Marrying on tourist visa question
Dec 30th 2009, 6:30 am
#31
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 35,082
Re: Marrying on tourist visa question
Edit:
@ meauxna
Just wondering, you said that in the future I would be able to enter the US as a permanent resident with a spouse visa?
In that case, what would I do? Go to the embassy and apply for a spouse visa with our marriage certificate? Would this (pretty much) grant me the right to a spouse visa? This seems to me like a much better option than a fiance -> spouse visa... the transfer to a spouse visa from a fiance one is apparently long, whilst if I just get married and then come back I can be on a PR already? :S It seems to me like one can miss out a lot of waiting around if they have enough money to marry, leave, apply for spouse visa and then go back... money really does quicken things up xD
Thanks again
@ meauxna
Just wondering, you said that in the future I would be able to enter the US as a permanent resident with a spouse visa?
In that case, what would I do? Go to the embassy and apply for a spouse visa with our marriage certificate? Would this (pretty much) grant me the right to a spouse visa? This seems to me like a much better option than a fiance -> spouse visa... the transfer to a spouse visa from a fiance one is apparently long, whilst if I just get married and then come back I can be on a PR already? :S It seems to me like one can miss out a lot of waiting around if they have enough money to marry, leave, apply for spouse visa and then go back... money really does quicken things up xD
Thanks again
The Immigrant Visa for a spouse does result in Permanent Resident (green card) status from the day you enter with it.
The process is very generally described here: http://britishexpats.com/wiki/CR-1
There's quite a bit more to it than just your marriage certificate (that is one reason I suggested opening the joint bank account on one of your visits here.. it will be handy evidence. Seems it will also have some other uses for you!)
I agree with you that this can be a more sensible approach when the immigrant is the bread-winner and needs to be able to work immediately and hit the ground running.
Since the immigrant visa application process takes about 8-10 months start to finish, you should, as you noted, start it at about the time you give your one year notice at work/army.
Good luck!
