benefits of marriage to a colombiana/visa

utopiacowboy says on Jul 30, 2005, 19:40:

Are you planning to live in the US or Colombia? The whole point of filing the I-130 is to acquire permanent residency which you can lose if you do not remain a permanent resident of the US. I ask because you mentioned her getting a tourist visa. If you file an I-130 for her, they're going to be able to see that and it will not help her chances for getting a tourist visa. The other thing I don't understand is whether you have filed any papers yet? You married a couple of months ago, if you had filed for a K-3 (temporary 2 year visa that allows the spouse of a US citizen to come to the US to await action on the I-130), she'd be close to getting that. Too many questions to really offer any advice at this point.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

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lpdiver says on Jul 31, 2005, 04:13:

Have you considered... Having your surgury in Colombia and recuperating there. I found the level of medical care and competency in Medellin on par or above that in hte U.S. and it is much cheaper.

You could probably afford an at home nurse. In addition you would be immersed in Colombian culture and language. If you could stretch your recuperative period long enough you would have the added advantage of qualifing for Direct Counsular Filing (DCF). DCF has a ton of benefits.

Dis here cajun resides in Louisiana too.

Tony

"cook some rice!"

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captbill says on Jul 31, 2005, 13:34:

answers Thanks buddy for the answer Desi said you might help with answers.

I work offshore and can work one month and take off for 3-5 months. My/our intent is to live some time, maybe open sometype of vacationers finca and also to travel and spend time here in the U.S. How much time would probably be equal, just depends on what we do. My mom is still alive and I definetly be living and staying and working in the U.S. at least 4 months a year. We are already married/ May 27th and as I put on the last post, fed office in New Orleans said almost the same thing about the tourist visa to a spouse, but because of the back operation thing, they also suggested humanitarian parole which does have medical reasons listed. The other questions were about what does marrying her provide for me in terms of Colombian benefits, property ownership, citizenship, renting. Desi mentioned she just presented the matrimonio papers and visa and they gave her a cedula, but then she replied in a PM that it was 10 years ago and that might have changed. Anything that has time limits like the birth certificate apostille that I might want to apply for now I would appreciate knowing. The school things aren't as important I can study at home or with CD's I have downloaded and from the library.

I really appreciate your time as I see you post all over the place here and know you are busy.
Thanks
Capt Bill

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BAQ says on Jul 31, 2005, 14:13:

Need to make up your mind I am married to a Colombian and live in Colombia. My wife has a tourist visa good for 5 years. You need to make up your mind WHERE you want to live, Colombia or America, you can't do both FOR THE FIRST THREE YEARS. Here is why, DAS won;t give you a residency card unless you LIVE in Colombia. AFTER you live in Colombia for THREE YEARS, then you are granted perminant residence status and you can come and go as you want. If you LEAVE Colombia for more than 90 days TOTAL per year during the initial three year period, your Spousal visa will be void. Same applies for your wife in the reverse. If she obtains an american residence visa, she is required to remain in the U.S., if she leaves for any extended period of time, the visa is void. The TOURIST visa is the same for both countries, your MAXIMUM stay can;t exceed 6 months per year.

As far as buying property ect, you do not need to be a citizen of Colombia. I purchased my home when I first moved here. One IMPORTANT item is BANKING, until you have been in Colombia for SIX MONTHS, I do not know of any Colombian bank that will open an account for you. My first 6 months here, we had to use my wifes bank account. PROBLEM is, Colombian citizens are limited to $15.000.00 per YEAR transfered from the U.S. American citizens are limited to 5K per month transfered from America.

There are exceptions to the banking rules but they are far and few between. When I purchased my home, I was able to transfer the sales price (over 50K) directly to the sellers account because he went to his bank and showed them a copy of the sales contract for the house to validate the reason for a transfer of a large sum of money at one time.

I can only speak from my PERSONAL experiences here, others might know somthing I don;t about the banking, residence visa's ect.

Hope the info helps.

Semper Fidelis !

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captbill says on Jul 31, 2005, 14:42:

enlightenment Here is why, DAS won;t give you a residency card unless you LIVE in Colombia. AFTER you live in Colombia for THREE YEARS, then you are granted perminant residence status and you can come and go as you want.
Okay so as far as DAS Desi said that she was given a Cedula with the matrimonio and visa. I think it was a cedula extranjero. If I work outside of Colombia is that included in the 90 days? I may want to live in Colombia after my mom dies on a permanent basis or to establish residency but I do want her to get her residency her first. So to summarize, she can only be out of the U.S. 90 days during the first 3 years of her residency? Is there any chance of her getting a tourist visa when she goes to her appointment that we paid for on the 30th of August being that she is married to me already and should I be there. I made another post that I need someone to help me recover from back surgery at the VA which I haven't received a date yet but had the last MRI about 3 months ago so it won't be that far from now. I would like for her to return with me and be here already when the I receive notice of the surgery. I have no one else to assist me as my mom has just had surgery. I sent a copy of the VA letter stating I will need assistance with the I-130 and to the bogota embassy via email. I have read your post about the tourist visa and divers reply.

So she will be living here I just want her to get here sooner, and I am not pressured to get residency there, do want to spend some time there in the future and if it can only be 90 days a year for her for the 1st 3 years, so be it. I thought it was 2 years for resident visa/K-3 stuff
Thanks a lot for all your help.

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BAQ says on Jul 31, 2005, 15:25:

Humm Capt. All I can tell you is I asked the U.S Govt if my wife could get a RESIDENCY VISA (since I am an American Citizen) and still live in Colombia. I was told NO. Immigration told me if my wife was not living in the United States, she would have to apply for a tourist visa. MY Colombian Visa is a FAMILY visa, meaning I am married to a Colombian Citizen and living with her in Colombia. In order for me to OBTAIN RESIDENCY, I must REMAIN in Colombia for a minimum of three years. I can leave for vacations, family emergencies ect but that time CAN;T exceed 90 days per year. My "CEDULA", which is issued by DAS, is temporary and expires when my VISA expires, so next year, I will need to renew my visa and get a new Cedula from DAS. After my 3rd year, my CEDULA will be PERMINANT. I don;t know what type of visa "Desi" has so I can;t help you with what she said.

I believe the same is true if your wife gets a K-3, she must remain within the UNited States for a specific amount of time, HOWEVER since my wife doesn;t have a K-3, I can;t speak to that directly.

Maybe someone on the board who has a spouse in the States on a K-3 can give you the restrictions.

Hope the info helps.

Semper Fidelis !

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