Chile is now added to a U.S. program that allows foreigners from certain countries to visit the U.S. without a visa, simply by showing a valid passport at a U.S. port of entry. The Visa Waiver Program allows foreigners to go online and complete an ESTA form before travel. If approved, simply book a flight.
The VWP (Visa Waiver Program) allows foreigners to remain in the US for up to 90 days at a time. Since the VWP grants easy access to the U.S., it cannot generally be converted to other visas, such as student or work visas. Here is a list of countries that participate in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program.
Countries that participate in the VWP (as at Mar 2014)
- A
- Andora
- B
- Belgium
- Brunei
- C
- Canada
- Chile
- Czech Republic
- D
- Denmark
- E
- Estonia
- F
- Finland
- H
- Hungary
- I
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- J
- Japan
- L
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- N
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Norway
- P
- Portugal
- R
- Republic of Malta
- S
- San Marino
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- T
- Taiwan
- U
- United Kingdom
Some foreigners are already in the U.S. on the VWP and want to marry US citizens. After marriage, they want to remain in the US and apply for a green card based on marriage. This tact is risky business since it violates the easy access privileges granted by to foreigners under the VWP. Sometimes the risks can be manageable while at other times, the foreigner can be accused of fraud.
It comes down to whether the foreigner entered innocently as a visitor or with ulterior motives to remain in the U.S., and also whether the immigration officer reviewing the green card application is friendly or strict. There are plenty of both friendly and strict officers at immigration agencies and border checks, so be careful. Misusing the VWP for anything other than a simple visit to the US can result in a permanent bar from the US based on fraud.
Here is a good review of the ins and outs of marrying in the U.S. while on the VWP
If you have a foreign fiancee or spouse and are interested in possible marriage and immigration to the US, I encourage you to contact me for further assistance.
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Sorry I’ve been here for 3 years on k1 visa, I didn’t marry the guy that brought me here because on getting here I found out that he’s another relationdhip and they’re living together. Along the line I met another guy and we started dating, I got married to him and now.we’re blessed with a child. I need your help please because I don’t want to be barn.
Addy,
In nearly all cases you cannot remain in the U.S. and obtain a green card based on your marriage because you entered the U.S. on a K1 with another guy. You need a hardship screening to see if a bar waiver is possible for you. Please contact me using the contact page on this site if you would like to discuss possibilities. I have a working knowledge of this area of law, so let me check to see what is possible if you have an interest in possibly working with me on your immigration matters.
Kind regards, Allan