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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2015
    Location
    South Africa
    Posts
    2

    Default Marriage in the U.S. Without Intent to Immigrate

    Good day,

    I am a South African male and I have been dating an American woman for the last 3 years.

    She wants to move to South Africa permanently but for sentimental and familial reasons she would like to get married in the U.S.A. The plan is for me to visit her in the U.S, get married and then fly back to South Africa.

    I would like to know if there is any difference for me or her if we get married in the U.S. or in South Africa with regards to immigration and what the implications would be for her application for permanent residency in South Africa.

    I hope this post is in the right category!

    Many thanks!

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Behind a Desk
    Posts
    98,846

    Default Re: Marriage in the U.S. Without Intent to Immigrate

    You will have to research South African immigration law with a lawyer or forum devoted to that subject.

    In terms of U.S. law, as long as you meet the eligibility requirement of the state in which you marry, you can marry in the U.S. as a tourist. Some states are popular locations for destination weddings, and make it very easy for tourists to obtain marriage licenses. Each state has its own laws, so you or your fiancée will need to research the requirements for the state in which you intend to marry.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Michigan
    Posts
    6,808

    Default Re: Marriage in the U.S. Without Intent to Immigrate

    In America, it's easier to bring a fiance' over rather than a spouse. So you'll watch to research the S. African laws and make sure that being married won't make the immigration process harder. Here, also, just being a fiance makes it harder to enter the country for a visit (Immigration officials think you are going to stay).

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Somewhere near Canada
    Posts
    35,894

    Default Re: Marriage in the U.S. Without Intent to Immigrate

    Quote Quoting PandorasBox
    View Post
    In America, it's easier to bring a fiance' over rather than a spouse.
    Easier for who?

    Consular processing is much more streamlined and a whole lot cheaper...

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2015
    Location
    South Africa
    Posts
    2

    Default Re: Marriage in the U.S. Without Intent to Immigrate

    Ok thanks for you help! It looks like I'm going to have to get hold of a South African lawyer anyway. Our government's immigration department have been zero help as expected.

  6. #6

    Default Re: Marriage in the U.S. Without Intent to Immigrate

    I agree that this might be the wrong board to check – while you can obviously get married in the United States (Vegas all the way baby) I would make sure that there is nothing that would prevent you from having your marriage recognized in your native country (though I doubt it to be honest)

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