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Posted

Hi everyone!!

I am from Texas, and my fiancé is from France. We are looking to do the K1 VISA and are starting the paperwork for it. We have some questions about the process as we are looking to set up weddings for both our countries. The current plan is for us to have a ceremony in France in September 2026 and then the American one in October 2026. We are not looking to sign paperwork at those events, just have a party with family and friends. Once the K1 is approved, which hopefully will be around that time, the goal is to have Nathan come over and we get married at the courthouse in that 90-day time frame.  Our understanding is that he cannot leave the US once we get formally married and submit that paperwork. What my question is, are there any possible issues with us having these scheduled ceremonies in our countries if we are NOT signing marriage certificates at that time. Unless the K1 VISA is approved, he would maintain his job and have a return flight back to France during any American vacations. Thank you for any advice you can give us as this is new territory for us both. 

Filed: K-1 Visa Country: United Kingdom
Timeline
Posted

Along with risking being too married for a K1, you also should cetagorically not be setting dates for any kind of parties or ceramonies. You do not know how long this process will take you, you do not know what life can bring to make your plans change. 

 

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Taiwan
Timeline
Posted (edited)

Welcome to the forums.  Visa Journey is the best place for accurate immigration info. We are here to help.

With the increased scrutiny of all visas right now, I would avoid any ceremony which could be subjectively interpreted as a wedding prior to the official marriage inside the US. "Too married for a K-1" is a real thing.  Realistically, you could travel back to France for a celebration 3 to 6 months (possibly a little longer) after applying for advance parole (I-131) and Adjustment of Status.  It would be terrible to get to the interview stage before finding out.  Personally, I wouldn't take the risk. 

 

The US immigration system requires a great deal of knowledge, planning, time, patience, and a significant amount of money.  Visa Journey can help with some of those.

 

Of course, another option is the spousal visa.

Edited by Crazy Cat

"The US immigration process requires a great deal of knowledge, planning, time, patience, and a significant amount of money.  It is quite a journey!"

- Some old child of the 50's & 60's on his laptop 

 

Senior Master Sergeant, US Air Force- Retired (after 20+ years)- Missile Systems Maintenance & Titan 2 ICBM Launch Crew Duty (200+ Alert tours)

Registered Nurse- Retired- I practiced in the areas of Labor & Delivery, Home Health, Adolescent Psych, & Adult Psych.

IT Professional- Retired- Web Site Design, Hardware Maintenance, Compound Pharmacy Software Trainer, On-site go live support, Database Manager, App Designer.

______________________________________

In summary, it took 13 months for approval of the CR-1.  It took 44 months for approval of the I-751.  It took 4 months for approval of the N-400.   It took 172 days from N-400 application to Oath Ceremony.   It took 6 weeks for Passport, then 7 additional weeks for return of wife's Naturalization Certificate.. 
 

Posted

We picked the K1 so we could enjoy our engagement period and have some ability to do normal couple things. We would like to celebrate this milestone with our families and didn’t want to be away from each other for almost 2 years as newly weds with the CR 1 visa. I speak for both of us when I say we don’t wanna risk the process but we can’t figure out how to do a wedding with those we love and stay within the realms of the visa. I appreciate the guidance y'all are giving, sadly this seems harder than I thought. 

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Taiwan
Timeline
Posted
6 minutes ago, NathanStephanieJ said:

and didn’t want to be away from each other for almost 2 years as newly weds

Keep in mind that visiting each other is allowed during the process (at the discretion of CBP, of course). 

"The US immigration process requires a great deal of knowledge, planning, time, patience, and a significant amount of money.  It is quite a journey!"

- Some old child of the 50's & 60's on his laptop 

 

Senior Master Sergeant, US Air Force- Retired (after 20+ years)- Missile Systems Maintenance & Titan 2 ICBM Launch Crew Duty (200+ Alert tours)

Registered Nurse- Retired- I practiced in the areas of Labor & Delivery, Home Health, Adolescent Psych, & Adult Psych.

IT Professional- Retired- Web Site Design, Hardware Maintenance, Compound Pharmacy Software Trainer, On-site go live support, Database Manager, App Designer.

______________________________________

In summary, it took 13 months for approval of the CR-1.  It took 44 months for approval of the I-751.  It took 4 months for approval of the N-400.   It took 172 days from N-400 application to Oath Ceremony.   It took 6 weeks for Passport, then 7 additional weeks for return of wife's Naturalization Certificate.. 
 

Posted

Could we have an engagement party in France and just do a formal wedding in the US? He has grandparents that might not make the trip, so I would like for them to see the dress in some way, even if it means ruining the surprise for Nathan. His family is very dear to me and I know his grandmothers would appreciate that opportunity.

Posted
Just now, NathanStephanieJ said:

Could we have an engagement party in France and just do a formal wedding in the US? He has grandparents that might not make the trip, so I would like for them to see the dress in some way, even if it means ruining the surprise for Nathan. His family is very dear to me and I know his grandmothers would appreciate that opportunity.

You could def do the formal wedding in US if you’re doing the cr1. That’s what many (incl me) on here did. He can then travel back and forth to spend time with you as you wish. 
 

the issue will be the engagement party. You’ll need to really ensure it doesn’t look like a wedding celebration to anyone (think what a suspicious 3rd party observer would think). Def avoid the dress, cake, etc or anything like that but in theory an engagement celebration is fine - just so long as it’s crazy clear that’s all it is

Posted

Thank you. So we can do an engagement party with no dress and no wedding like features, just at his parent’s place, and it won’t break the rules? 
we have more lead way with the American one as it will be at family property and nothing has to be firm dates until we know. We can move that date easily within reason. I don’t want his side missing out so we talked about how we could live stream it to them when the actual wedding happens

Posted
13 minutes ago, NathanStephanieJ said:

Thank you. So we can do an engagement party with no dress and no wedding like features, just at his parent’s place, and it won’t break the rules? 
we have more lead way with the American one as it will be at family property and nothing has to be firm dates until we know. We can move that date easily within reason. I don’t want his side missing out so we talked about how we could live stream it to them when the actual wedding happens


you are absolutely allowed an engagement party. Just try make it look as simple as possible!

 

my other advise would be not to include those photos in anything you submit so they can’t be interpreted wrong. A nice photo with his family, taken before any party would be perfect. 

Posted
1 minute ago, Crazy Cat said:

If this is before a K-1 visa is issued, I wouldn't allow any formal dress, wedding dress, cake, or anything which appeared to be a marriage ceremony.   I would also be very selective of any pictures used as evidence of meeting or continued relationship.  For a K-1, the average time from submission of the I-129f to visa interview is a year (as reported by other VJ members).

 

The beauty of the CR-1 is that you can officially marry anywhere in the world, then have all the celebrations you want afterwards.  Right now, the average time from starting the CR-1 process to visa interview is 20 months as reported by other Visa Journey members.  Upon entry into the US the foreign spouse becomes a Green Card holder and can work and/or travel outside the US immediately.  With a K-1, it could easily take a year to obtain a Green Card after entry into the US.  The day a person becomes a Green card holder, starts the clock for US citizenship. 

 

 


100% agree with this. Plus the cr1 is cheaper overall. And you keep earning money throughout. I’m surprised k1 is even an option for most people these days. 

 
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