Most people are familiar with the K-1 fiancé(e) visa or 90-day fiancé(e) visa used to enter the United States to marry a US Citizen. A fiancé(e) visa is not the only way to enter the United States for purposes of marriage. In fact, a fiancé(e) visa is only required if your intent is to marry and remain permanently in the United States. Learn about how you can enter the United States to marry a US citizen as a temporary visitor.
Can I get married while in the United States on a visitor visa?
If you are the fiancé(e) of a US citizen and are entering the United States temporarily with the intent to return to your residence outside the United States, you may be able to do the following as a visitor:
- Meet the family of your fiancé(e)
- Become engaged
- Plan your wedding
- Continue your relationship with your fiancé(e)
- Get married to your fiancé(e)
As a Canadian, do I need a visitor visa to get married in the US?
Canadians are visa-exempt. If you will be entering the United States as the fiancé(e) of a US citizen with the intent to return to Canada after your wedding, a visa is not required. You will simply enter the United States as a visa-exempt Canadian.
Do I need a K-1 fiancé(e) visa to get married in the United States?
If you are coming to the United States with the intent to marry your US citizen fiancé(e) and to immigrate to the United States at the time of your entry, you will need a K-1 fiancé(e) visa. A visitor visa is not intended for those with the intent to remain permanently in the United States or to file for an adjustment of status.
If you came to the United States on a visitor visa, visa-exempt, or on ESTA, married a US Citizen, and now plan on staying, it is possible to go straight to a green card through marriage to a US citizen. We are able to guide you through the process of immigrating to the United States as a visitor.
K-1 Visas for Fiancés & Fiancées Green Cards for Spouses
Additional Outside Resources
We Can Help!
The immigration lawyers at Richards and Jurusik Immigration Law have more than 20 years of experience helping people to live and work in the United States. Contact us today for an assessment of your legal situation.
