Found her in Peru... now what?

[grant5432]

Hello everyone.

I just got back from 18 days in Peru.  I think I found the one for
me!  But now that I'm back in the US, I have to wait 4 months
before I can take vacation again and see her.  And then after
that, maybe another 6 months before I can see her again.   It's
nice to have someone, but it really is difficult being 5000 miles
from the person!

She has no visa and I think it's best if she can visit here to see
if she wants to live here.   What is the next step I should take?  
I figure a tourist visa for her.. but not sure what the first things
are she needs to do.   thanks...

[elcolombiano]

... in response to Found her in Peru... now what?, posted by grant5432 on Sep 6, 2003

Don't mess around and get the Fiance visa even if you are not sure. You can always back out if things are not
working out. Of course you have to be sincere with her and tell her this. Think of it as insurance in case things
work out you can be with her sooner.

[Buck]

... in response to Found her in Peru... now what?, posted by grant5432 on Sep 6, 2003

[This message has been edited by Buck]

N/T

[Pete E]

... in response to Found her in Peru... now what?, posted by grant5432 on Sep 6, 2003

She probably can't get a tourist visa.So you are going to have a long distance romance untill  you decide to do a fiancee visa.How soon you want to do that is up to you.But you should be pretty sure of her before you do it.It takes time and money and there is some financial risk.You have to marry her in 3 months or send her back,but if she doesn't leave you could be on the hook for support,via the affidavid of support you sign to get the fiance visa.
I would travel there,or maybe meet her halfway someplace,untill you decide you are up for the fiance visa.If she could get to some place like Cartegena maybe you could fly down even on a long weekend.
Many a guy jumped in and got married fast just to avoid a long distance romance.You could even do that,but end it quickly if it doesn't seem to be working.Easier said than done sometimes.

Peter

Pete

[Michael B]

... in response to Found her in Peru... now what?, posted by grant5432 on Sep 6, 2003

The first thing she needs to do to get a tourist visa is to be born into a rich family. If she's already failed to do that, she should establish a long history of steady and lucrative employment or owning her own very successful business. Ownership of some real estate in the rich part of town is always a plus, too. It also wouldn't hurt if she's fifty years old and ugly.....do you see where this is going? Sweet young things from third world countries, especialy those who appear (to the immigration officer, in HIS opinon) to have the likelyhood  of getting married and/or obtaining a job while in the US and with no great financial incentive to return to their home country don't GET tourist visas, sorry, that's just the way it is.

[grant5432]

... in response to Re: Found her in Peru... now what?, posted by Michael B on Sep 6, 2003

Hi.   thanks for the responses.  I know she's worked in a company there
with a decent job for 5 yrs or so... and I think her family is not poor.  I
don't know if this will help.  She thinks she can get a tourist visa, so
she's going to try for that.  I told her I think it isn't easy.

[Michael B]

... in response to Re: Re: Found her in Peru... now what?, posted by grant5432 on Sep 7, 2003

Well, good luck to her then. I don't know about Peru, but in Colombia there is a long wait (several months) to even get the appointment for a tourist visa, hope that doesn't happen to her.

[A1A]

... in response to Re: Found her in Peru... now what?, posted by Michael B on Sep 6, 2003

It is the same for tourist visas in Mexico.  My novia was just denied a tourist visa from Mexico.  At the American Consulat they told her since she does not own a house, she was turned down.  Right there at the time of application.
She has children, owns her own business with one employee, but still turned down.  She was pretty upset, she knows about the untold numbers that cross the border illegally daily,  and she was turned down for trying legally.  Yes, the rich have privledge in all of Central or South America.
A1A

[surfscum]

... in response to Re: Found her in Peru... now what?, posted by Michael B on Sep 6, 2003

Grant, there are no easy ways to get her here aside from the K1/3 visas. There are illegal ways, but I do NOT recommend those. My novia is peruana. We've been together 14 months, but I have been able to go down 3 times over the past year, so our situation is different.

What I have found is that this has made our relationship stronger. We both make a daily choice in the face of the hardship of separation to choose to stay in the relationship. At some point in the future, our situation will change and she will be here, but I will still face that choice every day: to love her and stay in the relationship.  So I think this is good practice for marriage.

Also, what about Thanksgiving week or the week between Christmas and New Year's? Thanksgiving will be off season, and if you fly on Christmas, you can save money. I used to fly Continental, but they jacked their rates up so last time I used American. Find at least 2 cheap long distance phone services and talk as much as you can afford. Find peruvians in your area: they will have a network and through them you can send (and receive) things to your novia much cheaper.

[NW Jim]

... in response to Love + Time + Distance = Commitment, posted by surfscum on Sep 6, 2003

n/t

[Red Clay]

... in response to Re: Found her in Peru... now what?, posted by Michael B on Sep 6, 2003

What he said.......

[HeyNow]

... in response to Re: Re: Found her in Peru... now what?, posted by Red Clay on Sep 6, 2003

Time to get crackin on that K-1 visa.  That is, if you are sure this is the one.  I estimate it will take you minimum three weeks to a month to obtain all the paperwork to send in.  Another 90 (minimum) days to get the visa.  Better git crackin.