Visa for Chilean

[INCT 0]

Hi All,

I was looking for some advice. I am engaged to a man who lives in Chile and before we get married I would like him to come to America first to meet my family & friends and to actual see where we would be spending the rest of our lives rather than getting married first. I was told the easist way to get him here was through the tourist visa. He has now tried that option twice. We were planning on having him come here, meet everyone, settle in and then marry. But unfortunately he was denied both times. The American Embassy in Santiago said that he did have strong enough ties in Chile, that he would make a lot more money here, and they don't think he would return. He plead his case, but was denied. Now, I am under the assumption he will most likely never get a tourist visa. I contacted a lawyer and asked about the K-1 Fiance Visa. She explained to me that this could not only be a long drawn out process (which I was prepared to do) but there is a good chance that he would be denied again because the Embassy may feel that we aren't really engaged (although I have plenty of pictures, airplane tickets, etc to prove it), and after all the waiting be denied again. I can possibly get him a work visa from a friend who owns their own company, but I am nervous again the Embassy will see right through that and deny him again. The lawyer recommends me that I marry him in Chile and then bring him back to America. I really would prefer not to do that option as I think it is important for him to be here at least one time first. Does anyone have any suggestions or past experience with this type of situation.

Thanks,

Kristen

[Carlawarla 1]

Hi All,

I was looking for some advice. I am engaged to a man who lives in Chile and before we get married I would like him to come to America first to meet my family & friends and to actual see where we would be spending the rest of our lives rather than getting married first. I was told the easist way to get him here was through the tourist visa. He has now tried that option twice. We were planning on having him come here, meet everyone, settle in and then marry. But unfortunately he was denied both times. The American Embassy in Santiago said that he did have strong enough ties in Chile, that he would make a lot more money here, and they don't think he would return. He plead his case, but was denied. Now, I am under the assumption he will most likely never get a tourist visa. I contacted a lawyer and asked about the K-1 Fiance Visa. She explained to me that this could not only be a long drawn out process (which I was prepared to do) but there is a good chance that he would be denied again because the Embassy may feel that we aren't really engaged (although I have plenty of pictures, airplane tickets, etc to prove it), and after all the waiting be denied again. I can possibly get him a work visa from a friend who owns their own company, but I am nervous again the Embassy will see right through that and deny him again. The lawyer recommends me that I marry him in Chile and then bring him back to America. I really would prefer not to do that option as I think it is important for him to be here at least one time first. Does anyone have any suggestions or past experience with this type of situation.

Thanks,

Kristen

Hi Kristen

I can't specifically say anything about the Chilean Embassy, but given he's been denied a tourist visa twice, I'd say he probably wouldn't get another tourist visa anytime soon unless his circumstances have changed. Yes, the K-1 visa takes some time, but I have no idea why a lawyer would be saying that too would be denied unless he/she thinks you don't have enough evidence. See the Guides above to see what type of evidence you'll need for a K-1 visa. To have the visa processed you'll need evidence of meeting at least once in the last 2 years, and at the interview, you'll need evidence of an on-going relationship. Again, if there is any questions as to evidence, you'll have to read the guides.

There are lots of fiances that don't get to come to the US before being granted a K-1 visa. There are lots of beneficiaries that have no chance of getting a tourist visa as well. I really don't know what to say about this issue for you. Are there any questions or concerns for you that you think your fiance won't like it here in the US and will want to return? Are there issues about your fiance that you want sorted out with family and friends before he comes here to marry you? Again, while it's really nice if your fiance can come here to see the US first, if that's your preference, but if it's not to be, then I don't know what to say.

Your fiance could apply for a work based visa I suppose, and I'm sure someone here will jump in with the ins and outs of those types of visas, I really don't know about them.

Yes, you could marry in Chile and then apply for a K-3 or CR-1 visa, however it's not like you can go to Chile, get married, and then bring him back on your return trip. You'll still need to get a visa, which might be a longer process as well.

Take some time to read threads that might specificially be about Chile, and the process there.

Best of luck on your journey!

[motu 5]

Unfortunately what many people will like to do is not possible to do. Most of us, would like to bring our boy/girl friend over and show them around and introduce them to family and friends and then decide whether we should go ahead with a permanent relationship or not. However, this is not possible in this world - there are too many security threats (real or perceived); too many fraudulent visa seekers, too many money hungry people doing visa scams etc. - this makes the process very hard and very limiting. So, you have a simple choice, do you feel strong enough to marry this person now - even though s/he hasn't been here or met your family and friends and doesn't know his/her job prospects etc.? If yes, then you can proceed with a K1 visa or a K3 depending on where you want to get married and how soon, otherwise you need to keep searching for the 'sure' connection. Unfortunately there is no trial period available for most of us (some do have this option from the VWP countries). Good Luck

Edited April 4, 2008 by motu

[Shannon and David 0]

Unfortunately what many people will like to do is not possible to do. Most of us, would like to bring our boy/girl friend over and show them around and introduce them to family and friends and then decide whether we should go ahead with a permanent relationship or not. However, this is not possible in this world - there are too many security threats (real or perceived); too many fraudulent visa seekers, too many money hungry people doing visa scams etc. - this makes the process very hard and very limiting. So, you have a simple choice, do you feel strong enough to marry this person now - even though s/he hasn't been here or met your family and friends and doesn't know his/her job prospects etc.? If yes, then you can proceed with a K1 visa or a K3 depending on where you want to get married and how soon, otherwise you need to keep searching for the 'sure' connection. Unfortunately there is no trial period available for most of us (some do have this option from the VWP countries). Good Luck

I agree with much of what the above poster said... You've kind of got to make a decision. Is this really worth it? Do you guys love each other? If the answer is yes, then go for it. If either of you feel any trepidation, it will be hard. It's going to be hard regardless even if you are sure that you want to do this.

The amount of culture shock is BIG, HUGE even, and if he were to leave, he's leaving all his family and friends behind. I've got a couple of friends who have already gone through this process... One couple is still together and sadly, the other isn't. And the couple that is no longer together (yes, after doing the K-1 and getting married and all of that; 4? years together) is the one that has the Chilean in it... Major culture shock for him and he still misses his family and friends after being here for years...

So, I wish you luck with your decision. The K-1 process is not so bad. You've got to have patience, but if you're going through the Vermont Service Center, once you send in the I-129F and supporting documents, he could be here in 6 months (my process, hopefully, will be a total of 4)! I don't think that the fact that you two have tried to get his a visitor visa will affect their decision. It shows that you two have tried to get together in the States. Nothing wrong with that! You've visited him there, obviously.

Buena suerte, chica!