Arroz Con Pollo

I hope to get some insite on this topic before I consult an attorney.
I have been dating a 26 year old woman from Peru for about a year. We
were introduced through her friend here living in the USA. I have been
to Peru a few times to be with her.

Last February (2005) she applied for a travel visa to the USA. Her
friend (same friend that introduced us) was getting married and she
listed that as her reason for travel here, which was partially true.
We didn't think "I'm going to go see my gringo boyfriend" was such
great thing to put on the application.

It turns out it didn't matter, she was denied in a matter of seconds at
the US Embassy in Peru. All of her paperwork was in order, she brought
with her a receipt from her fully paid tuition for University for the
next year for the "reason to return to Peru" since she owns no
property. The officer at the embassy did not review her paper work
anyway, she spent less than a minute speaking with her and denied the
application.

I know of many Peruvian women her age with more flimsy applications and
more redflags that were approved without question. So it seems there
is a lot of random and dumb luck thrown into the decision. I accept
all of this as much as ridiculous as it seems, I only describe the
situation for background leading up to my ultimate question.

Which is, aside from a fiance visa, is there anything I can do to
assist her? I am an American born citizen, I am sure we are going to
marry someday, but don't want to use the fiance visa if it's not the
absolute last resort. I have friends who tell me there is some sort of
"invite" letter I can compose on her behalf to make myself
"accountable" for her during her stay in the US. I have found no such
evidence of this being true even though it seems to make sense.

She is about to graduate with a bachelor's in psychology. This
probably hurts her chances more since she will be living at home still,
without even a college tuition to return to. No property, no
significant savings probably equals no visa.

So I ask you, internet news group, what can I do? It is important to
point out, our goal is not for her immigration to the US, it is simply
for her to visit me, allow us to spend more time together, and see if
this relationship is ready for that big step. We are both very much in
love, but also both very level headed and not willing to marry for the
sole purpose of obtaining a visa. My only goal is for her to spend
some time here, so we can decide if she wants to move here, or if I
will move there, of if we are even compatable enough for either.

Sorry for the long desciption, but I think it will help in you
composing your response. I'm only looking to see if I have options
outside of Fiance Visa or for her to try her luck again with a standard
travel visa application.

Thanks for your time.

Noorah101

> I hope to get some insite on this topic before I consult an attorney.
> I have been dating a 26 year old woman from Peru for about a year. We
> were introduced through her friend here living in the USA. I have
> been
> to Peru a few times to be with her.
> Last February (2005) she applied for a travel visa to the USA. Her
> friend (same friend that introduced us) was getting married and she
> listed that as her reason for travel here, which was partially true.
> We didn't think "I'm going to go see my gringo boyfriend" was such
> great thing to put on the application.
> It turns out it didn't matter, she was denied in a matter of seconds
> at
> the US Embassy in Peru. All of her paperwork was in order, she
> brought
> with her a receipt from her fully paid tuition for University for the
> next year for the "reason to return to Peru" since she owns no
> property. The officer at the embassy did not review her paper work
> anyway, she spent less than a minute speaking with her and denied the
> application.
> I know of many Peruvian women her age with more flimsy applications
> and
> more redflags that were approved without question. So it seems there
> is a lot of random and dumb luck thrown into the decision. I accept
> all of this as much as ridiculous as it seems, I only describe the
> situation for background leading up to my ultimate question.
> Which is, aside from a fiance visa, is there anything I can do to
> assist her? I am an American born citizen, I am sure we are going to
> marry someday, but don't want to use the fiance visa if it's not the
> absolute last resort. I have friends who tell me there is some sort
> of
> "invite" letter I can compose on her behalf to make myself
> "accountable" for her during her stay in the US. I have found no such
> evidence of this being true even though it seems to make sense.
> She is about to graduate with a bachelor's in psychology. This
> probably hurts her chances more since she will be living at home
> still,
> without even a college tuition to return to. No property, no
> significant savings probably equals no visa.
> So I ask you, internet news group, what can I do? It is important to
> point out, our goal is not for her immigration to the US, it is simply
> for her to visit me, allow us to spend more time together, and see if
> this relationship is ready for that big step. We are both very much
> in
> love, but also both very level headed and not willing to marry for the
> sole purpose of obtaining a visa. My only goal is for her to spend
> some time here, so we can decide if she wants to move here, or if I
> will move there, of if we are even compatable enough for either.
> Sorry for the long desciption, but I think it will help in you
> composing your response. I'm only looking to see if I have options
> outside of Fiance Visa or for her to try her luck again with a
> standard
> travel visa application.
> Thanks for your time.

Hi,

I fear writing an invitation letter might do more harm than good, as it
will show she has a male companion in the USA, and even more reason to
remain in the USA.

The only options I see are:
1. You continue to go there until you know if you want to get engaged.
2. Meet in a 3rd country where she has a better chance of visiting.
3. Have her continue to try for the visitor visa (but they keep the
fee each time, so that's not good).

The fiance visa is not really meant to "visit". When applying, you must
write your intent to marry within 90 days of her arrival...so that visa
is really meant for those who are sure they will marry soon.

Best Wishes,
Rene

--

Boiler

> Hi,
> I fear writing an invitation letter might do more harm than good, as
> it will show she has a male companion in the USA, and even more reason
> to remain in the USA.
> The only options I see are:
> 1. You continue to go there until you know if you want to get
> engaged.
> 2. Meet in a 3rd country where she has a better chance of visiting.
> 3. Have her continue to try for the visitor visa (but they keep
> the fee each time, so that's not good).
> The fiance visa is not really meant to "visit". When applying, you
> must write your intent to marry within 90 days of her arrival...so
> that visa is really meant for those who are sure they will marry soon.
> Best Wishes,
> Rene

An Attorney is not going to help, and it is she that is applying for a
Visa not you.

Her chances of getting a Visa to US is pretty small, the outcome was
what would usually be expected.

F1 to continue her studies in the US?. But still requires to show non-
immigrant intent.

--

Crg14624

> I hope to get some insite on this topic before I consult an attorney.
> I have been dating a 26 year old woman from Peru for about a year. We
> were introduced through her friend here living in the USA. I have
> been
> to Peru a few times to be with her.
> Last February (2005) she applied for a travel visa to the USA. Her
> friend (same friend that introduced us) was getting married and she
> listed that as her reason for travel here, which was partially true.
> We didn't think "I'm going to go see my gringo boyfriend" was such
> great thing to put on the application.
> It turns out it didn't matter, she was denied in a matter of seconds
> at
> the US Embassy in Peru. All of her paperwork was in order, she
> brought
> with her a receipt from her fully paid tuition for University for the
> next year for the "reason to return to Peru" since she owns no
> property. The officer at the embassy did not review her paper work
> anyway, she spent less than a minute speaking with her and denied the
> application.
> I know of many Peruvian women her age with more flimsy applications
> and
> more redflags that were approved without question. So it seems there
> is a lot of random and dumb luck thrown into the decision. I accept
> all of this as much as ridiculous as it seems, I only describe the
> situation for background leading up to my ultimate question.
> Which is, aside from a fiance visa, is there anything I can do to
> assist her? I am an American born citizen, I am sure we are going to
> marry someday, but don't want to use the fiance visa if it's not the
> absolute last resort. I have friends who tell me there is some sort
> of
> "invite" letter I can compose on her behalf to make myself
> "accountable" for her during her stay in the US. I have found no such
> evidence of this being true even though it seems to make sense.
> She is about to graduate with a bachelor's in psychology. This
> probably hurts her chances more since she will be living at home
> still,
> without even a college tuition to return to. No property, no
> significant savings probably equals no visa.
> So I ask you, internet news group, what can I do? It is important to
> point out, our goal is not for her immigration to the US, it is simply
> for her to visit me, allow us to spend more time together, and see if
> this relationship is ready for that big step. We are both very much
> in
> love, but also both very level headed and not willing to marry for the
> sole purpose of obtaining a visa. My only goal is for her to spend
> some time here, so we can decide if she wants to move here, or if I
> will move there, of if we are even compatable enough for either.
> Sorry for the long desciption, but I think it will help in you
> composing your response. I'm only looking to see if I have options
> outside of Fiance Visa or for her to try her luck again with a
> standard
> travel visa application.
> Thanks for your time.

She was less than forthcoming on the last application. She claimed to
be destined solely to attend a wedding but she failed to mention that
her significant other lived in the USA. That is extremely relevent
information that she left out.

Contacting the consulate now with the real story will only serve to
confirm what the embassy was concerned about. There are close to
100,000 illegal Peruvians in the US already so it is a tough country to
get a visa in.

--

polandmario

I have lived in Peru, among other nearby countries as a visitor and
always return; it has been great. I suggest you go back there to visit
to see what happens with your relationship, that is if you decide to
get married. Save time, money and energy that way you can get to know
each other better while not spending so much money on applications
which would be likely denied for her to come and visit you in the U.S.
I say this because you would be dating your girlfriend in a relatively
inexpensive country, for example in Peru: anywhere you go, you can eat
a wonderful four course meal for like 4 soles, about US $1. This would
avoid her losing money again where I know it is too hard to get a
travel visa to our country. I know; I used to help people with their
document translations, so I have heard many sad outcomes.