The Difference with Visas?

[Ken Power]

As I am still wet behind the ears on a lot of the facts about Visas, maybe someone could tell me the difference between a fiance visa and the other.  It "sounds" like women dont want to come over on a fiance visa.  Why?  If it is cheaper and done quicker?

Stunned

[Edge]

... in response to The Difference with Visas?, posted by Ken Power on Dec 1, 2001

check out Gary Bala's website as many questions are answered there.

www.visa-attorney.com

[Pete E]

... in response to The Difference with Visas?, posted by Ken Power on Dec 1, 2001

Ken,
The fiance visa is not quicker.It takes 2-4 months where you can get a spousal visa 2 weeks after you apply directly in Bogota.With the spousal visa you are basically done.You just send a form in 2 years later to remove the conditions for her permanent residency.She gets a green card,a social security number and can work right away if she wants.The marrige does have to last 2 years and if it doesn't you can not sign the form.There are ways she can get to stay anyway.
With the fiance visa you have basically the same paperwork and expense.She gets to come here for 90 days and you have to marry her or she must leave.If you do marry you have to follow up with more applications,for change of status and advanced parole if she wants to travel.So the fiance visa is slower and more complicated.
But,the big issue is does she want to come here for what has been termed the 90 day test drive and then maybe get sent back?How will her family view this.It can be kind of like,"excuse me,do you mind if I shack up with your daughter for 90 days to decide if I want to keep her?"
She may also be giving up a hard to come by job to come here.
Of course the advantage here is to the guy and it seems smart if she is willing to do it.There are alot of adjustments to be made,and you can see how she likes it here.
The first 90 days are tough.I bet alot of relationships haven't survived it because of the lack of commitment.
The other visa is the tourist visa.If the girl has one she can come to visit,no obligations.She can stay 6 months.These are very hard to come by now and if the girl doesn't already have one you can basically forget this option.

Pete

[Ken Power]

... in response to Re: The Difference with Visas?, posted by Pete E on Dec 1, 2001

I recently read a (archive) post that said one must know a women two years before she can be brought to the states on a K1(fiance visa), sound correct?

Ken

[Richard]

... in response to Re: Re: The Difference with Visas?, posted by Ken Power on Dec 3, 2001

You must have *met* the woman *within* the past two years.  Make sure that you take pictures of the  two of you together as documentation.

[Hamlet]

... in response to Re: The Difference with Visas?, posted by Pete E on Dec 1, 2001

Pete,

Does a woman stand a reasonable chance of getting a tourist visa if she has a very good job and owns some property?

Hamlet

[Pete E]

... in response to Does it make a difference is she owns pr..., posted by Hamlet on Dec 1, 2001

That used to do it,but I don't think so anymore.At least its not automatic.The US has tightened way up.When my brother in law got turned down in June he was told "I'm sorry,but we have been told not to issue tourist visas"
I immagine some are being issued.What it takes now days I don't know.

Pete

[Kenfer8]

... in response to Does it make a difference is she owns pr..., posted by Hamlet on Dec 1, 2001

It helps, but these days it's very hard for a single Colombian woman (especially under 30) to obtain a touirist visa to the U.S.  In the last year, 3 of my friends (professional women under 30, from well to do families) couldn't get a tourist visa.

The consul gave them some lame explanation like "everything is all right with your application, but I'd like you to have worked more time in your current company..blah, blah, blah". That's nice to hear after waiting 12 months and having paid 45 dollars for the appointment.

[NW Jim]

... in response to The Difference with Visas?, posted by Ken Power on Dec 1, 2001

Time to do some reading.

Here's a place where Patrick [moderator] has put together some links:
http://www.planet-love.com/immigration/
--Try the Marriage Visa Pages link. Links to Doc Steen/Hydes

As to why some may prefer the marriage visa to the financee visa. Think about it from her families perspective, particularly if she's still living at home, like a lot of these ladies. Your daughter goes to the EEUU on a fiancee visa can be "used" by some gringo without commitment and sent back home before the 90 days are up.

Now before somebody gets defensive, obviously there is value to the fiancee visa. It does allow more time for a couple to get to know one another before making a big decision. It does allow the lady to see if the US really does live up to her expectations; a woman who isn't getting her expectations (realistic or not) met is trouble.

Hint: women usually aren't thrilled by the concept of "cheaper & quicker" when it comes to romance & commitment.

[Ken Power]

... in response to Re: The Difference with Visas? Time to r..., posted by NW Jim on Dec 1, 2001

I see.  So the cost is going to be about the same either way. The only difference is with the fiance visa where she may return with you IMMEDIATELY should she choose to ~  Verses waiting a few months for all the paper work for the marriage visa and a another trip to Cali,  Correcto?

thanks for the info.

Ken

[NW Jim]

... in response to Re: Re: The Difference with Visas? Time ..., posted by Ken Power on Dec 1, 2001

What Pete said applies to Colombia. It takes 2-4 months to get a FIANCEE visa. For a SPOUSAL visa (marriage in Colombia) its takes about 2 weeks after you apply directly in BOGOTA, provided you have all your paperwork ready ahead of time.

All this is country specific. Some Embassy’s, including the one in Bogota do Direct Consular Filing (DCF) this is what speeds up the Spousal visa process. Colombia is one of the few in latin America to have DCF.

Contrast that to the stories you read on the Asian forum. There guys are waiting 6-12 months before their spousal visas are approved and their wife can join them from PI.
So much for the government supporting family values.

I would focus my attention on finding the “right one” first. It ain’t cheap, and it ain’t easy; many guys have made several trips before finding the right one.

[Ken Power]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: The Difference with Visas? V..., posted by NW Jim on Dec 1, 2001

Thanks for the case scenario on how it would be like overseas.  How about states side?

[Pete E]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Re: The Difference with Visa..., posted by Ken Power on Dec 1, 2001

States side?She doesn't get to leave her country untill she gets her visa from the US Embassy in that country,and that depends on the policies of the Embassy in that country,as was talked about above.
The only time you would be working from the US(other than starting the paperwork on a fiance visa) is if she was already here on a tourist visa.Then you have to apply for a change of status(from tourist to spouse) after you marry.
So except for the tourist visa thing you are dealing with the US Embassy in her country.

Pete

[Ken Power]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: The Difference with ..., posted by Pete E on Dec 2, 2001

I was beginning to think that you could apply for a fiance visa and get it in a few short weeks, whereas with the Spouse visa you would need to wait a few months.  

Is there a big time difference with the two different processes and/or the policies on allowing a national out of the country?

[Ken Power]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: The Difference w..., posted by Ken Power on Dec 2, 2001

Disregard last question as you made it clear on your first post the difference on time periods.
Thanks ~

Ken