Can I Marry Someone on a Tourist Visa?
If you and your fiance/spouse are planning to get married overseas, then it’s important to understand that there are legal issues that could arise. The first issue is that the marriage may not be considered valid in the United States.
This is because many people who travel on tourist visas with the intention of getting married and staying in the United States do so without disclosing their intent to marry. It’s seen as a form of visa fraud and can lead to serious consequences.
What is a tourist visa?
A tourist visa is a type of non-immigrant visa issued to foreign citizens who intend to visit the United States for a short period of time (typically under 3 months) for tourism or medical reasons. This is different from a business or residence visa, which is issued to those who are seeking long-term residence in the country.
A visa may be a sticker or stamp in the passport, an electronic record of authorization that can be printed before entering, or a separate document that the holder can produce on entry to the visited country. Many countries today require that the applicant apply for a visa in advance, which may be done online or in person at a consular office.
If a visa is required, the applicant must usually submit a valid passport and proof that they have enough money to support themselves while in the host country. In some countries, the applicant must also provide a medical examination to verify their health status and to demonstrate that they have no risk of contracting an illness while in the host country.
Some countries, such as the European Union, have a set maximum period for a visitor to spend without a visa; after this period, they must leave the territory and return to the first country to get another entry stamp. This is called “resetting the clock.”
In addition to tourist visas, there are a number of other types of visitor visas, including airside transit and crew member, steward, or driver visas for passengers on aircraft, vessels, trains, trucks, and buses; or ships fishing in international waters. There are also visas for people who wish to visit a country for a medical procedure or other purpose that is not allowed by their home country.
Depending on the purpose, the visa may be single-entry, double-entry, or multiple-entry; and it may also be required to be used within a specific period of time, ranging from several hours to ten days. In some cases, the visa can be extended or a re-entry permit can be issued to allow the holder to leave the host country temporarily without invalidating the visa.
Can I get married on a tourist visa?
Whether you’re a non-US citizen making plans to marry your foreign partner or a couple who already has a US visa, it is important to ensure that you have the right permission to travel to the United States. Tourist status is one of the most common options, and it can allow you to visit the country without having to secure a visa.
However, it is important to note that getting married on a tourist visa can be fraught with potential legal pitfalls. For example, it is illegal to lie or deceive Customs and Border Protection (CBP) inspection officers about your intention to get married while you are in the United States.
You also risk being charged with visa fraud if you plan to change your immigration status by marriage. This is a serious charge that could lead to you being banned from entering the United States for life.
To avoid this, it is best to plan a visit on a tourist visa with the intent of getting married and then applying for a green card later on. While this may seem like a reasonable approach, it can be fraught with potential pitfalls and you will need to seek the advice of a lawyer if you wish to pursue this route.
For those who want to travel to the UK to get married, there are a number of different options. The most suitable option is to apply as a Fiancee under Appendix FM, which will grant you a 6-month visa to enable you to come to the UK and get married.
After your marriage, you can then switch into the Spouse category, meaning that you can stay in the UK as long as you want. This is a relatively quick process, but it is important to ensure that you have the necessary paperwork and evidence prepared before you make your application.
As with any immigration application, it is best to seek the advice of an experienced immigration lawyer before you start on any of these processes. If you do not follow the correct procedures, it is likely that your application will be rejected or delayed, which would have a devastating impact on your wedding day.
Can I apply for a green card after getting married on a tourist visa?
If you are a foreign national and married to an American citizen, you can apply for a green card from within the United States or from your home country using consular processing. The process can take 23 to 32 months, and it is a good idea to consult with an attorney before applying.
Generally, it is not difficult to prove that you entered the United States with honest visitor intentions and that your marriage was not arranged. This applies even if the decision to marry was made after you arrived in the United States.
However, there are times when it can be difficult to prove this. For example, if you are married too soon after your entry into the United States and you decide to apply for adjustment of status, the timing of your marriage may raise red flags with immigration officials. This is because it is deemed visa fraud to enter the US with the intention of getting married and staying permanently.
To get around this issue, it is advisable to apply for a tourist visa that allows you to stay for a maximum of 60 days. This is a good idea because you can use that time to prove that your marriage was not planned in advance.
When you are applying for a tourist visa to enter the United States, it is important that you be honest with immigration officials. If you lie, you will be denied entry and may not be allowed to re-enter the United States.
It is also a good idea to show that you did not enter the United States with the intent to stay. If you do not, you may be referred to immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) for removal from the United States.
If you are planning on applying for a green card after getting married, it is a good idea to speak with an experienced attorney who can help you prove that your marriage was not arranged in advance. This is especially important if you have any issues with your criminal or immigration history.
Can I stay in the United States after getting married on a tourist visa?
The United States government doesn’t want you to come here to get married and then leave the country without getting a green card. It’s called visa fraud, and it can lead to severe penalties for you. If you are charged with committing visa fraud, you may be denied entry to the United States or even banned from reentering.
A tourist visa is an entry permit that allows people to travel to a foreign country for a limited amount of time. They can enter the country for sightseeing or to meet family.
These visas don’t entitle the holder to work or engage in business activities in the host country. You must return to your home country as soon as your tourist visa expires.
It is possible to get married on a tourist visa, but it can be difficult to prove that you entered the country with the intent of getting married and staying. You can also be deported if you commit visa fraud while in the country, so it’s important to plan carefully before attempting to get married on a tourist visa.
If you’re planning to get married on a tourist visa, it’s best to wait until at least 90 days after entering the United States to marry. This will help you show that you were entering the country for a legitimate purpose, not just to get married and then leave.
This can help you avoid the risk of being accused of visa fraud when you apply to adjust your status to a green card, especially if you have a long history of visiting the country on a tourist visa or the visa waiver program. In addition, you can use this to your advantage if you are applying for a green card based on marriage to a US citizen or permanent resident.
The United States government doesn’t allow you to marry someone on a tourist visa while in the United States, but there are other ways to stay in the country. If you are planning to get married while in the United States, you should speak with an immigration lawyer about the option that will work best for your situation.