Terry M

Getting married in October is a lot faster than we expected, but it seems like the best way, since that would give us five months of processing time before my year in Vietnam starts. However, that would mean we wouldn't be living together and I would be leaving her country. Would I still be able to prove the marriage just with pictures, text messages, physical letters, proof of our trips? What else would I need?

I hadn't considered the Utah online marriage. I discussed that with my fiance and she suggested just getting the marriage certificate in Vietnam, which only takes a couple days. Is there any advantage to doing the Utah marriage. That would be a US marriage certificate, would that help the application?

Thank you for the answers, this is very encouraging! I though for sure there would be some problem with that plan. For now the plan is to travel to Vietnam in October and get engaged, start my leave in February and live in Vietnam on 30 day tourist visas for a year, but I'll also travel back to spend time with my mom. I will start the CR1 process online from Vietnam. I'm still not 100% sure of our plan after that year is up. I'm guessing it would be simpler to show domicile if I would return to the USA at that point at resume working, but that would result in 6-12 of separation. Or I might be able to extend the leave. I'm sure I'll have more questions as I get into this process. I guess a question is how soon after marriage do folks start the process? Does there have to be some time to establish the legitimacy of the marriage, open joint accounts, get both names on a lease, and things like that?

Is that possible? I thought direct consular processing was no longer available.

Hello everybody, Is it possible to initiate the CR-1 process in the USA, then spend a year in my spouse's country while on an unpaid leave from my US-based employer while waiting? Some specifics on our situation. I am currently living and working in California and my soon-to-be fiance in Vietnam. We have talked about getting married there early next year but don't want to be separated for 18+ months. I can get a one year unpaid leave of absence from my employer. I wonder if I could spend that time in Vietnam? I would have to give up my apartment here and use my elderly mom's address as my own, as I do not own real estate. Would some statement from my employer that I am on leave and plan to resume working in the USA on a certain date and my past income satisfy the Affidavit of Support? Otherwise would I be able to use my 401k/IRA savings (and mom's address)? Finally my 84 year old mom would have enough SS income and owns her house, so use her as a joint sponsor?