Fiance Visa

[bebave]

Hi, My name is Beba, Im 26 years old, I´m a U.S. Citizen but I´ve been living out of the U.S. for the past 10 years, in Colombia and Venezuela. I now want to move back to the U.S. where all my family is.
I´ve been with my fiance for 6 years, so proving that is very easy for us, I have pictures, our health insurance forms, our previous rent contracts, everything that proves we´ve been together for 6 years.
But since I havent lived in the U.S. for the past 10 years, I dont have any tax declarations from the U.S.(obviously). I´ve been in California for the past month.
What should I do? Is it easier for me to marry my fiance in Colombia and ask for him? Or should I stay in the U.S. and ask for a fiance visa?What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?

[lizzcannon]

The most important thing with immigration is to not lie, so do not ever say you are a tourist when you plan to immigrate.

That being said, applying for fiance and spouse visas are about the same. But a fiance(e) visa is only good for 90 days-so you must get married and file ASAP or your fiance(e) will become deportable.

As always, it is always worth the small amount of money required to get a consultation than to find out your particular case has issues that will cause you problems, so do that now. And check with a CPA to make sure you have no past tax issues either.

[evcalyptos]

Originally Posted by bebave

Hi, My name is Beba, Im 26 years old, I´m a U.S. Citizen but I´ve been living out of the U.S. for the past 10 years, in Colombia and Venezuela. I now want to move back to the U.S. where all my family is.
I´ve been with my fiance for 6 years, so proving that is very easy for us, I have pictures, our health insurance forms, our previous rent contracts, everything that proves we´ve been together for 6 years.
But since I havent lived in the U.S. for the past 10 years, I dont have any tax declarations from the U.S.(obviously). I´ve been in California for the past month.

First items for you to take care of. US citizens are required to report their worldwide income and file an income tax return if their income is over the reporting threshold. Tax treaties often mean that you are not double-taxed on the income, but you do have to report it.

[bebave]

Originally Posted by evcalyptos

First items for you to take care of. US citizens are required to report their worldwide income and file an income tax return if their income is over the reporting threshold. Tax treaties often mean that you are not double-taxed on the income, but you do have to report it.

I have dual citizenship (U.S. and Colombian) and have paid my taxes in Colombia, because its where I've lived the past 10 years, does this mean I still have report the taxes in the U.S., like you suggested?? Thank you

[evcalyptos]

Originally Posted by bebave

I have dual citizenship (U.S. and Colombian) and have paid my taxes in Colombia, because its where I've lived the past 10 years, does this mean I still have report the taxes in the U.S., like you suggested?? Thank you

To the United States, you are only a US citizen.
US citizens are required to report their worldwide income.
If Colombia has a tax treaty with the US, you may be credited for the tax already paid (this is common but I don't know about any treaty w/Colombia, it's enough to keep up with what I have to).

The first thing for you to do is go to irs.gov and find out if you earned enough in US$$ to require reporting. If you do, the site is pretty helpful for you to figure it out. You will need the tax returns eventually if you want to sponsor your SO to come to the US, so there is no avoiding it.
You may want to find an accountant in Colombia who has worked with dual nationals before.