Travelling to usa with a 5 years tourist vis and then get married

[sayem]

Hi Everyone

I received a 5 years tourist visa (for USA) last year to visit my parents in USA. I was rejected a tourist visa on my foreign passport thats why i had to get a visa even though I am an Australian citizen now. My parents are are legal immigrants of USA. I went their last year and came back after staying six weeks. I am again travelling to USA next month to get married. My fiancé is an US citizen. My plan is to get married and then come back to Australia. Then she would apply for my migration. Now do I need to declare at the US port that I am getting married? If i declare what sort of documents do I need to provide. Any advise would be really helpful...as we have spent thousands of dollars to organize this wedding...

Thanks everyone.
Sayem

 

[Dave Noble]

I believe that entering the US on a tourist visa with the intent to get married is not permitted

I believe that she needs to petition for a Nonimmigrant Visa for a Fiance (K-1) visa for you so that you can be granted a valid visa in order for you to enter USA for a marriage; see http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/types/types_2994.html

I would recommend contacting the US Consulate for advice; a good use of $12 methinks

Dave

 

[MBR]

I agree - get some proper advice.

FWIW, I got married in the U.S. 16 years ago. I entered on a tourist visa, and made the mistake of cheerfully telling the immigration officer that I was there to get married. After a pleasant hour or so showing them that I was then leaving the country (tickets etc), I was allowed in, and got married the following week (and still am!).

I believe that you would only need to apply for a nonimmigrant visa for a fiance if you were planning on staying in the U.S. with a view to residence etc. On the web page, it says

"If you are an American citizen and you want your foreign fiancé(e) to travel to the United States to marry you and live in the U.S., you must file Petition for Alien Fiancé(e) in the United States." (my bold for emphasis).

So, I believe you should be fine on a regular tourist visa, but as Dave says, get some advice...and hope the wedding and marriage is a wonderful success!

 

[Maca44]

Hi Everyone

I received a 5 years tourist visa (for USA) last year to visit my parents in USA. I was rejected a tourist visa on my foreign passport thats why i had to get a visa even though I am an Australian citizen now. My parents are are legal immigrants of USA. I went their last year and came back after staying six weeks. I am again travelling to USA next month to get married. My fiancé is an US citizen. My plan is to get married and then come back to Australia. Then she would apply for my migration. Now do I need to declare at the US port that I am getting married? If i declare what sort of documents do I need to provide. Any advise would be really helpful...as we have spent thousands of dollars to organize this wedding...

Thanks everyone.
Sayem

As you say, following your marriage your then wife would apply to immigrate to Australia so I would simply tell the authorities that you are there to visit your parents (which is not untruthful), get married and come back. No harm done, and no problems.

 

[Dave Noble]

As you say, following your marriage your then wife would apply to immigrate to Australia so I would simply tell the authorities that you are there to visit your parents (which is not untruthful), get married and come back. No harm done, and no problems.

I really wouldn't recommend trying to mislead the immigration people by omission; check with the consulate on whether it is ok to use a B1/2 to enter for marriage if not planning to stay in the country ; if they say yes, all fine, if they say no, then get the appropriate visa

 

[sayem]

Thanks a lot guys. I emailed US consulate melboure and they advised me that it is ok to get married on a tourist visa as i am not planning to stay there ( USA) at the moment. They also advised to have sufficient proof at the port showing I will come back to Australia.

I would really appreciate any advise on what kind to proof i can show them . I have a full time permanent job here in australia. Is it good enough for the immigration officer.

Thanks
Sayem

 

[Must...Fly!]

Sufficient proof usually means a ticketed flight back.

 

[wtolmie]

Thanks a lot guys. I emailed US consulate melboure and they advised me that it is ok to get married on a tourist visa as i am not planning to stay there ( USA) at the moment. They also advised to have sufficient proof at the port showing I will come back to Australia.

I would really appreciate any advise on what kind to proof i can show them . I have a full time permanent job here in australia. Is it good enough for the immigration officer.

Thanks
Sayem

I was married in the US to a US citizen in 2001. 1.5 months after 911.. I entered on a W94 Tourist Visa.. I dont believe you need to declare you are getting married.. I didnt.. You only need a ticket out of the country, which they wont let you fly there (airlines) unless you have return ticket.