Immigration process if marriage took place in a foreign country

If you are a US citizen and are marrying a person of foreign national, you may have already started your research on which visa options and what procedures to follow unless of course you are simply meeting with an immigration lawyer in Los Angeles.  Generally, there are two types of process in marrying a foreign national spouse – marrying in the United States or in the country of the spouse’s nationality.  In this article, let’s talk about situations where the marriage takes place in another country.

First step is for you to travel to the country of your fiancé or the person you’re marrying on a visitor’s visa to that country if the country specifically requires one.  Certain countries do not require visitor’s visa for US citizens.

Second, you will get married in that country.  It’s pretty simple until this point.

Then the next step is to decide 1) how much time can be afforded before you and your spouse can come back to the USA; 2) whether you can afford an extra attorney and filing fee for extra steps to expedite the process.

Since you are a US citizen, processing time plus waiting period for a green card subject to the two year condition is anytime between 6 to 10 months.  K-3 visa processing and waiting time takes just as long as a green card petition in this case.  Our firm does not recommend filing for K-3 visa if marriage took place in a foreign country.

The best way is if the marriage takes place in the United States.  It will allow you and your fiancé to start a new life in the United States without a long separation.  If for some reason, if your marriage must take place in the foreign country, it would be the best to have an informal wedding celebration there and file for an official marriage certificate in the United States later.  Marriage immigration petition is all about planning given your own unique situation.  If you are in need of a marriage immigration attorney consultation, talk to our immigration lawyer Los Angeles for a free consultation.