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Married in Ireland, possible to go to US on holiday and stay?

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  • 16-05-2010 9:32am
    #1
    Kurosaki_
    Closed Accounts Posts: 24 ✭


    Hi everyone, I was wondering if it's possible for me and my fiance (she is American and in Ireland on holiday) to get married in Ireland and then I go over there on a holiday visa for 3 months, and request to have my status changed so that I can stay. The reason why we want to do it this way is because otherwise I would have to wait for everything to process while still staying in Ireland (heard that it takes between 3-7 months at least in California). Cheers :)


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    #2
    silja
    Registered Users Posts: 2,921 ✭✭✭silja


    No, doing what you are considering is illegal and may result in a lifetime ban.

    If the US citizen is in the USA then yes, a visa (fiancee or spousal) takes 6-8 months on average. But there is another, legal, option: If you get married here, assuming she is can reside in Ireland legally for 6 months, you can apply for a spousal visa via DCF (direct consular filing, ie the embassy does the paperwork rather than an office in the USA). I did this and it took 6 weeks. This also has the advantage of getting you a greencard as soon as you arrive in the USA, ie you can work, get a driving license etc.


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    #3
    Kurosaki_
    Closed Accounts Posts: 24 ✭Kurosaki_


    silja wrote: »
    No, doing what you are considering is illegal and may result in a lifetime ban.

    If the US citizen is in the USA then yes, a visa (fiancee or spousal) takes 6-8 months on average. But there is another, legal, option: If you get married here, assuming she is can reside in Ireland legally for 6 months, you can apply for a spousal visa via DCF (direct consular filing, ie the embassy does the paperwork rather than an office in the USA). I did this and it took 6 weeks. This also has the advantage of getting you a greencard as soon as you arrive in the USA, ie you can work, get a driving license etc.

    Oh thank you, what do we need to apply for then and how long will it take before she can live her? I work full time and can support her while she looks for a job (if she is allowed to get one after we get married).


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    #4
    silja
    Registered Users Posts: 2,921 ✭✭✭silja


    Things may have changed- we did this a couple of years ago-, but when my fiance (now husband) came to Ireland, he was allowed to enter as a tourist, and we got married 30 days later in the registry office in Dublin (there is a 30 day residency requirement). Next day, we went down to the Aliens Office on the quays with our marriage cert, passports and a bill in joint names, and my US husband got the Irish equivalent of agreencard, valid 10 years.

    Ring the US embassy (or even better, have the US citizen do it), I am sure they can tell you what is needed.


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    #5
    lonestargirl
    Registered Users Posts: 1,501 ✭✭✭lonestargirl


    There were changes to the law regarding marriage in Ireland in Nov 2007, you both need to give 3 months notice of the marriage together in person to the registry office (previously you could send a form in). I would advise contacting your local registrar and asking exactly what you would need in your situation. More details here.


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