Try again or wait?

[browe]

I am seeking your advice for the following situation...

I am a US citizen that quit my job for a while to travel the world. While traveling South America last year I met a Colombian woman whom I fell in love with. In November she applied for a US visitor visa but was denied with the general letter saying she did not show strong enough ties to her home country. I was a bit surprised as she had a job and all her family is here. I began to think it probably had to do with me being the one inviting her to the US and also sponsoring her way. (Her job as a teacher did not bring in a huge salary.) Anyway, this March we got married and I would like her to be able to visit the US. We have no intention of living in the US now as we both want to travel the world and hopefully work in Australia. She has never traveled outside of Colombia so I'm thinking it would be better for us to travel a bit so it will show she's a tourist before reapplying for the visitor visa. If we apply now I don't think she will get it as they will see she married in a short time and does not have a job and so it will look like she wants to immigrate.

What is your advise and best approach on this? Keep in mind she does not want to immigrate as we have plans to live in Australia.

Thanks

[Libra_14]

She is now married to you (US citizen) & really be treated as potential immigrant. B2 will be really a tough visa for her. Better if you sponsor her a Green Card & than let her visit USA.

[daggit]

If (once) once she gets a green card, she cannot just visit the US. She MUST then maintain her US residence, ie stay in the US at least 6 months of a year. Bad idea!

Suggest both you try to visit couple neighboring countries, establish a tourist routine, then try a B2 visa again after that. And try writing a letter outlining her intent not to live in the US.

[Libra_14]

There is no force for any GC holder to maintain it by keep visiting or staying long term in USA.

[browe]

She is now married to you (US citizen) & really be treated as potential immigrant. B2 will be really a tough visa for her. Better if you sponsor her a Green Card & than let her visit USA.

Thanks for the suggestion as I hadn't thought of this route. I haven't done any research into the GC, but is it possible for me to sponsor her when I'm not living or working in the US? I'm thinking no, as it is probably similar to the K3 immigrant visa process.

[browe]

If (once) once she gets a green card, she cannot just visit the US. She MUST then maintain her US residence, ie stay in the US at least 6 months of a year. Bad idea!

Suggest both you try to visit couple neighboring countries, establish a tourist routine, then try a B2 visa again after that. And try writing a letter outlining her intent not to live in the US.

Thanks for confirming what I was thinking might be the best course. I think visiting Europe in addition to the neighboring countries will set a good routine.

[daggit]

There's no point in going for his GC. Besides his current ineligibility due to USC petitioner's Mexico domicile, why go through a yearlong hassle and ~$1K costs, only to abandon it later?

Yes, enjoy visiting Europe and neighboring countries. Then try for a B2 bit down the road.

[browe]

There's no point in going for his GC. Besides his current ineligibility due to USC petitioner's Mexico domicile, why go through a yearlong hassle and ~$1K costs, only to abandon it later?

Yes, enjoy visiting Europe and neighboring countries. Then try for a B2 bit down the road.

Thanks for your advice. Much appreciated

[Libra_14]

Thanks everyone, interesting discussion. Appreciate everyone's input.

Browe, would you like to share your experience once you attend B2 visa interview for the sake of other's benefit.