Cincinnatiguy

I think I will go with the CR1-IR1 route right away. Hopefully the small civil wedding will not be looked at doubtfully by the CO. Thanks

Hello VJ,

I and my foreign fiancee are planning to get married in a church ceremony followed by a big party in June. The wedding will take place in my fiancee's country. She is reluctant to come to the USA on a K1 visa and get married here without her family and friends or to even stay with me for several months for AOS prior to a Catholic wedding. I am thinking of pursuing a simple civil legal marriage in a third country (no civil marriage in my fiancee's country) right away for starting the CR-1 or K3 visa process then having the church/party ceremony in June. The civil marriage will be at a courthouse with 2 paid witnesses. Will this entire process (getting married in another foreign country in a small ceremony) be considered bonafide by USCIS ?

The other option I have, would be to get a K1 visa while we are still single, have the religious ceremony abroad and then enter the US on the K1 and have a civil marriage here.

Any opinion on the above is appreciated.