Questions about marrying internationally from US to China?

[johnathandoe]

Hi, I am planning on marrying. I am in the US and she is in China in a city outside of Beijing. I want to bring her to live in the US though we may live in China later. I am looking into all of this and would be so happy if you could help me out here with some questions I have and if so THANKS so much. I love her and we have already been engaged it is now a matter of time, money, and procedure and I pray it all works out.

1. What are all the steps that I have to take in order to marry her?

2. What will each of these things cost?

3. How long will each of these things take?

4. I think there are different ways that one can do this? What is the best way? For instance is it better to marry in the US or China? Like which will take less time or be cheaper? I think I read something about getting a fiance visa or something and marrying in the US and it being fast. Maybe instead of marrying in China and then having to wait for her to come just marry in US instead and save a trip.

5. If there are any other important things I have left out please let me know. Maybe there are essential cultural things. Websites to study. Or maybe I can teach English over there for a while.

[imron]

I can't help with your queries specifically, however you might consider checking out the website http://www.candleforlove.com which contains a lot of useful information regarding these things.

[Erbse]

The most expensive thing is probably the wedding party in China. You should spend as much as You can afford on this one. Compared with this item all other costs will be of minor importance.

[simonlaing]

the wedding party will be offset by about 60-80% by the red bags of money that you will recieve from her family and your family (if you so wish) .

You should look into this, as if you want to move to the states pretty soon it may be better to do a fiance' visa as it will be smoother doing paper work in the states. US visa and green card issues can take awhile. The candle for love website is a good resource.

The status of your bride to be will change (visa -wise) when you get married so look into the ramifications before you make the plunge. (it is possible to get visitor visas once married, but if you're in the middle of a green card application it can be tricky...)

(most people I think opt for the fiance' visa route and then get married in the US and come back for a short visit for the chinese wedding later)(this may be also due to many people thinking the US is better for having kids...)

good luck,

simon:)

[atsherrill]

If you're willing to get married and live in China for a little while, the visa application process might actually turn out to be shorter than just waiting for her to go to the US. If you're already married by the time you begin the visa process and you're traveling together, I'd expect you'd have fewer hassles from Homeland Security. Besides, there are many benefits to living in China and getting to know her family. Understanding the culture of your finance will help later on in your married life.

[johnathandoe]

Atsherill,

you mean get married in China and then apply for a US fiancee visa or a US spouse visa?

If I got married in China would I have to get a Chinese fiancee visa for myself?

I do plan on going over there and visiting for a while since I have to do that before I can apply for a US fiancee visa anyways.

So, maybe since I am already going to visit I may as well get married while I am there during the visit if what you say is true that if I get married there the visa process will be faster?