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Topic: Marrying in U.S....How to go about it?  (Read 1499 times)

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Marrying in U.S....How to go about it?
« on: October 04, 2006, 04:55:46 PM »
Sorry if this has been covered countless times, I looked through a bunch of topics and didn't find anything asking quite the same question...

My British boyfriend and I have been dating for about 2 years and are looking into getting married. Currently, I am living with him in the UK on the BUNAC program and will finish in December. We want to get married in the U.S. next year, but do I need to apply for any fiance visa for my boyfriend or can he just come on a visitor visa? And secondly, we are not sure yet where we want to end up, we may eventually move out to L.A. Is it better for me to apply for a spousal visa and live in London first or should we move to the U.S. straight away? I love it in London, but it's starting to become apparent that career-wise, it might not be the best place (I'm in film/tv). My boyfriend is willing to really work anywhere since he works for an international company and would get a job easily working for them in the U.S. (after he has received a visa and all that obviously). We are both willing, however, to make concessions to make it easier. I'm just not sure what to do! I've looked a bit into these things, but am getting confused by the possibilities.

Thanks in advance for any advice!


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Re: Marrying in U.S....How to go about it?
« Reply #1 on: October 06, 2006, 09:51:31 PM »
from what i understand-

your boyfriend can visit the US and get married.  he doesn't need a finance visa.

b/f you enter the UK- you need to apply for a spousal visa at your dedicated
consulate/embassy.

if you two live in the UK for a certain period of time- you can then apply to move back to the US through a DCF(direct consulate/consluar filing).  this is quicker than if you two live in the UK for a short period of time (under 2 years or so) and then want to move back to the US.

however- i don't know if a requirement for DCF is that YOU have your ILR.

hope that helps answer some of your questions...
If you harbour bitterness, happiness will dock elsewhere.


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Re: Marrying in U.S....How to go about it?
« Reply #2 on: October 19, 2006, 06:15:16 AM »
I See you...ms. cariad.;-)
Aug02-First and foremost, friends on ColdplayMB
Jun04-Jul04 First UK Trip
Aug04-Second UK Trip
Oct04-Jassen's 1st US Trip(Technically 2nd, due to Disney World back when he was 5!):-p
Dec04-May05 Third UK Trip(on Bunac)
May05-June05-Jassen's 2nd US trip
June05-Oct05-My 4th UK Trip
Dec05-Jan06-Jassen's 3rd US Trip
Feb06-Aug06- My 5th UK Trip
Sep06-Oct06-Jassen's 4th US Trip
Dec06-Jan07-Jassen's 5th US Trip
Feb07-Apr07-My 6th UK Trip
May07-Jun07-My 7th UK Trip
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07-07-07 Got MARRIED!!
Jul07-Moved to UK!


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Re: Marrying in U.S....How to go about it?
« Reply #3 on: October 19, 2006, 03:25:19 PM »
Getting married in the U.S. for a US/UK couple is no problem at all, but there are very different ways of doing it depending on whether you will settle in the UK or the US.

If you are going to continue to live in the UK, then it's super easy. He just comes over on a visa waiver, you get married, you get the spousal visa and go back to live in the UK.

If he is going to be moving to the US, then you will have to get a K-1 visa first, which is a lengthier process.

I think the easiest thing is to figure out where you want to live in the near future, and then move forward with the wedding planning. The last thing you want is to get too far into the planning, and then have to worry about the immigration timeline interfering with all your plans. Try to figure out what's best for you in the short term, and then plan from there!


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Re: Marrying in U.S....How to go about it?
« Reply #4 on: November 06, 2006, 07:38:09 PM »
It all depends on where you two are planning to live as a married couple.  If you're planning on living in the UK, then yes, he can get married in the US on a visitors visa.  I mean, look at all the folks that get married in Vegas every year from all over the world.  lol  Marriage licence laws, on the other hand, vary slightly from state to state. 

My husband and I got married in my home state of New Mexico....Santa Fe to be exact.  He didn't need any special visa, just his passport.  And the good thing about getting married in your home country is that you can get your marriage visa right after the wedding at the British Consolate.  Of course there are only three British Consolates that issue marriage visas in the US.  We got mine in LA on our honeymoon.  We chose to do it in person as the other option is by mail and can take weeks and weeks.  Best to do it in person.  More info here:
http://www.britainusa.com/visas/articles_show_nt1.asp?i=65035&L1=41000&a=41033

Roni x
New Mexican, Texan, Californian living in Derbyshire!


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