General question on K1 Visa after approval

[Shibauzer 0]

Hello, 

 

I am posting to ask a question about having a unofficial wedding ceremony prior to my fiancé leaving to enter America on a K1 visa. She has her visa approved and we plan on holding a unofficial wedding ceremony in Japan as her family wishes to hold one. We will not submit the paperwork to the Japanese court system. I looked online and I only see people discuss where they say "Don't do this prior to the approval as it makes it appear as fraud". My case is a little different as we plan on having the official ceremony is America as the K1 Visa permits. 

 

Can I hold an unofficial wedding prior to her getting on a plane to America, as her visa is already approved?

[Crazy Cat 43,962]

Don't do it......I would NOT conduct any kind of "marriage ceremony" prior to an official marriage inside the US.  CBP can deny entry at the border.  CBP can search phones, etc. This is not the time to be gaming the system with anything which even looks like a marriage ceremony.  You can return to Japan for a ceremony after new immigrant can travel.

Edited June 2 by Crazy Cat

[Edward and Jaycel 1,694]

36 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

Don't do it......I would NOT conduct any kind of "marriage ceremony" prior to an official marriage inside the US.  CBP can deny entry at the border.  CBP can search phones, etc. This is not the time to be gaming the system.  You can return to Japan for a ceremony after new immigrant can travel.

 

1000% this.... Don't risk everything you have worked for to get to this point. Like @Crazy Cat said, CBP can deny her entry at the Point of Entry. The visa being approved and issued by the embassy simply allows her to "Apply for admission at a Port of Entry". It does not guarantee that entry.

[smilingstone 424]

3 hours ago, Shibauzer said:

My case is a little different

 

It's not different to the ones you've read about. Don't do it. 

[TBoneTX 47,205]

"Too married to file an I-129F and qualify for a fiancé visa -- visa refused."  Per above, completely forget the ceremony idea for now.

[carmel34 3,706]

20 hours ago, Shibauzer said:

I am posting to ask a question about having a unofficial wedding ceremony prior to my fiancé leaving to enter America on a K1 visa

Have a farewell/engagement party before leaving Japan, invite friends, family, etc. but don't do anything that even resembles a wedding ceremony--no wedding clothing, no cake, no rings, no exchanging vows.  The risk is too great so why play with fire?

[valleyofthehills 0]

Me and my fiancee at the time did go through an unofficial wedding ceremony in Tokyo in 2022. We later started the process of K-1 visa for her to come to America. There was no problems during our whole immigration process. We also had a lawyer represent us, and she did tell us it was fine, so long as it was explained that it was an unofficial ceremony and not legally binding. We even submitted photos of the ceremony for the visa application. 

[Crazy Cat 43,962]

6 minutes ago, valleyofthehills said:

Me and my fiancee at the time did go through an unofficial wedding ceremony in Tokyo in 2022. We later started the process of K-1 visa for her to come to America. There was no problems during our whole immigration process. We also had a lawyer represent us, and she did tell us it was fine, so long as it was explained that it was an unofficial ceremony and not legally binding. We even submitted photos of the ceremony for the visa application. 

You got lucky.  There are plenty of real cases here on VJ which resulted a a denial based on "too married for a K-1" determination by the Consulate.  It happens.   There is a reason we are advising against anything which looks like a marriage ceremony....and the OP even called it that.

Edited June 3 by Crazy Cat

[TBoneTX 47,205]

Anyone who undergoes any such kind of ceremony is playing with hot fire.  Give no one any room for doubt.  Delay the ceremony.