Filing for Colombian tourist visa in the US ?

[lswote]

My wife believes that it might be possible to file for tourist visas for her parents in the US.  Please don't laugh at this if you disagree, but she is a very intelligent lady who believes she heard this was possible and asked me to investigate it.  I am not totally familiar with all kinds of visas and maybe what my wife is looking for is not an actual tourist visa, and again, please don't laugh if you think this is wrong, but her parents are fairly old and she heard there was a special visa for parents whose health is failing.

If you have an experience on this or can give me a link to look up I would appreciate this.

[Kit]

... in response to Filing for Colombian tourist visa in the..., posted by lswote on Sep 9, 2003

You cant really apply for a tourist visa for them from US. They have to apply the normal way (go to the embassy, stay in line, submit papers, wait for an interview/or interview waiver). I hear backlog is about 2 years in Bogota, so plan accordingly.  Your affidevit of support or any other guarantees will be simply disregarded as lots of fraud going on with those anyway. Unfortunately there is no short cut to tourist visas.

[lswote]

... in response to Re: Filing for Colombian tourist visa in..., posted by Kit on Sep 10, 2003

Would I be able to accompany them for their tourist visa interview and there provide an affidavit of support?

[Kit]

... in response to Re: Re: Filing for Colombian tourist vis..., posted by lswote on Sep 10, 2003

Most definitely but I dont see how that will help. In fact it may backfire. Remember that the most critical part for visa issuance is the presence of strong ties locally (e.g. in Colombia) which will compell the person to return (e.g. leave US). And second is financial sufficiency to allow for travel. You being there may provide enough financial credibility but at the same time as soon as INS officer finds out that you are some relative of theirs he may have enough ground to turn down visa. Any ties in the US will be regarded as a hookup for then not to return.

[Freddie]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Filing for Colombian tourist..., posted by Kit on Sep 10, 2003

It won't help much for a K-1 visa since all the paperwork is already done and they won't allow you to accompany the girls at the interview anyway (they don't want you to influence them) but a tourist visa is a little different.

My wife has a friend (in Rhode Island) from her hometown in Colombia who's husband (an American) did accompany her parents at the interview in Bogota. It worked. They came to the U.S. this year for 1 month after they had their baby.

I can't give you the timeline but I think a year (maybe two) from first application until they were awarded the visa sounds about right.

The first thing they need to do is get a passport. Nothing else can be done until they get one. They they can apply. The more info they can provide on why they will return to Colombia the better.

Older people have a very big advantage. Another of my wife's hometown girlfriend's (in Texas) had her mother's visa approved but they turned down her sister. Her mother was so mad she didn't want to come. She eventually made the trip alone and enjoyed herself very much.

[Georgina]

... in response to Filing for Colombian tourist visa in the..., posted by lswote on Sep 9, 2003

Maybe what she heard is that people older than 60 or 65 years, don't have to go to an interview like all the rest. They just mail their papers and passports and wait for an answer by mail. If they get approved, they will get their passport back with the visa stamped. No interviews and long lines. At least this is how older people are treated by the embassy in my country. I am sorry I don't know if this is the same for Colombia. On the other hand, do you know that you can fill out an Affidavit of Support Form I-134 basically saying that you will provide them board and support during their visit and will make sure they go back to Colombia? Since they are so old I think it is more likely they will get it.

[Pete E]

... in response to Filing for Colombian tourist visa in the..., posted by lswote on Sep 9, 2003

Bruce,
Gary Bala could tell us for sure and probably will,but I think yur wife is confusing the tourist visa with sponsoring her parents after she becomes a citizen.
I think they have to sign up for a tourist visa interview at the US embassy in Bogota.The wait for the interview is about a year.Older people have a much better chance of getting a tourist visa than a young person.It also helps if they have property,a business or a job in Colombia.Basically the US doesn't want to let in people who
on a tourist visa who will not return to Colombia.
Once your wife becomes a citizen,it takes about 4- 5 years minimum,she can sponsor family members.We were at INS a year ago.My wife had been here 30 months and got her permanent residency.The guy said she could apply for citizenship and I think it was 2 years +/- from that point minimum.My wife was very interested because her brother wants to come here.Then the INS guy told her there was a 10 year waiting list for interviews for siblings.Parents are faster,alot faster I think,but it could be 2-5years.We are talking about them coming here as residents this way.
The tourist visa you are supposed to leave or you become an illegal.

Pete

[cancunhound]

... in response to Re: Filing for Colombian tourist visa in..., posted by Pete E on Sep 9, 2003

I recall at the citizenship ceremony (I've been to 2 now), that he specifically mentioned something about bringing siblings/relatives/parents to the USA, but I believe he was referring to immigration visas - I thought it was kind of odd and did not pay attention but most new citizens were all ears.  BTW, if you get a chance to attend one in Dallas it's a very nice ceremony - anyone can attend, the judge that does it in Dallas is damn near a comedian.  It's kind of interesting to see the mix of countries that are immigrating - he calls out a show of hands for each country present and you'd be suprised at the relative representation present.