pmvt

First of all, may i say hello to all BE members. My name is Pete, and I'm a British Citizen living in the UK. My questions are as follows:
I met a beautiful lady online, and after 12 months of talking over the phone and emailing, we are due to meet for the first time in July, when i visit the US on the VWP. I intend to propose during this trip, knowing it's what both of us want.
I've read quite a few similar threads, but i'm still a little confused as to our options.
We intend to live in the US, so after we become engaged, what must i(we) do? I understand i need to return to the UK for some time, but during this period, am i not allowed to enter the US? Can she leave the US? Could we visit another country to be together while the paperwork is sorted?
Also, does it make any difference if we got married in the UK or the US as far as speeding up the green card goes?

Any help with what forms i need to apply for, and answering my questions will be much appreciated. Thank you.

Guindalf

Start here...

Category:USA Immigration : British Expat Wiki

There are two options; K1 is a fiance visa, which allows you to come over an get married within 90 days and CR1 is a marriage visa, which you can file once you are married. It doesn't matter where you get married but it's probably slightly easier to marry in the US than it is in the UK (she would need a visa for the UK, but you don't need one for the US).

You can continue to use the VWP to visit while waiting for processing, which is likely to take at least 8-10 months.

The wiki I linked to will answer most, if not all of your questions. Read up and come back with any more and we'll do our best to answer them.

Pulaski

You can get married in the US then leave and apply for a CR-1 marriage visa OR apply for a fiancé visa, then go to the US get married within 90 days and stay while your green card is processed.

Whichever route you choose you can both travel freely into and out of the US except for the time between you arriving in the US on your fiancé visa and receiving "advance parole" after you get married, when you can't leave the US (well you can, ..... but your green card application will be canceled).

If you choose the K-1 route you won't be authorized to work until you receive your green card, so about five months after you arrive. If you choose the CR-1 route you will be authorized to work the moment you clear immigration when you arrive with your CR-1.

It makes not a scrap of difference where you get married, US, UK, or another country, though you should note that your fiancée would need a visa to get married in the UK (the US does not require a visa for a visitor who plans to get married, but they must leave again).

ian-mstm

There are only two options: a fiancé (K-1) visa, or a spouse (CR-1) visa. Each has its pros/cons. Start here.


What you do will depend entirely on which visa route you take.


You are allowed to visit the US during the process.


She's a US citizen - she can come and go as she pleases.


Yes, you can also do that.


No.


The forms you use will depend on the route you take. So... read first, digest, read again, and then ask your questions.

Ian