What type of visa do I need to apply for as USA citizen to marry my fiance in India?
laluna7580 asked:
I am a USA citizen who lives here now. I am planning on traveling to Bangalore, India to marry my fiance who lives in India.
What type of visa would you recommend I apply for so I don’t have to leave India or deal with multiple entry after marrying him? We plan to live in India for a long while and we don’t want to separate after marriage. I have tried to contact the India Consulate in New York which is the closest to me, but they are horrendous and cannot reach anyone on the phone. Also, what about dual citizenship? How does that work out? Right now I am very stressed due to wedding plans, visa info etc. I have my passport, but want to move to step B … but can’t get any answers. Any recommendations or suggestions would be great. Thanks!
Luna
I am a USA citizen who lives here now. I am planning on traveling to Bangalore, India to marry my fiance who lives in India.
What type of visa would you recommend I apply for so I don’t have to leave India or deal with multiple entry after marrying him? We plan to live in India for a long while and we don’t want to separate after marriage. I have tried to contact the India Consulate in New York which is the closest to me, but they are horrendous and cannot reach anyone on the phone. Also, what about dual citizenship? How does that work out? Right now I am very stressed due to wedding plans, visa info etc. I have my passport, but want to move to step B … but can’t get any answers. Any recommendations or suggestions would be great. Thanks!
Luna
You need to go in person to the Indian Embassy in New York. Also, after you stay there a couple years IF you want to return here with him THEN you need to file a petition for alien relative (your spouse) BUT you have to show adequate income, so hope you make a few rupees while there. Of course you can always return here by yourself.
It might be easier for your fiancee or someone in India to get information. You can contact the US State Dept to see if they have information on how to best get your documentation in order.
Here’s a copy of the visa information posted on the India Consul General’s website:
If you are of Indian origin, I suggest you apply for OCI. It is not truly dual citizenship, but it will give you the ability to go to India as you please and stay as long as you want.
You need to file for an I 130 and an I 485 concurrently. This process will cost a pretty penny so plan on close to 2,000 dollars without an attorney. It also will probably take close to a year before he could get an immigration date in the US and I would plan on that first since our laws are prone to change, unless you plan on being in India permenently in which case you need to find out what India has to say about the immigration laws in their country and their restrictions on derivitive status from marriage.