How to Question

Allo -

Any guidance is appreciated. I have been dating a Colombiana here in the US for several months while she was here visting friends and her brother is a US citizen and owns a company here. She had to leave due to her 6 month limit. She was trying to get a H1B visa, but the number granted are done for now and so we are going to wait until Jan 2006 to apply again.

I went to Bogota for a week to visit her and see her parents again - I met them here before. Colombia is the most lovely country I have ever seen I might add. The flora was so verdant. And also went to Villa de Lleva. Wonderful. Anyway, she is coming to the US in a few weeks to take some English classes.

I want to ask her to marry me as she is the most wonderful woman I have ever met. But I was wondering is it better to get married here and then apply for the paperwork, do the finace visa, or another avenue to approach.

Any help is appreciated.

By dabble on Sep 15, 2005, 13:46 in Visa & paperwork.

Fionalatina says on Sep 15, 2005, 14:30:

Easiest way Dabble,

If you want to marry her the best way to do it is in Colombia.

You get married (by the Catholic church is easier), then you register your marriage in a notary and then you fill all the paperwork for her residency and apply for it at the US Embassy in Bogota, they will give her an apoinment one month later and the same day she will receive a sealed envelope. Once she gets to the U.S. she will get a stamp on her passport with her residency, and a few months later she will get the "green card" by mail... she will be able to work and travel at her convinience as soon as she gets there.

I went through all that already. Too bad I am divorce now... Good luck!!!

Fiona

Fiona

Gator says on Sep 15, 2005, 18:55:

Unless.... you have been a resident of Colombia for a minimum of six months you are NOT eligible for DCF(Direct Consular Filing) and you must go the k-3 visa process if you marry or the K-1 Fiance visa process. You can't apply through the U.S. Embassy but YOU must start the process in the United States

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

dabble says on Sep 16, 2005, 10:37:

thanks I am US citizen. She is Colombian. She was here for several months working and I have been to Bogota.

She is coming to visit and for work in a few weeks. And I want to suprise ask her to marry me. I just want the best safest most legal way to do this so she can be with me and work legally.

Gator says on Sep 16, 2005, 13:23:

The USCIS (INS).. does not like surprises. I can be done but on this one I would seek the help of a COMPETENT attorney who specializes in immigration matters or go the K-1 visa route.

Good luck

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

silviat says on Sep 16, 2005, 14:25:

We did the K1 process It took us 115 days from the moment the I-129F was sent to the moment the visa was received (I am nto sure how much is taking the k-3, but we felt this was fast enough for us).

If you decide for either of both ways go to visajourney.com, we found that site very helpful during our visa process.

Silvia

cali373 says on Dec 12, 2005, 11:36:

I disagree that it is easier thru the Catholic church. They required the same documentation when I inquired.

Smile if you are a thinker!