www.CostaRicaTicas.com

If she already had a Visa, chances are that she'll get it again...as long as she never overstayed before. IMHO, a letter from an American won't help at all.

I am married to a tica and we went down the visa road 5 years ago. Now she has no restrictions on her visa. Its a long process and has gotten worse since we did ours.
I would have to say I lucked out because my tica has a masters degree and was with a good job in CR. Her family was not rich and they lived 7 or 8 blocks from central.
I would have to say if you really are interested just date them for two years like i did and if it works out then go with the process.
We also did ours with out lawyers and only spent money on the fees.
When it comes to the embassy it really only depends on the interviewer that is interviewing. Just pray that you don't get that gringa bitch that my wife had once she tried to screw over my wife in the interview.

ChicaGoGuy,

The website for the embassy in San Jose doesn't have any information on renewals, but the site for the embassy here in the Bahamas does. Hopefully this will answer some of your questions:

http://nassau.usembassy.gov/renew_a_visa.html

I can't imagine that she would have problems obtaining another visa if she was already approved at an earlier date. The recommendation letter and the fact that she has a sister in the U.S. won't do her any good, but as long as her situation hasn't changed, I don't believe she'll have any problem getting it renewed.

Keep in mind that the procedure for scheduling an interview has recently changed in Central America. Check with the local embassy for details.

I don't know how, but I know that a dominicana in Jaco, that I was seeing regularly for a year, found a gringo dumb enough to take her back to Cleveland. It took about a year, and $2k to get her divorced from her "arranged tico marriage for citizenship", and $4k for an immigration attorney----so, it must be possible, if you are crazy enough to spend $6k to bring a working girl back to the states....and then the real problems begin.
My guess is she will be back within 2 years. Tiene cuidado, amigo

Two years?! A buddy of mine brought a Tica and her three offspring to the US in 2000. It lasted about two months. She ran up phone bills of about $600 each month. He was lucky he wasn't thrown in jail, as they had a heated argument late one night and she called the police. I think most times the chicas return to CR after a few months.

_________________
"In a nation ruled by swine, all pigs are upwardly mobile, and the rest of us are phucked until we can put our acts together; not necessarily to win, but mainly to keep from losing completely"...Hunter S. Thompson (RIP)

So, say a guy marrries a Tica and applies for the K3 & K4 for her N*no, how long does the process take? And since they are married he is then considered a relative living in the states (I guess), but is there still no guarantee she will even get one eventually?

_________________

Living well is the best revenge
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwUtj_YnNoY

Paco, you apply for the K3 & K4 before you get married. After the dumb move you have to file a "petition for alien relative" (Form I-130).

You'll get no argument from me on the DUMB MOVE part Gypsy... Just know someone considering it and wondered the chances of it working and time frame involved.

So, does anyone know how long the process may take, and is there a chance she still can't even get one after the marriage?

"The only Ticas or other foreign lady I will take to the USA with me is one that is qualified on her own steam...funds...connections...business ability".
T-Man

Any M-Men out there contemplating a LTR with a foreign lady need to take this one sentence to heart, and imprint it in their brains.

If they got nothing to bring to a relationship but the panocha and excess baggage, run like hell...your nothing but a meal ticket.

ICE

dude, do not marry the lady before the Visa is granted. a Fiancee Visa is easier and quicker to obtain in my opinion.

the process will take about 6 months (realisticly)

check out this link


http://www.uscis.gov/graphics/index.htm


plus she can come for 90 days before you have to marry her or she has to leave.

sort of a 3 month trial run if you're serious

_________________
The difference between a Sea Story and a Fairy Tale is that a Fairy Tale starts out 'Once Upon a Time..' and a Sea Story starts out 'This is no Shit...'

(export version only, some restrictions may apply, some assembly required, not valid where the sun don't shine...

if you live in the states of Poverty, Darkness or anywhere outside of The Blessings of Civilization Trust, Inc...other rules may apply)

A Form 190 is for "Application for Nonresident Alien Mexican Border Crossing Card".

"Petition for Alien Relative" is Form I-130.

Forms and fees:
http://www.uscis.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/

Currently a fiancee visa for a girl living in Costa Rica is running about 4 months. I know a guy who is finishing one. He applied in March. She received her packet from the US Embassy in San Jose in June.
As soon as she gets her personal affairs in order she can go to her appointment and get her visa. That will happen in a few weeks.

How do I...
http://www.uscis.gov/graphics/howdoi/fiance.htm
http://www.uscis.gov/graphics/howdoi/fianceapp.htm
http://www.uscis.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/i-129f.htm
Photo requirements:
http://www.uscis.gov/graphics/publicaff ... _flyer.pdf

You're right Wit, how dumb can I be?....

...specially when I checked that same website!

has anybody tried this route going to Canada? As I understand it, a letter of invitation is required in Canada as well, but I'm not sure about the other restrictions or requirements for $$ in the bank account.

One additional "beware". Someone said lawyers were charging $4k for arranging these visas. Most of these attorney guarentee nothing...and this is one of the biggest legal scams...so make sure you know the track record and personally know someone who has benefitted from their service before.

But I stand by my litmus test...if the chica cant get her own Visa without being engaged or married to a gringo...she isnt qualified and you should save your money and time. Plus remember, this visa does not allow them to work...so...they cant work til you marry them...and when that happens, they probably wont work anyways...well, until they have half of everything YOU own.

Reality sucks sometimes...but you romantics out there need to be continually reminded of these things.

Da*n Tman you are brutal, but honest in your remarks