Marrying in Colombia and bringing her to the US

[Sol]

Hi,

I just got an email from a Colombian man who does lots of international marriages stating that some act of congress is about to pass which will require a five month wait before bringing a Colombian bride to the U.S. My understanding is that if one marries in Colombia it currently takes one to four weeks to get the spousal visa.

Can anyone confirm or deny this impending change?

Thanks,
Sol

[Michael B]

... in response to Marrying in Colombia and bringing her to..., posted by Sol on Aug 8, 2001

K-3 visa went into effect August 14. See Bear's post on the Asian board for a link to where you can get the actual forms and read the regulations. I printed it off last night (all 19 pages, and that's does NOT include the forms). Haven't had time to study it yet, but hopefuly it will enable couples to marry abroad and gain entry for the alien spouse much faster (maybe even faster than the K-1, who knows)

[cjweir]

... in response to Marrying in Colombia and bringing her to..., posted by Sol on Aug 8, 2001

IT MIGHT HAVE TO DO WITH THE INS STUDYING MAIL ORDER BRIDES COLUMBIA WAS MENTIONED AS ONE OF THE BIGGEST PARTICIPANTS OF THIS CHECH THE LINK FOR MORE INFO
http://www.ins.usdoj.gov/graphics/aboutins/repsstudies/mobappb.htm

[gbourque]

... in response to Marrying in Colombia and bringing her to..., posted by Sol on Aug 8, 2001

From what I have seen and heard in the past, the normal process time for the K-1 visa (I-129 fiancee) is about 4-5 months with no problems.  If you marry aboard you come back and submit a I-130 visa for relative.  The k-1 is a non-immagrant while the I-130 is an immagrant visa.  the waiting time I have seen from friends and others has averaged 18-24 months.  

The LIFE Act passed last December will allow the spouse to come to the States to wait for her I-130 package to be process.  The new visa will be called a K-3 (see link below).  This will allow the wife to enter the US on a non-immagrant visa just like the fiancee.  However, I do not think they will have to apply for a change of status afterwards, like the fiancee.

Talked with my congressman office about 2 weeks ago and they tell me that it is law, but the INS and State Department are writing the procedures now.  The latest guess is the next month or two.  then time for the consulates to put it into practice.  

http://travel.state.gov/vvisas/the_k_visa.html

also for hte life act

http://www.ins.gov/graphics/services/residency/LIFE.htm

with all that said, there might be something else up their sleeves.

Jerry

[El Diablo]

... in response to Marrying in Colombia and bringing her to..., posted by Sol on Aug 8, 2001

I doubt there is a bill before Congress that deals specificly with waiting periods and Colombia.  If there is a change, I would think it more likely to be a procedural change within the INS itself.  When I was an agent with the Treasury Department, most changes to our policy came from within the department rather than from Acts of Congress.  The Departments have a lot of authority in how they carry out and interpret the law.

El Diablo

[Diego A.]

... in response to Re: Marrying in Colombia and bringing he..., posted by El Diablo on Aug 8, 2001

Hope your right El because I am going to marry at the end
of September hoping to bring her back in October this is
very scary and would really suck! to leave her in Colombia
D.