“The women-to-men ratio in Colombia is five Colombian women to one Colombian man.”
“Reports range from 3 to 6 Colombian women for every man.”
“The fact is there are not enough men in Colombia.”
“Here in Barranquilla, the women greatly outnumber the men 3 to 1.”
“Colombian women greatly outnumber the men.”
“Latin women outnumber the men 3 to 1 due to multiple state drafts.”
“Colombia is one of the countries with the largest percentage of single women in the world, with an approximate ratio 11 to 1.”
“The number of available and beautiful women in Colombia exceeds the number of men.”
“Check out a restaurant in Barranquilla called “Henry’s” on a Saturday night; 15 to 1 women-to-men.”

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 those “extra” women are not in the age range you would want to marry. Claims of three, five, or even eleven women for every man are nothing more than fantasy marketing other services use to bait uninformed men, enticing them with lies instead of reality.

“Colombian women are not interested in your looks, muscles, or wallet!”
“Colombian women are not concerned about your social status.”
“Latin women do not care if you are filthy rich or just a plain John Doe.”

If you are an average American, you will be considered “filthy rich” by Colombian standards. Most Latin American women live in conditions you would never accept for yourself. The monthly minimum wage is less than what many Americans earn in a single day. You are not going to be seen as “plain.” You will be seen as a man with advantages. Their expectation is that you are financially stable, and what they want is economic security within a loving and committed relationship.

“Most women in the marriage agency are in college or have a degree.”
“Most of the Latin ladies you will meet on our website are well educated.”
“Over 90% of the Colombian girls you will meet are college educated.”
“Colombian women are well educated and most are financially independent.”
“Colombians are the most educated people in Latin America.”
“The earning power of a Colombian wife is very good.”

While many Colombian women have a solid work ethic and learn responsibility early in life, you should realistically plan on 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. Before you begin, both of you should be clear about what your economic roles will be. Most foreign Latin brides will prefer to be primarily housewives and mothers, while some will want to work outside the home, but it is a mistake to assume that her current job or career in Colombia will translate smoothly to the United States. For Colombians in professional careers, it is unlikely they will be able to step into equivalent positions. A Colombian dentist will, at best, qualify as a dental assistant in the United States. A Colombian nurse would need to start over to pursue the same nursing career, because the quality and structure of education in Colombia is lower and different, and her degree and credits will not be treated as equivalent. The mail order bride agencies not only exaggerate the educational level of their women; they also conceal how little of that education is actually usable outside Colombia.

“These women are not looking to escape their country, since many of them are professionals or have good jobs.”

Colombia is no paradise for Latin women. Unemployment is often over 20 percent. The educated are usually underemployed. The poverty level is around 50 percent. Crime is high, and the Latin man is typically unfaithful. These conditions create opportunities you would not find in the United States. While Colombian women are not looking to jump ship simply because life is difficult, they are receptive to exploring a long term romance that can lead to marriage. The key word is romance. Yes, they want a better life and a brighter future, as you do, but not without the romance and passion that come from a good, loving, respectful husband.

“Cuddly stuffed animal: $59.95.
“Fruit basket with seasonal and exotic fruits; $89.”
“A bouquet of eleven long stem red roses; $95.”
“Floral arrangement: $150.”
“23 roses: $175.”
“Surprise your lady with a serenade: $200.”
“101 red roses beautifully arranged: $699.”

Mail Order Bride agencies will push you to buy overpriced gifts from their websites. This is not necessary. I recommend you do not buy gifts unless you see real potential with a specific woman you have already dated. When you do give something, keep it sentimental, not flashy. Many Latin American women value attention, affection, and consistency more than things. Your focused time and genuine interest are the best gifts you can offer at the start. When it becomes appropriate to give gifts, we can advise you on what is practical, modest, and suitable for your situation. For the right Latin woman, it is not the price of the gift that matters. It is that it comes from you and reflects sincere feeling.

“If you have not received satisfactory responses, within a reasonable time, (60 days) please let us know.”
“It usually takes between 7 to 10 days to get a letter there and 8 to 11 days to send a reply back to the U.S.”
“Usually it takes from 10-15 days to arrive to destination.”
“Your letters and gifts will be delivered directly to the Latin ladies of your choice within 10-14 days!?”
“Our best advice is to be patient.”

That depends on you. It can cost less than dating a woman for the same amount of time in the United States, and you are likely to get a far better return. For most men the expenses include airfare, agency fee, dating costs such as meals, transportation and activities, modest gifts for occasions like Christmas, birthdays and Valentine’s Day, English classes, immigration visa costs, a follow up trip to Colombia, and her airline ticket to join you and marry in the United States. The savings from buying an engagement ring in Latin America alone can make the entire process a financial bargain compared with doing everything at home.

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 country, 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. Be sure to ask for current photos and to verify important information on her profile, for example her civil status and status regarding any children. Before visiting her, connect on some form of video chat to verify how she currently looks. Some women will try to conceal thier real age and weight or not reveal until later that they have a child or more children then they stated or they may say they are single when they are really just legally seperated.

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.

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.

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:

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 may be your only chance to find a foreign bride.”

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