US citizen seeks tourist visa for Costa Rican boyfriend

[hannahcal 0]

My boyfriend and I have been together for over a year, and I have spent the majority of that time living with him in Costa Rica. We are very in love, but we are young and don't want to rush into marriage. However we both feel that it's time that he travels to see where I come from, and meets my family, etc. We plan to apply for a tourist visa so that he can attend my sisters wedding in the states at the end of the year.

I've listed facts about our situation below. Any advice or insight would be immensely appreciated!

On the states side:

My sister (31 years, teacher for 6 years, owns a home, to be married) is going to sponsor him. she has filled out the I-134 affidavit of support form, provided me with a letter from her employer stating her yearly earnings, as well as a bank statement and a couple of pay stubs, a letter of

invitation to him (inviting him to the wedding, and to stay in her home during his 3 week visit, as well as stating that she will cover any costs that he may require in the event that he cannot on his own), as well as a letter to the embassy stating the same jazz.

I plan to buy myself a plane to ticket from US to Costa Rica on the date that he plans to return home, so that he can present it in the event that the interviewer is wary that he may want to stay there with me. (Neither of us want to stay in the states)

On his side:

He is 24 years old, Costa Rican through and through

He owns a small property with a house, where his mother and sisters live, whom he helps support (how to prove this?)

He has a bank account with regular deposits and withdrawals (has been keeping receipts), and he is saving money for the trip. He plans to pay his entire travel (my sister as a safety net) but may only have about $1000 saved up by the time of the interview (3 months before planned departure)

He pays social security monthly

He has a steady job of nearly 2 years renting chairs on the beach, which has proved nearly enough to support the both of us, but he is always paid under the table (very typical in tourism here) so doesn't have the most official proof of it

We want to ask for a tourist visa for only 3 weeks to allow him to get to know my home, attend my sisters wedding, and see some awesome sights that the US has to offer.

If anyone could suggest further steps we could take, or provide insight to our circumstances, I would really appreciate it!

Thank you

~Hanna

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Looks good, though tourist visas don't require sponsors.

[Keletso 0]

It sounds good.

We had tried to get my husband a tourist visa before we were married because I wanted him to see where I come from before we got married, but he was denied, they said he didn't have enough money. Although he had enough to pay for the trip and a job and my parents also provided all the information to sponsor him. They also told him that they didn't believe that he would return to Botswana. I was living in the US at this time, going to school. So I think it is a good to have the ticket for you returning.

Good luck and I hope you manage everything!

[hannahcal 0]

Thanks for your input, both of you. I know the sponsor is not required, I just figured it would be helpful. Anymore tips for the interview?

[aaron2020 11,651]

Thanks for your input, both of you. I know the sponsor is not required, I just figured it would be helpful. Anymore tips for the interview?

Sponsorship is not accepted for visitor visas. No one can sponsor another person for a visitor visa.

The proposed "sponsorship" will not be helpful. In fact, it will be harmful.

A visitor visa applicant has to overcome the presumption of illegal immigration. He has to show strong ties to his country that indicates he will return after a brief trip. Showing strong ties to the US has the opposite effect. Strong ties to the US are reasons for him to stay, marry you, and adjust his status.

Having a US citizen girlfriend traveling with him is a major strike because the US Embassy knows that he could marry you in the US and adjust his status. Lots of couples have chosen this route by committing immigration fraud.

Having financial support in the US is also a strike. It doesn't help show a strong tie to his home country that allows him to overcome the presumption.

Leave things about your sister out of this.

[hannahcal 0]

Having financial support in the US is also a strike. It doesn't help show a strong tie to his home country that allows him to overcome the presumption.

We did consider that, and her letters both clearly state that she would only be willing to support him during the 3 week time frame given, and in the case that it was absolutely necessary (I figured that would dismiss the possibility of him getting stuck in the country)

As far as everything I've read the sponsorship is permitted. I do see all of your points, though.

The whole reason he wants to go to the US is to go to her wedding, and meet my family. The whole trip is about the US girlfriend, how can he even present his intentions to the interviewer if he leaves me and my sister out of it??

Do you have any suggestions?

[merc0230 28]

I could write a book here.

Like you I was living in Costa Rica with my then girlfriend. I was registered at the embassy, (as an expat), on the lease in Costa Rica, etc, etc. She was a student without strong ties, so I was trying to show my strong ties to Costa Rica. However, I worked online and my company was US based. Not too surprsingly she got denied.

Fast forward something like 6 or 8 months. I continued to live in Costa Rica, my friend, my mom, my aunt had come for visits. I only left the country (Nicaragua and Panama) to renew my visa (for 90 days) which she went with me everytime (i.e. our passports matched). Denied again.

Ok, so we decided on a Costa Rican wedding. Back at the embassy. I now have been in the country over 2 years. We have a lease purchase agreement on our house valued at over $200K. I have applied for my Costa Rican residency and have my Comprobant number.

At our appointment (third time is the charm, right?)

Now, I realize that we have to prove that she didn't intend on immigrating, but they reviewing officer didn't look at ANY of the documentation that I provided. All he did was look at this computer. Then he suggested that we have her try for an immigration visa, at that time I had to explain to him that immigration visas were only for those people wanting to immigrate, not visit. He left the window, to talk to someone else and then said, yep you are right. I thought, "great, finally we get it". Nope denied again. Still no strong ties.

On the other hand we have a single female friend that owns a small house, goes to school part time and works full time. She got approved. From what I understand it is truly hit or miss. It all depends on the mood of the CO (and there is no appeal process).

So, I all can say is give it a shot and see how it goes. I hope it goes well for you.