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My husband (American) and I (Russian) got married in Copenhagen this past June. 

I'm planning to visit him in the US for a week on a tourist visa. Mind you, we haven't filed any petitions for immigration visas yet.

Is that possible? How likely am I to get a tourist visa in Russia? If not in Russia, where should I apply for a tourist visa? 

Thanks in advance

My husband and I just got married in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Based on the research we've done, the first step would be to prepare the I-130 package: 

— Paying the $535 filing fee

— Collecting the following documents:

1. Cover letter
2. I-130 form
3. Copy of his passport and birth certificate
4. Copy of marriage certificate
5. 2 passport-type photos of him
6. Evidence of a bonafide marriage
7. I-130A form 

and mail that to the USCIS. 

Is that process accurate? Are there any curveballs we need to be aware of? 

What should the evidence of a bonafide marriage include? Photos, messages, phone calls, receipts of our trips together - is that a sufficient list?

A little insight that might help with advice:

We are both 25. He is American, I am Russian. We both hadn't been married before, don't have kids and have been together for the past 6 years. 

Hey all, my fiancee and I are getting married in Copenhagen in June, I am Russian and he is American

I am thinking about getting a tourist B-1 visa to visit him in the U.S. this summer, but I would have to do it abroad as the embassy in Russia doesn't provide those services to my knowledge. Is it any problem at all to get a tourist visa while being married but not yet started the CR-1 application process? Do you have any advice on how to approach this? 

My fiancee is American and I am Russian, we want to get married as soon as possible in order to begin our CR1 application process. Neither Russia nor the U.S. are easy options for us.

We decided to do our ceremony in Copenhagen after doing some research, and getting a ton of recommendations here:

Now I'm looking for people who have similar backgrounds who have married in Copenhagen (case when both are foreigners, never married, no children).

It looks like beginning January 1st of 2019 there are new rules in place (https://idocph.kk.dk/node/1647) and we want to make sure we are doing everything correctly. 

We'll really appreciate your input!  

17 minutes ago, ThousandMoreSteps said:

I would recommend Denmark to get married, it's very easy! My husband (USC) and I did it whilst he was in Germany and I was in the UK. It was a really straightforward process, took less than 3 weeks

That what I've seen a couple of times in people's posts here. So lucky cause my best friend lives in Copenhagen and can definitely help organizing! Thanks for the advice!

1 minute ago, millefleur said:

Not necessary at all. Most applicants do the interview alone without their spouse present. I was living together with my husband at the time in Russia, so it wasn't the normal situation where the USC is the States and the spouse is in their country. Most CR-1/IR-1 applicants do the interview without their spouse.

Gotcha! Thank you for all the input! 

Since I came to this forum things have become so much clearer! 

2 minutes ago, millefleur said:

Oh, if you already have an SSN, that's even better. You can just skip that step and select the option that you will not need one once you get to the DS-260 (application for the visa, comes later after the I-130 is approved). So that's great...one less thing you need to wait for! The same number will stay will you forever...if you change your name via marriage, you can always apply for a new card but the number won't change.

 

Regarding the medical exam, you will find the Russia, Ukraine and Belarus subform here on VJ useful for info and discussion about that. The medical is one of the very last things you'll need to do, so don't worry about it too much now....but it has to be done in Moscow, everything in this process will be done in Moscow, so just keep that in mind if you are in a different part of Russia.

Luckily I live in Tver, which is a 2-hour train ride away. It should not be a problem. thank you so much!

I just read your interview story, and it seems that you and your husband attended the interview in Moscow together. Is that necessary? Would my fiancee need to travel here in order to attend? 

7 hours ago, millefleur said:

Good call. It will be very difficult (almost impossible) to get a tourist visa with an American fiancé. Research and see what might be the easiest country for 2 foreigners to get married in.

In your brief journey overview I see that you applied for SSN once you arrived to the U.S.

I already have a SSN from when I went to college. Would I need to issue a new one? OR this one stays with me? 

Also, I see that had to complete a medical exam - can you please tell me about that? Or maybe direct me to where I can read about it? 

Thank you all for the great input. I think many of you are right in suggesting that CR-1 seems to be a better option, for the following reasons:

— Since we are currently away from each other, it almost doesn't matter whether I m able to move there 10 months from now or 12-14 months from now. We are making efforts to travel and see each other in third countries. Also, we are both working full-time which allows for time to pass a bit faster.

— I would love to be able to work right away. I have an American bachelor's degree, and I also have an employer who is interesting in hiring me full time as soon as things settle. 

— Though I understand that we would have to spend a lot of money on either option, it seems that CR-1 is a bit more reasonable, however, the marriage itself will require some finances.

I guess the path from  now on is to figure out what country would be best for this marriage, and work on that.

50 minutes ago, millefleur said:

I'm a USC who married in Russia. It involves a lot of steps that are required in Moscow (must be in Moscow, there is no other option). If you live near Moscow or are able to make multiple trips there, then it would be somewhat doable. If going to Moscow is far away, then it's not worth it.

 

You can also marry in a 3rd country (outside of USA or Russia) as long as the marriage is valid and legal. Do you have a valid US tourist visa?

That's what I have been founding as well. I don't have a valid tourist visa for the U.S. but I do have a valid schengen visa. I'm seeing a couple of recommendations of getting married in Europe instead.

3 minutes ago, USS_Voyager said:

Any country would work, but since you're Russian and he's American, how about either Russia or America?

Well, on the Russian side it's pretty bureaucratic. He would have to come here, get all the necessary documents translated and notarized, and together we would submit our papers together in person. The marriage itself can take place no earlier than 32 days after submitting papers.

And about the US I thought the only we can get married there is if I enter under K-1 status (or maybe I'm wrong?)

@missileman 

I love this breakdown! This makes total sense to me. I think in our case CR-1 is definitely a better option. Do you have any suggestions on countries that allow for quick and easy marriage? Thanks!

@WeGuyGal That's what we originally thought to do. I think it makes more sense, especially because once I have the visa I can work right away. 

The tricky part is to figure out what should be the country of choice, as Russian laws make the process quite lengthy.

15 minutes ago, Ontarkie said:

~~Moved to What Visa Do I Need, from IR1/CR1 P&P~~

@accumbyte That's super helpful! Thank you.

It's actually a crazy coincidence because my best friend lives in Copenhagen, and I am sure she would be happy to help in organizing everything. Thank you for this info!

Hey all,

My fiancee and I are facing a choice - spouse visa or fiancee visa. What process seems easier?

Here is our story to give you a little context: