Question,Gf/finance with german passport

[jazz1]

Hi-
I just wanted to get some information. I am a US citizen. The person I want to marry has a German passport. I would like to know what would be easiest/ shorter route to take.

1. file for K 1 visa
or
2. Let her come into the countrybased on the visa waiver program for German Nationals. Once she is here get married and file paper work, AOS etc.
Is this even possible???

or
3. File for K3

Looking for the best possible route to take. Thanks in advance for your input.

Jazz.

[CharlieAK]

If you are already planning to have her stay in the US after getting married, then it's illegal to do it via the visa waiver program. That loophole is for really spontaneous marriages (I'm not saying it isn't being done, just that it's not the legal way).

Personally, I would opt for the K-1, since it's usually faster than the K-3 visa.

Good luck,

charlie

[CharlieAK]

Daytona,
while it is certainly being done as you say, it is NOT legal......you are not allowed to enter the US on the visa waiver program with the intent to stay permanently in the US......

Of course, it is the easiest option.....but you will have to lie to the immigration officer at the airport.

(If you don't believe it, have someone travel on the visa waiver and tell the immi officer at the port of entry that he/she is here to get married and stay and live in the US. Just watch how fast they would be on a return flight to their homecountry.... )

Having said that, it's up to everyone which choice they make. The main risk is at the port of entry, once they are in the country, AOS should go ok.

Charlie