Hi everyone.

Here's the deal. I've recently read the threads about DCF becoming obsolete at many embassies and that is just tragic for so many people. My situation is this: I recently married my husband Dean who is from Belize. We have been together for 3 1/2 years and began the fiance visa in Nov. 2004. We never did anything after the NOA2 because I decided to move down to Belize as we had a business opportunity come our way and we didn't want to pass it up. So, I've been living in Belize since June of 2005. Technically I am still living there. I have my business there, my rental house, majority of my belongings and of course...my husband.

We were married on December 29...just last month! I am now in Texas and I will have to be here for awhile to take care of some family needs. i don't have much money and so traveling back and forth is not very easy for me. I would really like for Dean to be able to be here with me during this time. We may eventually decide to stay here but really we are still "living" in Belize.

Do any of you think we should just try to get him a travel visa? Or should we go ahead and apply for the spousal visa? Technically we just need a travel visa since he is not intending to immigrate here quite yet. We still have our lives in Belize. He has applied for a travel visa before (June 2004) but was denied due to insufficient ties to his country. I hate to take the risk of trying for a travel visa again and have him denied again. It puts a big damper on his excitement for continuing to have any future dealings with the embassy and also, will it affect our spousal visa approval if he gets denied and then we turn around and immeidately apply for this. The embassy down there is already aware that he is with me...it's a crazy situation and a VERY small country. I guess I'm just wondering what our chances are at him actually getting approved for a travel visa? Nobody wants to face anymore denials that they don't have to. I also realize that nothing is guaranteed but I just would love y'alls opinons. Otherwise, we might just try for the spousal visa even though we won't be living here full-time for awhile. The embassy website for Belize hasn't posted anything yet about not accepting DCF applicants, so I've been trying to call them but I'm just getting a busy signal. So...if any of this makes sense, please send your advice or your experiences my way.

I appreciate any help!

Erin

Erin,
IMO, it 'only' costs $100 USD to apply for the tourist visa. There is no 'risk' to Dean--he's a big boy and can handle it if your mutual situation doesn't satisfy the COs. There is no penalty for applying for an immigrant visa after a tourist visa.

Apply for the spousal visa when you know he wants to move.

Local I-130 filing is not an option now, or for the near future. Please see the following thread: http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=421608

Hey meauxna,

It's GREAT to hear from you!!! I hope you are well. Yeah...what you posted is really along the same lines of my thoughts as well. I'm curious as to what some people think about us actually getting a travel visa. I haven't heard of anyone that has gone into an embassy and successfully gotten an approval with them knowing of their marriage to a US citizen. What do you think?

I'm not a resident of Belize because I always visit home for more than 2 weeks a year and that breaks the requirements that you need to gain residency. Now that we are married I will get nationality but I have to wait one year. So, anyway...I guess we will just have to prove them well that we are not wanting to completely immigrate here yet. I just want my husband to be able to travel with me.

What do you suggest that I give to Dean for him to take to the interview? (in terms of proof, etc.). I know bank accts. mean a lot down there (and I'm sure everywhere else) but ours is pretty empty at the moment.

Thanks again and I hope to hear from you soon.


Erin

Erin,
Many, many spouses of USCs have successfully applied for tourist visas to the US. True, the opposite is also true, but not when the USC is living abroad as well.

I'm sure that documenting the business and your history of time there will be useful addtions to what you mention.

Paint the picture you want them to see, with what you have. I do not think that the US gov't cares too much about the BZ residency permit, but that's just my opinion.

meauxna,


Thank you so much for your advice. You are always helpful and so responsive. I am working on getting things together now and hopefully he will apply for the tourist visa at the end of Feb. We might be able to do it sooner but I will have to mail him stuff and it takes awhile for stuff to arrive in Belize...if it ever makes it all.

Anyhow, your words made me feel much better and I want to thank you for that. It gives me hope

Hope you are doing great!!!


Hugs,

Erin