Can we get married on a tourist visa and pursue a spouse visa after coming back to home country?

[nia ikadewi 0]

Hi Everyone! I’m new here. 
 

My fiancé and I are about to process the K1 but lately, we’re having a dilemma about the timeline also my concern is that I won’t be able to get a job in the US nor travel outside the US afterward at least 7 months, and it would be challenging for me. I’m an Indonesian, and my fiancé is a US citizen. 
Lately, we’ve been thinking about getting a tourist visa, getting married in the US, and coming back to Indonesia since I have a job here then we'll pursue a spouse visa. I definitely have to come back to my country because I can’t break the working agreement with the company I work with.
I know that it might be risky to get married on a tourist visa, also worried that immigration asks the reason for my travel. Maybe some of you have been taking this route? Or done with it? 
Is it the smartest route? perhaps y’all have any suggestions.

Thanks

[Boiler 45,658]

You can marry anywhere it is legal, it does not need to be in the US.

[Crazy Cat 41,979]

1 hour ago, nia ikadewi said:

Hi Everyone! I’m new here. 
 

My fiancé and I are about to process the K1 but lately, we’re having a dilemma about the timeline also my concern is that I won’t be able to get a job in the US nor travel outside the US afterward at least 7 months, and it would be challenging for me. I’m an Indonesian, and my fiancé is a US citizen. 
Lately, we’ve been thinking about getting a tourist visa, getting married in the US, and coming back to Indonesia since I have a job here then we'll pursue a spouse visa. I definitely have to come back to my country because I can’t break the working agreement with the company I work with.
I know that it might be risky to get married on a tourist visa, also worried that immigration asks the reason for my travel. Maybe some of you have been taking this route? Or done with it? 
Is it the smartest route? perhaps y’all have any suggestions.

Thanks

Getting a tourist visa might be the issue.  You can marry anywhere, meet, then start the spousal visa process.  The Utah Zoom marriage is a good option.

Edited February 22, 2023 by Crazy Cat

[nia ikadewi 0]

14 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

Getting a tourist visa might be the issue.  You can marry anywhere, meet, then start the spousal visa process.  The Utah Zoom marriage is a good option.

The reason why we’re getting married in the US is that my fiancé grandma is very old and expects to see us marry. 
I mean I have a valid ESTA during the travel, we plan to marry and for me to then return to my home country, I even get 10 days off of work only then have to return, and will stay in my country while waiting spouse visa. 
Should I proactively disclose the plan to marry when asked about the purpose of my visit? I definitely will answer truthfully the intent to visit my fiancé and his family. 

 

[nia ikadewi 0]

32 minutes ago, nia ikadewi said:

The reason why we’re getting married in the US is that my fiancé grandma is very old and expects to see us marry. 
I mean I have a return ticket as well as letters from my job to proof that I have no intention to stay there before I get the spouse visa, we plan to marry and for me to then return to my home country, I even get 10 days off of work only then have to return, and will stay in my country while waiting spouse visa. 
Should I proactively disclose the plan to marry when asked about the purpose of my visit? I definitely will answer truthfully the intent to visit my fiancé and his family. 

 

 

[nia ikadewi 0]

36 minutes ago, nia ikadewi said:

 

 

 

Edited February 22, 2023 by nia ikadewi

[Boiler 45,658]

I am sure I am not alone in assuming you are Indonesian.

[carmel34 3,639]

3 hours ago, nia ikadewi said:

Should I proactively disclose the plan to marry when asked about the purpose of my visit? I definitely will answer truthfully the intent to visit my fiancé and his family.

Always be truthful when asked any question by CBP at the US point of entry.  You would be wise to take documents showing your strong ties to your home country, such as property owned, current job to go back to, etc. if they ask for it.  Whether you try to visit the US on a B visa or ESTA, entry to the US is always at the discretion of the CBP officer, having a visa to visit is not a guarantee that you be allowed in.  Many have visited the US to get married and then return to their home countries to wait out the spousal visa process.

[Vickys_Mom 230]

5 hours ago, nia ikadewi said:

I definitely have to come back to my country because I can’t break the working agreement with the company I work with.

If that agreement is in writing, bring a copy of it as evidence.  If it's a verbal or "understood agreement", find some way to have the company put it in writing and bring it as evidence.

 

An example:  I'm about to go on a trip overseas to visit my wife's family.  My employer is very much aware of where I'm going and what I'm doing.  If I needed it, they would provide me something on their letterhead saying that they know where I'm going, when I'm going to be there, and when they expect me to be back in the United States and back at work.

 

I echo the part about being honest with your intentions.  No one can promise you that you'll be allowed into the United States.  But you're certainly allowed to try.

 

Regards,

Vicky's Mom

[Ontarkie 14,275]

~~Moved to IR1/CR1 P&P, from AOS From W,S & T Visas- as the OP is not asking about AOS.~~

[WaterLeaf 201]

6 hours ago, Vickys_Mom said:

If that agreement is in writing, bring a copy of it as evidence.  If it's a verbal or "understood agreement", find some way to have the company put it in writing and bring it as evidence.

 

An example:  I'm about to go on a trip overseas to visit my wife's family.  My employer is very much aware of where I'm going and what I'm doing.  If I needed it, they would provide me something on their letterhead saying that they know where I'm going, when I'm going to be there, and when they expect me to be back in the United States and back at work.

 

I echo the part about being honest with your intentions.  No one can promise you that you'll be allowed into the United States.  But you're certainly allowed to try.

 

Regards,

Vicky's Mom

Well since they are planning to get married, I'd use the term "Wife" carefully because it may give the wrong idea to the CPB but to rather use Fiance or GF?

Just a thought...?

[usmsbow 802]

11 hours ago, nia ikadewi said:

The reason why we’re getting married in the US is that my fiancé grandma is very old and expects to see us marry. 
I mean I have a valid ESTA during the travel, we plan to marry and for me to then return to my home country, I even get 10 days off of work only then have to return, and will stay in my country while waiting spouse visa. 
Should I proactively disclose the plan to marry when asked about the purpose of my visit? I definitely will answer truthfully the intent to visit my fiancé and his family. 

 

 

I would recommend having a back-up wedding/marriage plan since I think the odds of you getting a tourist visa to visit your fiance and his family are pretty low. Of course I don't know your background and other details (such as how much you've traveled outside Indonesia), so I could be completely wrong about that. It certainly can't hurt to apply and give it a shot. Good luck!

 

7 hours ago, Vickys_Mom said:

If that agreement is in writing, bring a copy of it as evidence.  If it's a verbal or "understood agreement", find some way to have the company put it in writing and bring it as evidence.

 

 

Can't hurt, but I'd be shocked if the CO chose to look at any documents that the applicant brought. And if one's planning to go to the US to marry and AOS, then that agreement is irrelevant anyway.

[MMDG 106]

13 hours ago, nia ikadewi said:

The reason why we’re getting married in the US is that my fiancé grandma is very old and expects to see us marry. 
I mean I have a valid ESTA during the travel, we plan to marry and for me to then return to my home country, I even get 10 days off of work only then have to return, and will stay in my country while waiting spouse visa. 
Should I proactively disclose the plan to marry when asked about the purpose of my visit? I definitely will answer truthfully the intent to visit my fiancé and his family. 

 

Indonesians qualify for ESTA? 

[SalishSea 17,923]

17 hours ago, nia ikadewi said:

I’m an Indonesian

Indonesia is part of the VWP now?

[Cathi 5,771]

Since when is Indonesia part of the VWP?