wadeanderson

1 hour ago, SusieQQQ said:

I’ve personally had both 1- and 10-year visas, at different stages of my life - I think it’s partly dependent on your personal circumstances.

 

i don’t know for sure but I’d think the thing about one month is confusing what the CBP officer may allow at entry, with the maximum validity of the visa. 

thank you. Hopefully she gets approved after her appointment on the 11th and then we can make plans for the visit.

49 minutes ago, geowrian said:

A US tourist visa can be single use or multi-use (multi-use is much more common). The visa's validity is typically a maximum of 1, 3, 5, or 10 years. I think some countries have a shorter maximum validity than others, but don't hold me to that piece. The CO will determine the actual validity period (and single/multi use) of the visa during/after the interview.

The maximum duration of stay on any single trip is determined by CBP...it can be anywhere from 1 day (yes this has happened!) to 6 months. Unless the individual is planning an extended stay of a few months, this is likely not an issue.

 

A validity period of only 1 month would seem on the unusual side of things, IMO. Not impossible, but typically they issue a visa for longer than that.

 

You can visit Canada and/or Mexico during a trip. Just note that doing so does not reset the I-94's expiration. The I-94 is issued at POE with the last day of legal stay. Don't stay past that date.

Those 2 countries are unique in this aspect...typically if you leave the US and re-enter, you get a new I-94 issued.

Thank you very much, that is very helpful information!!!

I have been reading that tourists visas can be anywhere from 1 month to 10 years.  I can't find anything specific for Ecuadorians who get tourist visas.  Is there a standard or is it decided at the interview?

She goes for an interview on the 11th and wondering what to anticipate, she thinks she might have to use it within 1 month and that would be too soon.  I thought she might  have 6 months to use it.  Also is it good for multiple entries, if she is here can we go back and forth to Mexico or Canada?

thanks!

48 minutes ago, caliliving said:

You bring a citizen doesn't help her chances. If anything it ruins it as they will be scared she won't return. If she doesn't have a strong job, a house and income it will almost be denied. 

OK thanks, She has a good job, owns a house, has a bank account, and all of the family is there in Ecuador. a LOT of family with her other children, and many grandchildren.  My wife is the only one of the family not there.  Our goal is to eventually move to Ecuador and all of us live there not here.  But we just need to make sure we can do what we can now so my wife's mother can come visit us on a tourist visa.

I thought about filling out the forms for her to make sure they are accurate, also would consider sending more money to her bank account if the amount of money makes a difference in the account.

I don't know how she will prove all those ties to Ecuador but want to try to do everything we can to get it right the first time.

4 minutes ago, NuestraUnion said:

Your mother files on her own. You do nothing.

 

She must provide proof of strong ties to Ecuador.

I was hoping to help her through the process by assisting with filling out forms and guiding her through the process.

I know before there were sample forms on here for the k1 visa and lots of information about the questions asked during the interview.  That was very helpful to have an understanding of the types of questions being asked.

I started here on visajourney in 2012 and found a wealth of information and great discussions with others going through the K1 visa when I was going through it with my now wife.  We made it through that stressful process and she is now a US Citizen!

Now we want to bring her mother over to visit us.  I was unable to find any sample forms or information on tourist visas like I did for the K1 visa.  We are just starting out the process now and looking for some guidance.

Thank you!

Wade

Another question. If we start the process on 10/19/16 anyone know an expected time frame to get citizenship?

Just looking for an estimate.

Thanks

Wade

You are basically right. Except 90 days prior to 01/17/2017 is 10/19/2016. This is the earliest date you can file the N-400. Also there is a Biometrics appointment before the interview (which includes the test).

It seems like the rest of the process is relatively easy now.

one last form to fill out

one last interview

take a test

take an oath.

that's it?

We were weighing the pros and cons of citizenship, it is not absolutely necessary but the main reason would be to have the ability to leave the country for a year at a time if we want. I thought it would be great to try living on both countries off and on. I do not think the permanent resident card will allow someone to do that.

I have read several posts and some seemed confusing as to the dates and some of the details.

My wife arrived in the US on June 29, 2013 on a K1 visa, married in August 2013

initial green card issued with a date of January 17, 2014

just received the permanent resident card with condition removed, 10 year card. I do not have that exact date right now, it is with my wife at the moment

but I the date is around the first of May 2016

Now I am trying to get a basic overview of the process.

It seems we can start the process within 90 days of her 3 years ( I assume that is going by the date of the first permanent green card issued 1/17/2014)

If I am correct the 3 year mark is 1/17/2017

which means we can start as early as 10/17/2016?

and also just looking for a brief outline of steps.

fill out N400

then is there another interview?

take a test?

get sworn in?

is that the basic outline?

thanks for the help!

Wade

ok, the problem is that they would not recognize us as married in Ecuador when we tried to buy property in Ecuador in both of our names. I got a response from the Ecuadorian consulate stating:

===============

Dear sir

That's not possible. According to ecuadorian laws, the wife does not change her last name to her husband's, what can be done is putting a note on the observations page of her passport saying she's married and what her name here in the US is

Atentamente,

===============

That does not help us for being recognized as married in Ecuador.

The next step is trying the Ecuadorian embassy in Washington DC as suggested by TBoneTX. The important part would be being recognized as married, if they would do a name change too that would be a bonus.

Hey I have a question.

My wife now has my last name and we need to get it changed for her home country of Ecuador too. We were recently back in Ecuador and they said we had to do the name change here at the Ecuadorian consulate and get new Ecuadorian passport here in the US. We just called the consulate and they said they do not do that. Does anyone know what the process is? thanks!

Hello,

We are looking for other people in Guayaquil who are going through the fiancee visa process or spousal visa process. Looking to connect and share information with others so we can help each other through this process. We are new to this and looking for a little guidance initially.

Thank you,

Wade & Caro

Univision.com has a ton of immigration-related forums, including this one for people seeking visas abroad:

http://foro.univision.com/t5/Inmigracion-Visas/bd-p/visas

thank you very much!

I don't know of any myself, but there are plenty of people on here that have done it that could probably help you. I had the same sort of thing... my husband is from Ecuador and only speaks Spanish. I am the bilingual one and would be willing to help if you need some info. There is someone I met on here who's husband is also from Guayaquil. Maybe that could help?

thank you, I will be in Guayaquil on the 12th and will stay for 3 months. I have not done anything yet and it is my plan to start the process while I am there. I assume I can fill out all the paperwork while I am there and get the process started, or do they have any rules stating I have to start the process here in the US?

Indeed I am a huge Zepp fan.

As far as the second wedding in Ecuador, we are discussing that. But it would still require time, because I am not a confirmed catholic.

My interview is tomorrow, wish me luck!

GOOD LUCK!!

I am wondering if there are any support groups in Guayaquil, Ecuador of people going through the fianceé or spousal visa process?

or online discussion groups that are in Spanish?

Yea, I hear you.

But it's not very romantic to not be able to plan a traditional, catholic wedding (the way my fiancee wants it) with all her family there and a full-blown reception when Ecuador doesn't allow people to marry until they have resided in the country for 75 consecutive days. Time I can't afford to take off from work. Unfortunately, the K1 was our best option and her family won't be at our wedding (which will be small).

That, my friend, is not very romantic.

Hey there Fantonledzepp, you must be a Led Zeppelin fan. Jimmy Page was my hero as a teenager!

As far as how people define "romantic" we all have different definitions, I do not judge what others perceptions are. My father was a 27 year active duty Marine so as you could imagine I grew up with one of the most unromantic families. Somehow I ended up being the total opposite of my family, I tend to be more of a pacifist and I love spontaneity, fully embracing life and every moment without much planning. That is what makes me feel alive! Having to think of all the visa and consulate issues puts my mind in another state of thinking.

Anyway, why don't you have 2 weddings? Have the official one here in the US and then plan a very nice formal Catholic wedding in Ecuador? I thought that if I marry my fiancee here that we would go back and have another wedding in Ecuador so her family can be a part of this very important ceremony.

I will also post another discussion thread to see if there are any resources for my fiancee in Guayaquil, like other women there going through the same thing, discussion forum in Spanish etc...

You can say that again. How many times did I have unpleasant conversations with the fiancee because of the lack of romance once we realized how unconventional this would be. We were both sad for a few weeks.

But it's coming to an end soon.

Make a plan of attack and plan it well.

I just got off the phone with the Ecuador consulate who have always been very nice and very helpful to me. Even going into the office is such a pleasant experience, very relaxed and very welcoming. The woman there told me that she thought is was easier to bring her here on a fiancee visa. I also found out that my 6 month visa I got means I can stay there for up to 6 months for a year and it includes the 3 months I already stayed there from December to March this year. She said I need to leave in 3 months when my 180 days are up for the year and cannot go back until after December 18 which is the date I first entered into the country. I was hoping to stay for 6 months

right now I am shielding my girlfriend from all this bureaucracy and will wait to talk to her about it when I get there. She does not know how complicated this is and it is going to break her heart to know I will have to leave the country without her

You can say that again. How many times did I have unpleasant conversations with the fiancee because of the lack of romance once we realized how unconventional this would be. We were both sad for a few weeks.

But it's coming to an end soon.

Make a plan of attack and plan it well.

I just got off the phone with the Ecuador consulate who have always been very nice and very helpful to me. Even going into the office is such a pleasant experience, very relaxed and very welcoming. The woman there told me that she thought is was easier to bring her here on a fiancee visa. I also found out that my 6 month visa I got means I can stay there for up to 6 months for a year and it includes the 3 months I already stayed there from December to March this year. She said I need to leave in 3 months when my 180 days are up for the year and cannot go back until after December 18 which is the date I first entered into the country. I was hoping to stay for 6 months

right now I am shielding my girlfriend from all this bureaucracy and will wait to talk to her about it when I get there. She does not know how complicated this is and it is going to break her heart to know I will have to leave the country without her I am already sad thinking about it.

Brother Wade, did you read the thread? Honestly, it sounds like you're on a "ready, fire, aim" path, which will NOT work at the ####### Guayaquil consulate.

Hey TBoneTX, Yes I read through it and it seems as though it does not matter if we get married there or here, I just need to make sure I can establish that it is an authentic relationship. I have started saving everything I can, western union receipts, backed up MSN messenger conversation history, emails, receipts for gifts, telephone history, skype history, etc... I have to say that with all the conversations we have all day lone every day, this is a very large file! While I am at work and she is at work during the day we rarely go an hour without a message back and forth. If I print off and bring everything in, I will need to use a a hand truck to bring it all in!!!

anyway, I am sorting and organizing everything and even uploading to google documents to have a back up copy on the internet.

All I can do is to follow all the steps and get things in order. I am arriving back there in a few weeks, I have an apartment in Guayaquil and plan to stay 6 months, I wish I could bring her back here before 6 months but that does not seem possible? I do not want to leave her again and I cannot live there, I need to come back and work in the US. I will do whatever it takes but I want the shortest path to bring her here.

I am very lucky to have found this website, I thought it would be easy to go there and bring her here on a visa within a few months, but now I am revising all my plans. It takes all the romance out of a relationship when you have to keep thinking about what the consulate wants

thanks,

Wade

Brother Wade, did you read the thread? Honestly, it sounds like you're on a "ready, fire, aim" path, which will NOT work at the ####### Guayaquil consulate.

oh, and it seems like this Guayaquil consulate has been mentioned for many years, he is still there? What is his name? and if there are problems what is the best course of action, contact congressman?

thanks!

Wade

Here I am, sigh man.

Brother Wade, read this thread in its entirety:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/110313-us-consulate-in-guayaquil-ecuador/

Pay very close attention to the worst accounts and descriptions.

Then, go atop any VJ page and click on the "Reviews: Embassy" link. In the Reviews, be aware that the more recent, positive-sounding reviews were written chiefly by people who heeded the warnings about this evil, ####### consulate. Several of us are holding back on writing our reviews, because we plan to file "after-visa complaints" with the U.S. Department of State and the Consul General at Guayaquil. You can, however, read the review by PDXBicycleBoy, every word of which needs to be burned into your forebrain before you act in any fashion.

Do all this before you plan any future with any Ecuatoriana whom you would seek to bring to the United States.

In terms of your plans, I recommend in the strongest possible terms that you pursue the CR-1 visa and that you file NO PETITION OF ANY KIND with USCIS until you have a very, very long and unquestionably bona fide relationship with your fiancee (who would be your wife if you were to file the I-130 petition that precedes her CR-1 visa application). Otherwise, you're playing with very hot fire and strongly risk being barbecued by that hellhole consulate. If you never heed another word that I've ever written or will write on any other topic, heed me now.

Wow thank you very much!! So maybe it is better to get married there first. I do not care, I just want to know the easiest process. Someone else mentioned having to be there 75 days, I heard somewhere else 6 months.

Thanks,

Wade

Moved from K1 Process & Procedures to Mexico, Latin & South America regional forum; OP is asking for experiences from the US Consulate Guayaquil.

**Organizer hat off**

The Consulate in Guayaquil has a reputation as being a very tough consulate. I'm sure TBone TX will be along to tell you what you are in for. You would be very wise to listen to what he and others have to say regarding their experiences with this Consulate.

OK thanks! from what I have read so far it sounds like the fiance visa is the easier route to take.

I never thought I would be looking at a process like this! I went on a trip for 4 months in Colombia and Ecuador not looking to meet anyone but now I have a fiance living in Ecuador! I am back in the US to work for 3 months, which this job contract will end in less than a month and then I am going back to see her again on July 12!

I already have an apartment in Ecuador and since I overstayed my 90 days on my passport I went and got a 6 month visa for Ecaudor... the easiest process ever!

She would prefer to be married there and her family would prefer her to married to me before coming to the US. But I hear it is easier to get a K1 Fiance visa. It is my hope to not have to stay there the full 6 months, I want to go there and do whatever it takes to bring her back here the fastest way.

I am wondering if anyone has experience with the consulate in Ecuador and can share how fast or slow the process is.

thank you very much,

Wade