I am a UK citizen wanting to marry my US girlfriend and live in the US. Whats the best way for me to do this?

Question

I am currently living in the UK but want to live and work in the US and marry my American girlfriend. Whats the best way for me to go about doing this quickly, and in what order should I do things?

Answer 1

You can go over on a temporary visa, but you will not be able to work unless you get a work visa. If you marry her you will gain a "green card" which will grant you citazenship in the US.

Answer 2

NO getting married first does NOT make it easier.  You do not have the automatic right to live here if you marry a US citizen, you have the right to apply for a visa if you a married to one.  It takes 6-9 months for the fiancee visa as opposed to 9-12 months for the post-marriage one.  Have her file a K fiancee visa and THAT will be faster, but you have a very short window to get married once you're here.

Answer 3

You can get engaged and your gf/then fiancee can petition you for K1 Fiance visa. You will go interview and get visa at US Embassy or Consulate in UK.

Or you get married and your gf/then wife can petition you for K3 Non-immigrant Spouse visa or CR-1 Immigrant Spouse visa.

Any visa type you decide to go, it will take some time from 8 months to 24 months.

Here is the website thought be helpful

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index....

Answer 4

REALLY? I always thought that was the case. Sorry, I guess I stand corrected.

Answer 5

1  Ask her father for permission to ask her to marry you.

2  Ask her to marry you.

3  (depending)  Get married.

Answer 6

There is no fast way to do it. K-1 fiance visa is probably the fastest way to go. She can file an I-129(f) petition to allow you to apply for a K-1 visa. For the petition she needs to prove that both of you have physically met with the last two years and that you are both free to marry. For the K-1, you have to prove that you have an ongoing relationship with her. Visa Journey as already mentioned here is a good source of free information and support from people who are doing the same as you. If your case is complicated by any overstays in America or if you have a criminal record then you may want to use a lawyer to help with your petition. If there are no complicating factors then you should be able to do everything by yourselves.

It takes up to a year in most cases for a K-1 but it can be as short as 4 months if you are very lucky. My own took 5 months.

While you are waiting for the US Govt. to process everything use the time to work and save as much as you can. After marriage on a K-1 you will not be allowed to work for a few months so will need every penny you can save.