Will this be enough for Guayaquil?

[Tigre&Tigresa 11]

Hey guys, first of all i wanna say i love this site, it's been so helpful... I've been reading a lot here and learning so much about this whole K1 thing we got into! and i wanna thank you for replying to my question, i know you guys will. With all that said, here's my question...

My fiance and I started the process for the K1 visa. We sent our petition package and it pretty much included all the things that this site says we should put in it as evidence (copies of my passport, photos, emails, snapshots of our video calls logs, photos of the gifts we've sent to each other, copy of the receipt of my engagement ring, airplane tickets, all the forms, letter of intent to marry, etc and in the recommended order). Now, i've read all the bad reviews about Guayaquil. And i'm starting to freak out. My fiance has never been to Ecuador. But I've been to the US probably 5 times to be with him and his family.

Will all this info be enough to be approved at the Guayaquil consulate, even tho he's never been here before. Does he REALLY have to be here for the interview? The thing is, i'm not sure he can do this because of his job I'm totally freaking out, getting all nervous... i guess i just need people who've gone through this before to help me.

Thanks in advance. (BTW i'm not sure this is the proper forum to post this)

[fantonledzepp 159]

As far as him never going to Ecuador, I don't think they'll have a problem with it. If you can show that you have spent time together that's all that matters.

There have been people here recently who have been approved and their petitioner did not attend the interview. It seems Guayaquil has been changing, but I wouldn't risk it. I too read the reviews of old and decided it was better to be there. Why risk anything?

I guarantee you that TBoneTX will come around here and tell you that it's always better for the petitioner to be there.

[fantonledzepp 159]

The only other thing I can think of is that he hasn't met your family. Do they approve of him? Are they ok with you moving to the US?

Ecuador still being a traditional family country, they may ask you something like this.

Edited October 23, 2012 by fantonledzepp

[Tigre&Tigresa 11]

Thank you so much for your reple. My mom and brother have met him in person. They were with me the first time we met and we have photos together at Sea World and at his apartment. My dad hasn't met him in person because he doesn't have a visa tho. But my fiance sent him a letter asking for his permission to marry me... I don't know, i think i'm paranoid...

[TBoneTX 45,291]

Your petition seems to have been front-loaded nicely, si man. The five visits to see him are a major plus (for how long were they?).

I think that you're in better shape than most, si man. You've faithfully returned from multiple visits to the U.S., thus diminishing any "illegal intent" from the "intending immigrant" angle. And your fiance isn't thinking of moving to Ecu, so why should he visit, especially since he met your mom & brother?

The few reports of solo beneficiaries having been approved for family-based visas in GYQ aren't enough to constitute a pattern, to my mind. It's indeed (si, man) advisable for the petitioner to be there. It will take a bit more information before I can venture a recommendation. Your English is excellent -- how "Americanized" are you? How would you handle questions from the consul about why your fiance hasn't been to Ecu? Again, how much time have you & he spent together, and for how long in total? When did this relationship begin? Please provide more history, si man, and don't freak out just yet, no man.

By the way, I have the ability to move threads; this one could go into the Embassy/Consulate forum, but I'll leave it here for now and defer to any Organizer or Moderator who believes that it should be moved, si man.

[Tigre&Tigresa 11]

Thanks for your reply!

Alrighty, here comes the info. My fiance and I met on a pen pals site. I was there to make my English better and meet people from Finland (I wanted to learn their language most of all) and he was there to meet people from other countries, with different cultures and points of view. We randomly met in a chat room and we became friends. Because of my username, he first thought i was a guy! and then he visited my profile and noticed i wasn't hehe. I really thought he was way out of my league, because he's a hottie and funny thing, he thought the same about me . Well after a year of having an online relationship, we decided to meet. Our relationship started officially in august 2009. In 2010, i traveled to the US with my mom and brother to meet him and his family. We stayed there for a week, had a BBQ at his apartment with his family, went to Sea World and the Zoo. Then I was back again in 2011 for 2 weeks, this time i traveled alone and stayed with his family, and my last visit was in february this year for 30 days. I think total, we've been together "in person" for 2 months in 3 years of relationship.

If they asked me why he hasn't been to Ecuador, i plan on telling the truth! we were both unemployed when we met, then he got some jobs as a temp, but he didn't get hired in a permanent position until march 2012, he hasn't worked there for a year yet, so he can't ask for vacation time until he does. That's the main reason why he's never been here. And no, he doesn't plan on moving in here. We've talked tho and he'd love to come here to visit, he's seen photos and he likes the country, but he knows it would be very difficult for him to speak spanish fluently and start a life here, in a different culture. (which is the same i'll do, but since i speak english and i have a college degree, he thinks i have better chances than him coming here).

As far as how americanized i am... i don't know i've learned some english by watching tv and using chat rooms. He says i know some words he doesn't know but i don't think i am THAT good, still learning, mostly because i don't wanna embarrass our kids (when we have them!).

Thanks again for your reply! You're helping not only me but many other people with the info on this site

Edited October 23, 2012 by Tigre&Tigresa

[fantonledzepp 159]

TBone is right, it's not enough to say that the consulate has changed it's ways. You being from Ecuador and no doubt having been to the US consulate for your visas, have seen that they can be unpredictable. Most people that apply for tourist visas are denied.

That is why we believe its better for your fiancé to be there for the interview.

You just filed your petition. The way things are looking, you may be looking at a 7-month wait for your interview. That's an estimate. By that time, your fiancé may be able to take vacation and travel down to Ecuador. I didn't risk it, some people did, I was approved easily.

[Tigre&Tigresa 11]

Thank you. I guess we'll start saving for his plane ticket. Better safe than sorry!

[TBoneTX 45,291]

I agree with F-Bone, si man. Two months together-in-person in a 3-year relationship probably isn't enough. Ideally, he should visit Ecu for even a few days, and then return for your interview, being there in Guayaquil at least a full day in advance. If he can't manage the time or money for the first visit, he needs to be there (a full day ahead, at least) for the interview.

Meanwhile, you visit him again as many times as possible for as long as possible. Take lots of fotos in different clothing and situations. Also, some advice in advance: When he comes the full day in advance of your interview, take a billion fotos and print them at the foto place in the mall to carry to the interview.

Come back with any other questions, si man!

Edited October 24, 2012 by TBoneTX

[Tigre&Tigresa 11]

Thanks you guys