Journey's over

[chizz]

Sup sup P-L!
It's been a long time since I checked in, but i'm glad the board is still thriving and pumping. I can at long last say my journeys' over. I've met the love of my life, and on 06/27/11 when I head down to see her, I'm going to pop the question. We met on Dominican cupid, and I've gone to see her twice. I've met the family and they love me and I love them.
I will say this, in full disclosure, it hasn't been easy to come to this point. I've taken many trips to colombia and the D.R. before I met my future wife and I can say its been worth it. I had almost given up with the finding my love overseas but at long last, lightning struck and I couldn't be happier.
I'm thinking about doing the CR-1 route because from my research, it seems many people say this is the best route to take if you're really serious about your relationship and it shows the Immigration people that your relationship is real. I will say this to anyone who might be on the fence; don't give up. It might take some time, but it will happen. My thing was if something didn't feel right with the woman, I was ghost. I felt it was better to be safe than sorry.
I will give updates along the way and ask questions if i need some assistance. If anyone has questions feel free to ask. Peace,
chizz

[chizz]

P.S, I also put some photographs of us in the gallery, when they get approved check them out.
Chizz

[Researcher]

 Congrats Chizz!! I take it that your future wife is in the DR?

  I'd say a CR-1 is a good way to go but I don't think you will come across as being more serious just by the paperwork you choose. I married my wife before she came here and I don't think it made any difference in how immigration looked at us.Just do a good job of putting your packages together and give plenty of proof of relationship.

   Researcher

[Ray]

 
Aren't you even going to wait to see if she says yes before you declare this a done deal?
 
 
 
Ray
 
 

[chizz]

Sup,
Thanks Researcher, it wasn't me saying that, it's what I read on another forum.
lol, Ray. I'm pretty sure we feel the same. Thanks
chizz

[whitey]

Suerte Chizz!

[Alabamaboy!]

Nice. Congrats!

[fathertime]

Chizzzzzz!   


Glad to hear it buddy!  If you need a minister to marry you, maybe we can look up MarkAnthony for you.


Congrats and I am very interested in seeing those photos, I've always had my own mental picture of who Chizz is...oh and it would be fun to see the beauty I'm sure you chose too!


Fathertime!

[no comment]

I'm thinking about doing the CR-1 route because from my research, it seems many people say this is the best route to take if you're really serious about your relationship and it shows the Immigration people that your relationship is real.

Do you mean marrying her in her country and doing a petition for alien relative visa?  For what it's worth, I went that route and the visa was initially denied.  Fathertime & others seem to have had a smooth sail with the fiance visa.
It's difficult to know from personal experience because it's limited experience.  I would think one of the attorneys who handle the immigrant visas would have a larger view.

[DesmondID]

Do you mean marrying her in her country and doing a petition for alien relative visa?  For what it's worth, I went that route and the visa was initially denied.  Fathertime & others seem to have had a smooth sail with the fiance visa.
It's difficult to know from personal experience because it's limited experience.  I would think one of the attorneys who handle the immigrant visas would have a larger view.

Do you mind me asking what the reason was for you originally being denied?

From everything I have read the K-1s are more likely to be denied that the CR-1/IR-1. They go through faster (though it doesn't seem by much anymore) but end up costing more because there are extra filings/fees in the long run.

[Researcher]

      I have applied for a K1 and a K3 visa before.Both were approved.From what I have gotten to know is that either visa can be turned down if you don't supply enough proof of relationship.There are other reasons a visa can be denied but this is the most common one. Being a K1 or K3 doesn't seem to make any difference. You would think that getting married to someone would prove that you are serious about the relationship but it isn't enough. Don't assume that it is.

      Researcher

[Ray]

There are plenty of people out there running immigration scams by participating in a fake marriage in order to get a foreigner a green card.
　
A fake marriage can take place overseas or after she is here on a fiancée visa. If they see anything that looks suspicious and smells like a scam relationship, then a denial is a strong probability. Sometimes they deny the visa application outright, but more often they will ask for further evidence before making a final decision. It happens for both CR-1s & K-1s.
　
Ray
　
 

[utopiacowboy]

My wife came here on a K-3 after I married her in Colombia. No one looked at any evidence of our relationship at the embassy when she got her K-3 or when she adjusted status in the US other than our marriage certificate.

[chizz]

Sup all,
Sup FT! I'll take a pass on that..lol
From what I read around the internet and visa sites(Visa Journey, Dominicanstotheusa, etc) many people are recommending going the CR-1 route over the K-1, because the time difference between the two is basically non-existent at this time and it's less expensive than the K-1. Members from those sites are also saying that there appears to be more scrutiny on K-1's now, and if possible do CR-1. I've been saving everything I can to prove our relationship is real(emails, skype conversations, pictures, hotel receipts, travel itinerary.), and keeping it all in a file.
Looking at both visas, it appears there is more paperwork that goes into the CR-1, but many people are recommending that route. Maybe the added scrutiny is because it's the D.R, I don't know. Any opinions are apprecitated. Thanks,
Chizz

[Capstone]

I brought my wife here on a K-1 and we didn't have any problems during the process, but looking back, if I had it to do over again I would go the CR-1 route.  The CR-1 processing times have been cut way down from what they were years ago - it only takes a bit longer to get a CR-1 than a K-1 these days. With the CR-1, your wife gets a green card immediately without the hassle and extra expense of going through the adjustment of status process. But in the end, it is a personal choice - either visa does its job.

[benjio]

We met on Dominican cupid, and I've gone to see her twice.

Danger Will Robinson....
 
How long were your trips?

[Ray]

chizz,
 
Those guys are probably talking about IMBRA when they say there is more scrutiny on K-1s now. A CR-1 effectively bypasses IMBRA.
 
Unless you have an extensive criminal background, have been arrested for beating your ex-wife, or have already filed multiple K-1 petitions, I wouldn't be worried about IMBRA.
 
Ray
 
 
 
 

[chizz]

 
 
 
 

Danger Will Robinson....
 
How long were your trips?

first trip was for 2 weeks, and my 2nd trip was for 3 weeks. Granted, with these types of relationships you never truly know 100% but sometimes you have to go with what your instincts tell you. From everything that's happened between the two of us I have a good feeling about her, and believe she's the one. This trip coming up is for 2 weeks. I understand the concern though, however I haven't seen any red flags or anything to give me pause.
Chizz
 

[chizz]

chizz,
 
Those guys are probably talking about IMBRA when they say there is more scrutiny on K-1s now. A CR-1 effectively bypasses IMBRA.
 
Unless you have an extensive criminal background, have been arrested for beating your ex-wife, or have already filed multiple K-1 petitions, I wouldn't be worried about IMBRA.
 
Ray
 
 
 
 

Understood. I guess every case is different. I didn't even think about the IMBRA aspect of it.
Many people who did K-1 are saying they wish they did the CR-1 and i'll more than likely head down that route.
Chizz

[benjio]

first trip was for 2 weeks, and my 2nd trip was for 3 weeks. Granted, with these types of relationships you never truly know 100% but sometimes you have to go with what your instincts tell you. From everything that's happened between the two of us I have a good feeling about her, and believe she's the one. This trip coming up is for 2 weeks. I understand the concern though, however I haven't seen any red flags or anything to give me pause.
Chizz

Marriage isn't something I'd consider after only two visits (with a total of only 5 weeks of actual time together), but it can definitely work out. My need to spend a considerable amount of time with a girl before I'd even start thinking about marriage could be advantageous as much as detrimental to my success in seeking the love of my life SOTB. I’m just speaking from past experience and the countless Gringos I’ve met that made the mistake of diving into marriage entirely too soon.
 
If you don’t mind me asking, how old are you…and her?
 

[no comment]

Do you mind me asking what the reason was for you originally being denied?

From everything I have read the K-1s are more likely to be denied that the CR-1/IR-1. They go through faster (though it doesn't seem by much anymore) but end up costing more because there are extra filings/fees in the long run.

In 2007 before the economic crash my employer died and I was forced to put together my own company just as the economy was coming apart.  Anyone who has started his own business knows that most start ups require some time and re-investment to show a good profit in good or average times.  I pointed this out in a cover letter to the stooges at the State Dept., as well as the fact that I met the financial requirements for the affidavit of support with assets, but they have demanded more documents.  Hopefully it's just an inconvenience on the way to the visa.   

[chizz]

Marriage isn't something I'd consider after only two visits (with a total of only 5 weeks of actual time together), but it can definitely work out. My need to spend a considerable amount of time with a girl before I'd even start thinking about marriage could be advantageous as much as detrimental to my success in seeking the love of my life SOTB. I’m just speaking from past experience and the countless Gringos I’ve met that made the mistake of diving into marriage entirely too soon.
 
If you don’t mind me asking, how old are you…and her?
 

Not at all. I'm 43 and she's 30. She has a beautiful little girl named Elianny, who is 6. Under normal circumstances, I'm right there with you. Granted it's only been several months instead of years, but from the amount of time we've been together and talking everyday ,with her and her family, I feel this is the woman i've been waiting for. A few things she's done that i've like are: When I told her how much the hotel was i was staying at, she told me to stay at another hotel and there was no need to spend so much on a hotel. Another thing is, i know her situation is not the greatest and sometimes there is not alot of food for her and her family. She does work and help out in the house the most since she is the oldest. I sent her $50.00 one day because I wanted to. She called me up, and asked why did I do that? I said because you're my novia, and i wanted to help you. She seemed kind of indifferent and said there was no need to do and i didn't have to. I said I know I didn't have to, I did it because i wanted to. She started crying and thanked me for being so considerate of her, but that it wasn't necessary. These were two examples which gave me insight into her character, and helped me decide on my decisions. If anyone is curious we've been together for 7 1/2 months total. it will be 8 in July.
Chizz

[Colgando]

Danger Will Robinson....
 
How long were your trips?

You may be placing to much emphasis on time together as a predictor for a life long marriage, tell death do them part.


Someone close to me dated a guy for 3 years, close relationship, living in the same city, they got married, he moved in, and the marriage collapsed within 2 months. They could not live together, but they were great not living together. There are examples of people who actually lived together, get married, and the marriage still does not work.


The true test does not start until 2 people tie the knot, move in together, and build a life together.


This has been debated here on PL time and time again, but you do make a valid point that it would be prudent to know as much about a person before you marry them, as much as one can without having lived together or been married, but ultimately, I think marriage is a leap of faith and trust and people really do not know how it is going to go until the rubber meets the road, and they are married living together for an extended period of time. Sure, shotgun marriages where people only know each other for a couple of weeks, can't possibly know someone that well in that short amount of time.


One of my friends who has been married for over 7 years, one of the better marriages, only knew his woman for 2 weeks before he married her. 


A different perspective....in my mind, there are more important factors at predicting a life long marriage than time to sound the danger alert on. For example, there are many American Men that I would say would never be able to marry a latina and be successful, I am sure many men that aren't compatible try, but it is just not a good fit, regardless of how much time they would possibly spend with the woman, the whole idea is doomed from the start.

[utopiacowboy]

I met my wife in person in June and spent some time with her after having communicated almost daily by chat and web cam. On my second visit, in September, we got married. It will be 8 years that we have been married come this September.

[Researcher]

  Hey Colgando, simply spending time together and dating guarantees you nothing.Taking the time to get to know someone and using good judgement only gives you a better chance at a good start.Sure things can change.I was married to a woman and it started out great.We were doing good when 2 years into our marriage her only brother committed suicide one Christmas.The next year I helplessly watched her crumble until she was an entirely different person.I hung on to try and make things work for as long as I could but we finally divorced.Sometimes life's circumstances can change things 180 degrees and there isn't anything you can do about it.

  Those that say there is no such thing as  luck have never been unlucky enough to be in a situation like that where you are helpless and realize how fragile life can be.

         Researcher