ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionManila US Embassy - IMBRA Questions Asked?
Ah, lotta people reading this, nobody posting! :crying:
garya505Not TellingPhilippines2006-08-28 19:42:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionManila US Embassy - IMBRA Questions Asked?
What IMBRA-related questions were you asked your interview at the US Embassy in Manila? These would be questions about whether you met online and what web site it was. If you met on a web site that was not IMBRA-complaint, what else did they ask and what happened after that?
garya505Not TellingPhilippines2006-08-28 16:03:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionMedical

Quick question. My hubby a canadian citizen and me USC. He went to the doctor a few months back because he wasn't feeling well. The doctor told him he had mild depression and gave him some pills. However he didn't feel he needed them and never filled the prescription and has never done any follow up or anything like that. Does he need to put on the medical form that he has had depression? He has never been treated jus the one time visit.


Well, this is just my opinion of course, but since this doc was likely just an MD and not a Psychiatrist it wasn't really a diagnosis of clinical depression. IMO antidepressants are prescribed for a lot of people who aren't really clinically depressed. It's a quick fix for people who are just unhappy in their lives.

Sometimes I don't "feel well" and I'm sure some sort of "medication" would help that. :lol:
garya505Not TellingPhilippines2006-09-04 20:36:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussionvisa DENIED
Cultural norms and gender could also pay a part in their viewing of the age difference. For example, a man from Pakistan who is 19 years younger than his US fiance is probably more likely to raise an issue than a US man who is 19 years older than his fiance from the Philippines.
garya505Not TellingPhilippines2006-09-18 13:03:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussionvisa DENIED
Somebody correct me if Im wrong, but don't you need either divorce papers or a death certificate for ALL previous marriages, and isn't this required with the petition submitted to USCIS?
garya505Not TellingPhilippines2006-09-17 22:28:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussionvisa DENIED
Hmmm, I smell a troll, or at least some deception.
garya505Not TellingPhilippines2006-09-17 19:43:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionJust Finished Interview Materials
Why would you send NOA1?
garya505Not TellingPhilippines2006-09-20 18:35:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussiondid you go to the interview?
I plan to go to the interview if I can.
garya505Not TellingPhilippines2006-09-21 21:18:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionPETETION SENT TO MANILA EMBASSY?

PACKAGE WAS SENT TO EMBASSY....DO I HAVE TO SCHEDULE INTERVIEW OR DO I JUST SIT BACK AND ALLOW THEM TO CONTACT MY FIANCE'? THANKS FOR YOUR INPUT.


They will schedule the interview and notify you, but you will have to schedule the physical exam at least 1 week before the interview date.
garya505Not TellingPhilippines2006-10-20 12:55:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionVisa Denied!!!!!!!!


Any photo copies of your passport showing you were in the Country


They photos of me (with her) in the country at significant landmarks


What about copies of your passport pages?
garya505Not TellingPhilippines2006-10-19 13:11:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionManila USE - Assigning interview slots
Does anyone have an email address for the VISA Unit at the USE in Manila?
garya505Not TellingPhilippines2006-10-25 12:32:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionSaint Luke's medical examination


could you tell me the process and timeline from the time you went to manila please? medical,interview etc....
my fiance will have to go through it also and she wanted to know the approx. timeline for this..
thanks...also if you could tell me what you went through for the medical... :D


Check out this link for interviews, medical..etc.... good recounts of experiences. http://ducecoop.com/interview/ Payato


Nice! :thumbs:
garya505Not TellingPhilippines2006-10-27 16:51:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionOngoing relationship proof ideas...

Linda,

Excellent. You understand exactly how the consular officer is going to decide - based on how they percieve the warm body who is standing in front of them answering a few basic (or many not so basic) questions. Something on paper is needed to document the decision for the file, but the paper documentation may or may not play a major role in the decision.

Again, as I wrote in the post that you quoted, I sense that this is to a great extent why visa applicants at high-fraud posts often have much more trouble that visa applicants at low-fraud posts. Anyone with a little time and patience can generate a wealth of paper documentation, and in fact fraudsters are often better at it than the average person.

Yodrak

... how do you prove that your relationship is bona fide and you are not looking for an easy green card? A joke when you look at some of our timelines I know!

So the question remains...how do you prove that? We are treading into metaphysics now. I am hoping the consular officer can look into my heart and see the truth. And if s/he can't I have a truckload of phone bills and boarding passes to wow him/her with.

Food for thought.

Linda





devilette,

Not only could they be anyone's, but many people would be happy to write and receive cards and letters, give and receive a few gifts, buy a few things, and attend a few events, if it will get them a pass to the USA.

Yodrak


I did a search for this info, and pulled up a few helpful threads, but also thought I'd get the 2 cents of the active forum and get it all in one thread for everyone to benefit from. What suggestions do you have for things that will work as good ongoing relationship proof for the interview. So far my list of ideas includes:

Photos
Boarding Passes
Passport Exit/Entry Stamps
Cards or Letters (only good if dated or have postmarked envelope)
Email or IM correspondence
Phone Records
Proof of Wedding planning
Engagement ring receipt
Receipts from gifts (proves nothing about you TWO, could be anyone's receipt)
Money transfer receipts
Bank statements from visits
Receipts from items purchased together (proves nothing about you TWO, could be anyone's receipt)
Stubs from events attended together (proves nothing about you TWO, could be anyone's stubs)
Letters/invitations addressed to both of us


:thumbs:


Maybe this is why over-documentation is a red flag for fraud?
garya505Not TellingPhilippines2006-11-03 11:58:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionTraveling back together from Manila




Im curious about picking up the visa at the USE Manila after approval. i see that a few posts show picking it up 2 days after approval but the embassy info seems to suggest that it takes a week. Can anyone shed some light on this ?

Visa pick up is at the discretion of consul and is allowed on a case-to-case basis and almost always, only when the US citizen is present and personally requested it.


I was scanning through the embassy interview thread and saw this useful tidbit. PatientlyWaiting is a very reliable source and so this part of the plan would likely be OK. We're still going to call the embassy and hear what they say. On the whole, the info I find in VJ is MORE reliable and realistic than the official sources who never want to commit to anything. :lol:


We will be interested to hear what the embassy says about picking up a VISA.
garya505Not TellingPhilippines2006-10-24 20:24:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionTraveling back together from Manila


Hi guys,

Mari and I have come up with a plan for handling the interview and travel back from Manila to the USA and I would appreciate any information on whether it is a reasonable one.

We are quite confident that we will be approved at the interview. I know nothing is 100% certain but we have a very simple case and Mari and I are very careful and thorough in preparing the required information.

Our plan is that I will meet her in Davao a few dasy before the interview, help her finish packing for the big move, fly to Manila together with all her stuff and check in at a hotel, go to the interview together, remain in Manila, a few days later go to the embassy to pick up the Visa, and then fly to the USA together. So we would book our flight to the USA for five to seven days after the interview date.

Are you aware of anyone who has done this or planning to do this? Is this plan just too risky?

Thanks!!!! :star: :help: :star:


Although you can ask to have your visa picked up, there is no assurance that the consul will agree to it. You might want to schedule your flight at a much later date if you don't want the hassle of rescheduling (and the fee that goes with it) . 5 to 7 days for visa delivery is being a little too optimistic. ;)


So, if they don't allow you to pick it up, they will allow delivery to a hotel near the Embassy, yes? This will take more than 5 to 7 days?

Also, allowing a few more days for the VISA adds hotel expenses for days that might not be needed, so it's probably better to plan for a week and then see what happens.

Edited by garya505, 24 October 2006 - 05:30 PM.

garya505Not TellingPhilippines2006-10-24 17:28:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionTraveling back together from Manila
So now we have heard it both ways - that you CAN pick up the VISA and you CANNOT, so which is it? Picking up the VISA isn't the same has having it delivered to your hotel.
garya505Not TellingPhilippines2006-10-24 16:36:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionTraveling back together from Manila
I'm happy to see that we are not the only ones with this plan. We also plan to do the exam on a separate trip, but I can't be there for both exam and interview (and wait for VISA) so she will do the exam trip alone. She has a friend in Manila who will meet her at the airport and stay with her for the days she is there for the exam, which is really nice. It looks like our interviews may be very close so there is a possibility of meeting up for the exam.

So, I plan to be there about 1-2 days before the interview, then stay to pick up the VISA and for the CFO. Then we can have our party (roast a pig!) and head for the US. I'm planning for 2 weeks there, that should do it. If things are delayed we will just reschedule.

Eric - PM me ok?
garya505Not TellingPhilippines2006-10-24 15:36:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionTraveling back together from Manila
The physical exam can be done well in advance of the interview (as soon as the interview date is assigned) so that should not be a problem.
garya505Not TellingPhilippines2006-10-24 14:44:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionTraveling back together from Manila
Hmmm, it could be better to do the CFO after receiving the VISA, that way no return visit to the CFO is needed?
garya505Not TellingPhilippines2006-10-24 13:54:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionTraveling back together from Manila

Hi guys,

Mari and I have come up with a plan for handling the interview and travel back from Manila to the USA and I would appreciate any information on whether it is a reasonable one.

We are quite confident that we will be approved at the interview. I know nothing is 100% certain but we have a very simple case and Mari and I are very careful and thorough in preparing the required information.

Our plan is that I will meet her in Davao a few dasy before the interview, help her finish packing for the big move, fly to Manila together with all her stuff and check in at a hotel, go to the interview together, remain in Manila, a few days later go to the embassy to pick up the Visa, and then fly to the USA together. So we would book our flight to the USA for five to seven days after the interview date.

Are you aware of anyone who has done this or planning to do this? Is this plan just too risky?

Thanks!!!! :star: :help: :star:


We are planning almost the same thing. I plan to meet my fiance in Manila just before the interview, go to the interview with her and request VISA pick-up in person. Then we will pick up the VISA the following week. From what I've read here they have the VISA ready to pick up 1 to 3 business days after the interview so this should be no problem if we allow a full 5 days. Then we will go pack and have a going-away party in her hometown the next weekend before we leave. In the worst case, the VISA pick-up is delayed and we have to wait for the VISA and reschedule our flights.

I would think in the worst case you might have to spend a few more days in Manila and reschedule your flights so you might want to be prepared for that just in case.











Hi guys,

Mari and I have come up with a plan for handling the interview and travel back from Manila to the USA and I would appreciate any information on whether it is a reasonable one.

We are quite confident that we will be approved at the interview. I know nothing is 100% certain but we have a very simple case and Mari and I are very careful and thorough in preparing the required information.

Our plan is that I will meet her in Davao a few dasy before the interview, help her finish packing for the big move, fly to Manila together with all her stuff and check in at a hotel, go to the interview together, remain in Manila, a few days later go to the embassy to pick up the Visa, and then fly to the USA together. So we would book our flight to the USA for five to seven days after the interview date.

Are you aware of anyone who has done this or planning to do this? Is this plan just too risky?

Thanks!!!! :star: :help: :star:


hello!

getting the visa is not the end point yet for your fiancee. upon approval of her visa she has to undergo the counseling requirement for spouses/ fiancee of foriegn partners under the Commision for Overseas Filipinos. This is a one day orientation for fiancee/fiance/spouses. It is a requirement that one should undergo and have the certificate attached to the passport.

you are 100% sure if you all submitted the required documents and as long as the consulate don't ask for additional evidence. Then you can fly back together here and get ready for the following. upon marriage, report marriage to the Philippine Consulate in the U.S.A so that they will make an ammendment to her passport : her married name, then file for Adjustment of Status for 2 year conditional permanent resident..and yes have a lot of patience.

Good luck and Maayong Pag abot!

Jan


Yes I forgot about the CFO. I think the CFO seminar requires the passport which is kept by the Embassy until the VISA is issued (so they can attach the VISA?). So, I would think the CFO seminar would need to be before the interview or after picking up the VISA, right? Also, according to the CFO web site, the seminar requires the VISA present, but I know people who have done the CFO before receiving their VISA so this doesn't make sense.
garya505Not TellingPhilippines2006-10-24 12:59:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionCFO


Hi is a CFO required for philippine immigration ?? I have read it is but have not seen anything official.

And if so can you go before your interview..


Thanks Brett



Yes and No. CFO is actually 2 parts. The first is the CFO seminar. She can go to the seminar anytime. The 2nd part is the CFO stamp, she will need to go back to CFO once she has visa in hand to get the stamp.


Unless she already went to her interview and has the VISA, then she can get the stamp right away.




Hi is a CFO required for philippine immigration ?? I have read it is but have not seen anything official.

And if so can you go before your interview..


Thanks Brett


This may help AsawaExperience, I am still trying to figure out the CFO timing? Why do you have to wait until after the interview if the CFO will give you stamp based on your visa interview appointment? Ken



They won't give you the stamp until you have visa in hand. They will give you a certificate when you complete the seminar which you can go to at any time. You go back with your visa and certificate of completion and they will give you the CFO stamp. I don't beleive there is any reason you couldn't wait until after you get visa in hand to do both seminar and get stamp at the same time. MY fiancee lives in the provinces so she will probably do her medical and CFO in the same trip. Not sure yet though.


We may do the same thing. If she has time around the exam she can do it then, otherwise we can do it later. I think it's even possible to do it between exam and interview (when they are holding her passport) but I think you need a couple of picture IDs (and a small "tip" for the guard). :lol:
garya505Not TellingPhilippines2006-11-13 23:26:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionCFO

Hi is a CFO required for philippine immigration ?? I have read it is but have not seen anything official.

And if so can you go before your interview..


Thanks Brett


Yes and yes.

Keep in mind that they will take the beneficiary's passport at the Exam at SLEC and you won't get it back until the VISA is issued, so doing the CFO between Exam and Interview can be tricky but we've heard it can be done with enough other IDs. Also keep in mind that if you do the CFO before the VISA is obtained you will need to return to CFO for the passport/VISA stamp. So, the easist way is probably to do it before the Exam or after the VISA is obtained.

Edited by garya505, 13 November 2006 - 03:37 PM.

garya505Not TellingPhilippines2006-11-13 15:35:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussionmanila embassy


Thanks for the heads up Mark. I would hate to be going to the embassy on the 29th. My wife interviews the day before on the 28th.


Announcement
The Philippine Government has declared that December 1, 2006 (Friday) will be the official date of its regularly scheduled holiday (Bonifacio Day). The Embassy will follow this declaration and we will be closed for business on this day.

Immigrant visa applicants with interview appointments scheduled for December 1 have all been rescheduled for interviews on November 29, 2006 (Wednesday ).

For additional details, you may contact our Visa Call Center at 1-909-101-7878 (available only within the Philippines through a PLDT or Smart landline with NDD or IDD access). Its hours of operation are Monday to Friday, 8:00 A.M. – 6:00 P.M., except on Philippine and American holidays.

Wow how did you luck out and get an interview date so fast the Embassy received our 129f on !0/02/2006 and as of today still have no interview date


Our USE received date is almost the same as yours. I am predicting we will get an interview date next month for an interview in February. Maybe, if we're real lucky, we could be notifed later this month and the interview could be in January, but I'm not counting on that.
garya505Not TellingPhilippines2006-11-14 19:28:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionPhilippine police clearance question

Since my Wife has never lived in another Country does she need police clearance or just NBI Clearance?
thanks
Mark


My fiance is also from the RP. She needs a NBI clearance stamped "for foreign travel" or "for US travel". My fiance does not have the stamp on her NBI so will be getting a new clearance.
garya505Not TellingPhilippines2006-11-14 19:23:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionPetition approved & forwarded to embassy



New case number is used when following up at NVC, and the Embassy or Consulate. The tracking on the USCIS is complete and wont have any more updates.



Thank you for your reply. So, is there any way to track the new number online?




Go to the US Embassy web page. Pick the couyntry you are coming from and they should have a section for appointments. If you look in that area after a couple of weeks it should list your appointment date


or a couple or months, or ...
garya505Not TellingPhilippines2006-11-15 13:39:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussionprovide evidence of salary AND property and stocks etc.?



I've got a cosponsor (my dad) and he has multiple properties. If he lists them, does he have to provide evidence? Also does he have to provide evidence of stocks he has? His salary meets the requirement, and he will have an employer letter. So do assets need proof then?
I am kind of clueless about this (my I-134 is fairly straightforward) and I want to figure everything out for my dad beforehand.

Thanks.


From what I've read, if the sponsor meets the 125% salary level then nothing else is really needed. I suppose it could be different if a cosponsor is involved though.

I easily meet the salary requirement but I'll probably show my checking account (~$2000) just in case.


But they need a bank letter, right? And a tax return, even though the form says this is only for the self-employed?


I plan to provide a letter from my employer, and copies of W-2 forms and tax returns, which I believe will meet the requirement. I'll include copies of my checking acount bank statement for good measure.

Somebody please correct me if I'm wrong.
garya505Not TellingPhilippines2006-11-17 14:26:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussionprovide evidence of salary AND property and stocks etc.?

I've got a cosponsor (my dad) and he has multiple properties. If he lists them, does he have to provide evidence? Also does he have to provide evidence of stocks he has? His salary meets the requirement, and he will have an employer letter. So do assets need proof then?
I am kind of clueless about this (my I-134 is fairly straightforward) and I want to figure everything out for my dad beforehand.

Thanks.


From what I've read, if the sponsor meets the 125% salary level then nothing else is really needed. I suppose it could be different if a cosponsor is involved though.

I easily meet the salary requirement but I'll probably show my checking account (~$2000) just in case.
garya505Not TellingPhilippines2006-11-17 13:53:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionI- 134 affadavit of support and tax returns


Hmmm, I'm not defending lennie, but here's another case. What do y'all think about this? It's a real case that I'm personally familiar with, though I'm not directly involved.

John and Jane meet and say they love each other.
John and Jane get engaged and John applies for K-1 VISA.
During engagement, Jane goes back with old BF but keeps this a secret.
Jane gets pregnant from BF, tells her friends she isn't sure what to do (go with John or stay with BF).
John sends I-134 and supporting documentation, showing considerable assets, to Jane for interview.
Jane has abortion the week before interview and goes to US with John (he doesn't know anything about this).
Jane has been talking to her friends about John's assets, and says she may leave him.

So what happened here? :hehe:

Didn't you already post this here somewhere?

These are not immigration issues.. won't it depend on John's state laws?


Yes it's the same case.

This case is relevent to the disclosure of assets to the fiance(e), which is what the OP asked about. In this case, it's fairly obvious that Jane only went with John becuase of his assets. if John had not gone overboard with what he included with his I-134, or had she not seen it, she may have decided differently.
garya505Not TellingPhilippines2006-11-17 18:08:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionI- 134 affadavit of support and tax returns

garya,

I think that

- it's OK to submit sufficient financial information, it is not necessary to submit all financial information
- Jane is a 'gold digger' (and she's not the only one, she has plenty of foreign and domestic 'sisters')
- John did not exercise 'due diligence' (and he's not the only one, he has plenty of 'brothers')

Yodrak

Hmmm, I'm not defending lennie, but here's another case. What do y'all think about this? It's a real case that I'm personally familiar with, though I'm not directly involved.

John and Jane meet and say they love each other.
John and Jane get engaged and John applies for K-1 VISA.
During engagement, Jane goes back with old BF but keeps this a secret.
Jane gets pregnant from BF, tells her friends she isn't sure what to do (go with John or stay with BF).
John sends I-134 and supporting documentation, showing considerable assets, to Jane for interview.
Jane has abortion the week before interview and goes to US with John (he doesn't know anything about this).
Jane has been talking to her friends about John's assets, and says she may leave him.

So what happened here?


I agree.

Oh, and after Jane entered the US on her K1, someone dropped an email to John about what she had done but he didn't believe it and married her anyway. He never even tried to find out if it was true, and by that time there were a lot of people who knew about it (things like that spread fast). My guess is if someone told him now he still would not believe it. How's that for love?
garya505Not TellingPhilippines2006-11-17 16:37:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionI- 134 affadavit of support and tax returns
Hmmm, I'm not defending lennie, but here's another case. What do y'all think about this? It's a real case that I'm personally familiar with, though I'm not directly involved.

John and Jane meet and say they love each other.
John and Jane get engaged and John applies for K-1 VISA.
During engagement, Jane goes back with old BF but keeps this a secret.
Jane gets pregnant from BF, tells her friends she isn't sure what to do (go with John or stay with BF).
John sends I-134 and supporting documentation, showing considerable assets, to Jane for interview.
Jane has abortion the week before interview and goes to US with John (he doesn't know anything about this).
Jane has been talking to her friends about John's assets, and says she may leave him.

So what happened here? :hehe:
garya505Not TellingPhilippines2006-11-17 16:03:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussionpregnant during second trip, please help!
I have a personal friend who was 4 months pregnant at her exam and interview and its not a problem. They may skip some xrays and/or vaccinations depending on how far she is along.

Whether or not you are the father is between you and her, unless they have some reason to believe you are not the father then I suppose that could be a problem.
garya505Not TellingPhilippines2006-11-20 13:27:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionMEDICAL EXAM

i think it's optional cos my co-teacher didnt have these "stuffs"...if ur planning to have a baby then she dont need vaccinations (as what i remember,no baby within 3 months after vaccination), she can have it when she reaches ur place after the baby.

but rather have these if u dnt plan yet to have a baby, cos you have paid for these, this is also for the benefit of ur fiancee..


MMR vaccine should not be given during the the first 3 months of pregnancy, or within 28 days before becoming pregnant. This is because the MMR vaccine contains attenuated live Rubela virus which has the potential of harming the baby, though this has not been known to happen yet.

On the other hand, a full blown Rubella infection in a pregant woman is very likely to cause serious birth defects.
garya505Not TellingPhilippines2006-11-21 19:44:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionVISA CANCELLATION
Some of these deceivers are very good, and it helps if their fiance(e) is blinded by love. This happened to one of my friends, and even after someone gave him an anonymous tip he didn't believe it and married her anyway.

Believe it or not, some of you reading this right now are being deceived. You may or may not find out.
garya505Not TellingPhilippines2006-11-26 15:17:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionBirth Certificate Changes - AR


Maybe you folks can tell me if this is similar to what your NSO certified BC looks like....

My wife ordered it from local civil reg and they were supposed to get it from NSO. Now I'm wondering if she really got a certified NSO BC.
Its not a good pic. I just scanned my photo copy of the real NSO BC I sent with the 230.

Does this look like yours?
Thanks, Mike


Posted Image



Yes that's real I think it's because your wife has no BC that's why you have a yellow BC. If i am not mistaken the regular color would be something like blue/green.. It's a BC issued by the NSO.... nothing more nothing less!!! That's the thing that you will submit during the interview!!

Mine's a different color since I was not registered late- i think. :no: :help: :whistle:


Ah, but my fiancee's BC is NOT a late registration and she says it's yellow! :help:
It does look like that one though.
garya505Not TellingPhilippines2006-11-28 02:36:00
IMBRA Special TopicsAre Personals Web Sites considered Marriage Brokers?



Swamped,

And why wouldn't they be approved? Using an IMB is not grounds for denying a petition.

Yodrak



Does it make a difference if we use use an IMB that is not compliant with IMBRA and using one that is compliant? Does USCIS care?

Do we know for sure that a knowingly using an IMB that is not compliant with IMBRA won't cause a denial?



I don't think it's the petitioner's or the applicant's role or responsibility to make sure that the marriage broker through which they've met complies with IMBRA dispositions on IMBs.


What we think is irrelevant if the a USCIS, DHS, or consulate authority thinks a law was violated and the petitioner knew it. Keep in mind that some of the people behind IMBRA had motives other than protecting the healthy and safety of immigrant brides, as some of them just don't like the fact that there ARE immigrant brides and want to end the process altogether. All you have to do is look at the working of the law and this is obvious. Unfortunately some of the authorities may have the same mindset.
garya505Not TellingPhilippines2006-09-15 16:10:00
IMBRA Special TopicsAre Personals Web Sites considered Marriage Brokers?

Swamped,

And why wouldn't they be approved? Using an IMB is not grounds for denying a petition.

Yodrak


Does it make a difference if we use use an IMB that is not compliant with IMBRA and using one that is compliant? Does USCIS care?

Do we know for sure that a knowingly using an IMB that is not compliant with IMBRA won't cause a denial?
garya505Not TellingPhilippines2006-09-15 14:07:00
IMBRA Special TopicsAre Personals Web Sites considered Marriage Brokers?

If USCIS believes the site I met my fiance on is a Marriage Broker, what further difficulties are faced? A denial? More forms? Info from the site? Has anyone fallen into this predicament?


It's probably not a problem, as least as far as what we have heard. Just be honest in all of the information you give to USCIS. Any attempt to deceive them could be fraught with peril.
garya505Not TellingPhilippines2006-09-15 11:37:00
IMBRA Special TopicsAre Personals Web Sites considered Marriage Brokers?


In the recent thread on IMBRA,

http://www.visajourn...showtopic=31286

there is a definition of a marriage broker:

(4) INTERNATIONAL MARRIAGE BROKER
.—
(A) IN GENERAL .—The term ‘‘international marriage broker’’ means a corporation, partnership, business, individual, or other legal entity, whether or not organized under any law of the United States, that charges fees for providing dating, matrimonial, matchmaking services, or social referrals between United States citizens or nationals or aliens lawfully admitted to the United States as permanent residents and foreign national clients by providing personal contact information or otherwise facilitating communication between individuals.
( EXCEPTIONS
.—Such term does not include—
(i) a traditional matchmaking organization of a cultural or religious nature that operates on a nonprofit
basis and otherwise operates in compliance with the laws of the countries in which it operates, including
the laws of the United States; or
(ii) an entity that provides dating services if its principal business is not to provide international dating
services between United States citizens or United States residents and foreign nationals and it charges
comparable rates and offers comparable services to all individuals it serves regardless of the individual’s
gender or country of citizenship.
---

By this definition, it seems to me that anyone who met on a personals website, including in a chat room, used an International Marriage Broker.

I would welcome other opinions.

Tom



Your answer is simple, exception; (ii)says a dating service that charges the same fee for everyone is NOT an IMB!
mike



Actually no it doesn't say that, it says:
(ii) an entity that provides dating services if its principal business is not to provide international dating services between United States citizens or United States residents and foreign nationals and it charges comparable rates and offers comparable services to all individuals it serves regardless of the individual’s gender or country of citizenship.

It would have to satisfy BOTH requirements - 1) principal business is not to provide international dating services between United States citizens or United States residents and foreign nationals, and 2) charge comparable rates and offers comparable services to all individuals it serves regardless of the individual’s gender or country of citizenship.

The problem with this is that the definition of "principal business" may seem obvious at first glance but is probably impossible to quantify and certainly subject to interpretation. Does this mean 99%, or 90%, or 51% or its customers? What if it's a subsidiary of a larger company that provides many other products and services? :help:

Edited by garya505, 13 September 2006 - 10:39 AM.

garya505Not TellingPhilippines2006-09-13 10:38:00
IMBRA Special TopicsAre Personals Web Sites considered Marriage Brokers?
What we think is a marriage broker is irrelevant. The only thing that matters is what IMBRA defines as an IMB, what USCIS thinks is an IMB as defined by IMBRA, and whether USCIS think the law has been complied with in each case.
garya505Not TellingPhilippines2006-09-11 11:47:00
IMBRA Special TopicsAre Personals Web Sites considered Marriage Brokers?


What Rebeccajo said above. Pay particular attention to the "exceptions." I used AsiaEuro. They do not consider their site as a marriage broker. A marriage broker is some company or someone who charges you money (quite a lot) to hook you up with a potential spouse. Most dating/personal sites do not do that. Usually you pay a fee, but you are free to choose or write to whomever you wish. ;)



I really appreciate all the feedback. The precise definition was particularly welcome.

I don't consider a Personals web site, including one where one has the option of not paying, a "Marriage Broker". However, I can imagine someone out on a crusade taking a different view.

Again, thanks to all for the information and informative discussion.

Tom


The best course of action is to say YES if you are not sure, as USCIS can't even decide who and who is not an IMB. If you say NO and they decide it was an IMB, then they could say you lied.

Yes, some of them ARE on a crusade (i.e. Maria Cantwell).
garya505Not TellingPhilippines2006-09-11 11:24:00