Can a US citizen marry a Jamaican citizen in Jamaica?

[Sexybutterflyatl]

I have several friends that have applied for a K1 and CR1(if you get married there)..Some of them were approved within the same time. Some people like to do the K1 cause the process moves a little quicker and per some of my friends those that filed a Cr1 moved faster...Even with doing a K1 there is no gurantee it will get approved...If they have kids with some one else that does not lessen there chance at all..Actually it makes it better for the kids cause they can file the kids as well at the same time and if they do not they have up until one year to do so...With doing a K1 they can not work right away and there is a possiblity that you will all will have to go through an entire interview all over again some couples do some do not. When friend did the K1 they had to go through an interview and they were asked about 80+ questions...If you decide to do the CR1 (get married there) once he has the interview and gets approved as soon as your spouse gets here he can get his social security and look for a job and start work...

[Stacey]

Thanks so much for all the feedback I really really appreciate it. I probably should have elaborated a little more when first posting my question...meaning give a little more background about my situation - for example I should mention neither of us have ever been married and neither of us have any children.

At this point I am really just trying to get educated about the options so we can do what works best for our individual situation. I've explored the K1 visa option extensively and I think I fully understand that process. Now I'm checking out the other option. I realize either option takes time and of course money money money! Wish it could all fall into place tomorrow, but I have my patience hat on....not gonna jump into applying for this or that without all the facts.

A couple other questions crossed my mind while thinking about all this.....

- If US citizen marries a Jamaican in Jamaica does that change the length of time the US citizen is allowed to stay in Jamaica, beyond the current 6 month limit?

- If US citizen marries a Jamaican in Jamaica does that allow the US citizen to legally work and/or open a business in JA?

- If the couple decides they want to live in the USA is there any limit of time, after marrying, in which to file for the spouse visa(CR-1)?

- If the couple decides to reside in Jamaica does the US citizen have to obtain Jamaican citizenship and if so, how would that affect their US citizenship?

Thanks again everyone!!

[Marko]

If they have kids with some one else that does not lessen there chance at all..Actually it makes it better for the kids cause they can file the kids as well at the same time and if they do not they have up until one year to do so...

boy I wish you were right but..........
I have had two good acquaintances who got married in Jamaica and the spouses both had a child that wasn't from them.......
and the guys tried like heck to get the spouses and the kids into the USA for (3 years for one and 2 years for the other guy) and they both always got denied.......
and one of the guys tried another route afterwards and he's still paying for it today........
and the biggest problem is the affidavit of support.......you need a sizeable net worth to make it happen when children are involved....
an affidavit of support is legally enforceable; the sponsor's responsibility usually lasts until the main family member can be credited with 40 quarters of work (usually 10 years).
so you are on the hook for ten years if things don't work out......it can become quite costly if it doesn't work out plus going to court etc is no fun.....quite a mess

With doing a K1 they can not work right away and there is a possiblity that you will all will have to go through an entire interview all over again some couples do some do not.

there is no holdup on working for my spouse when wi did the K1.....
the US government must like them working right off cause it's more tax revenue.......lol

IIf you decide to do the CR1 (get married there) once he has the interview and gets approved as soon as your spouse gets here he can get his social security and look for a job and start work...

there is just as much work for a CR1 if not more than a K-1 on the US end.........
the K-1 is the streamlined process and that is why we and most people take that route.....it's less work....

as mi said......mi have been der and done that......and it's not for the light hearted......

Cool Runnings, Marko

[Marko]

Thanks so much for all the feedback I really really appreciate it. I probably should have elaborated a little more when first posting my question...meaning give a little more background about my situation - for example I should mention neither of us have ever been married and neither of us have any children.

At this point I am really just trying to get educated about the options so we can do what works best for our individual situation.
Thanks again everyone!!

these questions are great for someone on the Jamaican end of things.......
most on here will be experiences from the American end of things......
unfortunately you get a lot of people giving advice that have never been thru the process thus you get a lot of bad info.....
best to consulate an immigration attorney........be money well spent.......

Cool Runnings, Marko

[Stacey]

LOL Gerryg123! And here I was thinkin one time wasn't even a possibility

[Marko]

LOL Gerryg123! And here I was thinkin one time wasn't even a possibility

gerry123456789 gets married every reach..........lol

Cool Runnings, Marko

[Stacey]

gerry123456789 gets married every reach..........lol

Cool Runnings, Marko

Ha Ha Ha ....Too Funny!! Come to think of it, maybe I was better off clueless

[Smokin Kevan]

gerryg123...gerryg123...gerryg123!!!! Twice???? Myyyy brotha!

[Sexybutterflyatl]

I know of three couples where the man had kids buy other women and did not get denied at all and they filed for there kids and brought there kids to the states....Also to each is own i know a few couples that stated they wished that would have did the CR1 instead of the K1...For my family members that did the K1 there spouse could not work right away not until they got there social security card...No one stated it was less work!!!..I stated that i have know people state the time frame from start to finish was different..

[SweetSue]

(Ms. soon to be Mrs.) Sweetness is probably your best resource in this as she has been thru the whole process. However, I have been told it is actually faster to get the K-1 Fiancee visa than to apply for a spouse. It would probably not be good to marry someone only to find you can't get them home with you or if you do, to find that they just can't make the change. The K-1 lets you explore all of those options safely. Long distance romance is never easy but it's not impossible either.

BEST OF LUCK TO YOU! May Love conquer all obstacles for you.