Cyprus-Forum.com

[Lambrinoula]

QUESTION:

I am an American citizen and me and my Cypriot boyfriend want to get married. We both live in NYC right now and we heard that if we got married in Cyprus the paperwork would go through faster so that he can get his papers to become a legal citizen in America. We are going to be in Cyprus this summer and someone told us to do the political wedding here in the states and then take it to Cyprus to file it in the Embassy there rather than here, where it takes A LONG TIME.

Does anyone know anything about the process? I know that after we file the papers they call us back for an interview or something, I have no idea after how long usually.

IF ANYONE KNOWS ANYTHING ABOUT THIS PROCESS PLEASEEEE LET ME KNOW!!

THANKSSSSSSSSSSS FILAKIA

[cannedmoose]

Not sure how it works in the states mate, but my sister and brother-in-law went through a similar process for the UK (a few years ago, before Cyprus became an EU member).

They had a civil wedding in the UK before having their full religious wedding in Cyprus. Once they were married they filed the papers with the immigration service and had to attend an interview in London (basically I think this was to determine it was a real relationship rather than a sham marriage). After that he was given indefinite leave to remain in the country. From what I saw of the process, it was quite straightforward, but knowing the US immigration authorities it might be different across the pond.

Sorry I can't be of specific help, but good luck with things anyway. If you're going to have a religious wedding in Cyprus, you'll love it, it was the best experience of my life.

[coredump]

As far as I know it does not matter where you will get married. Anyway he will not become US citizen right after the marriage. He will get "conditional" green card and then after few years if everything ok he can apply for naturalization. You can find the extensive information about all necessary procedures at the official USCIS website: http://uscis.gov/