Engaged to a Tica (Costa Rican)...

[Miami_Mike 0]

Hey everybody, this is my first post. I just got back from a trip to Costa Rica where I proposed to my girlfriend. We've been in a serious relationship for the past 1 1/2 years and now we're engaged. We're crazy in love and we'll do whatever it takes to be together, sooner rather than later.

I met her through my father who lives in Costa Rica and since then, I am able to see her for 7 - 10 days every 3 months because of work. Here is my dream situation: I want to live with her for some time so we can REALLY learn all about each other before we take the next step and get married. She has never been to the USA so I am unsure about the fiance visa since it requires you to get married within 90 days. I do not want to rush marriage and that would be unfair to ask of her. I am getting a little frustrated because, from what I have found so far, it seems that is the only way you can live with someone. Is there any other way we can be live together without having to get married right away? Any and all help will be greatly appreciated.

P.S. We have flirted with some ideas of getting married in either the USA or Costa Rica. She has a much larger family than I do and we would save alot if the ceremony was there. My other question is, would she be processed into the US faster if we got married there and I did the I-130 petition or if we got married here and we did the fiance visa. She wants to work and continue her schooling, so keeping her busy upon arrival (or as close to) into the States is a priority.

[meauxna 15]

I do not want to rush marriage and that would be unfair to ask of her. I am getting a little frustrated because, from what I have found so far, it seems that is the only way you can live with someone. Is there any other way we can be live together without having to get married right away?

My earliest questions were the same---there is no other way unless she can qualify for a student or work visa on her own merit. Presence of a USC fiance may make her ineligible for some of those options (immigrant intent).

The good news is that if you marry in CR, you may be able to file the spouse petition I-130 directly at the Consulate in SJ. We had someone last week who just completed her case there--details in the DCF Forum. There are significant advantages to this method of immigrating; check out the DCF Guide for details: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...om&page=dcf

Hey, I'd made it 38 happy years without getting married--thought I'd figured it all out. Sometimes you just have to make that leap of faith---5 years now, and I couldn't be happier.