ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
PhilippinesReport of Marriage
In my opinion it is best if your going to travel to have the green card and the passport name to match. Just makes things easier instead of explaining and proving why they don't.
GaryKOMalePhilippines2012-08-30 21:50:00
PhilippinesOriginal documents returned after interview?

yes they will give it back..but it will be included in the "DO NOT OPEN PACKAGE" :bonk:

i hope she have atleast copy of it......plus she will need it in the future :thumbs:


****usually it takes 7-10days for the embassy to reply****


At POE in Detroit they did not return the do not open package!
GaryKOMalePhilippines2012-09-13 20:42:00
PhilippinesNotary

Does anybody know if there is a US commisioned Notary at the USEM? I called and was told no. If not is there a US Notary in the Metro Manila area?

Thanks,



Kelly


Yes you can, but by appointment only. http://manila.usemba...ice/notary.html

It's expensive $50.00 for each document.
GaryKOMalePhilippines2012-09-13 20:37:00
PhilippinesGood or bad idea?

Why do you say this? As long as you meet the 125% criteria, no other assets are needed, right?

And where did you get the $60K figure? 125% poverty levels are $18,913 to $28,813 (for families of 2-4) for 2012.



Your question was: What if he is independently wealthy, and well above the 125% mark?

$3 cash assets = $1 annual income 3 x $18,913= $56,739 would be min amount of cash only for 2 people.
GaryKOMalePhilippines2012-08-17 12:16:00
PhilippinesGood or bad idea?

Hard to say that for sure. What if he is independently wealthy, and well above the 125% mark?


Then he needs to show bank deposits of about $60k, and proof of other assets. If not a co-sponsor would be advisable. Just keep in mind Manila don't like co-sponsors with fiancee visas.
GaryKOMalePhilippines2012-08-17 10:18:00
PhilippinesGood or bad idea?

I worked at my previous job for nearly 2 years, and i only stopped working there due to my client being moved to a Nursing home due to his condition, so things just didn't work out as I'd like to in that regard because I obviously would have preferred to have that as my current job for the Affidavit of Support, but life doesn't always work as as we plan. So it's not like I only been earning income for 3 months...

Secondly, I don't NEED a co-sponsor, I make plenty of income right now: I was only going to have a co-sponsor because I thought it would help increase the chances of approval due to my past couple years of being a student, even if our chances are fine right now it seems.

So keep your sarcastic replies to yourself, no one on this forum needs it.


That was not a meant to be sarcastic, but a negative vote for you going to the PI now. You will only have a letter from employer stating length of employment, you need to back that up with current pay subs as close to the I-134 filing as possible to prove current income. If your on a leave of absence and have no income during that time, that could affect approval. They look at current income, length of employment very hard. Your odds of being approved is much better if you wait, stay home and work until the visa is approved.
GaryKOMalePhilippines2012-08-17 03:15:00
PhilippinesGood or bad idea?
You been working a job for 3 months, now you plan to take off work for 3 months and go to the PI and wait there until the visa is approved, and you also need a co-sponsor? Good luck with that. :blink:
GaryKOMalePhilippines2012-08-16 03:01:00
PhilippinesOK NOW THINGS ARE GETTING FASTER

Ok i need some help. Im a married man of 19 years of age, i met my wife(shes 24 now) on facebook about 2 years ago, we dated on facebook for 10 months and then i went over to the philippines and we met and hit it off even more. We got married this january and she got pregnant, i stayed with her in her family for about 90 days. When i came back to America(alone) i started the cr1 process, ive recieved my noa2 already and have paid the ds-230 fees and the i-864 fees, as well as have completed both packages and sent them in. I called the national visa center and they said i filed the i-864 perfectly, but now they just need to review the ds-320 packet and then they will go from there. My wife is having the baby in 4 days and things have been going great, we chat on skype eevryday and everything is wonderful. My questions are, what now? Ive read many many articles on what comes next but id like to hear from some of you as to what the rest of the process is like. My wifes aunt married a canadian and she said her interview was cake, it took like 5 mins, but thats canada, the U.S. im sure is a lot stricter.

1.I know she still needs to get her medical examination, does she just call up the doctors in manila and ask for an appointment with a girl doctor for a immigrant visa examination? Will they set up the appointment hassle free?

2. is her having the baby going to set us back, we didnt mention it on the paperwork because we were told not to since the baby was not born yet, should she take the baby to the interview?

3.on the ds-230 i put that she was not going to be accompanied to the us and would go alone but i have since decided to go get her, will that be a problem?

4. how long in advance should she get her medical examination? i was told by the nvc not to set one up until we get the appointment date because the exam valitidty my expire b4 she has the interview and she would have to get another one. But what if we get the appointment letter and they are booked soilid and we cant get a exam in b4 the interview, i asked the nvc this question and they siad thats my responsibility to make sure that dosent happpen, but then they told me to wait, so what do i do?

5. she lives in southenr mindinao so its going to be costly to send her up there 2 times, do you think this can be done in one trip?

6. What if i cannot accompany her to the interview, do you think they will reject her, should she bring our professionally done wedding tape as part of evidence?

Thanks in advance!<3



There are people here that can help you, but I guess the first question because of your age is do you make more than $23,862.00/year, or will you need a co-sponsor?

There will be more paperwork on the baby "CRBA", reporting the birth to the Embassy, forms to fill out and setting up an appointment for the baby also. This info is on the embassy site. http://manila.usemba...th-abroad7.html
GaryKOMalePhilippines2012-09-22 18:13:00
PhilippinesDual Citizenship new passport and name change?
I would not be to quick to get dual citizenship. There are advantages and disadvantages to this. You can apply for dual citizenship at any time after you become a US citizenship if it's a greater advantage to do so.

As a dual citizen of both USA and the Philippines you have rights and responsibilities of the citizenship for both countries. The advantage is you can stay in the Philippines as long as you want no visa required, and you can own as much land and real property in the PI as you want, and operate a business. The disadvantage is if you work outside the Philippines then you must apply for a OFW (Overseas Filipino Worker) exemption cause any money you earn in the US is also taxable in the PI. Also when your in the Philippines you are a Philippine citizen, so you have no right to consular protection from the US embassy.

You need to look into this more, there are some more advantages and disadvantages, but understand what dual citizenship means before you apply.
GaryKOMalePhilippines2012-09-25 00:02:00
PhilippinesHow does one request a Tagalog interviewer at USEM?

What if you only speak Bisaya or Cebuano or Ilonggo?


This happens all the time. A lot of older people cannot speak Tagalog or English. The Embassy will provide a Interpreter for most Filipino dialects, instructions are: Embassy personnel are available to provide assistance at each stage. Applicants who require interpreters must inform the interviewing officer on the day of their interview. There is no need to bring a relative or a friend to act as an interpreter as the Embassy can provide language assistance when an applicant requests for it.
GaryKOMalePhilippines2012-09-25 00:15:00
PhilippinesFinally Approved!!!

OMG finally! But when I try to track her passport # or MNL number it says "invalid" :(

Hoping for her to receive it this week so she can CFO Monday/Tues and fly to Hawaii Thursday...and I can be the happiest man on the planet :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance:



It was 12 days after interview date for it to show up on 2go tracking site, then another 2 days until visa was delivered.

Enter MNL number to track.

http://supplychain.2...ls/tracking.asp
GaryKOMalePhilippines2012-09-26 22:19:00
PhilippinesPhilippine Travel Tax... 1600 Php Just in case you didn't know
If the airport tax in the Philippines piss you off, then you better not check your US ticket. :o All the taxes are added to your ticket price, so maybe you did not notice. :P


The U.S. government imposes an "excise" tax of 7.5 percent of the fare on all domestic tickets. By Department of Transportation (DOT) rules, airlines must include that tax in their advertised fares.
Airlines can omit other government fees and taxes from their published fares, but the government requires that airlines collect them at the time you buy your ticket. Taxes and fees include $3.30 per flight segment, with a maximum of four segments charged on any round-trip ticket, plus a $2.50 fee per departure to fund security—a fee that might be going up soon.
Individual airports are allowed to impose "passenger facility charges" (PFCs) up to $4.50 per departure, with a maximum of four fees per round-trip ticket.

U.S. government taxes and fees on international tickets are much higher.

The government charges a departure fee of $14.50 and an arrival fee of $14.50 on international flight tickets—again, collected when you buy the ticket.
The U.S. also charges returning passengers $7 for immigration, $5 for customs services, and $5 to fund animal and plant inspections. These, too, are collected when you buy a ticket.
GaryKOMalePhilippines2012-10-02 22:31:00
PhilippinesSomeone out here who had their CFO seminar when they were 18?

I'm honestly more worried with CFO than the USEM interview. Is it true that they grill girls with questions who are 22 below? :unsure: :blink:


Yes that is true because your in a age group (18-22) that has the highest rate of visa fraud, and human trafficking. Nothing to worry about, just be prepared. You will need a affidavit from your parents giving their permission for to leave the Philippines and to marry. You will need information about your fiancee. Copy of his birth cert and drivers license, if married before copy of divorce decrees, know where he works, what kind of work he does, how much he earns, his mothers maiden name, what state and city does he live. You must prepare for CFO just like the embassy interview, all the documents required for visa interview you should also take to the CFO.
GaryKOMalePhilippines2012-10-06 13:39:00
PhilippinesHotels near Manila airport?

Ok I'll check out Heritage and also Manila Airport.

I looked up Manila Airport Hotel, and it says they have a shuttle. If you fly in will their shuttle take you from your arrival terminal to the hotel? Or is this only to go from the hotel to your departure terminal?

If it will pick you up on arrival how do you find it or summon it?

Thanks!


Yes The Manila Airport Hotel will pick you up, but you may need to call them when you arrive 854-7549 . For me I just grab a taxi 100p to 150P from term 2 or 3.

The hotel is in the NAIA complex, about 600 yards from Terminal 1. There is small grocery store with money changer in front of hotel, some Filipino food places, and a KFC next door.
GaryKOMalePhilippines2012-10-09 12:08:00
PhilippinesHotels near Manila airport?
I always use The Manila Airport Hotel, walking distance to terminal 1, about $50/night.
GaryKOMalePhilippines2012-10-09 03:29:00
PhilippinesIs there a way of expediting visa/passport return after beneficiary's interview?
Years ago, 1990's you received your visa the day of the interview. You can pay to expedite a passport, you do that with applying for the passport.
GaryKOMalePhilippines2012-10-16 22:35:00
PhilippinesFiling marriage in U.S. with Philippine Consulate in Chicago

We had a Catholic wedding in the Philippines but we also want to get married again once I arrive in the US.

Dreaming of having a Vegas wedding get-away. :wub:

We are still obliged to get a marriage license in the US, right? :idea:


Your married in the Philippines and US now, you don't need a license to marry a person your already married too! You can still have a any kind of wedding you like in the US, just forget the license.
GaryKOMalePhilippines2012-10-21 03:14:00
PhilippinesFiling marriage in U.S. with Philippine Consulate in Chicago

and as my wife and friends teased me. "You are married in the Philippines know. You ever leave me, no more wife for you from Philippines". They were joking of course. I think.

Honestly not even sure if that is true


No, the no divorce law applies only to Philippine citizens.

Edited by Mimi and Gary, 18 October 2012 - 08:47 AM.

GaryKOMalePhilippines2012-10-18 08:47:00
PhilippinesFiling marriage in U.S. with Philippine Consulate in Chicago
Why would you want to report marriage in USA to Philippines Embassy?
GaryKOMalePhilippines2012-10-17 19:41:00
PhilippinesUS-Canadian citizen baby needs to travel back to Canada from Philippines

The baby was born in New York City. Thus, a US Citizen by birth. The father's immigration status ( being illegal) is irrelevant to the baby's citizenship.


Nothing to do with citizenship, saying a baby is Canadian/American most times refers to one of the parents being Canadian and one being American. I was asking if the father was Filipino.
GaryKOMalePhilippines2012-10-21 13:53:00
PhilippinesUS-Canadian citizen baby needs to travel back to Canada from Philippines

Hi,

Iam a Canadian mother who gave birth in New York City. Our daughter in a canadian- American. I married her dad before she gave birth. Her dad is an illegal alien working In the US so We all went back to the Philippines for a vacation so that I can also sponsor him to Canada. Before we left the states he issued a consent letter for me and the baby to travel back to Canada and had it notarized. Now our relationship is very rocky and I'm filing a divorce. My question is can I bring our daughter back to Canada who is a Canadian-American citizen with only the notarized letter from his father. My husband warned me and scaring me I can't travel with our baby because of child abduction act. I don't know what to do. How can I protect my child and bring her safely out from the Philippines. .?


Wait a minute, your a Canadian citizen? The father is what? Filipino? He was illegal alien working in the US? Where does the Canadian-American come in? If you and your child are Canadian citizens, traveling under Canadian passports, nothing your husband can do to stop you for returning to your home country.
GaryKOMalePhilippines2012-10-21 03:37:00
PhilippinesWaiting for visa from Leyte

I am from Leyte, and I got my visa 2 weeks after approval.



Took 12 days to deliver to MacArthur, 10 days for it to show up in Tacloban.
GaryKOMalePhilippines2012-10-26 21:04:00
PhilippinesATTN: ALL Filipinos in the US. WHAT DO U WISH U BROUGHT WITH YOU IN THE US?

Ok so i am definetly bringing some dried mangoes as pasalubong :)



:thumbs: Oh do u think i can bring some dried fish with me? :blush: i tot perishable items are prohibited. :unsure:


Yes you can bring dried fish in your checked luggage, if you get fish at a market just wrap them up real good and tight, the pre-packaged kind you buy like at Robinsons grocery are ok like they come. After you get here find a Filipino store in your area, or there are some online sites for Filipino grocery's for those must have items.
GaryKOMalePhilippines2012-10-23 10:05:00
PhilippinesParental Consent Notarization. Lawyer or Civil Registrars?
Word the parental consent to also give their permission to leave the Philippines.
GaryKOMalePhilippines2012-11-03 23:46:00
PhilippinesVisa Approved now Sad to be Leaving My Family

I got my visa last Saturday. I am very much happy to receive it since it is going to be my birthday this Tuesday. But I got sad when I realised that I will be leaving my family soon. Is this normal? I mean, how do you overcome this phase? My fiance wanted me to leave Thursday it was a good thing I haven't had the CFO yet. It was a blessing that the CFO people were being a pain in the bum.

I just hope I will new friends around my area so I wont have a problem adjusting. I will be in Northern California so I hope I will find a couple of girls who are in the same place and same situation as I am.


You will do fine, if you come for Manila you will have a easy time adjusting. Know that leaving the PI, family and friends that these feelings are normal. You have a lot to look forward too, and just think of what is to come a big adventure. Everyone who comes to a new country and culture goes through a adjustment period. You will experience different phases, there will be the honeymoon phase at first everything looks wonderful and your excited about being in the USA, and being with your love one there.

At some point you may start getting really homesick, you may start to feel bored,impatient, irritable, frustrated, anxious, sad, or discontent. You may even start to think life in the USA is not all that great. If you experience any of this it is important to let your asawa know your feeling. Just know this is normal feeling and things will get better.

After you get adjusted to your new life, you will start to think of your home in the USA as Home!

1. If you meet one Filipina then you will meet many more......
2. Find a Filipino store in your area, the biggest adjustment is food.
3. Find things to keep you busy, hobbies, get involved with others make some Filipina, and American friends. Find out if there is a Filipino club in the area.
4. Keep in touch with family back home.
5. Get a Zojirushi NP-HBC18 10-Cup rice cooker. :lol:

Happy Birthday and have a safe trip.

Edited by Mimi and Gary, 05 November 2012 - 11:11 PM.

GaryKOMalePhilippines2012-11-05 23:09:00
PhilippinesNAIA FEES
The travel tax for USA is more than the Philippines, just it's added to the price of the ticket, and the USA gets you going and coming.......... :angry: Think the money pays TSA employees.
GaryKOMalePhilippines2012-11-05 23:33:00
PhilippinesThe controversial CENOMAR for married applicants

It's because I get to read a lot of posts that the CEMAR is not in the list of requirements which caused confusion for some. I agree it's not on the list of the US Embassy Manila site, I didn't see it explicitly listed as to the one on travel.state.gov.

I got mine too also even though it is not in the list on the US Embassy Manila site, thanks to VJ!

I just shared the link, US Embassy Manila should update that list.


Yes your right, this has tripped up a few people and caused a some delay getting visa.
GaryKOMalePhilippines2012-11-05 23:19:00
PhilippinesVisa Arrival

thank you. I already purchased a ticket for december 2. i hope that would be more than enough time for her visa to arrive


Yeah that just plenty time, you can track your visa delivery on the 2go website with using your MNL number.
GaryKOMalePhilippines2012-11-05 23:16:00
PhilippinesDon't Hide Things from your Fiancée'
I hid the fact that I had a Great Granddaughter on the way, what a shock to find out she was a Great Grand steptmother at 22 years old... :wow:














Just kidding she knew about it..... :D
GaryKOMalePhilippines2012-11-05 23:38:00
PhilippinesAge Conflict?????
..... finally!


:whistle:
GaryKOMalePhilippines2012-11-06 15:58:00
PhilippinesAge Conflict?????
My experience with the visa process started in 1985 when I filed for a K1 visa, after my wife came here we joined a Filipino friendship group in Orlando FL, and a year or so later formed a group inside of that to assist those who wanted to apply for a visa for their parents and family members. We later started helping US citizens who were induced to friends and family members of Filipinos in the club start their visa process. This started on a local basis then spread to include other sections of the country by word of mouth. There was no internet as we know it today it all was done by mail and phone, we had some guides printed up on how to get forms, how to apply and step by step instructions on how to proceed with the visa process. Over then next few years we directly or indirectly were responsible for many visa applications. During that time you learn a lot about the do's and don't of the process. I admit that was a different time, visa's were harder to get approved than now. The visa process it very easy now compared to then, and the approval rate is much better also I think because of the NSO documents that are harder to forge. Manila back then was a high fraud embassy, because it was so easy to get fake documents, because of the fraud this caused the CO's to take more time at the interview with each person and that made the visa process wait time longer. I'm not claiming to be a expert, but I believe what I've learned about the process over the years to be a fact. This site proves if you follow the guides you will have better results.


VJ does a great job guiding and preparing people to enter and complete the visa process, if everyone used this site then I'm sure the overall approval rate with go higher. The big majority who don't use this site and the ones who are trying to get a visa with forged documents, and is into some kind of visa fraud are never heard from on this site if their visa is denied. About the only way we find out about fraud in the process when they catch someone after the fact "public court indictments", you don't really know how many they discovery during the process and at the embassy level.

I don't think anyone disagrees with the need to document the evidence to prove a strong and ongoing relationship with the intent to get married in the US and live a happy life together is necessary to get a K1 visa approval.


That is all I have to say about that :lol:
GaryKOMalePhilippines2012-11-04 17:55:00
PhilippinesAge Conflict?????
Actually the information on the 18-23 age group having the highest cases for visa fraud came for a embassy officer several years ago. I never said anyone would have a harder time during the visa interview if the relationship is legitimate, some get asked 3 questions, some get asked a lot. Some get approved, some do not, and some get caught in lies.

All I ever advised in this post was to prepare your evidence, get ready for anything that comes your way at the interview.

The embassy of course looks at the documented evidence , and how they answer questions, then they make a decision. More evidence of a real and on going relationship for K1 the better.

I'm aware of the forum trolls, I don't mind them, thanks for the PM's.

Oh Yeah....Roll Tide Baby.......

Edited by Mimi and Gary, 03 November 2012 - 11:37 PM.

GaryKOMalePhilippines2012-11-03 23:32:00
PhilippinesAge Conflict?????
No, that age group is more likely to be a party to visa fraud, or a victim of human trafficking.

There are about 1000 K1/CR1 visa's reviewed at UMEM each month, only a very small number of those use this site.

I am very surprised you don't know about the famous Manila marriage scams, there are 10 or 12 going on all the time, you know so much! I guess you also think all 1000 of those visa's each month are all people looking for love. He He. So the USEM don't need do anything to combat this? :o

Wake up and smell the coffee.

KABAYAN NOV 2012
Pinoys held in US for sham marriages scam
By Leon Manaig
MANILA — Several Filipinos were arrested in the United States for allegedly arranging sham marriages for Filipinos wanting to marry American citizens in exchange for $3,000 in a move to legalize their stay in the US and eventually get American citizenship.
Maria Cruz, 49, a former Cook County traffic court employee, and five other people, arranged up to 15 fake marriages between 2003 and 2009. Cruz, formerly of Chicago and currently living in American Canyon, California, was arrested on an initial complaint in late August but was released on a $200,000 secured bond.
Last week, Cruz and five other people accused in the scheme, including 53-year-old Chicago immigration lawyer Manny Aguja, two of his employees — his twin brother Marc Aguja and Celeste Ligutan-Lopez, were also arrested, the Philippine News reported.
Federal authorities said court records unsealed on Nov. 23 showed that Cruz paid a fee for referrals to US citizens willing to enter into the fake marriages.
According to authorities, Cruz allegedly promised the US citizens they would be paid about $3,000 upfront for the marriage and $300 to $350 for each month until the non-citizen got citizenship.
“Cruz would even drive people to their purported weddings and take pictures before and after to make it appear that real ceremonies had taken place. She would also advise participants in the scam on how to make their marriages seem real to immigration officials,” according to federal authorities.
In addition to the 15 false marriages, Cruz also allegedly tried to arrange two other marriages for undercover US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.
Cruz has been charged with 10 counts of marriage fraud while the Aguja brothers have been charged with “conspiracy to induce foreign nationals to reside illegally in the United States.” – PNS
GaryKOMalePhilippines2012-11-03 20:04:00
PhilippinesAge Conflict?????

Do you think this imanginary red flag will make it less likely that a K1 application gets approved the larger the age gap is? I'm referring spefically to K1 applications filed for a women from the Philippines.

My wife and I (20 yr. gap) went through this process in 06 and 07. I've met MANY (probably 30) filipina/american couples here over the last 6 years and I've never met a couple with less than a 10 year gap in person.

I think the CO's see couples with a significant age gap more often than they see couples the same age or where the woman is older than the man.


It is not so much the age gap, everyone seems to place the attention on the age difference. It is the age of the woman in that 18 to 23 year age group. That is the age group where 90% of the visa fraud occurs. The man can be a few years older or much older. Maybe when I say the relationship will get "closer scrutiny" during the interview process this is too strong of a word. VJ and some other sites do a great job of giving advise on how to prepare for the interview. I did not mean to imply that the CO because of the age of the woman or the age gap would ask for evidence that is more than what most of us would think of being normal evidence to furnish to establish a on going relationship.

Just some of the K1 visa applicants only provide the minimum, proof they met in person and proof they intent to get married. All I'm saying is when the woman is young in age, to prove a long relationship may not be possible because the changes are they have only know each other a short time. The CO will want to see evidence that the relationship is real, and they need to start early before filing for the visa and document the relationship, and be able to provide strong documented evidence at the interview that there is a on going relationship. The two of them must be able to prove that they have met in person within the past two years, and that they have had an ongoing relationship since. You need to submit photos, email evidence, letters, affidavits, and so forth in order to prove that the two of them are genuinely interested in obtaining the K-1 fiancee visa and marrying.

The woman needs to know a lot about the man and be able to answer questions that she should know about the person she intends to marry. Based on the documented evidence, or lack of may cause the CO to ask more questions of the woman to prove a bona fide relationship in his or her mind.

The advise I give to anyone applying for a fiancee visa or spousal visa is based on what I've learned about the process over many years, the process has changed a lot in the last 25 years, right now it is probably easier to get a visa approved than ever before. But in some peoples mind the process is still long, 15 to 20 years ago the fiancee visa took from 6 months to a year to get approved, and the spousal visa took as long as 2 or 3 years for approval. The K1 visa back then was a ####### shoot, you could apply for a K1 but the denial rate was pretty high, so a lot chose to get married first and endure the longer wait for approval instead of risking getting the K1 denied and forced to get married and summit a new visa application.

So again my advise for anyone applying for a fiancee visa and the woman is 18 to 23 years old, is to document the relationship, provide as much proof as they can at the visa interview that they love each other and the intent of the visa is to get married and live a happy life together, if they do that then they will have no problems.
GaryKOMalePhilippines2012-11-03 15:35:00
PhilippinesAge Conflict?????






You have REPEATEDLY stated there is an age difference issue, a big red flag. etc. We are not imagining that. We are QUOTING you. So don't tell us we are mistaking what you are saying.

It is not a red flag. It is not something that brings on additional scrutiny. It is not an issue at the Embassy, period. We are not imagining you saying these totally off-base things.

But thanks for the lesson in how someone who is caught saying things so completely wrong then has the gall to say others can't read. :blink:


Well we will just have just disagree I guess, when a old man is trying to get a K1 visa for a very young woman of course this is going to cause a issue, and of course this will set off a red flag at the interview, and yes the CO will make sure the relationship is bona fide. Always been that way and will always be that way as long as K1 visa is one of the fastest ways to immigrate to the USA, and some are willing to commit visa fraud to get them here.
GaryKOMalePhilippines2012-11-02 21:40:00
PhilippinesAge Conflict?????

You have not posted a single example of anyone who was questioned over an age difference. Nor has anyone here who had a big age difference backed you up on your assertion. Those of us who had larger age differences than the OP have contradicted you. This is a topic of innumerable threads on visajourney and it is always the same: people with big age differences demonstrating it doesn't matter vs people with no evidence trying to scare others because that is a petty power trip for them.

That tells us about YOU, not about the fiction you are peddling. It is not constructive to instill fear in people for a bogus reason. You are trying to get them defensive about something they have no reason being defensive about, and that makes people nervous in an interview if they fall for your misinformation. An interviewer picks up on the nervousness that people display, and they're going to think it is something else.

You can play this petty little game with anything, and one of the other classics is all the people who insist the economic difference proves your fiance doesn't really love you - she's just a ####### for money. The racial difference. Educational difference. My fiance and I had every one of those including age and the only people who mentioned it were creepy malicious internet trolls.

Had she gone into that interview listening to people like you she would have been a wreck. Instead she was perfectly composed because she knew the only thing that mattered was whether you had a genuine relationship, and that age, economic difference, race, education, religion , etc. have no bearing upon it.


I guess you must have a problem understanding what you read. Some of you are hung up on age difference. I've said over and over that the visa is not going to be denied because of the age gap. Age difference was not the topic of the OP, the question and topic was if the petitioner is 44 and the beneficiary is 19 will that cause a red flag?

I don't know how I can be more clear, you will not be denied a visa because of age!

But the OP needs to know that they need to start right now, before they file a visa, and prepare a strong case to prove a bona fide relationship at the interview, and be able to answer any questions about the petitioner.

I am sure if you search this forum and others you will find visa denial based on failure to establish a bona fide relationship. It happens because they not prepared for what may come at the interview. The advise I give the OP and the correct advise is to prepare a strong solid case, any advise other than that would be ignorant.
GaryKOMalePhilippines2012-11-02 17:27:00
PhilippinesAge Conflict?????

:rofl:




Yup, you are "living proof" that the age gap issue is only in the minds of....... CFO ! :rofl:


Post not about will the age gap cause a visa denial, it's about will the age gap cause a red flag, or course it will so start now and prepare your records to prove the legitimacy of the relationship.
GaryKOMalePhilippines2012-11-02 13:50:00
PhilippinesAge Conflict?????

The standard of meeting within 2 years is for the 129F petition with USCIS, they for sure don't give issue with age gap. As for the bona-fided relationship... everyone for the embassy interview has to jump that hurdle and again I say age gap isn't an issue, providing evidence of a legimate relationship is... and that isn't that difficult at all for those that are in a real relationship.


You have nothing on me for age :lol: ...


The age difference will not be an issue at the USCIS. The USCIS only screens petitions so they meet the bare minimum requirements. The stage that the age difference will become an issue is at the embassy visa interview. The age difference by itself it normally not a problem as long as the petitioner and beneficiary can prove that their relationship is bona fide and not entered into for the purpose of gaining an immigration benefit. To say that the petitioner that is 43 years old and the beneficiary that is 19 years old will not raise red flags and cause the interviewing officer to look more closely at the applicant’s relationship is misinformation. It is very important to document the relationship by keeping track of all contacts. While she is in the Phills and he in the US to be able to show at the interview a continuous communication while in the visa process. Most times when your engaged to marry you buy a engagement ring, and maybe have a engagement party, proof of this is important to show intent to marry.

That is the reason you hear of women having all kind of trouble at the CFO, the age difference and the young age of the beneficiary being the main reasons they get drilled with questions, and asked for other documents. Same thing will happen at the visa interview, some get 3 questions some get asked many questions about the petitioner.

I agree age gap is not a problem in the visa process, we all had to prove a bona-fide relationship just some had to prove it stronger than others. I send a lot of evidence with the visa application when filed, I had much more during the visa process waiting time at the interview that the CO never looked at. My wife was asked 3 questions, but she knew the answer to just about any question the CO could have asked about me. We have a 41 year age gap, she did get drilled at the CFO, but the embassy interview was a piece of cake, because they had all they needed to know in the visa packet.

We were prepared and ready for the interview, and that is what I advised the OP to pass on, start to document the relationship now and get every bit of evidence you can that is proof the relationship is real, right up to the day of the interview.

Right now and the past few years the embassy interview is been pretty easy, that has not always been the case, and that could change overnight. So one should prepare for the interview and be ready if they want approved.
GaryKOMalePhilippines2012-11-01 19:59:00
PhilippinesAge Conflict?????

Its about time for hip boots here. You are how old? And have been having experience with the embassy for the past 25 years? Really? Just what is your experience with the K-1 visa being denied because of age?


As many have said already in response to your post.... age gap is not an issue. :thumbs:




...... :wacko: .... :devil:


It is not the age gap that is the issue, it is the age of the woman that is the issue. If the woman is 18 to 21 things get a little more difficult if the man is 20+ years older. It is harder to prove a bona fide relationship and if you cannot then a K1 visa will be denied.

I am 63 years old Hank, first time I was in the Phills was 1968. After 12 years in the US Navy I worked for a company that did business in the Phills and would go over and stay for 3 months at a time each year for about 10 years. I have many friends there, both Filipino and American. I have induced 8 men here in the US to their Filipino wives and helped with advise and paperwork getting visas for them over the years. I met a Filipina in 1985, fell in love, and she came over on a K1 visa 2 years later, we were married for 16 years. I just married a beautiful Filipina in 2011 and she is with me now. Before you ask she is 22 years old.

I do know of any visas that was denied because of age, I do know of several that were denied because they did not prove a bona fide relationship and the woman was very young and the man was 20+ years older.

My advise to the OP to his question "Do you guys think that their age gap would a red flag of their case?" was Yes it will be. It does not mean the visa will be denied because of age, but they need to supply lots of evidence that the relationship is legitimate because of age. Just the standard of meeting in person in the last 2 years, some pictures together, and some emails may not be enough at the interview. They need to prepare for that with strong documentary evidence, and it would be advisable for him to attend the interview to answer questions.
GaryKOMalePhilippines2012-11-01 14:50:00
PhilippinesAge Conflict?????

As was my point... age difference is NOT part of either equation. A K-1 visa will not be denied because of age along. Fraud is still what is watched for with either... so if the relationship is real, no issues.


The CO is not going to say your visa is denied because a young girl should not be marrying a old man! They just say your visa is denied because you have failed to establish a bona fide finance/fiancee relationship, or we believe the relationship is for immigration purposes only. But really it was because the woman was very young, and the man was older 20 to 40 years older and it's hard to proof the relationship is real if she is young. It my experience with the Manila Embassy over the last 25 years if the woman is 18 to 21 and the man is over 40 years old you have a much better chance of getting a visa approved if your married first and then easier to provide proof a bona fide marriage.
GaryKOMalePhilippines2012-10-31 19:35:00