How To Bring Your Family To America For Weddings

If you are a US citizen, your family members can obtain a visa to attend your wedding in the United States. The type of visa they will need depends on their country of origin and the purpose and duration of their visit. For example, if they are only visiting temporarily, they will need to apply for a visitor visa (B-2). This visa allows visits for purposes such as tourism, social events, and participation in amateur events. To obtain a B-2 visa, your family members will need to meet the requirements of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), which includes having a valid passport, no criminal convictions, and demonstrating their intent to return to their home country after their visit. The application process can be complex and time-consuming, so it is important to start early and ensure that all necessary documents are submitted.

Visa requirements for family members

If you are a US citizen and your family members are not citizens, they will need to obtain a visa to attend your wedding in the US. The type of visa they will need depends on their country of origin and the purpose and duration of their visit.

For temporary visits, the most common visa is the B-2 visa, which is for tourism. To be eligible for a B-2 visa, your family members must meet the requirements of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). This includes having a valid passport, no criminal convictions, and demonstrating that they will return to their home country after their visit. They will need to provide evidence of financial support and proof of intent to return to their home country. Other documents they will need to furnish include letters explaining the purpose of their visit, insurance coverage, and information on who they are lodging with and their location.

The application process for a B-2 visa includes filling out Form DS-160, providing biographical information, and answering questions about their travel plans. Each applicant must fill out a separate form, and the visa application fee is $185. After filing the forms, your family members will need to schedule an interview at the US Embassy or consulate in their home country. They will need to bring their passport, a recent photograph, evidence of ties to their home country, their travel itinerary, and an invitation letter from you. The interview will cover questions about their travel plans, ties to their home country, and the purpose of their visit.

If your family members are not eligible for a B-2 visa, they may need to apply for a different type of visa, such as an IR-5 visa for parents or a K-1 visa for fiancés. It is important to note that the visa application process can take several weeks or months, so it is best to start the process as early as possible.

Determining eligibility

If you are a non-US citizen and want to invite your family to your wedding in the United States, the first step is to determine their eligibility for a visa. Family members will need to meet the requirements of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) to be eligible for a visa. This includes the following:

• Having a valid passport
• No criminal convictions
• Demonstrating their intent to return to their home country after their visit

Types of Visas

There are different types of visas available for visitors, depending on the purpose of their visit and the duration of their stay. The most common type of visa for visitors is the B-series visa, which includes the B-2 visa for tourists. The B-2 visa allows visits for various purposes, including:

• Visiting friends or relatives
• Participating in social events hosted by fraternal, social, or service organizations
• Participating in amateur sports, musicals, or similar events or contests without receiving payment
• Enrolling in short recreational courses, not for credit toward a degree

Alternatively, if your family members are the parents or siblings of a student in F-1 or J-1 status, they may be eligible for the Visa Waiver Program, which allows them to visit the US for up to 90 days without a visa. However, they must meet certain visa waiver requirements to participate in this program.

Documents Required for a B-2 Visa

If your family members are applying for a B-2 visa, they will need to provide the following documents:

• An invitation letter from you stating whom you are inviting, the purpose of the visit, the dates of the visit, and what financial support you are offering
• Evidence of financial support, such as a letter verifying employment or bank statements showing their current balance and account history
• A completed visa application form, along with photographs
• Evidence of ties to their home country, such as property or family, to demonstrate their intent to return

Additional Considerations

It is important to note that the visa application process can take several weeks or even months, so it is advisable to start the process as early as possible. Additionally, the cost of the visa application may vary depending on the country of application, and there may be additional requirements such as an interview or further documentation.

Required documents

If you are a non-citizen who wants to get married in the United States, there are several steps you need to take to ensure that your marriage is legally recognised. Here is a list of the required documents you will need to gather:

Proof of Identification

A valid passport is typically required to receive a marriage license. Other forms of identification, such as a driver's license or national ID, may also be requested. Some counties may also require a birth certificate to verify your age.

Proof of Residency

In certain counties, you may need to provide a valid visa or residency permit to demonstrate that you are legally allowed to enter and reside in the country.

Divorce Decree or Death Certificate

If either you or your partner were previously married, you must provide documentation proving that the previous marriage has ended. This can include a divorce decree or a death certificate, depending on the circumstances.

Affidavit of Eligibility to Marry

Some states in the US require you to sign an affidavit, confirming that you are legally eligible to marry. This document can be notarised by a U.S. consular officer if you are abroad.

Witnesses

In some cases, you may be asked to bring witnesses, such as family members or friends who have known you for at least six months, to your appointment when applying for your marriage license. The number of witnesses required can vary depending on the state.

Once you have gathered all the necessary documents and met the requirements, you can proceed to apply for your marriage license by visiting the county clerk's office in the area where the wedding will take place. It is recommended to book an appointment in advance and check the specific rules and requirements for the particular county. After receiving your marriage license, you will be eligible to hold your wedding ceremony in the chosen venue within the same county. Remember to bring your marriage license with you on the day, so that your officiant can complete and sign the necessary paperwork.

Application process

If you are a US citizen who wants to bring your foreign fiancé(e) to the United States to get married, you will need to file a Form I-129F, Petition For Alien Fiancé(e). This is the first step to obtaining a K-1 nonimmigrant visa for your fiancé(e). To obtain a K-1 fiancé(e) visa, you and your fiancé(e) must intend to marry each other within 90 days of your fiancé(e) entering the US as a K-1 nonimmigrant.

The process for bringing your fiancé(e) to the United States involves USCIS, the US Department of State (DOS), and US Customs and Border Protection (CBP). At each stage in the process, background and security checks may be conducted on both you and your fiancé(e).

Step 1: Petition for Fiancé(e) – USCIS

You file Form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé(e) according to the form instructions. This form asks USCIS to recognize the relationship between you and your fiancé(e).

USCIS will review your Form I-129F and the documents you submitted. They may mail you a request for evidence if they need additional documentation or information.

If you establish your eligibility, they will approve your Form I-129F and recognize the claimed fiancé(e) relationship. Otherwise, they will deny your Form I-129F and notify you of the reasons for denial.

Step 2: Visa Application – DOS

The NVC forwards the approved Form I-129F to the US Embassy or consulate where your fiancé(e) will apply for a K-1 nonimmigrant visa. This is generally the US Embassy or consulate where your fiancé(e) lives.

The US Embassy or consulate will notify you when the visa interview for your fiancé(e) is scheduled.

Your fiancé(e) applies for the K-1 nonimmigrant visa and brings the required forms and documents to the visa interview.

The DOS consular officer determines whether your fiancé(e) qualifies for the K-1 nonimmigrant visa.

If the consular officer grants the K-1 nonimmigrant visa, it is valid for up to 6 months for a single entry.

Step 3: Inspection at a Port of Entry – CBP

If DOS issues a K-1 nonimmigrant visa, your fiancé(e) travels to the United States and seeks admission at a port of entry while the K-1 nonimmigrant visa is valid. As with any visa, a K-1 nonimmigrant visa does not guarantee admission to the United States. A CBP officer at the port of entry will make the ultimate decision about whether to admit your fiancé(e).

If your fiancé(e) is admitted as a K-1 nonimmigrant, you and your fiancé(e) have 90 days to marry each other.

Step 4: Adjustment of Status – USCIS

If you marry within 90 days, your fiancé(e)—now your spouse—may apply for a Green Card by filing Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status.

USCIS will review Form I-485 and the documents your spouse submitted. They may mail a request for evidence to your spouse if they need additional documentation or information.

You and your spouse will usually be required to appear for an interview.

If you were married for less than two years at the time the Form I-485 is approved, USCIS will grant your spouse conditional permanent resident status and issue a Green Card valid for 2 years. Your spouse will need to remove the conditions on his or her residence by filing Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence in the 90 days before his or her Green Card expires.

Additional Information

If your fiancé(e) has a child who is under 21 and unmarried, the child may be eligible to come to the United States on a K-2 nonimmigrant visa. You must include the names of your fiancé(e)’s children on the Form I-129F if you wish to bring them to the United States. The children must continue to be unmarried and under 21 in order to be admitted to the United States as K-2 nonimmigrants. They may travel with your fiancé(e) or later, but they cannot travel to the US before your fiancé(e).

If you decide to get married abroad, you will have to go through Consular Processing (CP). When you apply via consular processing, you must remain in your home country while waiting for your green card to be approved.

Interview and decision

Once your family members have submitted their application, they will need to schedule an interview with a consular officer. This interview will typically take place at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their home country. It is a crucial step in the visa application process and will play a significant role in the final decision regarding their visa approval.

During the interview, the consular officer will ask questions to assess the purpose of their visit and their intentions for staying in the U.S. temporarily. The family members will need to provide clear and honest responses, explaining that they intend to attend your wedding and will return to their home country afterward. They may also be asked to elaborate on their relationship with you and provide additional evidence of their ties to their home country.

After the interview, the waiting period begins. Your family members will need to be patient as the visa processing time can vary. It could take several weeks or even months to receive a decision, depending on the specific U.S. Embassy or Consulate and the volume of applications they are processing.

If your family members' visas are approved, they will be able to travel to the U.S. and attend your wedding. However, it is important to remember that their visa will have an expiration date, and they will need to return to their home country before that date. Overstaying their visa could result in serious consequences and impact their ability to visit the U.S. in the future.

On the other hand, if their visa application is denied, they may not have the opportunity to attend your wedding in the U.S. In such cases, they may need to explore alternative options, such as holding a separate celebration in their home country or utilizing modern technology to participate in the wedding remotely.

To increase the chances of a positive outcome, it is essential to start the visa application process as early as possible, ensure all necessary documents are submitted, and be honest and forthcoming during the interview process.

Frequently asked questions