www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Guys,

I got this buddy who wants to know...

It is common knowledge that acquiring a fiance visa takes up to six months...

If a gringo decides to marry a tica in CR, does that allow the Tica to go to the U.S. right away, does the marriage automatically guarantee her to a quick and swift granting of her U.S. residency, or atlease a visa to travel to the U.S. with her gringo husband?

If a gringo and a Tica DO wait out until getting a fiance visa and then marry in the U.S., does this grant the gringo C.R. dual citizenship?

Same question, different location... if they marry in C.R., does this grant the gringo CR dual Citizenship?

Just curious... I know it's wishful thinking to request that this posts remain void of soapbox chatter, my buddy just want FACTS... No speculation or opinion, just FACTUAL INFORMATION he can take to the bank, so to speak.

THANKS,

Ruffnutz

_________________
EVERYONE'S A ROCK STAR IN C.R.!!
"Just when I thought I was out... They pull me back in." -- Ruffnutz on trying to quit CRT

Ruff,


Here are a couple URL's to just about everything you want to know...

http://visajourney.com/forums/index.php?act=home

http://www.uscis.gov/graphics/howdoi/fiance.htm

Good Luck!

Madhatter

I was married to a Tica on November 22, 2005 in San Jose, CR and she arrived in the USA Feb. 11, 2006. The US embassy told me it was the best way to go and it really was.

Ruff,

differences in Visas, K1 vs K3, should be looked at.

I think both take about the same amount of time to acquire.

Once the Visa is granted, I believe the K3 Visa allows for unlimited back and forth travel without prior approval. This may be important for the Tica's mindset.

And, since "Your Buddy" probably is already very familiar and comfortable with the young lady, the K3 Visa route may be your best bet.

Anyway, here is another link from the Costa Rican embassy in DC

there are procedures, including certain forms (all notorized and with 'apostilles' and probably translated into spanish and goddam notorized again) that must be followed.

http://www.costarica-embassy.org/consul ... efault.htm



I bet "Your Buddy" is hooking up with some tall, raven locked Tica....

_________________
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)

Congrats Ruff within 7 years you and Uncle Wit can go visit your excces working at Walmart pura vida

I would say Del Ray Dave is the exception. Marriage does not guarantee a quick entry into the US. In fact the K-3 visa (marriage visa) usually takes a bit longer because within the K-3 you also need to apply for a K-1 (fiance). I know it is a bit confusing but, it is what it is. In general the K-1 is still faster. And that is running at 6 months currently. You would have to check your areas immigration office. For Illinois residence that is the Lincoln, Nebraska Center.

If the marriage takes place in CR, then the gringo can apply for residency without a problem. He will no longer need to leave the country every 90 days to satisfy the visa requirement. Post 9/11 things just ain't as easy as they were. DRD got his wife her in amazingly fast time. He should give lessons on how that happened. Generally it takes 6 weeks just to get a case number and your paperwork approved. Visajourney.com is an excellent site (thanks Wit for sharing that site with me previously). It is a step by step process for doing the visa yourself.

BTW, Californication dude is CORRECT. K3 allows for unlimited travel. The K1 is a one time shot until her residency is established.

dapanz1

Helping a Gringo marry a Tica should be against the CRT code of ethics. Sorry Ruffnutz but I couldn't resist saying it. I will not give any advice on the topic because, in my mind, it would be considered aiding and abedding a crime.

I can do that today.
She's a department manager at Wal-Mart with almost 5 years there. It's only a mile from my house.

As for where to marry, I would suggest marrying in the USA. It will be much easier in the long run as for verifying it when moving to the next step (residency and citizenship). It will also make it easier when it's time for a divorce.

Travel is no problem either way. If she comes to the USA on an I-129F (K-1) visa she just applies for "Advance Parole" after the wedding (along with the AOS, "Adjustment of Status"). This allows travel into and out of the USA while the residency is pending, otherwise it is considered "abandoned".

Another consideration is the fact that with an I-129F visa she has 90 days in the USA for both of you to decide if you want to take the next step. Some girls are NOT comfortable here. Plus they have to deal with being homesick and even feeling guilty about leaving their poor families behind.

There are many other little differences between the two visas. There are no shortcuts. I would suggest doing some serious homework before deciding.

I-129F - "Petition for Alien Fiancee"
http://www.uscis.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/i-129f.htm

I-130 "Bringing a spouse to the US"
http://www.uscis.gov/graphics/howdoi/appproc.htm

BTW, Ruff, as a Georgia resident your "friend" will file at the sevice center in Mesquite, Texas.
http://www.uscis.gov/graphics/fieldoffi ... boutus.htm

if you marry outside the usa it's the CR 1.....You will apply for.....now if she is a working girl,you will need to cover all that up before you apply,and cr attorney wiill do the work for you.............a little update,three month's since marrying in costa rica an old friend has her green card(conditional for two year's)......

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Jaco is called little USA by all ticos

Would gladly forward the reems of material I had gathered on the subject, but just tossed it all in the trash over the weekend...

Ah - that eternal dilemma, whether to follow your brain or your heart? Buena suerte, mi amigo...

_________________
Check out http://weluvlatinas.com/ for the web's best info on the latin american monger lifestyle...

GR,

I'll pass the good wishes on to my friend... From what I see, his heart AND brain are both on the same sheet of music.

My buddy thanks all of those who posted links and helpful information!

Ruffnutz

_________________
EVERYONE'S A ROCK STAR IN C.R.!!
"Just when I thought I was out... They pull me back in." -- Ruffnutz on trying to quit CRT

RN,

I'm by no means an expert on the marriage VISA situation. I can tell you that I know one girl who married an American two years ago. They were married in San Jose and he got her one of the VISAs mentioned above.

Well... it has been a rough two years for her.

Now, she is "trapped" in Arizona. They are still married, but her VISA status is questionable. Not exactly sure what happened... but I can ask her sister for details. She has no problems flying to CR, but cannot get back to the US. Thus, she uses the phrase "I'm trapped in America."

The other issue is being home sick. SHE IS VERY HOMESICK. This is a huge factor. She considers the US to be a very "cold" and "lonely" country. It is definitely putting a strain on her, her marriage and her family.

I'll try to dig around for more details...

_________________
http://TipsCostaRica.com for pratical advice on living in Costa Rica.
In order to write about life, first you must live it! - E. Hemingway.

so Ruff what did you decide to do and who is the best man GR or Uncle Wit pura vida

Hopefully your friend won't have to wait as long as
this guy I sat beside on the way home Saturday.
He married a Tica (non-pro) 18 months ago,
still waiting for her visa, so she can come to the U.S.
Seems he has about run out of patience, and is
thinking about flying her to Mexico, then having her
walk across. Told him he would really be screwed if
she got caught. He told her that he is not coming back
to Costa Rica. Hopefully things will work out for
both of them.
ShyOne