... in response to Re: Mail order bride companies to be gon..., posted by Cali James on Aug 5, 2003Good link, I try to stay abreast of this because it seems like I'm always assisting friends here with the process, so here would be my guess about how to accomplish a rapid entry for a foreign spouse nowadays (if she already didn't have a visa):
(1) Marry in Colombia, for info -
http://usembassy.state.gov/colombia/wwwsmare.shtml#Marriage
Church weddings can take awhile to setup, so go civil. Your novia can inquire at the local notary what documents will be required, you may or may not need a visa - just depends on the particular notary and their "mood". Basically, marriage day one, you get all the papers notarized and completed by end of day two. But count on maybe about $200 for judge and notary going basic route - or $2,000 for a little fancier clam bake at a hotel with reception and such (recommended, consider how much you're saving compared to a wedding back in the states). At last check the Inter in Cali had packages available as well as several other hotels.
(2) File I-130 ASAP ($130 bucks)
Info at:
http://www.immigration.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/i-130.htm
Form at:
http://www.immigration.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/files/i-130.pdf
You'll file it at the office appropriate to where you reside:
http://www.immigration.gov/graphics/fieldoffices/statemap.htm
You'll need basically a certified copy of your birth certificate, marriage certificate, proof of termination of any former marriages for you or your spouse, recent "passport" type photos of you and your spouse, with the name of the corresponding printed in pencil on the back, and
Form G-325 A -
Info at:
http://www.immigration.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/g-325.htm
Form at:
http://www.immigration.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/files/g-325.pdf
Actually, quite an easy process,
Straight from the horses mouth:
Did you answer each question on the Form I-130 petition?
Did you sign the petition?
Did you enclose the correct filing fee for each petition?
Did you submit proof of your U.S. citizenship or lawful
permanent residence?
Did you submit other required supporting evidence?
If you are filing for your husband or wife, did you include:
your photograph?
his or her photograph?
your completed Form G-325A?
his or her Form G-325A?
(3) The citizen petitioner will then receive a Form I-797, Notice of Action, indicating that the I-130 has been received by the INS. How long does this take I wonder?
(4) File form I-129F ($110), along with a copy of this I-797 that you just received.
Info at:
http://www.immigration.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/i-129f.htm
Form at:
http://www.immigration.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/files/I-129F.pdf
Pay attention here, this is filed in one place only when petitioning for your wife:
Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services
P.O. Box 7218
Chicago, IL 60680-7218
Basically, you'll need to repeat the same stuff you did for the I-130 filing (G-325A, photos), pay attention to the instructions as this process is now starting to appear repetitive and confusing:
'Fill out the form as directed, except assume
that "fiance" or "fiancee" means "spouse." In addition, omit
questions B.18 and B.19 by entering "N/A."'
'Following adjudication of the Form I-129F, the petition will be forwarded to the US consulate in Bogota so that your spouse may apply to the Department of State for the nonimmigrant K-3 visa.' Translation - welcome to the world of the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services - where we have prerecorded messages to greet you and you can not speak to anyone unless you're really persistent and/or lucky. Again, I wonder how long that really takes? I love this statement from their website:
"Can Anyone Help Me?
If advice is needed, you may contact the INS District Office near your home for a list of community-based, non-profit organizations that may be able to assist you in applying for an immigration benefit."
The embassy in Bogota states this:
'It takes the Embassy approximately six weeks to receive cases from the NVC. Once the case is received, "Packet 4" is sent to the beneficiary along with an appointment date.'
Here I assume it's back to the status quo of years ago, your wife will get her appointment, she'll need to go to Bogota the week befor the interview for a medical exam etc.. So count on her airfare, if necessary hotel and other stuff for a couple of days - IOW round it to about $500 minimum just for that if she does not already reside in Bogota. I suspect there's a fee associated with her "Packet 4" also. This is probably where you'll need to provide an affidavit of support, basically 3 years copies of your tax returns and some recent pay stubs, banks statements etc..
This is where this new process sounds intimidating, because that was all done previously when you simply got married, walked up to the embassy armed with these documents, greeted by friendly americans willing and happy to assist a fellow gringo (seriously). Now, you'll have a frantic wife frustrated and receiving all sorts of requests for documents from you while you try to translate her requests, express mailing important papers and hoping they actually arrive.
What a clusterfu%k they've made this process. Well, at least it's been good for attorneys - hell I think I'd be tempted to utilize one nowadays given all this additional BS they've placed in your visa path.
----------------------------------------------
Does that sound about right?
OK now she's finally here the fun really starts, application for "work" status, removal of conditional status in that "90 day" window. Eventual citizenship. DO NOT drop the ball on any of these or you will have one very pissed latina on your hands - I've seen it happen all to often.
