One Giant Riddler of a situation

[grazel 0]

Thanks in advance.

And, we want you to know that we love this website. It has been the main source of information, and now both our desktops are all messy and eye-crossing with info, links, and PDF's.

Here's the scoop:

*I am an American citizen. My (soon to be wife) is Brazilian.

*She was denied a US tourist visa (applied for in Brazil) just before we left Brazil for Mexico; which is where we are now.

*We intend to stay in Mexico for 3 years(ish) while she is studying.

Here's what we are thinking:

*Get married in Mexico.

*Apply for CR-1/IR-1 Visa.

*But we are also thinking: what if I begin the process to become a legal resident (as is required for direct consular filing; and as we will be here for several years) and perhaps the whole visa processing rigamarole goes much quicker. Advice on that? Likely, it would take longer to push the immigrant paperwork through the machine, and require more hassle than just waiting for the for the CR-1/IR-1 Visa to run its course?

In addition:

*Translated documents. We have read in several locations that the translated documents only need: to be verified as complete and accurate and that he/she is competent to translate and is fluent. Does this mean that any fluent (bi-lingual, of course) individual can translate documents? We are both fluent in Portuguese, Spanish, and English. Can we translate our own documents? Sound sketchy. Can a friend, or teacher of ours translate them for us?

And, in another addition, regarding affidavit of support and 125% poverty lining:

*I am a student. A study-abroad student at that. I netted about $200 US last year through a touch of farm work. That said, I received nearly 20,000 US through financial aid (both government sponsored and private; though the majority was alla gov.) Can this financial assistance be included in my affidavit of support? The prior year I made, say, 7 grand. And again the previous year.

*As I am a traveling student, I am only 'home' for a couple of months each year. Much of which, I spend with my mother, in her house, which is one of the addresses where I receive mail. So I would likely include my mother (and thereby, her husband and my sister) as an additional financial sponsor to bolster my microscopic lump of funds. Seems the amount required for a household of 5 (which we would be) is around 33,000 USD. Thus, combining the funds of my mother, myself, and my wife, we need 33 grand / year. Is this correct?

Right. My wife's share is devalued 1/5?

Okay.

*We will be filing in Mexico. Any suggestions on where? We are (predominantly) based around Oaxaca city. There is a consulate there, but it is not registered on the USCIS website. Any suggestions other than: 'go and talk to them', would be much appreciated.

Lastly:

*We do not plan to stay in the US. We move around a lot. We only want her to be allowed to enter the country to meet my parents, see my home, have a ceremony, share special stuff . . . and then take off. As I mentioned, I am usually in the US for a couple months a year, and it would be wonderful if she could come with me for these days.

Okay. Think that's it.

Beg your pardon if I dropped a headache into your head.

But I bet you folks are all used to it now. Professionals.

Thanks a Brazillion!

Grazel and Laura

[Anh map 2,098]

You should apply for an immigrant visa when you plan to live in the US, not just visit sporadically.

Do some reading in the Guides section (top of every page) to learn what is required for the various visas.

[grazel 0]

You should apply for an immigrant visa when you plan to live in the US, not just visit sporadically.

Do some reading in the Guides section (top of every page) to learn what is required for the various visas.

yes. how true.

our tourist visa application was denied in brazil, as i wrote before.

and, we are unable to file for a tourist visa in mexico.

the only existing option for us is to apply for a fiance visa or a spouse visa.

any responses to the questions and concerns originally stated would be deeply appreciated.