Living and marrying in Colombia question

[JamesK]

If I go to Colombia to meet a partner I would like to live there for 6mo to a year or as long as it took to meet someone suitable.I am currently living in Mexico and speak fair spanish. My question is how would I eventually bring them to the U.S. with no income shown from the U.S for the past year or so¿
Would the Colombian embassy or whoever grants the right to marry there even allow me to marry a citizen w no W2 showing income for the past year or two¿ And of course there is our immigration requirements. I do have a home in San Diego that I rent out. I was a Production Supervisor for the past 10 years but decided to make a lifestyle change and seek a partner in Latin America.
In fact I may end up living permanantly in Mexico or So. America but want to be able to bring my wife to the states to visit and such. If I found someone to marry would I have to return to the states and get a job and then proceed w the marriage and paperwork and then eventually return to Latin America¿ Rather complicated I know but trying to plan a possible move. All suggestions welcome.

JamesK

[TG]

... in response to Living and marrying in Colombia question, posted by JamesK on Dec 3, 2001

I have heard that you need an income of 125% of the poverty level for a Fiancee Visa.

Has anyone else heard the same?

[JunFan]

... in response to Re: Living and marrying in Colombia ques..., posted by TG on Dec 5, 2001

That's correct...

[Jeff S]

... in response to Living and marrying in Colombia question, posted by JamesK on Dec 3, 2001

You could move her to Tijuana and commute til the paperwork is all setteled. I know sveral people who live in TJ and work in SD. There are some nicer areas to live, get apartments, etc.
-- Jeff S.

[denvermike]

... in response to Living and marrying in Colombia question, posted by JamesK on Dec 3, 2001

We great reservations, I say talk to a lawyer with immigration experience. You have a very unusual potenial sitution as far as immigration of a new wife, there are bound to be some unforseen legal hangups (thanks to our lawyer friends who make all the laws).

[Kenfer8]

... in response to Living and marrying in Colombia question, posted by JamesK on Dec 3, 2001


Hi JamesK,

I think to get a green card for your future wife, you have to live in the U.S. on a permanent basis. There are 2 legal points of view for that:

1) In order for you to produce an acceptable affidavit of suppport you have to attach your last 3 income tax returns, employment letter, etc, unless you're a person of independent means (rich). There is a minimum income level required. It depends on how many people you suppport here and how many you're trying to bring to the U.S. I don't know if you know this, but a U.S. citizen is required to file an income tax return with Uncle Sam...even if he/she lives abroad.

2) The idea behind allowing U.S. citizens to bring spouses is the family unit principle. The government gives you that privilege so your wife can JOIN you in the U.S. If you live and are planning on continuing living abroad, I don't know how your wife is going to JOIN you in the U.S.

The U.S. government is very strict (and is bound to become even more strict due to the recent events) when it comes down to dealing with legal aliens living in the U.S.

Every immigrant and non-immigrant visa has very specific directives. For instance, if a person applies for a tourist visa he/she must have the sole intent to visit the U.S., nothing less, nothing more.

The same applies when somebody applies for permanent residency (green card). He/she must have the intent to live on a permanent basis in the U.S.

Even if you're able to get a green card for your wife, she's bound to lose it if she doesn't comply with its requirements. If she stays more than 1 year abroad, she may lose it.

If she just uses it for "in and out" privileges, she can also lose it. The purpose of the green card is to make the U.S. one's home with possible occasional and short visits abroad. Is wasn't created to allow occasional visits. A tourist visa is what's needed for that purpose.

Of course, there are thousands of people who don't comply with this and do whatever they want with the green card. But all that is about to change.

Kenfer

[briloop]

... in response to Living and marrying in Colombia question, posted by JamesK on Dec 3, 2001

Go to the INS website:  www.ins.gov

Download the forms and instructions for I-864 and I-864P.

Those two forms and sets of instructions should help you to find out if INS would approve either a K-1 petition or a spousal visa application.

As far as living in a foreign country and petitioning a fiance or a spouse - I don't know off hand the answer to that.  Try doing some research at:

http://www.marriagebasedvisas.org/  and

http://k1.exit.com/

[Hoda]

... in response to Living and marrying in Colombia question, posted by JamesK on Dec 3, 2001


You seem to enjoy the life there. You're already there & you know the in's & outs. A poster here by the name of "Beto", just found & was found by love in Mexico, after an unsuccessful trip to Cali. Is there a particular reason why you want to go to Cali, with such a large pool of non-US latin women surrounding you? Don't get me wrong, your preference is your choice, I'm just asking.

Later....

[Patrick]

... in response to Living and marrying in Colombia question, posted by JamesK on Dec 3, 2001

If your rental property brings in sufficient money to meet the minimum guidelines, I think that would work.  I'm not certain what the current minimum income level is, but perhaps you could find out on one of the immigration boards.

There's link to immigration discussion sites on the immigration page.  From the main message board window, click at left where it says "Immigration."

[Gregory]

... in response to Living and marrying in Colombia question, posted by JamesK on Dec 3, 2001

Hi James, I see you are spending a lot of time in Mexico, why not look there for a mate? I am planning on going there this February to hopefully meet someone there. Please share your experiences with the Mexican ladies.