Visitors Visa to the US

terry wisconsin · #1 07-23-2004, 02:37 PM

My intent is to travel again to Santo Domingo to be with my girlfriend and obtain a visitor's visa from the US Consulate. She is Dominican, and I am a U.S. citizen.

Is this a difficult process? If we were to wed in SD, would this complicate, or benefit the process? How much time would it require? Would a local attorney in SD help in such affairs?

Would appreciate any advice any has to offer.

Terry

KenoshaChris · #2 07-23-2004, 03:07 PM

Obtaining a visotor's visa for a Dominican is an extremely difficult process. You can go in with all of you "i"s dotted and "t"s crossed and she will be summarily rejected. For purposes of marriage, of course a valid marriage makes things incredibly easier however, its still a lengthy and laborious process. Finally, there are differences of opinion on whether you should get married down there or up here by obtaining her a K-1 visa. Go into the DR1 archives and you'll find a wealth of information.

negrecita2003 · #3 07-23-2004, 04:38 PM

Terry,

Your best option would be to file a Fiance (K-1) Visa. Visit this website, which will give you lots of information.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/K-1visa_DR

Hillbilly · #4 07-23-2004, 08:06 PM

Does she have a job? A good job with a major company?
Does she have a credit care/banking account/debit card?
Has she travelled anywhere?

If she worked for a major company, the company could request a visa for her.

If she has no property, novehicle, no major money in a bank or S&L, she will be turned down automatically.

YOur hope is the K=1 visa...

HB

Of course that is the hope of her entire family too!!

windeguy · #5 07-25-2004, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by terry wisconsin

My intent is to travel again to Santo Domingo to be with my girlfriend and obtain a visitor's visa from the US Consulate. She is Dominican, and I am a U.S. citizen.

Is this a difficult process? If we were to wed in SD, would this complicate, or benefit the process? How much time would it require? Would a local attorney in SD help in such affairs?

Would appreciate any advice any has to offer.

Terry

My experiences thus far have not been positive. So far, my Dominican girl friend and I tried two times for a visitor visa and were refused. She has to have overwhelming proof that she will return to the Dominican Republic promptly at the end of the visa period. As others have described below, unless she has a very good job, automobile, credit cards, etc.. they will reject her automatically. So far it has been a waste of more than $200 and also the waste of time.

The potential good news is that my Dominican girlfriend and I are now married. "They say" this is supposed to make the process easier. Be aware that it is still not easy and will probably take the better part of a year even after you are married. Don't give up hope, but don't expect it to be easy. You should be able to handle all of the paperwork yourself. Make sure you get as much information as possible. Be aware that you will probably have to spend money to get a PIN number at Banco Popular to call the visa personnel in the Santo Domingo to get your specific questions answered. You will be surprised at how little information you will actually get for your money. Good luck and hang in there.

bonao1969 · #6 08-01-2004, 03:57 PM

I met a woman in The DR. I filed for A K-1 Fiance Visa. When she arrives, you have 90 days to get married. If you don't, she has to go back. The visa was approved in 4 months. There is a lot of paper work, but it is the only way to go. If you marry them first, the 2 year waiting period she will have to do, is in the DR. If you get her here first, then the 2 year waiting period for her residency will be here. You can use a immigration lawyer to handle all the paper work, but it just costs more. You can also use some services like Catholic Charities. They will help you with the paper work and their fees are a lot less than an immigration Lawyer. (recommended)
Go to the INS website for all the information and forms needed, or talk to an INS agent here.

We have been happily married for over 5 years and she has applied for her US citizenship.

baileyboy · #7 08-01-2004, 04:52 PM

I was told that it is hard to get into the US and into Canada. To get either vistors or perm visas to leave the country. They will reject you witl no ryhme or reason. Haven't gone through it myself personally, but I am watching one of my friends go through it, and she has been waiting for 8 months so far to get her husband out of the DR and into Canada....and they think it will be in Dec, although no one has told this to them...I think it's wishful thinking on their part...
Was told it's much easier to get Visas into Europe not sure if this is true or not....
lisa

SalsaBlondie · #8 08-04-2004, 09:02 PM

now there is something called the V visa which allows spouses of american citizens to come to the us to visit while they are waiting for their paperwork to be completed. they can't STAY here but they can come visit.
check it out.

ricktoronto · #9 08-05-2004, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by baileyboy

They will reject you witl no ryhme or reason.

They have plenty of reasons, the primary one being the person will split on arrival as a fiance or as visitor, and won't leave, since a million times before that's exactly what happened. So they want so much at stake in the DR the person will come back. As much as I like the DR I have no desire to pay income tax for moochers and illegals here from anywhere. The USA is the same.

baileyboy · #10 08-05-2004, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ricktoronto

They have plenty of reasons, the primary one being the person will split on arrival as a fiance or as visitor, and won't leave, since a million times before that's exactly what happened. So they want so much at stake in the DR the person will come back. As much as I like the DR I have no desire to pay income tax for moochers and illegals here from anywhere. The USA is the same.

oh well form what I know from my friends applying, they have gotten rejected without a reason from the DR end. Thats what I meant. I'm sure the DR and the other consulates have their reasons, but they aren't telling the applicants why they have been declined. Sorry for the misunderstanding