issues with having a fiancee from a latin american country??

[Old Dominion 26]

Yes, good luck! If you pay attention to the details and so does she, it will all come together in due time. Just do everything you can to prove this is a bona fide engagement with intent to marry. Telling someone you talked on the phone only ten minutes and then spent a holiday together isn't the same as getting to know her in her hometown environment, with family and friends. Holidays are fun but usually a bit unreal, in the eyes of a skeptic.

[rraypo 3]

Hi, Columbia is a pretty easy place to deal with. Trust me, many other places, China for example are much more difficult. You will have nothing extra to take care of, only the usual.

In talking about your financials, our government is strict, right to the end. If you are close, get a co-sponser from the start. Write if I can help. I have helped several guys from a few different countries. Ray

Hey all, I am a first time poster here and just wanted to say thank you for all the information on this site, it is truly amazing. I am 25 years old, living in California and my girlfriend (soon to be fiancee)is living in Colombia. We started off by the internet and met in peru about two weeks ago and all went PERFECT! We really are in love with each other Anyways, I was wondering if there are any posters here that have got married with someone from Latin America and if they had received delays in the process because of extra background checks or whatever. My girlfriend is from Colombia so I am worried that they will really be hard on us throughout the whole process of her becoming my wife. I am also wondering how important the income part is of getting the visa because I have enough for the process, that is no problem, but for the adjusted gross on my tax return could be a problem. I have financial stability, and know I can provide for my girlfriend, but I only make about $15000 a year. I am a little worried that that is not enough to become a sponsor for her..if anyone has any more information for me, please let me know! Thank you so much, and sorry for the general questions, I am just getting started on the process and learning more and more everyday so I hope you all can bear with me hehe

[luckytxn 2,265]

Parent as a co-sponsor certainly will take care of the income red flag that I mentioned.

We went through the process from a high fraud country (Vietnam) where you really need to show that it's a legitimate relationship. Multiple visits are a BIG help there. Hopefully you won't have to endure all that scrutiny.

The folks going through K1 from Columbia can give you the best advice.

Best of luck. Don't let the process get you down. Remember the big picture - getting your loved one here with you. All the work is worth it!

True about Vietnam. I was one of the lucky ones that only went and visited my fiancee one time and got our visa.

[xelance 31]

Thank you all again for the help...so now with that information, I have one question...would the time that I file this petition affect my case? Should I wait a little longer to make it more "valid" in the eyes of an immigration officer or do you think that I can start the process right away? I got back from peru on January 24th, so it has only been a couple weeks since I made the decision to ask her to marry me.

[luckytxn 2,265]

Apeters. No one but yourself can make that decision. Do you feel ready? Do you think you can get the visa successfully? If so go for it.

We really know very little about everything We just know that you met her in the last two years and that is a requirement. You will need a cosponsor. That is rough but can be overcome. Do you or did you save documention? Very important. Will you be able to show lots of ongoing relationship?

[Brent and Paola 0]

income I can deal with...I can have my mom help to co sponsor, but marriage soon after first face to face? You think that will really pose an issue? You think I have to wait longer to start the process, or you think I need to go visit again?? She is from Colombia, thats a big issue...is not exactly the safest for us gringos haha. Any suggestions on that?

I understand you´ve heard scary news about Colombia but if she is inviting you to come and visit her is because she really knows it will be safe for you. Come and visit her, meet her parents "maybe it is important to her", and by the way give yourself the chance to get to know the beautiful things her country has...and you will definitely change your mind about Colombia as many foreing people have already done.... If it makes you feel better, my fiance can write you an e-mail about how was his experience getting to know Bogota... Be positive and I hope you make up your mind soon...

[xelance 31]

well yes we have passport stamps from peru, a return ticket LIMA-BOGOTA ( I flew from LAX-BOG then BOG -LIMA, and well I have the ticket from lima-bogota but no other tickets ) , my itinerary, photos of us together, emails, phone calls, tour group information that shows us together, hotel receipts, etc. I think I have all my things in order, but have more investigation to go for sure...need to make sure im all set and ready, and at this point I feel confident with what I have.

[Anh map 2,098]

Parent as a co-sponsor certainly will take care of the income red flag that I mentioned.

We went through the process from a high fraud country (Vietnam) where you really need to show that it's a legitimate relationship. Multiple visits are a BIG help there. Hopefully you won't have to endure all that scrutiny.

The folks going through K1 from Columbia can give you the best advice.

Best of luck. Don't let the process get you down. Remember the big picture - getting your loved one here with you. All the work is worth it!

True about Vietnam. I was one of the lucky ones that only went and visited my fiancee one time and got our visa.

Must be a Texas thing, huh?? LOL

[luckytxn 2,265]

Great to hear Apeters but go find out how the embassy handles the cosponsor in Columbia first. In Vietnam they will not accept but I am sure they do in Columbia. It will be best if you check out things a tad more to be sure. It sounds like you have it though.

[Brad and Vika 129]

One visit during the last two years is technically enough, but the more time you have together and the more documentation the better. It really doesn't matter what country you were visiting together or anything like that. The best thing would be pics of you with her family and friends, showing the growth of the relationship past the point-and-click.

If the tourist visa was turned down at the consular officers option, rather than for some legal reason it won't hurt either. If, on the other hand the stamp in her passport is coded as fraud, or potential fraud (called a hard or soft hit in the US State Department computer database) or something criminal, then your petition will be denied unless you can get the entry removed. Check out carefully what her passport says, and ask some one from the embassy what the code (if any) on the stamp means.

[luckytxn 2,265]

Parent as a co-sponsor certainly will take care of the income red flag that I mentioned.

We went through the process from a high fraud country (Vietnam) where you really need to show that it's a legitimate relationship. Multiple visits are a BIG help there. Hopefully you won't have to endure all that scrutiny.

The folks going through K1 from Columbia can give you the best advice.

Best of luck. Don't let the process get you down. Remember the big picture - getting your loved one here with you. All the work is worth it!

True about Vietnam. I was one of the lucky ones that only went and visited my fiancee one time and got our visa.

Must be a Texas thing, huh?? LOL

LOL. Have no idea why but that reason is good as any.

[inGODShands 0]

SCREW YOU!!!

I wasn't even talking or asking for your opinion! Don't you DARE sit there and act like you know me & our story!!!! You don't know #######!!! I was giving that person some FACTS about other people who have been in the same situation and were approved!!!!! You know what??? I'm not going to bother wasting my time on you, nor would I wish you anything bad because I'm not like that. May GOD forgive you for being such a JERK!!!

TONS OF PEOPLE go through the K-1 Visa process and get approved all the time & they've done it with just one visit. Some people on here like to talk trash and be negative ALL THE TIME. I've seen it happen on here many, MANY times before, so DON'T WORRY! As long as you have proof of a bonafide relationship, you'll be just fine! Make sure to SAVE EVERYTHING & keep copies of anything showing proof that your relationship is real like pics, reciepts, e-mails, letters, phone bills, airline tickets/itineraries, passport stamps, etc. They just need PROOF, and you'll be fine! PLEASE don't take EVERYONE'S words on here as final because some people on here can be really discouraging. Anyway, just remember to work on showing A LOT of proof of a bonafide relationship, & you'll be just fine. I wish you the best of luck on your K-1 journey. I hope you & your fiancee are together again soon. May God bless you both with a marriage FULL of HAPPINESS & LOVE!!!!

Well thank you for your help, we actually did not meet on an online dating place...we met on a game called second life and built a relationship from there. If they even take this into consideration or even know what second life is, welll that beats me. I just really do not want to have to wait all this time and then be denied of it, that would be terrible..but we have all photos from the trip, itinerary, documents stating we were together, and you still think that is not sufficient?? Havent they ever heard of love at first sight? is a little hard to take vacations when you need to work everyday! So the majority of the people here think I need to go see her in Colombia or can I start filing this I 129F right away (of course with her needed documents)?

Unless I missed something, you have been waiting for USCIS approval quite a time. So how can you be so reassuring that it's just a piece of cake after one meeting??

Edited February 8, 2009 by inGODShands

[inGODShands 0]

Thank you for your response. At least SOMEONE has common sense enough to know that nowhere was I saying this process is a piece of cake!!! It's anything BUT that! Anyway, that guy is a jerk! I was just giving the original poster advice based on people I know and things I've seen from other people who are regulars here on this site. Thank you for everything. We're still within our timeframe, and have been touched a lot lately, so God-willing we'll hear some good news soon. May GOD bless you & your loved one with a life full of happiness & love. Once again.... THANKS!

TONS OF PEOPLE go through the K-1 Visa process and get approved all the time & they've done it with just one visit. Some people on here like to talk trash and be negative ALL THE TIME. I've seen it happen on here many, MANY times before, so DON'T WORRY! As long as you have proof of a bonafide relationship, you'll be just fine! Make sure to SAVE EVERYTHING & keep copies of anything showing proof that your relationship is real like pics, reciepts, e-mails, letters, phone bills, airline tickets/itineraries, passport stamps, etc. They just need PROOF, and you'll be fine! PLEASE don't take EVERYONE'S words on here as final because some people on here can be really discouraging. Anyway, just remember to work on showing A LOT of proof of a bonafide relationship, & you'll be just fine. I wish you the best of luck on your K-1 journey. I hope you & your fiancee are together again soon. May God bless you both with a marriage FULL of HAPPINESS & LOVE!!!!

Well thank you for your help, we actually did not meet on an online dating place...we met on a game called second life and built a relationship from there. If they even take this into consideration or even know what second life is, welll that beats me. I just really do not want to have to wait all this time and then be denied of it, that would be terrible..but we have all photos from the trip, itinerary, documents stating we were together, and you still think that is not sufficient?? Havent they ever heard of love at first sight? is a little hard to take vacations when you need to work everyday! So the majority of the people here think I need to go see her in Colombia or can I start filing this I 129F right away (of course with her needed documents)?

Unless I missed something, you have been waiting for USCIS approval quite a time. So how can you be so reassuring that it's just a piece of cake after one meeting??

Why must you attack her? Her profile says:

Based on timeline data, your I129f may be adjudicated between January 26, 2009 and February 8, 2009*.

She is still within her time, and she has been touched Feburary 5 and 6, surely her NOA2 is coming. Plus, there is nowhere on her information that says she and her SO only met once, she was just encouraging the OP that she has seen others get their approval after just one meeting. That is, after all, all the K-1 visa app requires. Another international visit could entail A LOT of cost and wait time for the OP, so he was just getting opinions. Jeez, lay off

To the OP, another idea is planning a visit and including your flight receipt in with your K-1 petition, which is what I did. We had only met once before applying but I had already booked another flight to see him. Good luck!

[luckytxn 2,265]

Well so much for being a Texas thing. Yeesh.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Hey all, I am a first time poster here and just wanted to say thank you for all the information on this site, it is truly amazing. I am 25 years old, living in California and my girlfriend (soon to be fiancee)is living in Colombia. We started off by the internet and met in peru about two weeks ago and all went PERFECT! We really are in love with each other Anyways, I was wondering if there are any posters here that have got married with someone from Latin America and if they had received delays in the process because of extra background checks or whatever. My girlfriend is from Colombia so I am worried that they will really be hard on us throughout the whole process of her becoming my wife. I am also wondering how important the income part is of getting the visa because I have enough for the process, that is no problem, but for the adjusted gross on my tax return could be a problem. I have financial stability, and know I can provide for my girlfriend, but I only make about $15000 a year. I am a little worried that that is not enough to become a sponsor for her..if anyone has any more information for me, please let me know! Thank you so much, and sorry for the general questions, I am just getting started on the process and learning more and more everyday so I hope you all can bear with me hehe

Well the main "problem" you will face with a fiancee from a Latin American country is that there is almost ZERO chance she is Ukrainian.

The income part is crucial and absolutely must be met. Your adjusted gross is not used. They determine your eligibility by your GROSS income. Even if you do not need to, use form 1040 to file your taxes. Forget the short form for this year.

$15,000 is not enough. For a family of two you will need in the neighborhood of $20,000 per year, maybe more. New guidelines come out March 1. The Obama administration, which needs people in poverty to need the Obama administration, so more money can be confiscated from those of us that earn quite a bit more than $15,000, will likely raise the poverty guidelines quite a bit. And just when you thought you were "financially stable!"

So check in after March 1. IF your GROSS income, line 22 on the 1040, is not more than 125% of the guidelines, you will need a co-sponsor