B1 or B2, which could be more likely, boyfriend visit from Chile

[ahowdy 0]

I'm from the US, currently living in Chile, and I'm trying to find a way for my Chilean boyfriend to visit my friends and family in the US. However, the situation is a bit complicated, and was wondering if anyone had any advice on which route to take. We would start the process right now with the K-1 visa, however he is still working through the divorce papers from a previous marriage. (Chile was the last country in the Americas to legalize divorce, and it's a long, cumberson process). If the ex is unwilling to sign, he has two more years to wait, living outside of the house, before the divorce will be official. So...that takes out any hope of official marriage, or visiting the US on a K-1 anytime soon. The second complication is, because of the previous marriage and knowing he was going to divorce, he had chosen not to register any property, vehicles, or animals (his family has a large cattle ranch) in his name. So, while he does have capital, it appears on paper that he has nothing, and receives the minimum salary in Chile (about $400/mo USD). With that in mind, what are the possibilites of him being given a tourist visa? I'm not sure if any of that is sufficient to prove that he will return to Chile. He does have 2 kids, and is paying monthly child support, if that is in his favor. Another idea we had was that his dad (the owner of the estancia, about 4000 hectares or 10,000 acres, with cattle) could "sponser" his trip as a sort of business trip, he could attend a clinic or two on horses or feeding livestock, and combine that with some travel. But, he only speaks Spanish, so he'd also have to show how he would get any sort of clinic or course translated as well. However, taking the approach of business, instead of just a tourist, that might take the pressure off some of the personal questions, and give less doubt that he would return. Thoughts??? Any help is appreciated!

[Noah Lot 391]

given what you wrote, and your relationship, it appears that his chances would be low...low...low...no one 'needs' to come to the US to learn how to feed horses..so that excuse will fall flat...and owing child support might be a stronger reason for him to skip town (and country) to avoid having to pay..and Chile won't likely try to extradite him to appear in court to resolve that situation...plus a USC GF, etc, etc...however, as a few others have pointed out, his chances are zero if he does not apply. If it were me, I would not waste the $140.

[jaycali 415]

I'm generally a little more optimistic than Noah, and I really don't know anything about the embassy in Santiago, but I would advise you to apply at least. Don't try to make it look or seem like something it's not. It's simple, you both live in Chile, and you want your bf to meet your friends and family back home. The fact that his family owns property won't really help him much, but if they have money to support him it at least covers the finances.

The fact that he pays child support isn't really a tie to Chile, but having two kids there is.

There are no guarantees with these things, but his chances are zero if he doesn't apply.

I think it's always a good thing to keep in the back of your mind that the US spends millions of dollars each year promoting tourism to the US. The tourism industry is one of America's largest economic sectors and employers, and without it, the US would be bankrupt. The consulates know this, the CBP knows this.

Edited June 20, 2012 by jaejayC

[Noah Lot 391]

I'm generally a little more optimistic than Noah, and I really don't know anything about the embassy in Santiago, but I would advise you to apply at least. Don't try to make it look or seem like something it's not. It's simple, you both live in Chile, and you want your bf to meet your friends and family back home. The fact that his family owns property won't really help him much, but if they have money to support him it at least covers the finances.

The fact that he pays child support isn't really a tie to Chile, but having two kids there is.

There are no guarantees with these things, but his chances are zero if he doesn't apply.

I think it's always a good thing to keep in the back of your mind that the US spends millions of dollars each year promoting tourism to the US. The tourism industry is one of America's largest economic sectors and employers, and without it, the US would be bankrupt. The consulates know this, the CBP knows this.

CBP also knows that some parents who owe child support would like to cut 'that tie' and scamper off into the sunset....and really, the US of A is NOT the quintessential country in which one would travel to in order to learn how to shovel horse manure or stuff oats down their throats...

[ahowdy 0]

CBP also knows that some parents who owe child support would like to cut 'that tie' and scamper off into the sunset....and really, the US of A is NOT the quintessential country in which one would travel to in order to learn how to shovel horse manure or stuff oats down their throats...

Thanks for your ideas, Noah. I can see that the child support part of the equation could make this even more complicated. However, I do want to clarify, that there are legitimate reasons that someone in the horse/cattle industry would be interested in seeing how things are done in the US. There are many clinicians, for example, that give clinics on natural horsemanship and colt starting, ideas that are just starting to take on here, and there's a lot of interest, but no one to learn from down here.

I should also add that he's had the same employer, his dad, for the last 20 years. Does that help, in terms of showing reason to return? I'm staring the process of residency in Chile. If he has to talk about wanting to visit the US for his USC GF, and I have Chilean residency, that would help, too, I would assume?

[Anh map 2,098]

He's married with kids and has a job at home. He's coming to visit friends and do some sightseeing. No need to concoct some story about a seminar.

Mentioning a US girlfriend will be the kiss of death at the visa interview.

[Noah Lot 391]

Thanks for your ideas, Noah. I can see that the child support part of the equation could make this even more complicated. However, I do want to clarify, that there are legitimate reasons that someone in the horse/cattle industry would be interested in seeing how things are done in the US. There are many clinicians, for example, that give clinics on natural horsemanship and colt starting, ideas that are just starting to take on here, and there's a lot of interest, but no one to learn from down here.

I should also add that he's had the same employer, his dad, for the last 20 years. Does that help, in terms of showing reason to return? I'm staring the process of residency in Chile. If he has to talk about wanting to visit the US for his USC GF, and I have Chilean residency, that would help, too, I would assume?

feeding horses hay and oats is the same worldwide....there is nothing special about the way horses are fed in the US compared to Chile that might justify some 'training' opportunity....that would sound as silly as it is...the US is not the pinnacle country as far as how to care for horses....

[chilegringa 0]

My Chilean husband recently received his tourist visa (we were still engaged when he went into his interview) and told them he was going to the US to visit his fiances family and friends and that I work and live here in Chile.. he got his visa very easily, they didn't even ask for papers or anything..

He situation is different to your boyfriends though since my husband is still a student and has been to the US once before on a tourist visa also to visit me (although the first time he applied he was denied)..

Like I said, my situation is a bit different - but its the same country and worth mentioning that its not an automatic no just because he mentions you being a USC... If you are working here try and get a letter from your job or even from the extranjeria stating how long you have been living in Chile.. I don't know if those are valid "proofs" but it is worth a try!

He'll never know unless he tries - Good luck!