Advice about CR-1 for marriage in Cambodia

[lindapinda 0]

Hello!

 

I'm new here, so please be gentle. ☺️ I've done a lot of scouring, but I want to share some details of my specific situation.

 

I'm an American currently waiting on the finalization of my divorce which should happen sometime in September. My boyfriend (Cambodian) and I are planning to get engaged in early September when I visit Cambodia. I'm hoping to not have to go through the hoopla of a traditional engagement ceremony. First question: Is it imperative that the engagement ceremony happens?

 

I was initially planning on filing I-129F (K-1) as soon as my divorce is finalized, but thanks to everyone here, I've learned about the I-130 (CR-1).

 

I plan to go back to Cambodia in December/January, so I'm wondering if this seems like the right timeline and best course of action for my scenario.

 

• September 2022 - Get engaged in Cambodia
• December 2022 - Get married in Cambodia
• February 2023 - File I-130 when I return to the US (Is it possible to file in December from Cambodia since it's online?)

 

Considerations: It's important to me that we do this right, and as expeditiously as possible (recognizing it can take years). I want to go with the path of least resistance, but most importantly, I want his transition to American life to be as seamless as possible, hence the consideration for CR-1.

 

Is there anything I can or should do while I'm in Cambodia in September to make the process smoother? For example, should I make an appointment with the U.S. Embassy to confirm which documents I'll need on my December trip to get legally married?

 

Thanks in advance!

Edited August 14, 2022 by lindapinda

[Timona 3,940]

34 minutes ago, lindapinda said:

Hello!

 

I'm new here, so please be gentle. ☺️ I've done a lot of scouring, but I want to share some details of my specific situation.

 

I'm an American currently waiting on the finalization of my divorce which should happen sometime in September. My boyfriend (Cambodian) and I are planning to get engaged in early September when I visit Cambodia. I'm hoping to not have to go through the hoopla of a traditional engagement ceremony. First question: Is it imperative that the engagement ceremony happens? No

 

I was initially planning on filing I-129F (K-1) as soon as my divorce is finalized, but thanks to everyone here, I've learned about the I-130 (CR-1).

 

I plan to go back to Cambodia in December/January, so I'm wondering if this seems like the right timeline and best course of action for my scenario.

 

• September 2022 - Get engaged in Cambodia
• December 2022 - Get married in Cambodia
• February 2023 - File I-130 when I return to the US (Is it possible to file in December from Cambodia since it's online?) Yes

 

Considerations: It's important to me that we do this right, and as expeditiously as possible (recognizing it can take years). I want to go with the path of least resistance, but most importantly, I want his transition to American life to be as seamless as possible, hence the consideration for CR-1. This process takes 1.5 - 2 years from date of filing to interview. Nothing is fast

 

Is there anything I can or should do while I'm in Cambodia in September to make the process smoother? For example, should I make an appointment with the U.S. Embassy to confirm which documents I'll need on my December trip to get legally married? No. That's not their job

 

Thanks in advance!

 

[SalishSea 16,770]

1 hour ago, lindapinda said:

Hello!

 

I'm new here, so please be gentle. ☺️ I've done a lot of scouring, but I want to share some details of my specific situation.

 

I'm an American currently waiting on the finalization of my divorce which should happen sometime in September. My boyfriend (Cambodian) and I are planning to get engaged in early September when I visit Cambodia. I'm hoping to not have to go through the hoopla of a traditional engagement ceremony. First question: Is it imperative that the engagement ceremony happens?

 

I was initially planning on filing I-129F (K-1) as soon as my divorce is finalized, but thanks to everyone here, I've learned about the I-130 (CR-1).

 

I plan to go back to Cambodia in December/January, so I'm wondering if this seems like the right timeline and best course of action for my scenario.

 

• September 2022 - Get engaged in Cambodia
• December 2022 - Get married in Cambodia
• February 2023 - File I-130 when I return to the US (Is it possible to file in December from Cambodia since it's online?)

 

Considerations: It's important to me that we do this right, and as expeditiously as possible (recognizing it can take years). I want to go with the path of least resistance, but most importantly, I want his transition to American life to be as seamless as possible, hence the consideration for CR-1.

 

Is there anything I can or should do while I'm in Cambodia in September to make the process smoother? For example, should I make an appointment with the U.S. Embassy to confirm which documents I'll need on my December trip to get legally married?

 

Thanks in advance!

Have you ever met before, in person?

[Redro 4,599]

2 hours ago, lindapinda said:

Hello!

 

I'm new here, so please be gentle. ☺️ I've done a lot of scouring, but I want to share some details of my specific situation.

 

I'm an American currently waiting on the finalization of my divorce which should happen sometime in September. My boyfriend (Cambodian) and I are planning to get engaged in early September when I visit Cambodia. I'm hoping to not have to go through the hoopla of a traditional engagement ceremony. First question: Is it imperative that the engagement ceremony happens?

 

I was initially planning on filing I-129F (K-1) as soon as my divorce is finalized, but thanks to everyone here, I've learned about the I-130 (CR-1).

 

I plan to go back to Cambodia in December/January, so I'm wondering if this seems like the right timeline and best course of action for my scenario.

 

• September 2022 - Get engaged in Cambodia
• December 2022 - Get married in Cambodia
• February 2023 - File I-130 when I return to the US (Is it possible to file in December from Cambodia since it's online?)

 

Considerations: It's important to me that we do this right, and as expeditiously as possible (recognizing it can take years). I want to go with the path of least resistance, but most importantly, I want his transition to American life to be as seamless as possible, hence the consideration for CR-1.

 

Is there anything I can or should do while I'm in Cambodia in September to make the process smoother? For example, should I make an appointment with the U.S. Embassy to confirm which documents I'll need on my December trip to get legally married?

 

Thanks in advance!

 

Getting married in Cambodia is a process... I'm not sure you can do everything in advance in September might have to do it in all December.

@Dataunavailable what was your experience like?

 

Edited August 14, 2022 by ROK2USA

[pushbrk 12,106]

Start here.  https://kh.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/additional-resources-u-s-citizens/getting-married-in-cambodia/

 

Whether by courier or online, you can file the I-130 as soon as you have all the necessary supporting documentation.

Edited August 14, 2022 by pushbrk

[TBoneTX 43,058]

OP has closed her account, so this thread is now locked.