Engaged in China or get married in China

[Stevens68]

I have a girlfriend in Xi'an. We worked together at Maple School. I worked there for six months and she was my assistant in many cases.

 

I have been watching this site and copying many of the posts.

 

Can someone tell me if it is better to get engaged in China, then bring her to the U.S. when she gets her visa? Or is it better to get married in China and stay with her until she gets her visa? I want to marry her in China.

 

What I need here is an outline of of the steps I need to take if I marry her in China. What forms to use and the timeline?

 

Thanks so much.

 

Steven

Oregon

[dnoblett]

Cost wise is much less expensive to marry there and then apply for a spousal CR-1 visa than to apply for a K-1 visa and marry in the USA. CR-1 is about $1000 less than a K-1 for fees.

Lately CR-1 is not much longer to get than a K-1.

 

You are not required to wait in China for the visa, many make a couple trips to visit spouse or fiancee while the petition is being processed.

 

As for a guide, the FAQ has what you need.

 

http://candleforlove.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=19303&view=findpost&p=233487

 

http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1guide

 

http://www.visajourney.com/content/i130guide1

[Ryan H]

Before you marry, you will have to first obtain a affidavit of single/non-married status. There are two ways to do it:

 

1) Go to the Embassy in Beijing or any Consulate elswhere in China and:

You can get this document at the Embassy by swearing or affirming before a Consul that you are legally free to marry. You must make an appointment to get this affidavit and there is a $50 charge.

 

OR

 

2) You can get it done stateside before you go over, this link from the China Consulate in San Francisco shows how. I posted the SF Consulate link as that is the Consulate that has jurisdiction for the State of Oregon:

Procedure for obtaining a single/non-marital status certificate, China Consulate in SF

 

Good luck and best wishes!

[warpedbored]

First off, welcome to CFL. You found the best place on the web for visa information as it pertains to China. You mentioned working in China. Do you have a visa that allows you to live and work there? You also mentioned waiting for the visa with her in China. You may be eligible DCF (Direct Conular Filing) This is the fastest of all visas because you file directily with the consulate. Wait time is about 6 months.