I married a Dominican and don't know how to get him here

[Scrammy520]

Last summer I got married to a Dominican and now we need to start getting our stuff together so that he can move in with me in Chicago. If anyone else has been through this process of getting visas and passports and so on, I would appreciate any advice/information on procedures. I am at a loss and I have no idea where to start. Also, I know it will take a while for the whole process to even get started, but my brother is getting married in Belize sometime next year and I would love it if my husband could be there- what is the scoop on Domincans traveling. My husband seems pretty stuck on the idea that he won't be able to get a passport just for leisure traveling. Is this true? if not, what does he have to do/who does he need to talk to in order to be able to go to Belize?

[andrea9k]

Originally Posted by Scrammy520

Last summer I got married to a Dominican and now we need to start getting our stuff together so that he can move in with me in Chicago. If anyone else has been through this process of getting visas and passports and so on, I would appreciate any advice/information on procedures. I am at a loss and I have no idea where to start. Also, I know it will take a while for the whole process to even get started, but my brother is getting married in Belize sometime next year and I would love it if my husband could be there- what is the scoop on Domincans traveling. My husband seems pretty stuck on the idea that he won't be able to get a passport just for leisure traveling. Is this true? if not, what does he have to do/who does he need to talk to in order to be able to go to Belize?

I have no idea about how to get a dominican passport, I am sure dominican DR1 fellows can help you about that.

To get your husband to the US, you should start by deciding which spousal visa type suits better for you. You can read about them here:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?pg=compare

Your options are K3 or IR1/CR1. K1 is for engaged couples, and DCF is not available in the DR.

In the same website you can find the process description and detailed instructions.

Good luck

Jess

[Mr_DR]

Originally Posted by Scrammy520

My husband seems pretty stuck on the idea that he won't be able to get a passport just for leisure traveling. Is this true? if not, what does he have to do/who does he need to talk to in order to be able to go to Belize?

That's a big lie, even a pet monkey can get a passport there as long as the necessary fees are paid.

To obtain a visa to Belize from DR should not be too much trouble since he is not traveling to a first world country.

Here is the address and telephone number of the Belize Embassy/Consulate in the DR

Mr. R. Eduardo Lama S.
Ave. John F. Kennedy
Edificio Benanza
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Tel.: (809) 565-2478,567-1217
Fax.: (809) 566-1087, 567-6974

[rellosk]

Originally Posted by Scrammy520

Last summer I got married to a Dominican and now we need to start getting our stuff together so that he can move in with me in Chicago. If anyone else has been through this process of getting visas and passports and so on, I would appreciate any advice/information on procedures. I am at a loss and I have no idea where to start. Also, I know it will take a while for the whole process to even get started, but my brother is getting married in Belize sometime next year and I would love it if my husband could be there- what is the scoop on Domincans traveling. My husband seems pretty stuck on the idea that he won't be able to get a passport just for leisure traveling. Is this true? if not, what does he have to do/who does he need to talk to in order to be able to go to Belize?

Consult with an Immigration Lawyer. They will be able to give you all your options and also will be available if anything goes awry. Find a lawyer with experience, ask for references. There are plenty of lawyers who will misled you, especially in the immigrant communities in the US.

I think you already might have made one mistake. It might have been quicker to get him into the US with a K1 visa rather than getting married. Also, your husband is correct, it will be very difficult for him to get a visitors visa. He needs to have assets in the DR, a good job, and strong reasons for him to return to the DR.

[Hlywud]

trina, she can give you details

[AnnaC]

Originally Posted by Hlywud

trina, she can give you details

This lady is from the US. Although Trina knows a lot, I'm sure it's not US immigration laws.

She's kind of busy right now with the new baby

I'm going to move this to legal section.

[stewart]

He has to have a passport first. They won't even talk to him without it. He can get it from any government office. It shouldn't take long either. Especially if the "rght" price is paid.
Once he has it, you either need to go to your nearing immigration office and start the paperwork to request a visa for him. Or go to the DR and take him to the conulate in SD. That is the best option. You can start by applying for a tourist visa. He won't be able to work or leave the US until it's changed to a residency. But he'll be with you. Applying for a residency takes longer. But he will hit US ground ready to work etc.
As for Belize...

[AnnaC]

And for info on a visitor's visa to the US

http://travel.state.gov/visa/visa_1750.html

But unless he's very well off he doesn't have much of a chance.

He should get a Dominican Passport to start with. Info in Mr Dr's post.

[stewart]

Originally Posted by Anna Coniglio

And for info on a visitor's visa to the US

http://travel.state.gov/visa/visa_1750.html

But unless he's very well off he doesn't have much of a chance.

He should get a Dominican Passport to start with. Info in Mr Dr's post.

I disagree with that. My wife didn't have 2 pesos to rub together when her tourist visa was approved. And I can count a few other firends in the same situation that had a tourist visa approved in as little as 1 week. The hook is that we, and they, were married already. That puts them in an entirely different category in the eyes of INS.

[AnnaC]

Originally Posted by stewart

I disagree with that. My wife didn't have 2 pesos to rub together when her tourist visa was approved. And I can count a few other firends in the same situation that had a tourist visa approved in as little as 1 week. The hook is that we, and they, were married already. That puts them in an entirely different category in the eyes of INS.

Thank you for pointing that out. Nice to hear it for a change. Wonder if they treat women differently than men? Are your other friends men that married Dominican women?

Just wondering.