If after my visit to see her and if she is what I believe she is, I would like her to come and visit me for a few weeks to make sure that likes my hometown and to meet my daughter and family etc.  What type of visa should I get for this visit for her?    I do not want to hurt my chances by getting the wrong one and have to wait for a long time to get the right one.  Also if anyone has any suggestions about places to eat or visit in Curitiba, I would appreciate it.  

The visa situation is not cut and dried for Brazil.  The US has recently (Oct/Nov 2002) raised the bar for tourist visas for Brazilians.  Unless your lady friend is very well off, she will likely have difficulty getting a tourist visa or any other non-sponsored, non-immigrant visa (ie. student visa).  That leaves the K-1 fiancee visa as the likely best approach.  

I have not yet tried to request a visa for a lady from Brazil.  My knowledge comes second-hand from Brazilians who have travelled to the US or tried to.  ALL have told me that visas to enter the US have been difficult to obtain and are more difficult to obtain now than in the past.  It may be heplful to hire an immigration lawyer with expertise in Brazil.

ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!!!    

I wanted to bring a lady friend to the US from Colombia 3 years ago.  I consulted an immigration lawyer about the options.  He said that if the INS even smelled a male friend within miles of her, they would deny the tourist visa on the grounds she wasn't going to return to her home country.

It is a big plus that your lady friend has a very good job.  It would help if her employer wrote a letter to the consulate saying that they are encouraging your friend to go to the US in order to explore additional professional training or English language training in preparation for advancement in her job when she returns to Brazil.  Owning her own house or condo or having a long-term lease on the same is also very helpful.  

Remember, visitors to the US have the burden of proof to show that they are going to leave the US on the date they declare they are going to leave.  The more your friend can show that she has a very satisfying life in Brazil the better.  That would include strong ties such as a promising career and job, immovable property such as houses, strong family ties especially her own children who are staying behind, and also includes specific, closed-ended reasons for coming to the US such as education/training or obtaining information about same, or attendance at a professional meeting or conference.  Unless you are going the K-1 visa route, you need to stay as far out of the picture as possible.  

When petitioning for the K-1 visa the two of you need to have the INTENTION of marying within 90 days, but she can always return without having married.  It is fraud to petition for the K-1 without having the intention to marry while the visa is valid.

As for not wanting to lie, that is very commendable.  But to me it shows that bureacracies have consistently treated you with respect and dignity, and delivered their services to you fully and on a timely basis.  That usually happens to those who are somewhat privileged.  The rest of us (most of the world) need to window dress so that all the i's are dotted, all the t's crossed, and no opportunities are presented to the bureaucrats that give them an excuse to deny what we are requesting.

I am so stoked about going to Brazil.  I read every word of your trip.  I had dated a Brazilian girl here in the states for a while and I am sure I do not have to tell you how awsome they are.  I know I must be crazy to go and see just one girl, but I really think she is the one for me.  If you think of any other advice, please email me at olemis1@hotmail.com.  Thanks

So we could take a chance on the tourist visa.  If they say no, I can go for the K1. But won't they smell a rat or am I just being paranoid.  I want to do everything legally and morally but they make it kind of difficult to do.

You would think that they would want these girls to come to visit for a week or two to make sure they like the USA first.  My girl may hate it for all I know. (I do not think so)  I know I would never move to a country site unseen to marry anyone.  It would scare the hell out of me.  

Also can someone recomend a good reasonable attorney.  If you would rather email me my address is olemis1@hotmail.com.  Thank you guys for all your help.  This is a great forum.

Red Clay is telling you the total truth. I'll just follow-up with what he wrote.

I think maybe taking a little time to know her, and visiting her a few times will be the best move you can make.

The reasons why I say this are:

1.) even if you like her as soon as you meet her, you'll have more opportunities to get to know her, and be sure if she is the right person.

2.) the bonds of attachment between you and her will grow, and the more she may be willing to see past other issues (e.g., your town) that really don't have anything to do with how happy you two are when you are together.

I get the sense that you think she wont like your town. Well, talk to her about it, and see how she feels. If you two keep seeing each other, and if she isn't really concerned about where you live, then great. But, if she wont like where you live;.....then maybe YOU should consider relocating to a place where she would like. Just as you expect her to relocate to the USA, then maybe she would expect you to relocate to a place in the USA that would be more hospitable for her.

When you meet her, and if you like her, AND she did visit your town for a couple of weeks, but did not like it...WHAT WOULD YOU DO THEN? Give up on her? I know if I were in your shoes, I wouldn't. If she said "We've got to move when I get there,"...I'd say "YES MAM." So, the fact that she can't visit, or may not like your town, shouldn't be controlling factors at this point. Plus it is too premature to be thinking about these things at this point.

You should focus on other issues that are more of immediate importance to establish a lasting relationship.

Aaron

There's allot of guys on the PL board that have moved to other locations where their partners consider more hospitable.

Some even to Colombia, others to Brazil, and some to Costa Rica. I've thought about the idea of moving to Colombia, but I'm not leaning towards that because I'm young and getting started. I invested many years and money for professional goals, so a move to Colombia would kind of put me in a bad position. Most of my efforts would be wasted because there simply aren't the kinds of professional opportunities in my feild there, and even if I did get lucky to find some; the issues of job security would be another worry.

So, most guys that are relocating to latin America are guys that have already been established, and they can live off of their earnings. You may find some consultants with the flexibility to do this as well. Some guys are opening businesses.

Unfortunately, at this time, I can't make that kind of move because I bought into the professional arena of my field "lock-stock-and-barrel," and I don't have the flexibility to relocate to other countries even if I make decent money.

I'll tell you another thing, I'm sure many latinas would like to live in the VA Beach/Norfolk area. It's really nice, seafood, the coast, and it's not that expensive to live. Also, it's very diverse.

Just keep an open mind with your lady, and don't try to push things too quickly. Some men and women can have the most genuine intentions; but because of the thrill, they start pushing things too quickly. This could push the other person away because of the pressure. Show you care, but take it easy.

Aaron