The "dark side"

[Cali vet]

I have an impression from comments I've heard elsewhere that there is a fairly high percentage of incidents where I guy has married a colombiana only to have her take off as soon as she gets the residency card or sooner and melt into Miami or some other large latino community staying illegaly or trying to legalize her status. I know personally of two such cases and have heard third party accounts of many more however the subject never seems to come up on the board. I even heard of a girl dissapearing into the crowd upon arrivel in Miami on a fiance visa but that may be urban legend. No doubt it would be a painfull subject for anyone whose had the experience but it seems to me that regarding women who've actually set foot on our shores we only hear the "I'm happily married and my wife is learning to drive/English" etc. stories. Any comments on the "dark side" of the process?

[FenixRises]

... in response to The "dark side", posted by Cali vet on Feb 23, 2002

Hi all,
While one or more of us may know, first hand, a guy who was "burned", there never are "innocent" people involved in a relationship that doesn't work, for whatever reason.
Many guys reading this and other information sources express their concern about "red flags". What are they? What are the warning signs? I suggest first and foremost looking in the mirror before you start this process, to see how many "red flags" you are waving.
In a year or two or more I will know whether my personal "red flag" management has worked. So far it seems to be operating quite well.
Fred

[HappyInBrazil]

... in response to Re: The "dark side", posted by FenixRises on Feb 25, 2002

Just like in your profile, good advice for someone starting the process.
"Research, ask questions, clean out your emotional and psychological closets then go."

Also, you mention in there you will get married January 2002.  Did you?  Congratulations.  Did she come on a fiancee visa or will you go there marry and direct consular file or return then file a spousal visa?

[FenixRises]

... in response to A good reminder., posted by HappyInBrazil on Feb 25, 2002

HIB,
We were married on Jan 11th. We did the DCF in Bogota. Everything went very smoothly through the entire process.
Thanks
Fred

[HappyInBrazil]

... in response to Re: A good reminder., posted by FenixRises on Feb 25, 2002

Did you get your visa under the new LIFE act legislation?  We have that coming up, and if you have any advice or can give some idea of the timeline to expect it would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

[FenixRises]

... in response to Questions about DCF, posted by HappyInBrazil on Feb 26, 2002

HIB,
I do not know if the visa was under the "Life" act. From what I understand there was a change in the procedure that started on Jan 22? Overall the entire process was very simple. The embassy representative stated quite clearly at the first appointment that the use of a lawyer is neither recommended nor needed. I found this to be true and did not use a lawyer for any of the process. I think the whole process has been streamlined compared to what I have read about in the past.  
First you need to get a "Marriage Visa" from the Colombian embassy. Hopefully there is one near where you live, as you must appear in person to apply for the visa. The Colombian embassy will send a fax to you or mail you a paper that tells you what documentation is required. I was able to get the marriage visa in one trip to the embassy in Los Angeles and did not have to pay anything for the visa.
Then you must have a civil marriage. You need a Colombian notarized and registered civil marriage certificate. The notary who performed our wedding made us about 5 copies of the certificate, all stamped and legal. You need this document when you file the alien petition.
You must make the first trip to the US embassy in Bogota to file the petition for an alien relative(s). There is a $110 filing fee for each person for whom you file a petition. Also I believe that the embassy only accepts petitions on Mondays and Tuesdays. You go a little before 1 PM. This first visit only takes a short time. It is a good idea to schedule the needed doctor visit for the day after you file but if possible make the appointment for the doctor before you arrive in Bogota. This appointment should be early in the morning. She also needs to go to the laboratory for a blood test before 10 AM, no appointment needed for the lab. She can do this after the initial doctor visit. She must return to the doctor's office later in the afternoon with the sealed results from the lab. There are only two doctors and one laboratory approved by the embassy. It is also a very good idea to have your novia's vaccinations up to date. The vaccinations are inexpensive in Colombia. You do not need to be present for the second appointment, although your novia will probably appreciate your being there. We went to the second appointment, which always starts at 7 AM. The embassy did the entire procedure one step at a time for all the people who where present. The day we went there were about 20 people at the embassy. It took until about 1 PM for all the people to be processed. At this time there is an additional filling fee of $260 and the visa stamp fee $65, total $325. No $100 bills in US currency. I used all $20 bills that I brought from the states. The bills need to be in good condition but not necessarily new. This is also true for the first filling fee. About 1 PM her Colombian passport with visa stamp was returned to her. After that she was free to travel to the states anytime within the next 6 months.
That's it in a nut shell.
Fred

[HappyInBrazil]

... in response to Re: Questions about DCF, posted by FenixRises on Feb 26, 2002

n/t

[Tai]

... in response to Re: Questions about DCF, posted by FenixRises on Feb 26, 2002

Fred,

You say that the Embassy sends a fax or mails a paper that tells what documentation is required. Specifically, how many years worth of tax returns do you need to bring with you?

There have been reports posted here saying 3 years, and others say 5. What was your experience?

-Tai

[FenixRises]

... in response to Re: Re: Fred, one question., posted by Tai on Feb 26, 2002

Tai,
For the US Embassy you need 3 years of tax returns and 3 years W-2's.
If you have the 3 years of W-2's you do not necessarily need a notarized letter from your employer but I got one anyway. This is for the US embassy.
The same is true of the Colombian embassy but DO HAVE the notarized employer letter.
Also you need to meet or exceed the Federal poverty guidelines. I suspect most guys can do that. When I filed it was about $24,000 US per year income for 3 people. The amount varies depending on the number of dependants.
Fred

[Tai]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Fred, one question., posted by FenixRises on Feb 26, 2002

n/t

[Hoda]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Fred, one question., posted by FenixRises on Feb 26, 2002


didn't ask for any financial info at all!!!!

What the hell is going on?

[Wayne]

... in response to Re: Re: Fred, one question., posted by Tai on Feb 26, 2002

3 years.

And they never looked at my bank statements, or most of the other documents that I painstakingly prepared.

Wayne

[Tai]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Fred, one question., posted by Wayne on Feb 26, 2002

n/t

[Hoda]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Fred, one question., posted by Wayne on Feb 26, 2002

They're asking $175 in NYC... They must think we're made of money...LMAO! BTW, what over doc's did they ask you for? Or shall I say, what other docs did they request, but didn't examine? Thanks in advance!

Hoda

[Wayne]

... in response to Wayne, did you have to pay for your marr..., posted by Hoda on Feb 26, 2002

What is a marriage Visa?  I paid an immigration lawyer/notario 900.00 to do the whole deal.  I showed up on Fri. night late with my documents.  Birth Cert. Divorce Decree and they married me in a typical traditional civil wedding on Sun.  That's two days.  I met with the lawyer on Sat. and the Notario slam dunked it on Sun.  The Lawyer worked closely with my wife to make sure her ducks were in order, and she went over my paperwork.  900.00 isn't exactly cheap but I didn't have to worry about anything.  It was easy and stress free.  I've heard of guys trying to save money and stressing every step of the way.  I hate documents and I'll pay to avoid hassels every time.

At the embassy, they just looked at my tax returns and took the affidavit of support.  They didn't look at my bank statements or business license or anything.  I was present at the interview after 3 glorius weeks in San Andreas, and they didn't even interview us at all.  There were no questions what so ever.  They took the paperwork, smiled and gave us the visa after we had lunch.

I don't understand all the ins and outs of all this paperwork, (and honestly I don't care) and I am sure there are different ways to pull this off, but it sounds like you guys going to the embassy to get marriage visas are going to unnecesary work.  I did the whole thing down there, and it was really nothing.  By the way, my wife's green card came in 2 weeks.  With my Russian wife, it took 3 years, and by coincidence, the actual card arrived in the mail the same day as my divorce was final.  

2 1/2 months of almost non-stop time with my wife now, and it is truly a trouble free life without conflicts or hassels.

I truly believe the secret to all of this, is marry a "giver" not a "taker".

Wayne