Please help!!! Newbie B-2/K-1 questions

[helpme21 0]

OK, so I met my boyfriend in Mexico back in December (2010). I just went back to Mexico to be with him for 10 days in March, and have plans to go back to stay again in May. We have only been dating for 3 months now, and we love each other, and have talked about marriage, but neither of us are 100% sure or ready yet. I mean really though, it has only been 3 months. He has never been to the states, and I live in Ohio.... where it gets cold and snowy. Hes not sure if he could even live here because of that. So basically we were talking about trying to get him a B-2 visa so he could come here, spend some time visiting me and also vacationing in the states. I have about a million questions....

1) Does anyone know or have any experience with getting a B-2 visa in Mexico....? What are the odds he gets approved if he doesnt have much money saved, but has always lived in Mexico, has no criminal background, has a fulltime job granting him vacation, and has 2 kids? Also does anyone know how what the actual processing time is in Mexico for a B-2 these days?

Before we knew that the B-2 visa was an option we had talked about doing a K-1. We figured that since it takes the applications like a year to be approved that we would be ready by then for sure since we already have some interest in marriage.... but we dont want to spend all this money and time waiting for a K-1 just for him to come here, hate Ohio, and want to move to Cozumel. If that is going to be the case I could just move to Mexico in a year and not dish out that kinda cash for nothing. So Basicallllly I want him to come to visit me for a change in either June or July. That way he can see Ohio, and find out if he even likes it here. If he does, then we would want to probably start the fiance visa so we would have a year to get ready for the wedding and everything and to make sure this is what we want.

2) so what if he comes here (just for the month) and he decides that he does want to move here, and we decide that we are ready to get married? He by no means has the intent to marry now... and lord knows I have no intent to marry him right now anyways. but assuming something crazy happens and we decide to be spontaneous, what are our options? Can I apply to have his B-2 changed into a K-1 as long as his B-2 isn't expired? Or could we just get married and file papers before his b-2 expires? Or would he have to go back to Mexico?

3) And if we did get married and got questioned for fraud, what happens? Ugh this whole thing just makes me nervous because its so subjective.

I have had many friends tell me that immigration could just say that they think we intended to marry and send him away for good. And I definitely don't want that to happen just because we were being spontaneous. What can we have to prove that we dont intend to marry in case this becomes a problem? I read online that the best plan is to be 100% honest with them to avoid problems.... but will they even let him in on a b-2 if they know he is coming to visit his girlfriend? or am i being paranoid again? ughhh.

final question for now, I made an appointment to go talk to the uscis to see what our options are and all that....... should I even talk to them or just talk directly to a lawyer? I mean if I go ask them questions will that be more of a problem and look like I'm trying to cover up something or will it be better because I'm being honest with them in advanced? I had a friend tell me not to give them any information unless they ask for it..... and then I heard the opposite, to just be extremely honest and forthcoming...

[Matt :) 1]

Why dont YOU move there?

[helpme21 0]

I woulddddd as a last resort to be with him but I really dont want to leave my family and friends and great job. Also we have talked about it a hundred times and it wouldnt make any sense financially.... So we want to try this first.

[Kimchimex 8]

I would as a last resort to be with him but I really dont want to leave my family and friends and great job. Also we have talked about it a hundred times and it wouldnt make any sense financially.... So we want to try this first.

Our Visa was started after fiancees had about a year together, though most of that time was spent learning about each other from texts & emails (like the old days hahaha) they have been together 3 years now total. Almost time for the dang NOA2!!!!

I have lived on Cozumel...it is not easy to live even in paradise in Mexico...My advice would be to go visit a few more times since it is close to impossible for Mexicans to get tourist visas, unless they have a lot of money in the bank, a good job (same one for like 5 years at least) own a house & a car.

If you do decide to marry he will learn to love the snow...I have lots of friends from Cozumel & Cancun area that live here in frozen Wisconsin & Minnesota & do just fine! They just head to Mexico for vacation like we do LOL...hardest thing for you to overcome is the children unless mom gives up the kids & you bring them here, it will be difficult for him to leave kids.

best wishes, y mucha suerte! Kim

[helpme21 0]

Do you have any idea how much.money he is going to need to get a tourist visa? I cant find any information on specifics just says "enough ti cover travel expenses". I was hoping I could just wire him whatever he needs to have in his bank account so they would approve it.... I really want to bring him here before we start the fiance visa....

[C_María 6]

From what I've heard, the Mexican with the average income cannot come to the US on vacation. Nor the above average income, only the waaay above average income with the assets and ties to prove to the immigration department that they have a more financially profitable and stable life in Mexico than they could have in the US. To put it in perspective I have spent a total of a year and a half living in Mexico and have talked to two people that have fit those requirements. (Though that may just be the company I keep! Ha, ha) I can't be sure but I don't think you could just put money in his account to make that happen.

I encourage you to be sure you want to marry before you dive into the K journey, it's a long and hard road and if you aren't a strong couple you won't survive it.

Jeez, I don't want to sound like such a bummer but Homeland security says that most of the friends and lovers we make in Mexico can't just casually visit us here. Even if we promise that they'll leave when they're supposed to and not steal any jobs from good ol American citizens!

But please, don't let me discourage you... there are ways for you to be together and luckily you are in the right place. There is a wealth of information here between the guides and the other members. Good luck on your decision!

Edited March 8, 2011 by C_María

[Boiler 45,659]

Mexicans are issued more B2 Visa's than the next 2 countries, India and China, combined.

The only thing we know about your fiancees chances are that if he does not apply they are nil.

[C_María 6]

Mexicans are issued more B2 Visa's than the next 2 countries, India and China, combined.

The only thing we know about your fiancees chances are that if he does not apply they are nil.

With much respect, where did you find that information? I'm only going by what I researched over the past year when my Mexican fiance and I were considering the same options. I like charts and I found this one- granted it's a few years old but the recent info doesn't seem too far off. I'm not trying to be confrontational but the information you have just seems so different than mine.

I absolutely want everyone to try every option to be together but I also don't want to see anyone get their hopes up and waste energy on an option that isn't very realistic. That's why we're here, to share information with each other!

This link shows the top 3 countries: Brazil, China and India; each with over 350,000 B1/B2 issuances in the year 2008 and Mexico with 30,000 (ranking at 39th in the top 100 countries). It's actually very interesting information to check out for anyone from any country that is interested in the B visas.

http://immigrationroad.com/visa/b1-b2-visitor/b1-b2-visitor-visa-statistics.php

[helpme21 0]

After looking further into how hard it is going to be to get a B-2 I realized it is going to be hard for him to even consider that as an option. Today I got a package from him with a note not to open it until I called him.... And he proposed. So im guessing.any slim chance he had at a B-2 is out the window anyways since he has the intent to marry me, ha. Now the plan is for us to get married in Mexico in May and apply for a CR-1. I just hope he doesnt get here, see the snow and turn right back around haha.

[Boiler 45,659]

With much respect, where did you find that information? I'm only going by what I researched over the past year when my Mexican fiance and I were considering the same options. I like charts and I found this one- granted it's a few years old but the recent info doesn't seem too far off. I'm not trying to be confrontational but the information you have just seems so different than mine.

I absolutely want everyone to try every option to be together but I also don't want to see anyone get their hopes up and waste energy on an option that isn't very realistic. That's why we're here, to share information with each other!

This link shows the top 3 countries: Brazil, China and India; each with over 350,000 B1/B2 issuances in the year 2008 and Mexico with 30,000 (ranking at 39th in the top 100 countries). It's actually very interesting information to check out for anyone from any country that is interested in the B visas.

http://immigrationroad.com/visa/b1-b2-visitor/b1-b2-visitor-visa-statistics.php

I could not find the source I saw, came up some time back so I looked it up.

http://www.dhs.gov/files/statistics/immigration.shtm

Looking at your link I was somewhat surprised to see the numbers from Brazil.

[Kimchimex 8]

After looking further into how hard it is going to be to get a B-2 I realized it is going to be hard for him to even consider that as an option. Today I got a package from him with a note not to open it until I called him.... And he proposed. So im guessing.any slim chance he had at a B-2 is out the window anyways since he has the intent to marry me, ha. Now the plan is for us to get married in Mexico in May and apply for a CR-1. I just hope he doesnt get here, see the snow and turn right back around haha.

I have friends who married their Mexican Boyfriends, in Mexico & it took a bit more than a year to get them here to the USA. I also have friends who went the fiancee visa route, supposedly it is faster, but costs more. As for a tourist visa, he would need $2,000-3,000 sitting in a bank for several months to show he has money, plus his name on a home, car etc. It is still not a done-deal, I believe application for tourist visas are about $100usd & they can still turn you down if the interviewer believes you will marry or overstay. You can try this, however it is very difficult these days & it also wastes time...

My opinion would be to begin the fiancee visa process, and then as it progresses go ahead & marry him in Mexico but that would make the K1 null & you would begin a new process.

What ever you do take lots of photos & begin documenting every trip, keep all boarding passes etc so you can prove you were there to visit!

best of luck! Kim

[C_María 6]

After looking further into how hard it is going to be to get a B-2 I realized it is going to be hard for him to even consider that as an option. Today I got a package from him with a note not to open it until I called him.... And he proposed. So im guessing.any slim chance he had at a B-2 is out the window anyways since he has the intent to marry me, ha. Now the plan is for us to get married in Mexico in May and apply for a CR-1. I just hope he doesnt get here, see the snow and turn right back around haha.

Wow! Felizidades!!!! Que romantico <3 <3 <3 Well that solves one problem at least... Jeje!

Now Kimchimex is absolutely right, before you even begin anything else start saving EVERYTHING that you could potentially use as evidence later on. Chat logs, phone cards, envelopes from packages and letters, ticket stubs, definitely photos, you name it. You will need to prove that you met in person and that you continue to have an ongoing relationship first when you file the I-129F and then during this process up through the interview. Check out the "guides" link at the top of the page and start reading up on what visa you want to use depending on if you will marry there and then get him up here or remain fiances until after he crosses.

Welcome to the wild journey!!!!

[yohino 22]

I have friends who married their Mexican Boyfriends, in Mexico & it took a bit more than a year to get them here to the USA. I also have friends who went the fiancee visa route, supposedly it is faster, but costs more. As for a tourist visa, he would need $2,000-3,000 sitting in a bank for several months to show he has money, plus his name on a home, car etc. It is still not a done-deal, I believe application for tourist visas are about $100usd & they can still turn you down if the interviewer believes you will marry or overstay. You can try this, however it is very difficult these days & it also wastes time...

My opinion would be to begin the fiancee visa process, and then as it progresses go ahead & marry him in Mexico but that would make the K1 null & you would begin a new process.What ever you do take lots of photos & begin documenting every trip, keep all boarding passes etc so you can prove you were there to visit!

best of luck! Kim

Why on earth would they do that?

Sorry if that sounds harsh but that would just be throwing money down the drain.

Either start the K-1 and see it through, and marry when he gets to America, OR, get married in Mexico and file for the CR-1.

My 2 cents...

[Boiler 45,659]

I was wondering the same.

[Kimchimex 8]

I was wondering the same.

well because the only money down the drain is original filing fee $450ish (depending on the ups & downs of the dang fee)

yes it would be a throw away if they marry in Mexico, but if they don't marry there...then they have at least been doing something...

& still cheaper than a lawyer