How To Get Wedding Visas For Your Family

If you're getting married and want your family to attend, you may need to help them obtain a visa. In the US, visas are required for non-citizens who wish to visit, and different visas are available depending on the purpose of the visit and the length of their stay. If you're an American citizen, your family members can obtain a visitor visa (B-2) to attend your wedding. This visa allows visits for several purposes, including visiting friends and relatives and participating in social events. To obtain this visa, your family member must 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. The process of obtaining a visa can take several weeks or months, so it's important to start the application process as early as possible.

Visitor visas for family members

If you are a citizen of the country in which you are getting married, your family members can obtain visas to attend the wedding. They will need to apply for a visitor visa, which falls under one of several different visa categories. The specific visa category depends on the country of origin of your family members. For example, in the United States, your family members would need to apply for a visitor visa (B-2), while in the UK, they would need a Standard Visitor visa.

The process of obtaining a visitor visa for your family members typically involves the following steps:

• Determine Eligibility: Your family member must meet the eligibility requirements, which may include having a valid passport, no criminal convictions, and proof that they will return to their home country after the visit.
• Gather Required Documents: This may include a valid passport, proof of financial support, and evidence of ties to their home country, such as a lease agreement or employment letter.
• Complete the Application: Your family member will need to fill out the visa application form, providing biographical information and details about their travel plans.
• Submit the Application: The application, along with the required documents, must be submitted to the appropriate embassy or consulate in your family member's home country.
• Schedule an Interview: Your family member may be required to attend an interview with a consular officer, usually at the embassy or consulate in their home country. They may be asked to provide additional documents or evidence of their ties to their home country.
• Wait for a Decision: The visa issuance decision can take several weeks or months, depending on the type of visa and the country of application.

It is important to start the visa application process as early as possible, as it can take some time. Additionally, your family members may need to provide evidence of their relationship to you, such as birth certificates, and proof of their intention to attend your wedding, such as an invitation.

Visa requirements for non-citizens

If you are planning a wedding, it is important to establish whether any of your guests will need a visa to attend. If you are getting married in the United States, visas are required for non-citizens who wish to visit, regardless of whether their visit is temporary or permanent.

If you are an American citizen, your family members can obtain a visa to attend your wedding. They must apply for a visitor visa (B-2) based on their country of origin. The B-2 visa permits visits for the following purposes:

• Visiting friends or relatives
• Participating in social events hosted by fraternal, social, or service organizations
• Participating in amateur musicals, sports, or similar events or contests, without being paid
• Enrolling in a short recreational course of study, not for credit toward a degree

The first step in the visa application process is to determine what type of visa your family member needs. The most common type of visa for visitors is the B-series visa, which is for temporary visits. There are different types of B-series visas depending on the purpose of the visit.

Once you have established the type of visa required, your family member must then determine their eligibility. To be eligible for a visa, they 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.

The next step is to gather the required documents for the visa application. This typically includes a valid passport, proof of financial support, and evidence of ties to their home country. Additional documents may be required depending on the type of visa. For example, for a B-2 visa, applicants may also need to provide evidence of financial resources, letters explaining the purpose of their visit, insurance coverage, and information on their accommodation.

Once the required documents have been gathered, your family member can complete the visa application form, providing biographical information and details about their travel plans. They may also need to submit an Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application (Form DS-160).

After submitting the application, your family member may need to schedule an interview with a consular officer, typically at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their home country. They will be asked questions about their travel plans and the purpose of their visit, and may be asked to provide additional documents.

The visa decision can take several weeks or even months, depending on the type of visa and the country of application. It is important to start the application process as early as possible to ensure that your family members can attend your wedding.

If you are getting married in the United Kingdom, your non-citizen guests will also need to obtain a Standard Visitor visa. This visa is typically valid for up to 6 months, which is more than enough to cover the length of their stay for your wedding. When applying for this visa, your guests should indicate the reason for their visit and provide evidence to support their application, such as travel tickets, proof of accommodation, and proof of sufficient finances. To support their application to attend a wedding, they can also provide birth certificates, wedding invitations, and group hotel bookings.

Visa application process

The visa application process for family members attending your wedding will depend on the country where the wedding is taking place. Here is a general overview of the visa application process for the United States and the United Kingdom.

United States:

If you are an American citizen, your family members can obtain a visa to attend your wedding in the United States. The type of visa they need depends on their country of origin and the purpose and duration of their visit. For temporary visits, the most common type of visa is the B-series visa, which includes the B-2 visa for tourists and the B-visa for business visitors.

• Determine Eligibility: Ensure your family member meets the requirements of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), including having a valid passport, no criminal convictions, and demonstrating their intent to return to their home country after the visit.
• Gather Required Documents: Collect all the necessary documents, including a valid passport, proof of financial support, and evidence of ties to their home country. Additional documents may be required depending on the specific type of visa.
• Complete the Application: Fill out the visa application form, providing biographical information and details about their travel plans.
• Submit the Application: Submit the application to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your family member's home country. This step may include an interview and additional document requirements.
• Schedule an Interview: Your family member will need to schedule an interview with a consular officer, usually at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their home country. They will be asked about their travel plans and the purpose of their visit and may be requested to provide additional documentation.
• Wait for a Decision: The visa processing time can vary from several weeks to months, depending on the visa type and the applicant's country.

United Kingdom:

For a wedding in the United Kingdom, your family members can apply for a Standard Visitor visa, which is typically granted for up to six months. To support their application, they should provide evidence of their travel plans, accommodation, and sufficient finances for their stay. Additionally, they can include documents such as birth certificates, a wedding invitation, and group hotel bookings to indicate their attendance at the wedding.

If your family members plan to stay in the UK for more than six months, they will need to apply for a Family Visa. This visa cannot be obtained by switching from a visitor visa; they must leave the country and apply from their home country. The Family Visa application process is as follows:

• Check Eligibility: Confirm that you, as the host, have either Irish or British citizenship, permanent residency, or settled status.
• Prepare Documentation: Your family member will need to provide proof of their relationship to you, evidence of suitable accommodation, and financial support for their stay.
• Submit Application: Your family member must submit their application online and pay the associated fees.
• Provide Biometric Information: Once the application is approved, your family member will need to attend an appointment at the nearest embassy to provide their biometric information, including photographs and fingerprints.
• Visa Validity and Renewal: The initial Family Visa is typically granted for up to two years and nine months and can be extended for a further two years and six months. To stay in the UK permanently, they can apply for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) after living in the country for a certain period, usually five years.

Please note that specific requirements and processing times may vary depending on the country of application and individual circumstances. It is recommended to check the official government websites for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

Marriage visitor visas

If you are planning a wedding, you may be wondering if your family can get visas to attend. The answer is yes, but the type of visa they will need depends on the country where the wedding is taking place and their country of origin. Let's focus on Marriage Visitor Visas for the UK and the US, two of the most common destinations for destination weddings.

Marriage Visitor Visa for the UK

If your family members are coming from abroad to attend your wedding in the UK, they will need a Standard Visitor Visa. This visa is valid for up to six months, which is more than enough time to cover the length of their stay for the wedding. When applying for this visa, they should indicate the reason for their visit and provide evidence such as travel tickets, proof of accommodation, and proof of sufficient finances. They can also provide a birth certificate to indicate their relationship to you and a wedding invitation.

Marriage Visitor Visa for the US

If your family members are not US citizens, they will need a visa to attend your wedding in the US. The type of visa they need will depend on their country of origin, but the most common type for visitors is the B-2 visa, which allows for visits to friends or relatives and participation in social events. To apply for this visa, your family members must first determine their eligibility, gather the required documents, and complete the application process. They may also need to schedule an interview with a consular officer and wait several weeks or months for a decision on their visa application.

In summary, your family members can obtain Marriage Visitor Visas to attend your wedding, but the specific requirements and processes will depend on the country where the wedding is taking place. It is important to start the visa application process as early as possible and ensure that all necessary documents are submitted to avoid delays.

Visa sponsorship

If you are planning a wedding and want your family to be there, you may need to consider visa sponsorship. Here is a detailed guide on visa sponsorship for weddings:

Understanding Visa Requirements:

Before starting the visa process, it's important to understand the visa requirements for your family members. In the United States, visas are required for non-citizens who wish to visit, and the type of visa depends on the purpose and duration of their stay. For a wedding, your family members will typically need a visitor visa.

Determining Visa Eligibility:

The first step is to determine if your family members are eligible for a visa. In the US, they must 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 the wedding.

Gathering Documents:

The next step is to gather the required documents for the visa application. This typically includes a valid passport, proof of financial support, and evidence of ties to their home country, such as property ownership or employment. Additional documents may be needed depending on the specific visa type.

Completing the Application:

Once you have gathered the necessary documents, your family members can complete the visa application. This will involve providing biographical information, travel plans, and answering questions about their intentions during their stay. It's important to be honest and provide accurate information to avoid any delays or issues.

Submitting the Application:

After completing the application, your family members will need to submit it to the appropriate US Embassy or Consulate in their home country. They may also need to schedule an interview and provide additional documents as part of the application process.

Waiting for a Decision:

Once the application and interview are completed, your family members will need to wait for a decision on their visa. This can take several weeks or months, depending on the specific circumstances. It's important to start the visa process as early as possible to ensure your family members can attend your wedding.

Understanding Visa Rules:

It's important to understand the rules and restrictions associated with the visa. For example, a visitor visa typically allows for a temporary stay, and your family members must demonstrate their intent to return to their home country after the wedding. Any violations of the visa rules can result in serious consequences, including deportation and future visa restrictions.

Sponsoring Family Members:

If you are a US citizen or permanent resident, you may be able to sponsor your family members' visas. The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) requires proof of your relationship, citizenship or residency status, and your ability to financially support your family members during their stay. Sponsoring a visa for family members can be a complex and time-consuming process, so it's important to allow ample time for the application and approval process.

Frequently asked questions