They must have done their census count in the women´s restroom. Outside the ladies room, the ratio of women to men for both the United States and Colombia is about 100 women for every 98 men. And believe me those "extra" women are not in the age range you would want to marry.

None of the above is true. Normally, only a very small minority of primarily well-off Latin American women will have or be able to get a visitor´s visa. The United States and Canadian embassies look for indicators that show the visitor intends on returning to her home country. This could include property, a professional job, or children; that is, significant responsibilities and commitments that would indicate a likely return trip. The primary countries that Colombians can visit without a visa in the Western Hemisphere are Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Bermuda, Dominican Republic, Saint Helena, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Trinidad and Tobago. You can not buy a visa as some Hispanic mail order bride agencies suggest. If you want her, you will have to visit her. International Introductions Romance Tour can help.

If you are an average American, you will be considered "filthy rich" by Colombian standards. Most Latin American women live in conditions that you would not find acceptable. The monthly minimum wage is less than what many Americans make in a day. It will be impossible for you to be considered "plain."

While many Colombian women have a good work ethic and learn responsibilities early in life, you should anticipate one to two years of full financial support for your Colombian bride while she improves her English and adjusts to life in the United States. You should have a clear understanding of what both your economic roles will be. Most foreign Latin brides will prefer to be primarily housewives and mothers while some will want to work. For those Colombians with professional jobs in Colombia, it is not likely that they would be able to find equivalent work in the United States. For example, a Colombian dentist would be, at best, a dental assistant in the United States. The reason for this is that the quality of education is much lower in Colombia. Her university degree would not be equivalent to a like degree in the United States, nor would her university credits be transferable. For example, a Colombian with a nursing degree from Colombia would have to start from the beginning to pursue the same nursing career in the United States. The Hispanic mail order bride agencies not only inflate the educational level of their women, they hide the usability of that education outside of Colombia.

Colombia is no paradise for Latin women. Unemployment is often over 20%. The educated are usually under-employed. The poverty level is around 50%. Crime is high, and the Latin man is typically unfaithful. These are the conditions that present opportunities unavailable to you in the United States. While Colombian women are not looking to jump the boat, because they know of no other conditions, they are however receptive to exploring a long-range romance leading to marriage. The key word is romance. Yes, they want a better life and brighter future, as do you, but not without the romance and passion from a good, loving, respectful husband.

Mail Order Bride agencies will encourage you to purchase overpriced gifts on their website. This is not necessary. We recommend that you do not buy gifts unless you feel there are promising possibilities with someone special you have dated. When you do give, it should be a sentimental gift. Latin American women are not materialistic; your focused attention is the best gift you can give her. When it becomes appropriate for gifts we can help you and suggest what is practical and beneficial for your situation. For the right Latin woman, it´s not the expensive gift, it´s you she wants.

You can deal with the others´ South American concept of time, Siestaville, or our American standards for speed and ease. As a hands-on, on-site owner, I personally make sure our introduction services and results significantly exceed what you would get from other Latin marriage agencies. You receive a high value return on a lifetime decision, a wonderful Latin wife.

That depends on you. It can be more affordable than dating someone for the same equivalent period in the United States, yet you will get a better return. For most people the cost will include airfare, marriage agency services (introductions, lodging, translator), dating expenses (food, transportation, activities), international phone calls (cheap with VOIP), gifts (Christmas, birthday, valentines), English classes (with us includes phone and letter translation), immigration processing (review our Visa FAQ below), return trips to Colombia, and an airplane trip for her to marry you in the United States. The savings alone from buying the engagement ring in Latin America can make the whole process a bargain.

Your first letter should be friendly and confident. Thank her for accepting your invitation to meet. Tell her more about yourself. She already knows what's in your profile, so dig deeper. Expand on what you do, where you live, and your interests and goals. Avoid too many details in the beginning, just present a few highlights and keep it humble. She does not need to know about your possessions or income. Latin women have a good appreciation for American humor, but limit your humor to one or two points or they may think you are not serious. Avoid jokes that play on words. Humor is good, but some jokes don´t cross over from one culture to another.

Be positive and polite. Do not overwhelm her with complications, problems, or topics she might not be familiar with. Make sure you indicate why you are writing. She will want to know what in particular attracted your attention, but try not to say the obvious. Be creative with your complements. Point out something others might not see. Saying "you're beautiful" to a beautiful girl doesn´t mean much when everyone else is saying the same thing. Latin American women take pride in their home, so don´t say anything negative about their country. Remain courteous and avoid negative comments about your past relationships. End your letter with two or three meaningful questions, thank her for her time, and tell her you would welcome hearing from her.

For future letters, focus more attention on her; do not talk just about yourself. Write on subjects that are important to you and find out what is important to her. Answer all of her questions, and write back to her as soon as possible; a fast turn around tells her you have a high interest.

When you return home, the length, frequency, and content of your girlfriend or fiancée´s letters will demonstrate the extent of her interest. A Latin woman in love will want frequent communication with her boyfriend or fiancé. When distance is involved, writing is critical to establishing and maintaining a bond. Words reveal shared values and goals, compatibility, and mutual interest, the same ingredients that foster a long-term commitment. Once you have made the first step to opening her heart, and until you are together, ongoing correspondence is your best way to keep her heart.

Translation software is far from perfect, but it is adequate for casual exchanges. There are many free translation software packages on the Web. However, for accurate adult communications, you should not rely on translation software. Many intended words are likely to be misinterpreted or even the opposite of what was meant, which is why we provide a personal, human translator fluent in both Spanish and English for times of important communications. When using translation software, it is important that you and the woman do not use slang, abbreviations, or words that can have multiple meanings; you should also avoid complex sentences, misspelled words, and bad grammar, all of which can confuse or mislead the intended message.

There is no alimony payment after divorce in Colombia. Normally the courts provide only the splitting of assets attained during the marriage. And while they do have similar provision in Colombia for asset protection, such agreements are very unusual and most Colombian women will not be familiar with such agreements. If you choose to have a prenuptial agreement, you should hire a family lawyer in your home state to cover you for the conditions of having a foreign bride. Such provisions should include having her select a U.S. attorney who is fluent in her first language, having a court approved translator translate the agreement into her language, and leaving sufficient time for your foreign fiancée to contemplate her decision before the marriage date. You are not likely to receive any resistance or concerns from Colombian women if you ask for a prenuptial agreement. I suggest you consider this topic before you get serious with any one woman. Once you have a girlfriend, you should discuss this topic with her in more detail. If you require a prenuptial agreement, start the process with your lawyer; do not wait until she arrives in the United States. If there is a possibility you may have assets in the future in Colombia, you may want to consider a prenuptial agreement in Colombia prior to marriage in the United States. Colombia allows the protection of assets bought during the marriage by the person who bought it so that it does not become part of community assets.

From the beginnings of our Nation, American men have brought foreign brides or fiancées into our country. Since we have a long history of doing so, the process is very straightforward and inexpensive. You can have a lawyer or paralegal handle the visa process, or you can do it yourself. The Immigration and Naturalizations Service website provides instructions and forms. If you do it yourself, I recommend you research the whole process before beginning, because any incorrect preparations will cause delays. Your fiancée will not need a lawyer as the process for her is very simple.

For the fiancée petition, you will complete applications and compile documentation about you and your fiancée. You will also provide information to corroborate your relationship and your ability to support your Latin bride. To start the process, your fiancée must complete and sign the G-325A application (forms can be downloaded from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services website), sign a letter of intent to marry you, and have visa photos taken. Some of the items you will probably need to provide in your petition include: application fee ($455), cover letter, declaration of how you met, letter of intent to marry, G-325A (Biographic Information), I-129F (Petition for Alien Fiancée), I-134 (Affidavit of Support), photocopy of your United States citizen's birth certificate, employment letter, bank statements, pay stubs, United States Federal Income Tax Returns and W-2 forms for the previous two years, divorce decrees, photocopy of airline tickets used to travel to meet your fiancée, photocopy of passport stamps, one passport photo, photographs showing the two of you together, copies of email exchanges (no discussions of money) that show a continuous and loving relationship, telephone bills that document calls placed by you to her, engagement ring receipt, and invoices for English lessons. You will submit your fiancée's information along with your applications and support documents to the closest of four processing centers located in California, Nebraska, Texas, or Vermont, which normally has the fastest turnaround time. The typical approval time is between two and four months, but I have had clients approved in one week and others with background complications that take up to a year. The proper preparation of the petition paperwork (completeness, accuracy, supporting documents, neatness and organization) along with the backlog at the processing center will determine the length for approval. Once approved, you will be notified, and the processing center will send documentation to the United States Embassy in your fiancée's home country. You will need to send your fiancée, copies and original documents of all the items listed above. The Embassy will contact your fiancée by mail with instructions of what to do and what to bring to her visa interview. Once your fiancée, has obtained all her documents she will sign two forms, which can be mailed or faxed to the United States Embassy. The Embassy will promptly send her a letter with an interview date, approximately five weeks from the date of the letter. The point of the interview is to verify that the two of you are in a legitimate relationship with the intent to marry. A couple in a sincere and healthy relationship should have no concerns about the interview. While you are not required to attend the interview, your attendance does add support and will likely limit the interviewer's questions.

At the Embassy, your fiancée may have to wait a few hours before her name is called; there may be over fifty other applicants. She will probably see some applicants crying because they did not receive their visas; the most common reason for being turned down is missing documents. If she is prepared (that is, if she knows you and knows what's on the forms) and her paperwork is in order, she need not be nervous about what's happening to others. International Introductions has never had a client's fiancée visa declined. Some of the documents she should have with her include: original birth certificate, passport, police certificate, and sealed medical exam test results. After the interview, she will be informed whether or not the Embassy will issue her a K-1 visa. If approved, she may be able to return to the Embassy in two or three days to pickup her passport and visa or it will be mailed to her. The fiancée visa allows one entry to the United States and is valid for six months. If your fiancée has minor children, they will be included in your petition and she will apply for a K2 visa for them. She can bring the children under age 21 with her immediately or within a year. When your fiancée arrives in the United States Customs may require her to attend a short orientation class before you can see her. They will explain such things as the limitations and duration of her K1 visa, the consequences of staying past the 90 days without marrying, the need for changing her status once married by using the I-485 form (Adjustment of Status) to become a permanent resident, and what to do in an abusive situation. After your wife has been granted Permanent Resident status, she can apply to become an American citizen.

The above information is subject to change and serves only as a general introduction to the fiancée, visa process. For the exact requirements, steps, and fees, consult an immigration lawyer or the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services website.

The type and number of questions that will be asked during the visa interview will depend on the amount of support you and your fiancée provided in validating the relationship and the particulars of your case. While attending as a couple, you may not be asked any questions; normally the woman is asked about seven questions. Situations that may bring more scrutiny from the interviewer would include a large age difference between the couple, a past arrest record of serious crimes, domestic violence or sexual abuse, three or more divorces, divorces with foreign women, ladies with a history of fiancée or spousal visas, a short time span together or in person, a poor presentation, and no common language. The interviewer needs to see that you have a legitimate relationship and anything that might show otherwise will be reviewed closely. Women who are ignorant of the man's personal history, criminal background, prior marital or visa history with other ladies, or who do not provide accurate and consistent answers will likely be denied a visa. Your fiancée should not provide information that is not requested or be hesitant in her responses. When you are brought up, she should have a smile on her face. Below is a list of possible questions that may be asked:

When and where did you meet your fiancé in person?

Did you meet your fiancé through a marriage agency? Which one?

Did the Marriage agency provide you with the criminal history and marital background of your fiancé?

Has your fiancé been married before? If so, how many times and when was he divorced? What was the reason for their divorce? Does this matter to you?

Have you and your fiancé met in person since your initial meeting? If so, state when and where, what you did, and the amount of time spent together.

How often are you in contact with your fiancé by telephone, e-mail, or instant messaging? Please show me a documented history of letters, emails, instant messages, and telephone calls.

Did you have a correspondence with other men along with your fiancé?

When were you engaged and where did the marriage proposal take place?

When do you plan to get married?

Describe your wedding plans. Will you hold a formal wedding?

Why do you want to marry him? Do you love him? What do you love about him?

Does your fiancé have any children? If so, what are their names and ages and have you met them? If so, how do you get along?

Will there be a problem with the children from his other relationship?

Are you planning to have children together?

When was your fiancé born and where? How old is he?

What do you think about the age difference?

What do your parents think about the age difference?

What do your parents think of your fiancé? Do they approve of the impending marriage?

Do you speak English well?

What language do you use to communicate with your fiancé?

Does your fiancé speak and understand your language? Is this communication gap a problem?

What does your fiancé do for a living? Where does he work? How long has he worked there? Does he like his job? How much does he earn?

Where did he work in the past and for how long?

What degrees or formal training does he have?

In terms of education, would you say your educational backgrounds are compatible?

Please state your fiancé's residence address? Does he own or rent his home? Who does he live with?

What do you know about your fiancé's home? Do you know what the weather is like there?

Where will you live?

What is his phone number?

Write his full name.

Have you spoken to your fiancé's parents and do you know how they feel about your upcoming marriage?

Have you met his family?

What are the names of your fiancé's parents?

Where do his parents live?

Does your fiancé have any brothers or sisters? What are their names?

What color are your fiancé's eyes?

What color is your fiancé's hair?

What are your fiancé's hobbies and interests?

What are your hobbies and interests? Do you have any interests in common?

What is his favorite food?

What type of music does he like?

What type of movies does he like?

What is your fiancé's religious background? How will you raise the children?

Tell me more about your fiancé.

Explain the type of relationship you have had since your first meeting.

When did you have sex together for the first time? How often do you have sex together?

Have you ever been to the United States? If so, state when, where, for how long, and for what purpose.

Do you have any relatives or friends in the United States? Where do they live?

Have you ever applied for a traveling visa?

Why do you want to live in the United States?

When do you plan to enter the United States?

What do you plan to do once you are in the United States?

Do you plan to work in the United States?

Do you plan to study in the United States?

Did you fill out this form yourself?

Have you and your fiancé ever exchanged gifts?

Did you have a ceremony to celebrate your relationship? Show me some pictures from the event.

Tell me why this relationship is genuine.

I am going to pick some random pictures of yours; describe who is in the pictures and where and when they were taken.

If I refuse this application, what will you do? Will you still stay in your relationship?

I am going to call your fiancé now on the phone and ask him the same questions. Is there any answer you gave me that you wish to change now before I make this call?

Ninety plus percent of my clients do not marry in Colombia. Marriage in Colombia requires you to provide records that must be translated, notarized, and authenticated in the United States, which can take several months. If you do choose to marry in Colombia, a Colombian notary will be able to provide you or your fiancée with the marriage requirements. The time frame for a K-3 visa (spousal visa) is usually a little longer than for a K-1 visa (fiancée visa). If because of unusual circumstances a fiancée visa is denied, one can marry in Colombia and then petition for a spousal visa. If you are Canadian you must marry in Colombia.

This is not your only chance, just your best chance.