ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresCriminal background

I agree with most everything DaleFlorida said but... how do you know the beneficiary is from the Philippines?



Ooops ! I'm working, distracted... and was tunnel visioned on the Philippines since my fiance is there. My bad. :bonk:


To the original poster, please fill out your time line because it does matter as to the answers you will receieve back. Thanks.
NoneYaMalePhilippines2011-11-23 11:27:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresCriminal background
You have to have the certified charges and dispositions since you have had 3 convictions.

If it was me, I would take a drug and alcohol class or get a professional to write a letter that you are no longer drinking. That is just what I would do if it was me. I don't think they can deny you for these convictions but it can contribute to their decision. Getting the Visa depends on the totallity of your case.
Remember close only counts in hand grenades and horse shoes...

Disclaimer: Take my information as an opinion only. I'd also probably get a lawyer with experience in the Embassy in Manila.
NoneYaMalePhilippines2011-11-23 09:46:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresScheduling Online Appointment
and please ansewr my question too. How is the interview date chosen ? Do they give you multiple date options or only one ? :whistle:
NoneYaMalePhilippines2011-11-24 19:39:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWill the USCIS accept a $350 money order?
If it was the Philippine government, they would collect it and charge you customs tax on the purchase.

(Before you send hate mail, I just paid a $ 65.00 customs tax on a $ 85.00 valued item so I have reason to rant ! ) :crying:
NoneYaMalePhilippines2011-11-25 09:42:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresPLS HELP.. =(
I am no expert on Embassy but I can offer you some advice. First, all employees in America are supposed to receive a "W-2" form from their employer by January 31st each year. This will show his income. That is what I would provide them. I will also offer 3 months of pay check stubs. This is all he needs to prove how much he has earned. They might still want to see his Income Tax Returns for 2011 but that is no problem too. If he is not self employed, he should be able to file soon after he gets his W-2 from the employer. He can file on line or he can take it to a tax professional that can file it and print out the 1040 form that he filed.

If he is self employed then that takes a while longer and is hard for some people to do by himself. In any event, taxes can be stressful for some people here and take them a few days to organize and it is a pain. I would nudge him and provide him this knowlege but if he is stressed about taxes and can't produce till later, don't push him. You could delay the interview but not too far. Just take the last appointment available. You can always provide the tax forms later but they might just accept the W-2 and his pay stubs as proof. That should be enough. Don't provide a copy of the W-2 or the pay stubs. Provide the real thing that was given by the employer.

Edited by NoneYa, 03 December 2011 - 09:49 AM.

NoneYaMalePhilippines2011-12-03 09:47:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHELP NEEDED
You can get someone on the phone there to ask what is up if you try hard enough. I called them after mine was received to find out why mine didn't show on the web site. 4 weeks is a long time. It might go through this week. You don't know that nothing is wrong with the holidays. This is the time of year when people take 2 weeks off. If you cancel the check and they have it, then you'll have to start over.

I would definately prepare another one and make a decision to send another one. Maybe in the second one you could put a letter in it that this is a second K-1 filing due to a presumed lost document and ask them to check if the first one was found before cashing the check ? Just trying to offer advice. Spending another $ 350 is nothing compared to another months wait for me.

Always use tracking, preferably Fed Ex.
NoneYaMalePhilippines2011-12-05 08:07:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresRetrictions on Date of Signing g-325a and Letter of Intent
Put yourself in the Consulate Officers position for a minute. Wouldn't you think it would look like to him there is a problem with your relationship, maybe
you are not so committed if you waited a year to submit it ? It MIGHT raise an unnecessary flag even if the paper work is in order.. don't risk it.

If you are serious about filing, get a recently signed one oppossed to one that is a year old.

(I posted this and then saw that the previous poster has the same opinion as I.)

Edited by NoneYa, 11 December 2011 - 05:26 PM.

NoneYaMalePhilippines2011-12-11 17:24:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresExcessive Chat Log - Too Many Pages

A ream of 20 pound paper weighs 5 pounds, so 1650 pages would be 16.5 pounds. You mention that it's 150 pounds when you add it with the emails. 150 pounds would be 15,000 sheets of paper. Do you have over 13,000 pages of emails as well? Are you planning on printing it onto photo paper? I agree with the others that it's completely unnecessary. But where did you get the 150 pound number? 11 sheets of paper does not weigh a pound. Also, double sided printing is your friend.


I don't know where I got that from. I was probably still in shock about the page count but I looked at my 500 pages of copy paper and it says 20 lbs. 1650 / 500 = 3 packages so that would be 3 * 20 lbs = 60 lbs of paper. Either way, I'm skimming it way down and only selecting one email per week plus some chats.
NoneYaMalePhilippines2011-12-13 18:13:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresExcessive Chat Log - Too Many Pages
Well, I spoke with someone last night that just got approved and they told me they took 1 email per week with them and that is all. They didn't even look at it. They told me they were mostly interested in the financials. I am going to do something similar... but I will have it from mulitiple sources. I understand that bringing too much paper might be a bad thing. I hope to get it down to a reasonble 75-100 pages which are skimable. :luv:
NoneYaMalePhilippines2011-12-13 13:18:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresExcessive Chat Log - Too Many Pages
@Darnell- DOS is easy to me but it won't play with this 64 bit Windows 8 machine I am using... :bonk:

but for someone running 32 bit, I'll include the link to so they can try it.

http://archives.scov...ls/00_index.htm
NoneYaMalePhilippines2011-12-13 10:30:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresExcessive Chat Log - Too Many Pages

I have to ask... Did you *really* print the chat log before counting the 1,650 pages?


No, I did not print it to paper. I printed it to a file and at the end, it displays the amount of pages it would generate. I am afraid if I sent that much to my printer it will burn it out.
NoneYaMalePhilippines2011-12-13 09:28:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresExcessive Chat Log - Too Many Pages
@Darnell... thanks. I have a duplex printer and will attempt that. :thumbs:
NoneYaMalePhilippines2011-12-13 09:25:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresExcessive Chat Log - Too Many Pages
You guys are helpful. I will consider all the ideas but Skype has no summary of chats like Yahoo Chat.

We did capture one screen shot of us in Skype for every conversation over the last 4 months so I think this will be helpful to use this because it allows someone to glance and see many different changes of clothes, lighting... I think we have plenty of evidence anyway including quite a few phone calls. :dance:
NoneYaMalePhilippines2011-12-12 22:11:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresExcessive Chat Log - Too Many Pages
I just printed my Skype chat log to a file and found out it is 1,650 pages !!! Holy #######. With emails, this is going to be 150 lbs of paper requring a small suitcase. What did everyone else do ? I am sure we are not alone in this overwhelming amount of chat log evidence.
NoneYaMalePhilippines2011-12-12 21:28:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWill Pregnancy affect K1
Getting pregnant before you get the Visa is a very bad idea :bonk: . You don't know what delays you will experience. It takes two people to raise a child and you need to support her. Don't risk it because others have been left in limbo.
NoneYaMalePhilippines2011-12-14 09:22:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresIs there any info on why CSC has slowed down?
I don't know but on the Vermont side... they are just a few weeks away from mine... so just a little push will do it ! August filer here. :thumbs:

Edited by NoneYa, 13 December 2011 - 09:38 PM.

NoneYaMalePhilippines2011-12-13 21:37:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresprevious application
Well, you could have gotten no repsonses by people who didn't give a rats bottom. :rofl: There are so many horror stories we read from time to time. I spoke to one guy on www.dragonladies.com that told me he lost $ 20,000 to one woman. I still couldn't convince him she was a scammer. You are doing it the right way. You'll be fine. Good luck. :thumbs:

http://dragonladies.org/bbs/
http://www.dailymoti...mers-galle_news
NoneYaMalePhilippines2011-12-13 14:50:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresprevious application
Courtney. Summary. Keep your mouth shut. Go on and have fun with him but don't file yet. Overtime, learn more about this situation that you are in. It does sound like you are being manipulated and you are allowing it to happen. It happens a lot, to a lot of people all over the world and we all feel so stupid once we get taken advantage of for anything. Here is the key:

When you want to believe in someone, it is easy for them to lie and manipulate you. You want to believe and this is why it is easy for them. This is why they say "Love is Blind". Only someone from the side that cares about you could see better than you. When you meet someone new, you should always start out skeptical and wary and untrusting. Overtime, you can usually find out who people are but not too fast.

After you have been manipulated once, you wouldn't trust again so easy and that is when you can find the best relationships.
Don't believe what people tell you. Talk is cheap. These are good rules to find the right man to love... this is all the advice I have for you. Just be careful.
NoneYaMalePhilippines2011-12-12 22:42:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresno gaps in Employment history???
Yes, you need to account for all time.
NoneYaMalePhilippines2011-12-15 15:15:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedureswestern union receipts
Thanks Frank. That is helpful. I will be prepared if they do ask for it.
NoneYaMalePhilippines2011-12-15 11:44:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedureswestern union receipts
Well I would agree with that Gary. Since this topic came up again, I went back and did research on this site and pulled up nothing significant to convnince me either way for my situation. Personally, I am only concerned with the Philippines because we all know that all Embassies are different.

I took the task of emailing and conversing with recent Visa beneficiaries/petitioners that have gone through Manila in the last six months that are now here in the U.S. They all sent money in differring amounts but the indication I got from these recent awardees was that it was a non-issue and in many cases not asked for. It's got to be viewed on a case by case and above all by the specific Embassy you are going through. The only reason I was so interested in it is because sometimes our beneficiaries need dental care, their laptop dies and needs to be replaced... if we send money and there is good reasons and you have receipts/documentation it shouldn't be an issue as long as you are balanced with much more convincing documentation.
NoneYaMalePhilippines2011-12-15 11:05:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedureswestern union receipts
Be skeptical of all advice from the forum and only believe half of what people say. I have noticed people who I think are smart say something completely stupid so just be aware that nobody has perfect advice, especially from other countries. This is a hotly debated topic and only the Embassy has the answer. I would recommend searching for "Wester Union" on this forum and use your own research and not someone elses because it is your butt that is on the line. Here is what someone else said that has obviously gone through this process in the Philippines:


My experience is more of the Filipino screener questioning me of not having any receipts or packages from my fiancee.

This is my personal opinion, the filipino screeners expect all of the filipina fiancee get money from american fiancee. And its very unusual for them to encounter a filipina not asking money from USC.

My fiancee, now hubby, could afford to send me money but its a personal choice not to get support from him.


My comments on her statement : Although, I disagree that the Filipina should be asking for money... the USC often offers it to help. It's just common.
Also, I ask this question only in the Mexico area because all Embassies have different requiremtns.

Here is the thread where that came from.
http://www.visajourn...ts/page__st__15

Edited by NoneYa, 14 December 2011 - 02:48 PM.

NoneYaMalePhilippines2011-12-14 14:43:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedureswestern union receipts
The previous post of bullet points of the major events make good sense. As far as western union receipts, I think that would raise a red flag if you didn't send them. Every man I have spoken to has sent money to his fiancee.. so if you had no reciepts they would view it as
1.) You don't care enough for her
2.) You are lying about sending her money.

Neither of those assumptions are good when the petitioner makes 25-50 times more annually than the beneficiary. Some money transfers are expected.
NoneYaMalePhilippines2011-12-14 13:32:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresOpinions Welcome
Take your time filing. Once it is the mail, errors in judgements about the right mix of proof sent and all the way down to the boxes on the forms that require "N/A" or "None" can drive you crazy. I am one of the most detailed people and I was so exhausted from filing it out that I wish I had put "N/A" in the Alien number box instead of sending it in blank. I probably won't get an RFE but these are the problems with rushing it in.

Compare your forms you send it with the ones on-line. Also, carefully choose your emails and documents you send. When you are filing the I-129F.. you are trying to prove that you met however these same documents will be passed on and read by someone to determine if you have a legitamite relationship so you need to choose them carefully.
NoneYaMalePhilippines2011-12-17 08:45:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresPhotos and software
Why would you need to put the date on the pictures ? The date means nothing in reality. I can change the date on my camera at anytime and put what ever date I want in there and they know that. Besides if they blow up the picture and investigate the pixels and it looks forged, that could be very bad for you and hard to explain away.

There were no dates on my pictures but I have signed receipts from the hotels to put me there including at least 10 other items which put me in the same area which include charges to my credit card and other receipts.
NoneYaMalePhilippines2011-12-18 00:19:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresDENIED K-1 visa at the consulate
Let us know when you pull your record what makes her think you have a conviction... there must be more to this story. Be sure to get the judges signature on those court records also called an exemplified copy.

An exemplified copy is a copy of an official document, such as a court pleading or judgment, which is obtained from the County Clerk or the Judgment Clerk where the particular document was filed. The clerk will certify in writing, affixing a corporate seal or some form of a stamp, that the particular document as was properly signed and entered. Exemplified copies are more than certified copies -- the clerk certifies that the copies are genuine and the judge certifies that the clerk has the authority to say they are genuine.

Edited by NoneYa, 07 December 2011 - 08:47 AM.

NoneYaMalePhilippines2011-12-07 08:43:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWhat my fiance need to send to me once we received NOA2?
Don't you see a need to memorize the package ? :whistle:
NoneYaMalePhilippines2011-12-19 20:58:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK-2 petition status change
Is the father an active parent in the childs life ? Does he support the child ? I have seen so many children abandoned in this world that I ask this question. If he has all the suddended just become interested in his parental rights...let me suggest something unconventional. Maybe his motive is not love for the child but more so exerting his power and potentially a barganing chip. He might not express this purely or even acknowlege this but you should be aware of this reality and look for subtle clues. If this is true, there is one way to get his signature on this document. Offer him payment for this signature. I don't know about Ukraine but in Russia, it is very common. Corruption, bribes are normal business there. This is an area where you can wipe someones name from property deeds with a little money and approaching the right people.

I would never suggest you offer a bribe to a loving caring parent. A child needs both biological parents in his life but if this parent serves no purpose other than a road block to this childs one big opportunity in life, pay the father off and get it done.
NoneYaMalePhilippines2011-12-19 06:26:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresRFE - response time
Thanks for sharing that Jim. It very helpful to know because I am already packing for my trip to ....

Bohol Amorita Resort Philippines -> http://www.360cities...33.58,1.93,70.0

Edited by NoneYa, 24 December 2011 - 10:35 PM.

NoneYaMalePhilippines2011-12-24 22:33:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresRFE - response time
Okay, I think I understand. They probably look at if you have to get court records and issue a longer time frame (80 + days ) or just returning a document signature and issue a shorter time frame (30 days ) ? Maybe that is the difference in RFE reponse time requirements.

My vacation will cut a solid 2 weeks out of my time to respond and I actually work for a living so it's not that easy to go run to the court house!!! Lol. I would hate to screw this part up after waiting 5 months but I certainly don't expect an RFE.

Thanks for all the responses to help figure out their methods on RFE time frames.

Edited by NoneYa, 24 December 2011 - 02:40 PM.

NoneYaMalePhilippines2011-12-24 14:38:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresRFE - response time
30 days would be scary. Since I had two differing answers I decided to search and someone with a good track record posted this:
The average time is also the statutory maximum time - 84 days (12 weeks), plus a 3 day grace period if the RFE was sent by mail.

If anyone can confirm this, it would be helpful. This is regarding waiting on my NOA2. Thanks.
NoneYaMalePhilippines2011-12-24 08:26:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresRFE - response time
How long do you have to respond to an RFE ? I am going back to the Philippines next month but they are processing the month I filed in (August) now. Since I will be gone 2 weeks, I would hate to get an RFE the day before I leave and only have two weeks to respond to it. Maybe I could respond and tell them I am out of the country if there is such a time limit on it ?

I am just trying to be prepared.
NoneYaMalePhilippines2011-12-23 21:01:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedureshelp,,,,i have ? on the crimes answer,,,,,,
Update; I went back and searched for the thread about the guy killing his brother and found it. It that was someone else asking about the situation of a co worker so I don't know what happened in that case.
NoneYaMalePhilippines2011-12-26 15:13:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedureshelp,,,,i have ? on the crimes answer,,,,,,
Never lie to the government about anything is right because that would be much worse than the 3 dui's. I did some research on arrest recently and saw where a guy "accidently" murdered his brother and spent 5 years in jail and was approved. I think it was a K-1 too. Search for yourself. It's on this forum. That being said, you have to discuss this with your fiance because they likely will bring it up and she should be able to discuss it with them or that would not look good. Submit any completed courses on substance abuse as well.

This is me thinking but if it was me in this situation, I would try to demostrate stability in my life and maybe not submit pictures with alcohol in them :whistle:

Edited by NoneYa, 26 December 2011 - 03:08 PM.

NoneYaMalePhilippines2011-12-26 15:05:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresNoa2 question
Yes, there are more forms. I think there are additional forms that the petitioner has to fill out (134? proof of income ) and there are some for the beneficiary as well. Since nobody answered this, I am bringing it up but I will be researching this more over the next few weeks as I don't know completely mysself. Maybe someone else can comment on this that knows more about it but I am sure you do have more paper work to fill out.
NoneYaMalePhilippines2011-12-24 13:26:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresForms Only Questions - NOA2
That letter was exactly what I needed. I will study it. Thanks !
NoneYaMalePhilippines2011-12-27 15:48:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresForms Only Questions - NOA2
I want to prepare and fill out all forms before we receieve the NOA2 for the K-1 Visa. I am trying to find what will be sent in Packet 3 and Packe 4 as far as forms
that she must have. I understand DS-134 is for me, I don't know why the G-325A was listed again since we already sent that, the DS-156k will be filled out by her,
the DS-156 (we must fill out online ??), I don't know if the DS-230 is needed. There are no minor children involved. Can someone clear help me clear this up?
Thanks. Here is the link where I got this information: http://www.visajourn...content/k1forms

DS-134 - Petitioner Support Form (I will fill this out)
G-325a - Biographic Information (this was already sent with the I-129f so it is not needed again?)
DS-156K - Non-Imigrant Fiancee Visa
DS_156 - (on-line only ?? ) Non-Immigrant Visa Application

DS-230 - This is not needed ???

Are there any other forms that we must fill out ? I will research medical, cfo later.. she already has many of the other required documents like NBI, birth certificate and others.
NoneYaMalePhilippines2011-12-27 13:57:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSkype History for free phone calls.
See if this will help you. I print all my Skype chat history to a file, then I will retrieve the entire file into Word and selectively print a chat or two a week to show a bonified relationship.

I use Skype Historian: http://eigenein.info...torian-website/
NoneYaMalePhilippines2011-12-28 19:48:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresDoing it here or there,,,,,,,,help!
Yes a very sincere congratulations to you!
NoneYaMalePhilippines2011-12-31 21:27:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresDoing it here or there,,,,,,,,help!
Hmmm...I'm not sure but I think the three D.U.I's will not be too much of a problem but you should preload the information in your package because they will ask for it. If I understand you correctly and you have 3 DUI's...You will need : Ememplified Copies or Court Certifications showing the dispositions in those cases as well as everything that goes with it. You should get that from the court house and send it with the petittion. They will discuss this with your fiance as that is what the request is for is to share it with her. Tell her to be prepared if they ask "How do you feel about marrying a drunk ?" (You don't know what they will do during the interview...). If you have any substance abuse class completions, send that along as well. Someone else might comment on other supporting evidence that might support your case that you are a changed person.

Also, they are not going to communicate with you. All they are going to do is notify you that you got a NOA1 via letter, email, text. There is an optional form that you fill out that is part of the I-129F package to supply this information. The one concern I would have would be the letter of NOA1 which goes to your mail box. Any of the letters that come to you are important so if you are not home to receive it, make sure it is not getting wet in a leaky mail box and your mail is not returned because it was full.

My advice would be to search the board about DUI's and RFE's and see what prior people had to deal with. Good luck !

I am allergic to handcuffs... so I don't drink anywhere except home. Going to bars and having ONE DRINK is just a bad idea because it always turns into 2-3.

Edited by NoneYa, 31 December 2011 - 03:06 PM.

NoneYaMalePhilippines2011-12-31 15:04:00