Crossing Continents for Love: How to Marry Someone from Another Country?

International marriages have become a pretty common thing over the years. Undoubtedly, you have a friend or two who tied the knot with a foreigner and are sure that this is the best decision they ever made. And that is true. Hundreds of people find their true love overseas and end up marrying someone from another country. As more men and women all over the world are getting interested to learn more about the procedure, requirements, cost, and more, we gathered all the important information that will be useful for you.  

Let’s start by getting a general understanding of international marriages, their pros and cons and then move on to legal procedures worldwide.

Reasons for People to Marry Someone From a Different Country

It often happens that people can’t find the right person in their own hometown and start to think outside the box. They decide to travel, explore different countries, and all of a sudden, meet their soulmate there. However, more frequently, love stories start online, on social media or on dating websites. So, one of the main reasons is just destiny. People realise that we have much more in common despite all the cultural differences and language barriers. They click with someone who shares their values, beliefs and has similar goals. Eventually, couples decide to break the distance and stick together. 

The second reason for marrying a foreigner is the will to fully experience another country and merge with its nation. Some people have a passion for specific cultures and can really relate to them. At times, more than to their own. So they look for friendships within particular nations and build strong connections in the community. 

There is also a more practical side to it. Sometimes people feel more comfortable and safer with foreigners who are friendlier and open-minded. For instance, LGBTQ+ men and women may want to leave their hometowns as the local traditions don't allow them to be free and fully themselves. The same reasons might have people who come from poor countries or places where wars happen. 

Also, some may want to get a more powerful passport that gives more travel freedom. These are among the dangers of marrying a foreigner. But they are quite easy to avoid. Just don’t rush with marriage and actually get to know the person before moving to the next step.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Marrying Someone From Another Country

The world encourages people to do all for love, and we definitely support this idea. But there is a lot to think about. You should stay reasonable and take both advantages and disadvantages of it into consideration.

Advantages:

• Being together with the love of your life. A long-distance relationship is hard, so once you are done with legalities, you can finally relax and enjoy everything that’s coming;
• Exploring a different culture. After you marry an immigrant, you will not spend time with your spouse only but also with their family and friends. So you will fully immerse yourself in the new environment; 
• Learning a new language. You will be in a new country and environment, which give you an amazing opportunity to learn the local language or at least pick up some basics.

Disadvantages:

• Saying goodbye to your past. If you are the one who is moving to a new place, you will have to leave your family and friends behind. Even though you will definitely find new connections, adaptation might take time;
• Nerve-racking, expensive and time-consuming legal process. It takes a lot of effort and time to finish all the steps. Even though it varies from country to country, legalities, on average, may take around a year, and application is not cheap;
• Misunderstanding. As you come from different cultures and don’t speak one language, you should expect it to happen a lot. 

Everything You Need to Know Before Marrying Someone From Another Country

So, can you marry someone from another country? Technically, the answer is yes. But are you ready to dedicate all the time and give the effort it needs? It’s a long process and not as easy as tying the knot with someone of your own nationality, so let’s get to the details. International marriages are especially popular in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and the US. Therefore, here’s some useful information about the first three, and the latter we will discuss in a separate chapter below.

To begin with, the process unfolds similarly in these three countries. The journey always starts with the websites of marriage agencies. Those are mostly not free, so you’ll need to pay for a subscription or get some credits for messaging. On these websites, you can find hundreds of profiles of single men and women, both straight and gay, as the majority of them are LGBTQ+ friendly, from different nations. We recommend picking the one whose mentality and outlook are similar to yours. In this case, you would be able to get along with the potential partner faster and minimise misunderstanding. Of course, because you have drastically different cultural backgrounds, those situations will still take place, but you will get on better from the beginning. Also, pay attention to their values in life, goals, and beliefs as it is an important fundamental for the future. 

Later on, if you feel the right vibe, you can pass the first stage of chatting and move on to calls and video calls. Afterwards, you discuss meeting in person with your potential life partner and eventually get to the proposal. This is when things become serious, and you can invite your significant other to your country – the stage follows a similar pattern across all four countries. So if you actually decide to get married to your partner after that, you will have to go through a long and time-consuming journey ahead, but in the end, it will be definitely worth it.

Now, let’s take a closer look at the subsequent steps on how to marry someone from another country in each case.

The United Kingdom

Type of visa: marriage visitor visa

Requirements: 

• real relationship;
• to be over 18; 
• be able to get married within half a year after entering the UK and leave after visa expiration;
• have enough funding for the trip or a sponsor;
• plan to pursue additional activity in the UK and have proof.

Time limit and extension: 6 months with no right to extend;

Changing visa in the country: no;

Visa cost: $126

How long the process takes: 30 working days;

Notes: if your wife plans to stay in the UK, they should initially apply for a fiance visa which offers an opportunity to apply for citizenship after a year.

Canada 

Type of visa: via spousal sponsorship category only, as there’s no specific visa for it;

Requirements for sponsors:

• to be over 18; 
• own Canadian citizenship or residence;
• not have social assistance (disability is an exception) and have proof;
• provide basic needs for your spouse, children and have proof.

Time limit and extension: 3 years, can apply for the additional 18-month extension of their open work permit;

Visa cost: $813;

How long the process takes: a year and 2-5 months.

Australia

Type of visa: prospective marriage visa

Requirements for spouse:

• to be over 18 (just like in Western countries); 
• have a sponsor who owns Australian citizenship or residence;
• get married before the expiration of visa;
• be in another country at the time of application.

Time limit and extension: 9-15 months 

Visa cost: $5,000

How long the process takes: ranging from 7 months to 2,5 years.

Notes: there’s also a partner visa for those couples who are already married (costs $5,500, 3 months to one year and 9 months.

All additional information can be found on the governmental websites. They also provide a complete list of documentation required and application details for both spouses. 

Now, let’s talk about marriage to a non-US citizen and its peculiarities.

The Procedure for Marrying a Non-U.S. Citizen

The requirements and laws about how to marry a foreigner vary depending on where exactly you and your significant other are residing at the moment of application. Here are the three categories for it.

Both Partners Are Present in the United States

Marrying a non-citizen in the US in this scenario is not complicated compared to others but only in the very beginning. As your significant other is already in America, they must have some sort of a visa, whether it’s for studying or for work. So, you will need to apply for adjustment status to get a green card or an immigrant visa for them. There are two key steps to take: first, get married, and then register the marriage with the county or state officials.

Note that you will have 90 so-called trial days during which USCIS representatives will determine if the marriage is legit or fraudulent. Meantime, your future spouse can’t look for employment, apply to a school or anything else that will affect their status.

If officers determine that your relationships are not real, it may result in deportation for an immigrant and jail time for a U.S. citizen or resident.

Both Partners Are Not Present in the United States

There are two options. First, you can apply for a K-1, also known as a fiancé(e) visa, so you both can come to the U.S. and marry. Your spouse will get a green card. 

The second option is to fill out forms DS-160 (nonimmigrant visa) and l-130 (Petition for Alien Relative), but then your spouse will still need to do a green card interview. The whole process might take too long and doesn’t guarantee any results, though.

You’re in the United States, but Your Future Spouse Isn’t

Marriage in the U.S. to a non-citizen can only be possible after they get a visa, and there are two options to do it. First, you need to tie the knot somewhere abroad. Then your spouse will book an appointment at the local embassy of America to get a green card.

The second option is to get a K-1 visa. This will allow your future life partner to come to the U.S. and get married. Afterwards, they can change their visa to a green card. Note that you have had to meet our spouse at least once during the last two years for the application to be approved. 

List of Requirements You Have to Meet to Marry a Foreigner

Yes, there’s a list of requirements not only for a foreigner. U.S. citizens or residents need to meet certain criteria as well to marry an immigrant, but they are pretty simple.

The list:

• You have to be either a U.S. citizen but can live outside the country, a green card holder, or a permanent resident;
• You have to be eligible for marriage based on the law of your state. For example, in some states, people can form a union once they reach 18, but in others, they need to be at least 21;
• Not to be already married at the moment of your application.

If your future spouse applies for a green card, you will need to have the financial ability to support them as per the immigration law of 1996. In order to marry a non-U.S. citizen, you need to complete a Form I-864 Affidavit of Support, which serves as a promise to the government that you ensure financial backing for your spouse for around ten years even if you divorce during this period of time. 

The support you provide has to be above the U.S. Poverty Guidelines. It is the same for the 48 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and depends on sponsor’s household size. For instance, if you are a family of two, the guideline would be around $20,000. For Alaska, it is approximately $25,000, and for Hawaii – $23,000.

How Long Does It Take to Marry a Non-U.S. Citizen?

The timings of the process may differ based on your status and the status of your future spouse. Overall, it may take between a year and 2,5 years because the procedure of marrying a non-U.S. citizen also requires the appropriate paperwork and consists of several steps. To be brief, after preparing all the documentation, you need to schedule an interview and do a naturalisation test, both of which have a long waitlist. And only after living in the U.S. as a permanent resident for three full years can they apply for citizenship.

However, if we’re talking about green cards only to start with, the timing depends on whether you are a permanent resident yourself, a citizen, and where you live at the moment of application.

For a U.S. citizen who permanently lives in America, the full process might take 2 years and 8 months. But if you are a citizen who lives abroad, you can shorten the procedure to between 11 months and almost 1,5 years, which tends to be the fastest way. For green card holders, timings are the other way around. If they live in the U.S., it might take between 2 years and 4 months, and around 3 years. But if they reside outside the country, marrying a non-U.S. citizen can take between 2 years and 4 months, and almost 4 years.

How Much Will It Cost Me to Marry a Foreigner?

Weddings in the United States themselves are considered a luxury, and the price is going up every year. For more context, the average ceremony in 2021 cost was $28,000 and then raised to $30,000 just the next year. Interestingly enough, the most expensive state to hold a wedding in became New Jersey, with $51,000, followed by New York and Massachusetts (both $46,000). The cheapest were in Kansas, Oklahoma and Utah, with an average of $16,000. All prices don’t include a ring which will cost you around $6,000.

An average price of a common wedding in 2022 according to The Knot's 2022 Real Weddings Study:

• Renting a venue – $11,000;
• Transportation – $1,000;
• Attire or a dress – $1,900;
• Hair and makeup – $250;
• Event planner – $1,900;
• Florist – $2,400;
• Photographer – $2,600;
• Videographer – $2,100;
• Rehearsal dinner – $2,400;
• Wedding cake – $510;
• Catering – 75$ per person;
• Live band – $3,900;
• Reception DJ – $1,500;
• Invitations – $510;
• Favours – $440.

But as you are determined to marry someone from another country, you should also consider all the expenses that will be related to the documentation needed for visa application and all the governmental fees if they are residing not in America. The cost will vary from $1,300 to $1,800. Plus, an extra $200 for a mandatory green card medical exam. Also, if you want to hire a lawyer who can help you with the whole paperwork or give advice, it will not be cheap either. 

There will be other expenses as well outside legalities. For instance, a plane ticket for your future spouse to come to the United States and, later on, tickets for her family to attend the ceremony. The price depends on which country they will travel from.

So, to answer your question about how much does it cost to marry a foreigner, we would say around $50,000. But you get to spend life with your true love, which we believe is definitely worth it.

Documents That You Need to Marry a Non-us Citizen

Whether you live in America or reside in any other country overseas, the list of required paperwork can differ. Also, it depends on your own status in the US, if you served in the military or were ever charged before.

So, here’s the list of obligatory documents to share if you are marrying an immigrant:

• Certificate of birth – it has your first and last names, date and place of birth and also some information about your parents. Usually, the government doesn’t request translation of the certificate, so it can be in any language;
• Certificate of marriage – a confirmation that your union is authentic. It is also required when you complete Form I-130. If you don’t have the certificate yet, don’t worry. You can reach out to lawyers who can help you with obtaining it;
• Documents regarding your finances and income – as we mentioned before, you will have to financially support your partner 10 years after you get married even if you will eventually divorce, so the government needs proof that you are capable of doing it. These documents include a personal bank statement, confirmation of extra income if you have it, and evidence of asset ownership or a valuation of a property;
• Proof of sponsor's U.S. citizenship or permanent residence – you have to be on the legal status in the U.S. yourself;
• Biographical and visa page of passport – if your spouse previously travelled to America to see you, a copy of that visa will come in handy and serve as a mark on the timeline of your relationships;
• A medical examination report – needs to be done before applying for a visa. You will have to find a licensed physician, or civil doctor, as they are often referred to;
• Criminal record check – a mandatory procedure that you will undergo to get a police clearance certificate. It will show whether you have a criminal history. You’ll have to request it from every country where you lived longer than half a year since you became 16.

Also, here are more of the documents that government might ask if you want to marry a non-US citizen (if applicable):

• Proof of legitimate U.S. entry and status – whoever enters the country gets Form I-94 as proof that they were checked at the border. It is quite easy to get from Customs and Border Protection website;
• Prior-marriage termination papers – if you and your potential partner were previously married, you have to prove that they are legally finalised. A death certificate, a decree of annulment, or a divorce decree are considered to be termination papers;
• Court, police, and prison records – they might significantly impact your spouse’s chances of obtaining a visa, so they should prepare proof of the incident if there is one;
• Military records – these are required from those people who were previously in the army of any nation, including the US. If your partner retired, was terminated for any reason, resigned, or have blemishes on their records, they will require supplementary documentation;
• Immigration violation records – your partner’s eligibility for the marriage visa depends on the reason for their deportation. This document can be requested from the court where the case was previously heard.

Note that your wife or husband will first get a conditional marriage green card which is given to an immigrant who has been married for less than two years. Only original documents are accepted for interviews, but some copies might also come in handy, which usually take 15-20 minutes (time may vary depending on the complexity of your case, though).

Why It Is Important to Protect Yourself When Marrying a Foreigner and How to Do It

Marriage with an American citizen continues to be the easiest way for foreigners to get U.S. residency or citizenship. Over the period of 1998 to 2007, more than 2,3 million people from different countries obtained permanent resident visas by following this path, the Center for Immigration Studies found out. Till now, these numbers just keep growing, and more and more people fall victim to fraud. Single middle-aged men are at risk as they are especially interesting for scammers. 

There are some red flags that you should pay attention to before getting married to an immigrant:

• Their focus is not on your relationships but primarily on a visa;
• They ask for big amounts of money;
• They want to get married as soon as possible.

Keep in mind that fraudulent marriage is considered an offense against federal law and may lead to 5 years of imprisonment or a $250,000 fine. In some cases, the penalty could be both. Especially severe consequences may be if you previously agreed to the scam for money or any other benefits. Your potential spouse will also have to take responsibility and will most likely be deported from the country. 

If you want to protect yourself from a fraudulent marriage, the best thing would be to keep your head cold and stay reasonable so you can see all the ulterior motives the person might have towards you. Obviously, there still might be some risk as those people might be pretty well-trained, but your cautiousness can help lower the chances for it to happen.

Another good option for protecting yourself in marriage with a foreigner would be a contract. It is pretty popular in Europe and can determine a lot of important things. For instance, property ownership, parents' rights on children in case of divorce, and inheritance. Make sure to discuss and cover all the crucial moments in your agreement before finalising it.

Conclusion

It is a natural step to tie the knot with your partner after you successfully pass the dating stage. Even though the beginning of your relationship might seem tough because of the kilometres that set you apart, getting your partner to your home country is a challenge, too. It takes a lot of time and money, but in the end, it is still worth all the effort. The most important thing is to find the right person whose intentions are pure and who truly cares about you. 

There is a lot to know before starting the application process for any spouse visa that we covered in this article. Whether you are in the United States, Australia, Canada, or the United Kingdom, remember the hardest part, which is the search for your soulmate, is done.

Before you go, here are some answers to the most popular questions about marriage with a foreigner.