Fiancé(e) Visa Info for US Citizens

SingleTraveler says on Aug 5, 2004, 00:22:

Two Brothers and a Bride A movie filmed during a Russian women tour is now on DVD. The movie was filmed on A Foreign Affair tour to Saint Petersburg Russia, Movie stars David Arquette, Tim Nelson Black and Emily Mortimer.
Many of the women and men in the movie were actual tour clients of A Foreign Affair tour .

Press Release

“Two Brothers and a Bride” is “ A Foreign Affair “ the movie re-titled for DVD Release.

On July 15, 2004, the Ebert & Roeper reviewed (two thumbs up!) movie “A Foreign Affair” was released for DVD and video distribution via most major rental outlets. The distributors ascertained via past sales data that the word 'foreign' in a title would lessen popular appeal in retail outlets. “Two Brother and a Bride “ is now the release title to look for in your local rental store, online book store or the LoveMe.com website. Click on the following link to read the Ebert & Roeper review:


Ebert & Roeper
June 18, 2004
BY ROGER EBERT
When their mother dies, Josh and Jake are saddened, yes, but they are also frightened, because Ma took care of everything. She cooked, she washed, she darned, she remembered where things were. Now there is no one to perform those tasks, and the boys are helpless. A farm they can manage, but a house is beyond them.
"A Foreign Affair" shows them taking matters into their own hands. With the help of the friendly town librarian, they find a Web site that features young women from Russia who want to marry Americans and are apparently packed and ready to go. They sign up for the package tour, and find themselves in St. Petersburg, where they never expected to be and considered very desirable, which they have never been before.
Their task is simpler because they are seeking only one wife. That isn't because they plan to practice polygamy, or because one of them is gay, but because they do not think of this as a true marriage. Jake (Tim Blake Nelson), the serious one, is upfront with the women he interviews: No sex, but you keep house for us for us for a few years, and you get your citizenship.
His brother Josh (David Arquette) agreed to this plan back on the farm, but now, attending the nightly parties arranged by the tour group, he finds delightful women throwing themselves at him, and this is a new experience he begins to enjoy. He falls in love more or less nightly, using an ancient formula: When he's not with the one he loves, he loves the one he's with.
The movie, directed by Helmut Schleppi and written by Geert Heetebrij, could have gone several ways. I can imagine it as a sex comedy, as a romance, as a bittersweet exploration of lonely people. Schleppi has a little of all three elements at work here, but it's Tim Blake Nelson's character who keeps the plot from spinning out of control, because he has a natural and unforced respect for these women that he yanks his brother's chain and keeps their mission on course.
Watching Josh and Jake as they negotiate this process, Emily Mortimer plays a British documentary-maker named Angela. She's been assigned to make a film about the whole phenomenon of Internet brides, but becomes fascinated by Jake because he is not really looking for a bride in the traditional sense, and is upfront about it. As she shoots his interviews with prospective partners, we see her footage, and we sense that we are close to the line between fiction and reality. Maybe closer than we think: I was talking about the movie with Mortimer at Cannes, and she said the filmmakers and the two actors actually took the real tour to do their research.
Mortimer's character provides a subtle subtext. As she watches Jake, listens to him and films him, she begins to be moved by his honesty and his good heart. He is a simple, forthright man, unlike most of those she meets, and we begin to sense he may find a bride in the last place he's looking. Or maybe that's too easy; maybe there's no way their worlds can meet, and yet she has a way of looking at him ...
Do marriages like this work? Many Americans find mail-order brides or arranged marriages bizarre, but think how bizarre it is to seek your spouse in a singles bar or on a blind date. There are countless possible partners out there somewhere but we never meet most of them, and most of those we meet are impossible. Maybe it helps to use a system. If you're interested, the actual Web site is at www.aforeignaffair.com.
Copyright © Chicago Sun-Times Inc.

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utopiacowboy says on Aug 5, 2004, 07:29:

The approved petition goes to the National Visa Center in Portsmouth, NH. They are very fast with these petitions - they are usually in and out within two or three weeks. They will send you a letter when they have sent the petition to the embassy with a number that begins BOG2004 followed by 6 more numbers. This is your file number in Bogota. Once the embassy receives the approved petition, they send out Packet 3 to your novia - they do this fairly quickly too. She should receive the packet within 2 to 3 weeks after you are notified by the NVC that it has been sent to the embassy. The packets frequently get lost - this happened to us. If she doesn't get it within a reasonable time, send someone to the embassy with a notarized letter of authorization and they will hand out a replacement. Once she has the packet, she has to fax them back a completed Part 1 of the DS-230 and then they send her packet 4 with the interview date and instructions for the lab and medical exam. They also post the interview dates on the web about the middle of the month for the following month: http://usembassy.state.gov/colombia/wwwfivad.pdf After a successful interview, they take her passport and return it to her with the visa by courier - that's another week waiting for that to arrive.
Our interview was not really an interview since we were married but with the fiancees, make sure she knows about your marriage history and that she has been honest about her own visa and criminal history. They are a lot tougher on the fiancees than they are on the spouses - I never heard of a spouse being turned down but fiances are sometimes denied.

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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junior says on Aug 5, 2004, 07:56:

utopiacowboy... why did you choose the spouse visa...in others why did you get married in colombia when a fiancee visa was faster?

also, you say that for a spouse it isn't really an interview, is this because you are already married and it's more a necessary formality in giving the visa?

are spousal visas 100%? if not why would they deny a spousal visa?

i know these are alot of questions, but i am confused about what is the best visa for me and my fiancee. i am a full-time student studying special education on a scholarship, and have not worked for two years as i am a full-time student...would this effect my ability to get a fiancee visa approved? at this moment i am substitute teaching to give me more freedom with my time although i am qualified for a full-time teaching position. this is one reason after reading some of your threads that i tend to believe that a spousal visa would be better even if it takes longer but it is more of a sure thing. i initially wanted a fiancee visa because of the speed but now i am concerned about the employment aspect of this visa...

could you please help me to understand what would be the best avenue for me and my colombian flaquita...

your input will be greatly appreciated as always...

i love colombia...junior

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utopiacowboy says on Aug 5, 2004, 08:35:

As I have commented in other threads, speed is not the only issue. Most brides want to get married in front of their family and friends and you can have a wedding in Colombia that costs a tenth of what it would cost here. I would not say that the spousal visas are 100% but all the spouses that I know of had interviews similar to ours - all that mattered were the documents showing we were married - they did not really care about evidence indicating our relationship was valid, i.e. photos, letters, etc. They did not want to see any of that and they did not really ask my wife any questions either. This is not true of the fiancees. Junior, for BOTH the K-1 and the K-3 you will have to submit an I-134 along with proof of income (tax returns, letter from bank, letter from employer) showing you have sufficient income to support her. Go to the uscis site and check out the form along with the instructions: http://uscis.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/i-134.htm

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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Dan says on Aug 5, 2004, 09:26:

I-134 I see the I-134 is the affidavit of support but I thought the one that was needed was I-864. Is one preferred over the other or does it not matter?

God Bless America!

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utopiacowboy says on Aug 5, 2004, 09:32:

The I-134 is the one needed for the K-1 or K-3. The I-864 is for the immigrant visa. She needs the I-134 along with the supporting evidence when she goes for her interview at the embassy.

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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Dan says on Aug 5, 2004, 09:45:

Sooo..... the I-864 that the Embassy website asks about is not right? I thought the idea of all this is that the Souse is immigrating to the US to be with the US Sponser.?. Yet they travel on Non-Immigrant visas? For the K1/3 visas, the Adjustment of Status paperwork would need to be used when she arrives? Right now, I think I need to work on the Marriage part first then worry about the visa stuff until afterwards.
Thanks

God Bless America!

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utopiacowboy says on Aug 5, 2004, 09:55:

When the embassy web site talks about the I-864, they are talking about the immigrant visa. The K-1/K-3 is a NON-immigrant visa so they use the I-134. Here is a relevant section from the embassy's web site: http://usembassy.state.gov/colombia/wwwsimve.shtml#Support
To make matters even more confusing, the Immigrant Visa Unit of the embassy handles the K-1 and K-3 visas even they are not technically speaking, immigrant visas.

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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Dan says on Aug 5, 2004, 14:42:

Ok... I now remember looking at that website before, I guess I just needed to read it some more. The most I know of is that I'm working on getting her a Spouse visa... I guess in a way, I didn't know it was a non-immigrant visa.
Also, just thought of something else. are separate I-134's required for each individual? I'm asking this because I will also be submitting the separate I-130's for 1 child and 1 infant too. That'll make getting photos and g-325's for everyone interesting. My girlfriend is already going nuts when I told her I would need the places of residence and employment for the last 10 years. I am at least trying to get some of the paperwork ready so that I can submit everything shortly after we get married.
I appreciate all the help Utopia, Take care-Daniel

God Bless America!

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utopiacowboy says on Aug 5, 2004, 15:07:

It is a little confusing. The K-3 was created because it was taking so long for the USCIS to approve the I-130s - the idea was spouses could come to the US and wait until their I-130 was processed. I wasn't sure if I needed separate I-134s for each of them either but it turned out that I needed just one. The kids get visas (K-4) which are derivatives of their mother's K-3. She will not be needing the I-134 for a long time - until the actual interview - but if you do not plan on going to Colombia again before then it's a good idea to bring it along with the supporting documentation.

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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Dan says on Aug 5, 2004, 15:58:

let me rewind a bit... to see if I got this. I was reading some things again...
I-130 is an Immigrant visa application for spouse/children I saw somewhere that while that is pending, a I-129F form can be submitted and if/when approved first, that is where the K-3/4 comes in. So if it gets processed that way, then the I-134 is required, she can come to the US while waiting for the I-130 to be approved. Is this right so far???
After the I-130 is approved, Then what? From what I have read on this website, the I-485 is normally used for Adjustment of Status. Would I need to use that for this situation?
So then, If I only submitted the I-130 and waited for that to be approved, I would then need the I864 instead of the I134 (?).
OK then, for the first situation, with submitting the I129F, would the interview be one like the regular fiance or more like a spouse interview?
I'm sorry if I'm coming off like a complete idiot right now, but I just like knowing what to expect and finding out from others who have gone through the process seems to be the best way of getting answers.
Daniel

God Bless America!

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Dan says on Aug 5, 2004, 16:28:

also... I know the I-130 is required separately for the spouse and each child... is the same with the I-129F?

God Bless America!

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utopiacowboy says on Aug 5, 2004, 16:55:

You only have to file one I-129F but make sure you list all the children on that form. In fact you don't need to have filed I-130s for the children beforehand - you can wait to do that later once they arrive. The only I-130 you really need to file right away is the one for your wife. Your analysis of the whole process is accurate. Unless you live in the area served by the Vermont Service Center you will want to file an I-129F for the K-3 because it takes the other service centers a long time to act on the I-130. The I-129F is used both to apply for a K-1 (fiancee) and the K-3 (spouse) and the interviews that we are talking about are the K-1 and K-3 interviews. The K-3 interviews are a walk in the park - just make sure you have all your documents. here are a couple of sites with a lot of useful info: http://www.visajourney.com/ and http://britishexpats.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=&forumid=35&x=8&y=8

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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Dan says on Aug 5, 2004, 17:04:

only for the wife? Now that doesn't sound too bad... then with submitting the I-129F for the spouse, the children still get the K4's?

Thanks a bunch!!!
Daniel

God Bless America!

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utopiacowboy says on Aug 5, 2004, 17:17:

Yes, as long as you include them on the petition - they will get K-4s when she gets her K-3. Once they get here you can file I-130s for them along with I-485s to adjust their status to permanent residents.

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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Dan says on Aug 6, 2004, 14:55:

Thought of something else ...I am now looking to see if anyone has an example of the Certificado de Solteria that is in Spanish. I am looking at already having it done in spanish so that I can go to visit some family and get it signed/legalized while I'm there and have it ready for when I travel in one week. I could probably come up with something myself, but I don't trust my spanish well enough to get the wording right.
Thanks!
Dan

God Bless America!

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utopiacowboy says on Aug 6, 2004, 15:04:

I will send you something when I get home tonight.

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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wofiii says on Aug 6, 2004, 19:43:

Certificado de Solteria What I found out is that some states do not offer such thing, which is basically a Certificate stating that you are Single. If you are unable to get this you will need to get at least three people to write statements saying how long they have known you, their relation to you, and that you are currently single and not married. These papers will need to be notorized then sent to your state apostille division for the states apostille for the Colombian government to accept them. After this you will need to get those translated into Spanish as well as any other document in English like Divorce papers, Birth Certificate, and letter to the Colombian Consulate in your area to arrange your interview for you special visa needed to marry.

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utopiacowboy says on Aug 6, 2004, 20:24:

This is what I had for my document:

Certificado de Solteria

Mi nombre es Jane Doe; soy una ciudadana de los Estados Unidos de America y vivo en 123 Main Street, Anytown, Texas, USA 78884. Soy la hija de John Doe y le he conocido por mas de diez anos. Mi padre, John Doe, en este momento no esta casado y no convive con nadie.

Fecha el dia 3 de Julio del 2003.

________________________________
Jane Doe

Then below this signature line I had the standard Texas acknowledgement before a notary. I did not need a translation and all I needed was an apostile for the notary. I am sure other folks did something else but this is what worked for me.

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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calena says on Aug 7, 2004, 11:43:

Certificado de Solteria If you need the bachelor certificate, I can help you.Here is the link where you can download one or fill it out online to print.
http://www.henderson-translations.com/certificado_de_solteria.pdf

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