lenster

Congratulations!!!

I'm also flying to Rio in a few weeks to go to my fiance's interview with him. I can't wait for the date, the trip, to see him!!

I hear that the interviews there are not that bad - usually short and sweet.

Good luck (boa sorte).

Are the interviews in Rio short and sweet? Many respondents to my post seemed to indicate that they would be very difficult, using intimidation and even telling lies to get you to make admissions on certain facts. Which is it kind or cruel?

OK, I understand that my case has a level of complication that is beyond this board. I will look for a lawyer (and am always interested in any referrals). Thanks again to everyone who gave me serious and thoughtful responses.

Any recommendations for a lawyer in Rio? What can I expect to pay?

lenster,

You need to be consulting with an attorney, not with an internet discussion group. Your case has serious legal issues.

Yodrak

.....

My original reason for this starting this thread was to get some answers for the K1 visa, not to discuss why I'm in love with a former prostitute. ....

First I wanted to point out how amusing it is that I was accused of being a troll when you look at some of the juvenile messages others have posted on this thread.

My original reason for this starting this thread was to get some answers for the K1 visa, not to discuss why I'm in love with a former prostitute. But I didn't mind discussing it since her profession is relevant.

I'm not trying to be stubborn and I do plan to return to Brazil and meet her family. I can't go there for long or very often because of my work. I'll try to learn portuguese but my language skills have never been good. I took french for 3 years and can barely say bonjour. I spoke with her about taking english classes and she is going to start to do that. The reason I'm in a rush is because I think the K1 visa is the only way we'll be able to spend a lot of time together. She can't come here because a tourist visa is impossible, I can't go there that much because of my work. But under the circumstances we do our best to get to know each other including communicating every day (using babelfish, which is actually pretty good, check it out for yourself).

Don't worry, I'm thick-skinned and have heard much worse from my brother.

Just noticed also that you said she had mandatory testing for aids. Would the authorities have some type of access to this information? Could they question why she had so many tests for HIV or would she had to have put her profession down to get the tests?

Also, what would she put down for employment if she did this for a year in leu of this? Was she going to school also?

Just wondering and trying to look at from all angles.

Good luck whatever you decide and hope you are making the right decision - again, BE CAREFUL.

I'm not sure. I would imagine that this personal health information would not be disclosed to the authorities, but then this is Brazil, not the US where people have privacy rights so I don't know. But this raises another question. How closely do the consulate officials work with the local (or Brazilian) authorities. Is there really efficient information sharing between the two?

From what I understand Brazilian medical privacy rights are a lot stricter in protecting the patient than U.S. laws. There are a lot fewer situations where they can be disclosed.

*eta that statement was rather negative about Brazil ("but this is Brazil, not the U.S. where people have privacy rights"). You should really take another trip down there so you can see that there are a lot of great things the country has on the U.S.

Sorry, I should have chosen my words more carefully. What I meant to say is that I know that in the US people have privacy rights. Brazil is a different country so I don't know if there are privacy rights like in the US. I just meant to point out that I'm dealing with a country that does not necessarily have the same laws as those I'm used to in this country. I agree that Brazil has a lot of great things and I keep learning of more from my girlfriend (and now from you as well).

Just noticed also that you said she had mandatory testing for aids. Would the authorities have some type of access to this information? Could they question why she had so many tests for HIV or would she had to have put her profession down to get the tests?

Also, what would she put down for employment if she did this for a year in leu of this? Was she going to school also?

Just wondering and trying to look at from all angles.

Good luck whatever you decide and hope you are making the right decision - again, BE CAREFUL.

I'm not sure. I would imagine that this personal health information would not be disclosed to the authorities, but then this is Brazil, not the US where people have privacy rights so I don't know. But this raises another question. How closely do the consulate officials work with the local (or Brazilian) authorities. Is there really efficient information sharing between the two?

Hmmm, if you're saying she was only a prostitute for a short period of time a long time ago (that's what you appear to be stating) why would you have it brought up at all? Is not like "prostitute", "bum", "social climber" can be listed as employments.

Sorry if I wasn't clear. She has worked in that capacity for a short time (less than a year) but it was not a long time ago. She quit a short while ago. Nonetheless, one of the forms has a box that must be checked if she worked as a prostitute in the last 10 years, so it's not just a question of what to put down on the "employment" issue, but also on the specific questions about prostitution.

CB,

The original purpose of my post was to get information on how my situation will affect the K1 process. But since everyone has been forthcoming with advice I don't mind answering your questions as well.

Believe me, I would prefer that she had never been a prostitute, both for the stigma attached to it, the difficult immigration problems this may cause and the thought of her having been with a number of men. But despite this, the time I spent with her were some of the best days I've ever had and I've never met a woman that I felt so good about. It's true we can't communicate well with language but I feel we click better than any woman I've met who speaks my own language. She seems to care for me like no other woman and is so full of life. I feel excited whenever time we chat like I haven't felt since I was in high school. I know it doesn't sound rational, but love is not always rational.

She was still working when we met, but she never charged me to be with her since what we have is real. The place she worked at had mandatory testing so she was regularly tested throughout her time working. I know she quit the profession because she's always been honest with me and I trust her. Plus we speak sometimes at night which is the hours she used to work at. While she was working she could not speak with me at night, but now that she quit she is available at that time.

Hope this answers your questions.

Thee Rak,

It looks like you and me might be in the same boat. I've recently made a similar post along the same lines. Most of the respondents have suggested that I disclose my girlfriend's former profession. Like you I am fearful of the consequences. If you learn anything more I would be interested in hearing what you come up with. I can do the same for you if you'd like. Of course, we are dealing with different countries, my girlfriend is in Brazil. So there might be some differences in that regard.

The consensus here appears to be that we should disclose that she once worked as a prostitute. I noticed that DS-156 says that a person is ineligible if they have ever worked as a prostitute. DS-230 says the following items will be assessed when reviewing a person including if they engaged as a prostitute in the US or if they engaged as a prostitute in the last 10 years (I assume this means anywhere not just in the US). DS-156 seems to claim that prostitution is a deal killer whereas DS-230 seems to say it is one of many factors to be considered. Is that right and why are the two inconsistent in this regard?

My question is, if we reveal that she was a prostitute should we provided further explanation with these forms. For example that she no longer works as a prostitute and that she did it for less than a year. Or do we wait until the interview, but if we do that maybe an interview would not even be possible.

Someone mentioned that a consulate officer can spot a prostitute. My girlfriend only worked in that capacity for a short time and I don't think she appears any different than other woman her age. I'm not sure how they would know her former profession but maybe they ask certain questions - if we don't disclose her former profession it might be good to know what those questions are so we can prepare for them.

I regret that some have questioned my motives on this board. My situation is very real and I appreciate those who have provided me with serious responses. It's true that my situation is unique, which is why I am seeking to find answers that I don't think I could find elsewhere.

I understand that our relationship could be viewed as being based on sex, but it has been several months since we were last together and yet we continue to feel more affection for each other than ever even though there has been no sex during all these months. I would be interested in reading the anthropology study if you could tell me where I could find it. She has never asked me for money (and I never sent any) or suggested we get married, I'm the one who brought it up since I can't stand being apart from her. She has even suggested that I move to Brazil but this is not possible because of my work. Anyway I am getting off-track. What I really wanted to know was the implications my situation will have in the K1-visa process.

I would like to go to Brazil a few more times and get to know her better, but my work is in the US and I can't take more than 3-4 weeks off a year. If the whole process takes 9 months I want to get started now and get to know her in the meantime. If I wait until I've known her for a year before I begin the process, it could be two years from now before she can get married. That's a long time to wait.

The good news is that we are in love and that we email each other daily (using an electronic translator).

There is no record of her prostitution that I know of. However, my brother (who was with me when I met her) does not want me to marry her and he has threatened to inform the authorities at the consulate of her profession. Can he really do that? Is there someone that would really take him seriously if he did that?

Thanks for your responses so far.

I met a Brazilian girl and want to marry her. We have only met in person for less than a month and we do not speak each other's language.

Will the fact that we don't speak the same language cause a problem for obtaining a K1 visa?

She used to be a prostitute will this also be a problem, will the authorities be able to find this out?

How long will it take for us to get approved (if we qualify)?