Marriage in US then Spouse VISA to UK Question

Hi all -

I'm a US citizen and my boyfriend is a UK citizen and we're trying to figure out which visa path (fiance or spouse) to take.

For those of you who live in the US and had your fiance come to the states, get married on a tourist visa, and then fly back, and then you went through the spouse visa process for the UK:
Did your spouse have any issues coming back into the US in the future on other tourist visas (for vacation,etc)? I'm curious if getting married on a previous tourist visa can make them question you on future tourist visas and potentially deny you entry into the US.

Thanks!

Hi all -

I'm a US citizen and my boyfriend is a UK citizen and we're trying to figure out which visa path (fiance or spouse) to take.

For those of you who live in the US and had your fiance come to the states, get married on a tourist visa, and then fly back, and then you went through the spouse visa process for the UK:
Did your spouse have any issues coming back into the US in the future on tourist visa? I'm curious if getting married on the tourist visa essentially "breaks the terms of the visa" and then on future trips the US may not let you in (because they think you may try to stay illegally).

Thanks!

It's perfectly legal to marry on the VWP as long as the intention is not to remain in the US. So as long as he is returning to the UK, you will be just fine both at the time and in the future. 

It's perfectly legal to marry on the VWP as long as the intention is not to remain in the US. So as long as he is returning to the UK, you will be just fine both at the time and in the future. 

Thanks for the reply!

One followup - do you know how long the "intention to not remain in the US" lasts for? If we were to move to the UK for 10 years and then decide to move to the US - would we run into issues?

Thanks for the reply!

One followup - do you know how long the "intention to not remain in the US" lasts for? If we were to move to the UK for 10 years and then decide to move to the US - would we run into issues?

Just for that trip! He can move there with you at any time by following the correct process. 

My husband has been here 7 times (including the wedding) after getting married. He always brings some extra proof of his ties to the UK, such as return ticket, work contract, etc, but has never had any issues or really needed to use it. As long as you don't overstay and follow immigration rules there generally should not be problems.

My husband has been here 7 times (including the wedding) after getting married. He always brings some extra proof of his ties to the UK, such as return ticket, work contract, etc, but has never had any issues or really needed to use it. As long as you don't overstay and follow immigration rules there generally should not be problems.

My husband does the same. He hasn't been back since we were married in April, but he always brings proof of his return flight and proof of ties back in the UK to show his intention to return there. Just follow the rules and you'll be fine. 

Just for that trip! He can move there with you at any time by following the correct process. 

Thought of one more follow up... does UK immigration care if it’s just a small civil wedding? (Just us two at a court house) or do they want to see family there and a big ceremony?

Thought of one more follow up... does UK immigration care if it’s just a small civil wedding? (Just us two at a court house) or do they want to see family there and a big ceremony?

No, not at all. The only requirement is that it is a legal wedding,  court house is just fine!