone ever tried this and has a definitive response? Or can you share your sources for why you believe it won’t be valid?

 

Otherwise, with how long it would take to see each other again and start this process, I think we need to go with the K-1 (yes, we meet all conditions, have been together many years with many visits and time spent living in the same country under our belts).  

I see you also referred to my profile and have a question about the ‘country’ field as that seems to have factored into your response: should that represent country of origin or of residence (my partner currently resides in a different country). 

Edited January 26, 2021 by krose

[Crazy Cat 39,363]

 @krose The law is clear...You must have evidence of being physically together AFTER the online ceremony to even start the CR-1 process.  That website you show is not a source for immigration law......whereas, the following is:

 

https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-12-part-g-chapter-2

 

 

 

 

Edited January 26, 2021 by Lucky Cat

[Crazy Cat 39,363]

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

K-1     
    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.
    A denied K-1 is sent back to USCIS to expire
  

CR-1  

    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.
  �

 

Edited January 26, 2021 by Lucky Cat

[Boiler 43,576]

I had a look at the web site as I could see from the bit posted it was not put together by a native english speaker.

 

Any company that does not list its address, who you can only contact by email or WhatsApp rings alarm bells with me.

 

Who they are, where they are is unclear, well probably could find out more with more digging.

Edited January 26, 2021 by Boiler

[lastrose 60]

Thank you to the person who shared the link - that is certainly helpful to better understand the basis for your position. I can certainly see that interpretation, but I must say that that still does not fully convince me as, if you look more closely at the screenshot I shared, the Zoom option specifies that it is not considered a proxy marriage in the eyes of the law (no one is standing in for one of the parties - both are directly participating in the process), which makes me think that the clause you mentioned does not apply here. Still curious if anyone has actually tried this!

 

As I mentioned, I am well aware of the pros/cons of the K-1 compared to CR-1. While I appreciate the effort that folks put in to responding to questions on this forum, I do wish people were more respectful of the decision-making capacity of couples to determine what is in their own best interest and to not push one particular process over another when that information is not specifically requested. I also wish that the comparison post I see posted so often on this forum was a little more balanced.

 

When people do request background on the comparison between the CR-1 and K-1, I would encourage respondents to share a more balanced perspective. For instance, the K-1 also has the following advantages, not mentioned:

- Ability to start on the immigration process without waiting for the opportunity to get married (e.g. if you cannot or do not want to get married quite yet)

- Ability to get married in the US, with friends and family present (which many may not be able to do otherwise if denied visitor visa)

- Typically a shorter waiting time to be reunited

- Lower initial threshold for financial sponsorship

- Ability to have time to get to know one partner's home country before committing to marriage (for those who have not had the opportunity otherwise)

- Ability to start your married life together, in the same place

 

 

[Boiler 43,576]

You are missing the point, you want to use it seems for immigration purposes without meeting all the requirements.

 

Very few people, myself included who have done the K1 would recommend it except in extreme cases.

[lastrose 60]

Sorry, but I'm not sure what point I'm missing/what requirements I'm not meeting...?

 

For anyone interested in further looking into the possibility I mentioned, it does seem like the first link I shared was more of a knock-off of a more established company, which more specifically confirms the difference between a virtual wedding and proxy marriage (https://webwedmobile.com/legal/). 

 

I'm certainly not trying to say that this will definitively work, just curious about further exploring the possibility or hearing from anyone with first-hand experience. Thanks for engaging in the discussion!

[Crazy Cat 39,363]

2 hours ago, krose said:

Thank you to the person who shared the link - that is certainly helpful to better understand the basis for your position. I can certainly see that interpretation, but I must say that that still does not fully convince me as, if you look more closely at the screenshot I shared, the Zoom option specifies that it is not considered a proxy marriage in the eyes of the law (no one is standing in for one of the parties - both are directly participating in the process), which makes me think that the clause you mentioned does not apply here. Still curious if anyone has actually tried this!

 

As I mentioned, I am well aware of the pros/cons of the K-1 compared to CR-1. While I appreciate the effort that folks put in to responding to questions on this forum, I do wish people were more respectful of the decision-making capacity of couples to determine what is in their own best interest and to not push one particular process over another when that information is not specifically requested. I also wish that the comparison post I see posted so often on this forum was a little more balanced.

 

When people do request background on the comparison between the CR-1 and K-1, I would encourage respondents to share a more balanced perspective. For instance, the K-1 also has the following advantages, not mentioned:

- Ability to start on the immigration process without waiting for the opportunity to get married (e.g. if you cannot or do not want to get married quite yet)

- Ability to get married in the US, with friends and family present (which many may not be able to do otherwise if denied visitor visa)

- Typically a shorter waiting time to be reunited

- Lower initial threshold for financial sponsorship

- Ability to have time to get to know one partner's home country before committing to marriage (for those who have not had the opportunity otherwise)

- Ability to start your married life together, in the same place

 

 

Seems your mind is made up.  Therefore, I am finished with this thread.  Your choice....and your consequences.

Edited January 26, 2021 by Lucky Cat

[lastrose 60]

As I've said, I have certainly not said that I believe it or that it will work, but am just interested in hearing more to make an informed decision. USCIS only seems to specifically address proxy marriages, not this case, which is why I'm curious. No worries if you do not want to engage further though - thanks for what you shared and have a good rest of your day 🙂 

Edited January 26, 2021 by krose

[Boiler 43,576]

The bit that was kindly highlighted in yellow. But as has been mentioned your call what to do.

[SalishSea 16,814]

OP, why not try it, and report back as to whether the petition is approved?

[lastrose 60]

For the bit highlighted in yellow, do we have any reason to believe it applies beyond proxy marriages, which is what it specifically mentioned? 

 

And thanks for the suggestion @Jorgedig, but I'd rather not waste the time if indeed it can't work (which I fully recognize is a very real possibility). That's why I'm looking for more info! 

 

I feel like I'm coming across as argumentative here, which is certainly not my intention, so I apologize if that's the case. I just like to explore all options and have all information possible to make decisions. I'm looking to clearly understand the requirements for myself and have not yet managed to understand this specific scenario with the current info. I understand that it may seem more clear-cut to others!