A big thank you ongoing contributors to this forum. I'm looking forward to meeting some of you soon as I am relocating to Medellin area the end of July and getting married in El Retiro in October.
I apologize for the long post. It is also a two-topic post that are related. Here we go...
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Does anyone have experience with or know if Colombia have
an equivalent of the Fiancé(e) (K-1) Visa / 90 Day Fiancé in the United States?
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Under most circumstances, the US government expects foreign nationals and their U.S. fiance to apply for/pay for a K-1 Visa if the foreign national's clear intention is to enter the U.S. for the sole intention of of marriage (and in most cases, staying permanently in the US which requires filing for adjustment of status I-485).
Coming to the U.S. on a TOURIST visa with the sole intention of getting married in the U.S. and then filing for adjustment of status is deemed to be visa fraud, And U.S. immigration officers do not take kindly to anyone they perceive has committed visa fraud.
Does anyone have experience with or know if Colombia have an equivalent of the Fiancé(e) (K-1) Visa / 90 Day Fiance in the United States?
When asked about this at the Colombian Consulate in Chicago, their response was "Why don't you just get married in the US, it's so easy, lol" And "Contact the Embassy."
I am unable to identify a similar Temporary Visa from the Colombian Cancilleria web site. I do understand the details and requirements of a TP-10 Marital Visa allowing me to reside. However, step one is: Get Married/Ceremony.
My understanding is that foreign nationals intending to enter Colombia for the sole intention of of marriage would enter under the standard 90 day Tourist Visa umbrella, granting them access into the country to proceed with the Marital Ceremony and subsequent TP-10 Marital Visa application.
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One Way Tickets problematic
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With this intention, I only bought a one way ticket on JetBlue from Fort Lauderale (FLL) to Medellin (MDE). Afterwards, I read other travelers warning about the potential harassment and impending denial I would encounter from JetBlue and possibly Immigration officials in MDE.
A JetBlue customer service agent and their managers confirmed this with me on the phone and advised me to "Contact the Embassy." But they also do not know the documentation (Visa or otherwise) required to be given an exemption to the proof of return requirement, lol,
even if I did Contact the Embassy and file paperwork and bring a copy of it to FLL.
When asked if Immigration in MDE would require proof of return travel upon entry at the Colombian Consulate in Chicago, their response was "Not legally required and if they harrass you just push back with, I have a legal right to be 90 days and I'll buy my return airfare when I'm ready". lol, yeah I'm not risking deportation without insurance.
JetBlue and other airlines do have a 24 hour penalty free cancellation policy.
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So the least expensive and path of least resistance strategy seems to be:
1) Hours prior to boarding the flight from FLL to MDE purchase a one way MDE to FLL ticket
Proof of return travel to satisfy JetBlue: check
Proof of return travel to satisfy MDE Immigration: check
2) Enter the country on the Tourist Visa, cancel return flight
Entered the country: check
Avoid the unnecessary waste of money: check
3) Proceed with marriage ceremony, obtain marriage license and apply for TP-10 Marital Visa/Cedula
Immersion and reside legally: check
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