Thx in advance for your time and input ..

My Thai Fiancee is currently working as a staff manager on a cruise line, with home port currently in Florida. She only has a US work visa, and resides on the boat...but is able to legally spend each weekend day ashore (shore pass), while the boat is in the port (its a 7 day jaunt each time).

We are considering getting married (simple civil ceremony) one weekend while she is ashore, and get a US marriage certificate. Then, with that, we will apply for the CR-1 visa. I see this opportunity as an advantage--as we really are aiming at going the CR-1 visa route. However, perhaps there are items that I am overlooking. For example, I underestand that she cannot have her status legally adjusted currently, here in the US--as she is a ship crewmember, and only has a us work visa. In any event---do we need to have her status legally changed BEFORE we apply for the CR1? Or can/does she do that once she returns to Bangkok? Quite simply, is the US marriage certificate alone enough for applying for the CR1 visa? Her contract with the ship line ends in June--when she will return to Bangkok. I am working on getting the Florida wedding license.

Or maybe she doesnt even have the legal right to get married in the US? Since she is not a Us citizen or only has a work visa--and is not legally able to spend much time ashore in the US--aside from the day shore pass that is issued to her each Saturday. I clearly do not want to leap thru bounds only to come to a dead end..and find out that the K1 route is the only available option in the end. Does her last name have to be the same as mine when we apply for CR1?

Many thanks and regards ..

Thx in advance for your time and input ..

My Thai Fiancee is currently working as a staff manager on a cruise line, with home port currently in Florida. She only has a US work visa, and resides on the boat...but is able to legally spend each weekend day ashore (shore pass), while the boat is in the port (its a 7 day jaunt each time).

We are considering getting married (simple civil ceremony) one weekend while she is ashore, and get a US marriage certificate. Then, with that, we will apply for the CR-1 visa. I see this opportunity as an advantage--as we really are aiming at going the CR-1 visa route. However, perhaps there are items that I am overlooking. For example, I underestand that she cannot have her status legally adjusted currently, here in the US--as she is a ship crewmember, and only has a us work visa. In any event---do we need to have her status legally changed BEFORE we apply for the CR1? Or can/does she do that once she returns to Bangkok? Quite simply, is the US marriage certificate alone enough for applying for the CR1 visa? Her contract with the ship line ends in June--when she will return to Bangkok. I am working on getting the Florida wedding license.

Or maybe she doesnt even have the legal right to get married in the US? Since she is not a Us citizen or only has a work visa--and is not legally able to spend much time ashore in the US--aside from the day shore pass that is issued to her each Saturday. I clearly do not want to leap thru bounds only to come to a dead end..and find out that the K1 route is the only available option in the end. Does her last name have to be the same as mine when we apply for CR1?

Many thanks and regards ..

Do a google for: CR1 visa

Lots of hits there. And I think just about anyone can get married in the U.S. these days, just need to meet your particular State's requirements for a marriage license. How about getting the form from your local courhouse and checking it over.

Mac

I would check with a lawyer, you bring up some valid concerns.