My wife's father got a visa

[lswote]

I thought I would post this since I had never seen this discussed anywhere.  My wife's father got issued a visa yesterday good for one year.  I think my wife's mother will get one too, but there were some problems with her application that delayed it and it hasn't come through yet.   The visa was based on my wife being pregnant, and I am not sure but I think also because of her parents ages, 68 for her mother and 78 for her father.

I don't know many details so I can't answer many questions, but her parents (and my wife too for that matter) were rejected without being interviewed for tourist visas in the past.

My wife is Colombian and she filed for the visas back in November.

[pablo]

... in response to My wife's father got a visa, posted by lswote on Jan 8, 2004


Hi Iswote/B,

I guess that your wife is very happy that her father received a visa and hopefully soon her mother will be getting hers as well.  I assume that you are just as tickled but you didn't indicate that in your post.  On the bright side, if they do come for an extended visit later you will probably have a couple eager baby sitters.

Is it safe to assume that a gringo marries more than his Latina wife with their close knit families?

Pablo

[Patrick]

... in response to My wife's father got a visa, posted by lswote on Jan 8, 2004

I think it's easier for older folks to get visas for some reason.  Both my in-laws were able to get tourist visas to come visit us here.  They were both over 70 and what I would call middle class (not by our standards) and retired.

I think they're considered low flight risk when they have a pension in their country and are retired.

[mudd]

... in response to My wife's father got a visa, posted by lswote on Jan 8, 2004

if you dont mind me asking, what type of visa did they receive, and how long can they stay at one time? reason i am asking, my friend is dating a girl from Spain and she can only stay for 90 days at a time, and then she has to leave and come back if she wants.

[cancunhound]

... in response to Re: My wife's father got a visa, posted by mudd on Jan 8, 2004

The type of visa your friend's girl from Spain is utilizing is the freebie - that card they fill out upon arrival.  She could apply for a regular visa for more time (and since Spain is in VWP it's easy to get).

[lswote]

... in response to Re: My wife's father got a visa, posted by mudd on Jan 8, 2004

I don't know.  All I know is that the visa is good for one year.  My wife thought it would be for five years which is how long tourist visas are good for I guess.  I am sorry I don't much about it, and wouldn't have even mentioned it but I never heard of such a visa discussed on this board.  It has something to do with the fact she is pregnant and the fact her parents are older might have something to do with it.

[cancunhound]

... in response to Re: Re: My wife's father got a visa, posted by lswote on Jan 9, 2004

I think you nailed it - they look at the hardship imposed on you, the pregnancy is the key and certainly their ages are a big factor.  I wonder what age the consulate uses as a benchmark?  Seems like most resident Colombianos I know over age 55 or so have no desire to leave their country permanently.