ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
PhilippinesManila Embassy Interview/Visa Status

is it okay to bring a photo album for the pictures?

Our prescreener asked for select pics, chat, email, etc so have them prepared in advance and further info if needed. We have our entire history of communication but were only asked to present a few at the pre screener and the CO never asked.
Robor007MalePhilippines2007-05-21 09:03:00
PhilippinesManila Embassy Interview/Visa Status

It's now 7:25am Manila time May 20th.
best of luck to the remaining May interviewees with their interviews this week. knock 'em dead joemaria, jeng, iamskin and princess autil.
end May with four approvals. :thumbs:



DITTO!!!!


I'll send some good vibes too. :thumbs:

We're still waiting here in limbo. Delbros status says our case is still at the USE and 5184 says the same. She couldn't tell me if our case was fine and just in line behind others or if there was a problem. All they could say is to continue waiting... :unsure:
Robor007MalePhilippines2007-05-20 21:01:00
PhilippinesManila Embassy Interview/Visa Status

I passed the medical exam. Thank God :) ....interview is coming....
4 days from now will be my interview at the USE. Do they accept a xerox copy of latest ITR and W-2? because that's what my fiance's parents mailed me (as you know my fiance is currently in the warzone). But still i wish they could have sent me the ones they printed from the computer not the xerox copy.
Congratulations to Gracy :dance: :dance: :dance:

Congrats on your medical. :)

IMO you can only have one 'original' copy of your ITR. I used copies of everything I submitted to the IRS. The only thing that was original was one of the 4 original W2 statements my employer sent me.
Robor007MalePhilippines2007-05-20 05:12:00
PhilippinesManila Embassy Interview/Visa Status



07..CherylandMike...02-05-07..02-26-07..xx-xx-xx..05-16-07..2007-546xxx..Waiting to hear from you



PW,

The interview was ok. From the CO, we got was the "everything looks fine" line. There have been so many AR's ... I'll believe it's approved when they release it. BTW, Cheryl received packet 4 on May 3. I suspect they sent (another) one when she requested to pick it up at SLEC.

Mike

Mike... As you know we're in the same boat. 'Everything looks fine, wait for the visa or to hear from us'. I will not believe everything is okay until the visa is in hand. No news thus far. I tried to call the USE a few minutes ago but forgot they closed at 4:30pm. I guess we're not going to know anything until Monday at the earliest. I see Jeff & Fria were able to pickup their visa today and since we all had interviews at the same time that makes me nervous. I hope we're not on AR. :help:


frias visa in hand friday the 18th. 130pm. hoot. our prayers are with you rob lina,,, cheryl mike. take care all, jeff and fria

Congrats to you both, Jeff! :thumbs: Lina said she got Fria's text on Friday. We were both happy for you and nervous at the same time since we had interviews only a few minutes apart. Hopefully we'll get good news on Monday. Fingers crossed here for us and Cheryl & Mike! :)
Robor007MalePhilippines2007-05-19 20:43:00
PhilippinesManila Embassy Interview/Visa Status



07..CherylandMike...02-05-07..02-26-07..xx-xx-xx..05-16-07..2007-546xxx..Waiting to hear from you



PW,

The interview was ok. From the CO, we got was the "everything looks fine" line. There have been so many AR's ... I'll believe it's approved when they release it. BTW, Cheryl received packet 4 on May 3. I suspect they sent (another) one when she requested to pick it up at SLEC.

Mike

Mike... As you know we're in the same boat. 'Everything looks fine, wait for the visa or to hear from us'. I will not believe everything is okay until the visa is in hand. No news thus far. I tried to call the USE a few minutes ago but forgot they closed at 4:30pm. I guess we're not going to know anything until Monday at the earliest. I see Jeff & Fria were able to pickup their visa today and since we all had interviews at the same time that makes me nervous. I hope we're not on AR. :help:
Robor007MalePhilippines2007-05-18 03:56:00
PhilippinesManila Embassy Interview/Visa Status

Lira was approved. she said to tell everyone hello, she won't be able to get to a computer for a couple of days. Thanx for everyone's support :thumbs:

:dance: Congrats! :dance:
Robor007MalePhilippines2007-05-08 22:43:00
PhilippinesManila Embassy Interview/Visa Status

Updating list to correct place of visa delivery of Kim Tung ~ San Juan, Metro Manila pala not San Juan, Batangas hehe and to add interview date of Robor which I overlooked. Congrats CocoPuff and MarieandBryan on visa delivery! Happy trip!!!


Legend:
OK - Visa approved
AR - Admin Review/Add'l Docs Required
ME - Military Expedite
AO - Age-Out (Derivative approaching age 21)

Name..................NOA2....MNL REC'D..PACKET...INTERVIEW..MNL CASE#..STATUS..DELIVERED/#OF DAYS/PLACE DLVRD
08..Robor007........02-06-07..02-26-07..03-30-07..05-16-07..2007-546xxx

IR-1/CR-1
Name.................NOA2.....CASE CMPLT..PACKET..INTERVIEW...MNL CASE#..STATUS

05..Robor007........02-06-07..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx..xx-xx-xx-xxxxxx


Hi PW.... Thanks for the update but we're a K-3 so no IR-1/CR-1 for us. :) Our K-3 interview is on 5/16/2007.

Thanks to everyone for the information on Baguio. We will be looking into that. :)

Edited by Robor007, 07 May 2007 - 09:41 AM.

Robor007MalePhilippines2007-05-07 09:41:00
PhilippinesManila Embassy Interview/Visa Status

You said Baguio was very polluted. Lina and I were planning to go there while waiting for the visa to be delivered. Is it bad everywhere in Baguio or just certain areas to avoid?

The areas around Camp John Hay (The Manor) and Baguio Country Club are nice and not polluted because they are surrounded by pine trees.

http://www.campjohnhayhotels.com/
http://www.baguiocountryclub.com.ph/

08..Robor007........02-06-07..02-26-07..03-30-07..05-15-07..2007-546xxx


Hi PW - Thanks very much for the info and links. I'll have Lina check them out.

I noticed an error in the list above. Can you correct Lina's interview date? She is scheduled on 05-16-2007.
Robor007MalePhilippines2007-05-04 09:03:00
PhilippinesManila Embassy Interview/Visa Status

Hi Everyone, We picked up our visa at the embassy today and will leave tomorrow morning at 6:40 am. for the US of A.

We had the interview and the CO said we had passed and would be getting a call from the embassy on Thursday. We were traveling in some remote areas visiting some of my friends this time and did not hear from the embassy. We returned to Manila and went to Surigao for a few days to visit more friends and returned on Monday, but the plane was late so we got to the embassy at 3:20 only to find the window closed at 3. Tuesday was labor day for the Philippines so the embassy was closed of course. We then went to the embassy on Wednesday to Window 34, (Visa pickup window) only to be informed that the visa had been approved but not printed. It had been 10 days since the interview and they had not printed the visa. The lady also told us that they had to get something from the US, which seemed like an out and out lie to me. We then went to window X on Wednesday morning to find out the status and the lady told us the visa was ready for pickup at window 34. The lady at window 34 seemed very surprised that we were there as she had not yet called us and could not figure out how we knew the visa was ready.

Anyway we were grateful to get everything completed and will be leaving in about 10 hours.

Dean

BTW, we went to Baguio for a few days. It was horrible. It was the absolute worst pollution I have every encountered. It was 10 times worse than Manila at it worst several years ago. I have been to Baguio before the pollution and it was a beautiful city and a lovely place to visit but if you can't breathe except while holding a handkerchef over your nose it is not so lovely any more.

Surigao on the other hand was absolutely fantastic. Although it is summer and very dry in most of the PI, it rained every day we were there but only rain showers.

Hi Dean,

Wow, sounds like you got the run-around there after your approval. Glad everything worked out in the end. :thumbs: Hope you have a safe trip back!

You said Baguio was very polluted. Lina and I were planning to go there while waiting for the visa to be delivered. Is it bad everywhere in Baguio or just certain areas to avoid?
Robor007MalePhilippines2007-05-03 09:23:00
PhilippinesManila Embassy Interview/Visa Status
:dance: :dancing: Congrats to you PW! :dancing: :dance:
Robor007MalePhilippines2007-04-13 09:27:00
PhilippinesManila Embassy Interview/Visa Status
Hello PW... I am happy to report that Lina went to her interview yesterday (4/11) and learned that she passed today (4/12). :dance:

Congrats to you Dean iWait & DaveandFleur (and any others I missed on previous pages)! :dancing:
Robor007MalePhilippines2007-04-11 08:59:00
PhilippinesManila Embassy Interview/Visa Status
I replied with updated info regarding our case but I don't see it in the running list. It's in the old thread but everything is in my sig.
Robor007MalePhilippines2007-04-06 23:03:00
PhilippinesAge difference between Filipinas and americans (Poll)
Rob (USC) = 39 until Novenber
Lina (Filipina) = 32 next month

Age difference = 7.5 years
Robor007MalePhilippines2007-05-22 21:18:00
Middle East and North AfricaIran Specific Visa Questions
I don't know the answer to questions 1 and 2. You'll probably have to wait for someone with an Iranian fiancee or spouse to get an accurate answer there.

With question 3 you seem to be talking about 2 different things. You are correct in that in both cases a K-1 and K-3 would be submitted to the USCIS here in the US. However, you also mentioned getting married in Iran then going to Dubai to apply for a visa. I believe you're talking about DCF (Direct Consulate Filing) there. I don't know if DCF is an option (I know it's not in the Philippines) but I have a hard time believing it would be so quick and easy. No offense intended but the US and Iran aren't exactly on good terms right now.
Robor007MalePhilippines2007-01-22 16:41:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresGuess what!!??!!
Congrats to both of you! :)

I love your sig by the way. So true.
Robor007MalePhilippines2006-06-30 20:57:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCan my fiancee and I use the CR-1 process
I spoke to her current husband through Email and he said he's willing to file the divorce provided she doesn't try and get anything from him in the process. She doesn't want any of his assets so that shouldn't be an issue. Hopefully this process will start soon and be over quickly. :)
Robor007MalePhilippines2006-07-04 17:54:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCan my fiancee and I use the CR-1 process
Thank you everyone for reading our situation and for the advice. I have contacted her divorce attorney and given him the details of the situation. He disagreed with what I told him but I don't think he's an expert in Philippine law. He was only hired to handle the divorce proceedings. I asked him if he could contact my fiancee's current husband and ask him to file and he said it's a gray area. Legally he can not give him advice because my fiancee is his client. I told him there is no point in going any further with the divorce with her as the petitioner as it will not be recognized in the Philippines and she would only have to petition for annulment there. That would be recognized in the US making the existing divorce proceedings redundant. Ah, what a mess! ;)

I spoke to my fiancee and she is okay with me contacting her current husband and asking (begging if necessary ;) ) him to file the divorce. I'm going to call him and see if he's willing. If he is either he can get his own attorney to handle it or I'm going to see if he can use the guy who started the process. Whatever is easiest for him will probably be the best chance of getting him to file. Keep your fingers crossed. I'm going to call him over the weekend. I'll report back. Hope it's good news. :)
Robor007MalePhilippines2006-06-30 11:07:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCan my fiancee and I use the CR-1 process
I'm currently engaged to a Filipina. I've got a *long* thread posted about our story here:

http://www.visajourn...showtopic=19661]

The short version is, We met in January on a cruise ship she works on and started a relationship shortly after. The one problem with our relationship is she is currently married to a US citizen. They were married while she was in San Fran port in May of '05 and spent all of an afternoon together after getting married. They each went back to work, she on the ship and him in Florida so they were apart. The relationship went downhill quickly (a few weeks). He accused her of cheating on him and she couldn't take the constant fighting. She ignored him and they stopped communication. That's the way it was for about a year. Then she and I met and wanted to start a relationship but we can't with her already married.

She asked him to file and he decided to be stubborn and say he's happy with the situation. He said he likes their 'marriage' so he can't repeat the mistake. As it turns out Florida law allows either spouse to file for divorce provided one of them is a resident of 6 months or more. We were happy to hear that and she began divorce proceeding in Florida. We did not realize that doing so is almost pointless as the Philippines will not recognize the divorce because she is the petitioner. Before learning that news we wanted to use a K-1 or K-3 process to be together. We now realize that is not possible because she never updated her marital status in the Philippines and the Philippines will not recognize the divorce she filed for in the US.

We are going to ask the lawyer to stop the current proceedings and ask him to file. Since the divorce proceedings began he has been more cooperative. If he will file, great. If not, she will be here in October to finalize the divorce in court. My question is, once she is legally divorced in the US, can we marry and persue a CR-1 visa even though she never updated her status in the Philippines and isn't technically divorced there?

Thanks for reading and thank you for any advice! :)
Robor007MalePhilippines2006-06-29 20:32:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI need help with my situation!

But that still doesn't explain why Wilhelmina & Co filed I-824 for their case.

She says it's because she was out of the US, but if they never filed I-485, the I-130 would automatically go to NVC anyway.

I thought under the new process the I-130 stays at the Service Center unless the petitioner files an I-824 to have it forwarded to the NVC?
Robor007MalePhilippines2006-12-05 11:54:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresmanila interview approved
Congrats and thanks for posting your interview experience. :dance:
Robor007MalePhilippines2007-04-18 06:15:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWhich process will be best for us (K-1 or K-3)?
[quote name='john_and_marlene' post='281198' date='Jun 29 2006, 04:04 PM'][quote name='Robor007' post='281161' date='Jun 29 2006, 02:46 PM']
[quote name='john_and_marlene' post='281086' date='Jun 29 2006, 03:09 PM']
[quote name='Robor007' post='281048' date='Jun 29 2006, 01:48 PM']
[quote name='john_and_marlene' post='280973' date='Jun 29 2006, 02:17 PM']
[quote name='Robor007' post='280942' date='Jun 29 2006, 01:07 PM']
[quote name='john_and_marlene' post='280684' date='Jun 29 2006, 12:34 PM']
FYI ... the Philippines does recognize marriages in the U.S. They DO NOT consider the Philippine citizen divorced and able to remarry if the Philippine citizen filed for the divorce abroad. She is only legally able to marry in the Philippines if her foreign spouse initiated the divorce or she obtains an anullment in the Philippines.

If her ex is cooperating, perhaps she could withdraw her divorce petition and have him initiate a new one.[/quote]
Do I understand this correctly? The US recognizes marriages that take place in the Philippines and the couple is considered married without additional paperwork. You're just considered married. The Philippines recognizes marriages that take place in the US but the Filipino has to file paperwork to change their marital status for the marriage to be official? Is that correct? If her marriage was never made official in the Philippines and disolved before my petitioning her would it be a factor? Was she ever considered married there?

As far as her husband, he is willing to cooperate but he didn't want to file because he would have to appear in court. He said he was embarrassed to do so and he should be. He did some things during their brief time together and short time until the relationship fell apart that he's embarrassed about. I will not go into them because I respect my fiancee's privacy but the things he did are unforgiveable and the reason she stopped communication with him until our relationship started. He has been more cooperative lately though and we might possibly get him to file. If she has to I guess it's worth a try. I will talk to the attorney. He's handling all communicaiton and paperwork with him. Thank you for the info.
[/quote]

There have been beneficiaries from the Philippines here on VJ that were denied the visa for marriages that had not been registered with the NSO.
[/quote]
Are you saying to do this 'by the book' she would have to register her already dissolved marriage that occured in the US with the Philippine NSO then turn around file for an annulment in the Philippines for that same marriage that long longer exists in the country it took place (the US)? When we were in Manila we were told by the Family Law attorney we talked to that it would be $2000 USD and about 7 months for an annulment. The much money and time for a marriage that wasn't registered there and no longer exists in the US? That's whack! :wacko: It totally defeats the purpose of getting a divorce in the US because a Philippine annulment would be recognized by the US (according to what I was told by the Family Law attorney). We considered annulment through the Philippines before learning she could divorce file for divorce here in Florida. If this is the case, why wouldn't the Philippine attorney know this and tell us this?
[/quote]

No, I'm not saying that. I'm saying that just because a marriage isn't registered with the NSO doesn't mean that it did not exist and that she is legally able to marry in the Philippines. She has to show that she is legally able to marry to get married there. Will she fraudulently state that she has never been married and support that claim with a certificate of non marriage from the NSO? Will that be a legal marriage? Could it be challenged? As far as I know she will either have to show that she was never married, married and got an annullment, or her foreign spouse initiated her divorce. The first of these would be fraudulent. You will certainly have to declare her divorce subsequently on her petition and provide a copy of it for the visa. Certainly the consulate there knows the marriage laws of the Philippines and what constitutes legally free to marry. They will see that she initiated the divorce and was not legally free to marry in the Philippines according to Philippine law. I'm not trying to be difficult or contrary, I just wanted to point out some possible obstacles that you might encounter before you fully decide what path to take. I think their foreign divorce rules are not reasonable, but they are there and have to be dealt with. I do wish you well and good luck with your journey.
[/quote]
Please don't take my frustration with the rules and process as frustration toward you. I don't intend it to be. :) We do want to do this the legal way and follow the rules so there are as few possible snags along the way.

But we don't want to get married in the Philippines. At first that was the plan because it was recommended by people here and elsewhere. With her recent divorce and then a K-1 soon after it might (would likely) be inspected closely by the US. Thinking was a K-3 would more show an established relationship and committment. But I now understand that she can not divorce in the US and marry in the Philippines because her status never changed.

Would it be okay if we continue as fiancee's engaged, and continue to build our collection of evidence that will prove our relationship is genuine. Then after she is legally divorced submit the paperwork to start the K-1 process. By then we will have known each other for 9-10 months, been in a serious relationship for 7 1/2 - 8 months, and have seen each other in person 3 times totalling about 7 weeks. I've got piles of SMS messages, Emails, Yahoo IM logs, and phone card expenses. I'm also writing her several times per week and she tries to write me at least once per week (she only gets mail once per week in port though).

What are your thoughts on this plan? Sound okay? Thanks again for taking the time to help a newbie here! :)
[/quote]


Unfortunately, the K1 requirement for being "free to marry" includes her status within her country as well as within the U.S. If she isn't legally free to marry there, then she's not qualified for the fiance visa either. It's a wacky thing the Philippines does dealing with divorce. Unless the foreign spouse initiates the divorce, she will never be free to marry again in the Philippines. Now you see why I suggested she withdraw her petition for divorce and have him file it.

There are lawyers both in the U.S. and in the Philippines that will advise their clients to take chances that are not quite legal. That doesn't make it safe or correct.

At least present the rebuttal to the lawyer and ask him if what he suggests is stictly legal and safe.
[/quote]
Okay, so she can't get divorced here then be petitioned via K-1 or K-3? What if we marry here and persue a CR-1? Would that be legal? Gosh, this is frustrating!!!!! :ranting:

[quote name='mychelle' post='281401' date='Jun 29 2006, 05:27 PM'][quote name='karo112' post='280627' date='Jun 29 2006, 11:01 AM']
[quote name='Robor007' post='280616' date='Jun 29 2006, 11:57 AM']
I just don't like the fact that I have people pointing out 'red flags' in my relationship when they only know our relationship from a few short paragraphs.[/quote]


It's no problem - we've dealt with worse ;)

In all honestly they were only telling you what MANILLA is going to see and think...not personal judgements on you. Like I said in my post, Manilla is no Sydney...they will scrutinize not just the few paragraphs you've given us BUT EVERY LITTLE BIT of your relationship. Just having evidence isn't enough. They see that you've only known her a short time....you've only been together for a short time...she's been married to a US citizen before. They WILL Judge your relationship and that' s all anyone was saying :)
[/quote]

for K1 visa (even in Manila)...as long as both parties are eligible to marry, has proof that they've met within 2 years of filing, proof of relationship, proof of financial support from petitioner...then i don't see why they can't be approved. the burden of proof is on the parties filing for K1. it's not the consulate's job to figure out whether they've spent enough time together or if they truly love each other, etc.
[/quote]
I am not at all worried about proving our relationship. We've got a lot available now and by the time we're ready to present our case we will have much more than most couples. I work in the computer field so I'm online almost all waking hours. I'd be embarrassed to admit the time we've spent in Yahoo IM. ;) On top of that SMS, Email, and especially phone calls. I've been writing letters and sending packages for the past month as well.

The problem is, apparently she is not going to be eligible to marry me via K-1 or K-3 because she's the one filing for the divorce here. That's the sticking point at the moment. :( I am going to talk to her divorce attorney tomorrow and seek his advice. He also does immigration but I'm not sure how much he knows about Philippine law. Sigh... The process hasn't even begun and already I'm near wits end! :o
Robor007MalePhilippines2006-06-29 17:02:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWhich process will be best for us (K-1 or K-3)?

I'm wondering how she will enter the US to attend her divorce hearing.

OP should also consider the speed of K-1, K-3 and CR-1 cases through Manila. There are some significant difference.

Might look for a US lawyer who is very familiar with Phils family law and US immigration. Get another side to that story.

She will be here in the US using her C-1 visa (crewmans working visa). My fiancee knows an attorney in California who is Filipina. I think I'm going to ask her to contact her. Thanks!

Edited by Robor007, 29 June 2006 - 04:28 PM.

Robor007MalePhilippines2006-06-29 16:27:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWhich process will be best for us (K-1 or K-3)?





FYI ... the Philippines does recognize marriages in the U.S. They DO NOT consider the Philippine citizen divorced and able to remarry if the Philippine citizen filed for the divorce abroad. She is only legally able to marry in the Philippines if her foreign spouse initiated the divorce or she obtains an anullment in the Philippines.

If her ex is cooperating, perhaps she could withdraw her divorce petition and have him initiate a new one.

Do I understand this correctly? The US recognizes marriages that take place in the Philippines and the couple is considered married without additional paperwork. You're just considered married. The Philippines recognizes marriages that take place in the US but the Filipino has to file paperwork to change their marital status for the marriage to be official? Is that correct? If her marriage was never made official in the Philippines and disolved before my petitioning her would it be a factor? Was she ever considered married there?

As far as her husband, he is willing to cooperate but he didn't want to file because he would have to appear in court. He said he was embarrassed to do so and he should be. He did some things during their brief time together and short time until the relationship fell apart that he's embarrassed about. I will not go into them because I respect my fiancee's privacy but the things he did are unforgiveable and the reason she stopped communication with him until our relationship started. He has been more cooperative lately though and we might possibly get him to file. If she has to I guess it's worth a try. I will talk to the attorney. He's handling all communicaiton and paperwork with him. Thank you for the info.


There have been beneficiaries from the Philippines here on VJ that were denied the visa for marriages that had not been registered with the NSO.

Are you saying to do this 'by the book' she would have to register her already dissolved marriage that occured in the US with the Philippine NSO then turn around file for an annulment in the Philippines for that same marriage that long longer exists in the country it took place (the US)? When we were in Manila we were told by the Family Law attorney we talked to that it would be $2000 USD and about 7 months for an annulment. The much money and time for a marriage that wasn't registered there and no longer exists in the US? That's whack! :wacko: It totally defeats the purpose of getting a divorce in the US because a Philippine annulment would be recognized by the US (according to what I was told by the Family Law attorney). We considered annulment through the Philippines before learning she could divorce file for divorce here in Florida. If this is the case, why wouldn't the Philippine attorney know this and tell us this?


No, I'm not saying that. I'm saying that just because a marriage isn't registered with the NSO doesn't mean that it did not exist and that she is legally able to marry in the Philippines. She has to show that she is legally able to marry to get married there. Will she fraudulently state that she has never been married and support that claim with a certificate of non marriage from the NSO? Will that be a legal marriage? Could it be challenged? As far as I know she will either have to show that she was never married, married and got an annullment, or her foreign spouse initiated her divorce. The first of these would be fraudulent. You will certainly have to declare her divorce subsequently on her petition and provide a copy of it for the visa. Certainly the consulate there knows the marriage laws of the Philippines and what constitutes legally free to marry. They will see that she initiated the divorce and was not legally free to marry in the Philippines according to Philippine law. I'm not trying to be difficult or contrary, I just wanted to point out some possible obstacles that you might encounter before you fully decide what path to take. I think their foreign divorce rules are not reasonable, but they are there and have to be dealt with. I do wish you well and good luck with your journey.

Please don't take my frustration with the rules and process as frustration toward you. I don't intend it to be. :) We do want to do this the legal way and follow the rules so there are as few possible snags along the way.

But we don't want to get married in the Philippines. At first that was the plan because it was recommended by people here and elsewhere. With her recent divorce and then a K-1 soon after it might (would likely) be inspected closely by the US. Thinking was a K-3 would more show an established relationship and committment. But I now understand that she can not divorce in the US and marry in the Philippines because her status never changed.

Would it be okay if we continue as fiancee's engaged, and continue to build our collection of evidence that will prove our relationship is genuine. Then after she is legally divorced submit the paperwork to start the K-1 process. By then we will have known each other for 9-10 months, been in a serious relationship for 7 1/2 - 8 months, and have seen each other in person 3 times totalling about 7 weeks. I've got piles of SMS messages, Emails, Yahoo IM logs, and phone card expenses. I'm also writing her several times per week and she tries to write me at least once per week (she only gets mail once per week in port though).

What are your thoughts on this plan? Sound okay? Thanks again for taking the time to help a newbie here! :)
Robor007MalePhilippines2006-06-29 14:46:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWhich process will be best for us (K-1 or K-3)?



FYI ... the Philippines does recognize marriages in the U.S. They DO NOT consider the Philippine citizen divorced and able to remarry if the Philippine citizen filed for the divorce abroad. She is only legally able to marry in the Philippines if her foreign spouse initiated the divorce or she obtains an anullment in the Philippines.

If her ex is cooperating, perhaps she could withdraw her divorce petition and have him initiate a new one.

Do I understand this correctly? The US recognizes marriages that take place in the Philippines and the couple is considered married without additional paperwork. You're just considered married. The Philippines recognizes marriages that take place in the US but the Filipino has to file paperwork to change their marital status for the marriage to be official? Is that correct? If her marriage was never made official in the Philippines and disolved before my petitioning her would it be a factor? Was she ever considered married there?

As far as her husband, he is willing to cooperate but he didn't want to file because he would have to appear in court. He said he was embarrassed to do so and he should be. He did some things during their brief time together and short time until the relationship fell apart that he's embarrassed about. I will not go into them because I respect my fiancee's privacy but the things he did are unforgiveable and the reason she stopped communication with him until our relationship started. He has been more cooperative lately though and we might possibly get him to file. If she has to I guess it's worth a try. I will talk to the attorney. He's handling all communicaiton and paperwork with him. Thank you for the info.


There have been beneficiaries from the Philippines here on VJ that were denied the visa for marriages that had not been registered with the NSO.

Are you saying to do this 'by the book' she would have to register her already dissolved marriage that occured in the US with the Philippine NSO then turn around file for an annulment in the Philippines for that same marriage that long longer exists in the country it took place (the US)? When we were in Manila we were told by the Family Law attorney we talked to that it would be $2000 USD and about 7 months for an annulment. The much money and time for a marriage that wasn't registered there and no longer exists in the US? That's whack! :wacko: It totally defeats the purpose of getting a divorce in the US because a Philippine annulment would be recognized by the US (according to what I was told by the Family Law attorney). We considered annulment through the Philippines before learning she could divorce file for divorce here in Florida. If this is the case, why wouldn't the Philippine attorney know this and tell us this?

Edited by Robor007, 29 June 2006 - 01:50 PM.

Robor007MalePhilippines2006-06-29 13:48:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWhich process will be best for us (K-1 or K-3)?

FYI ... the Philippines does recognize marriages in the U.S. They DO NOT consider the Philippine citizen divorced and able to remarry if the Philippine citizen filed for the divorce abroad. She is only legally able to marry in the Philippines if her foreign spouse initiated the divorce or she obtains an anullment in the Philippines.

If her ex is cooperating, perhaps she could withdraw her divorce petition and have him initiate a new one.

Do I understand this correctly? The US recognizes marriages that take place in the Philippines and the couple is considered married without additional paperwork. You're just considered married. The Philippines recognizes marriages that take place in the US but the Filipino has to file paperwork to change their marital status for the marriage to be official? Is that correct? If her marriage was never made official in the Philippines and disolved before my petitioning her would it be a factor? Was she ever considered married there?

As far as her husband, he is willing to cooperate but he didn't want to file because he would have to appear in court. He said he was embarrassed to do so and he should be. He did some things during their brief time together and short time until the relationship fell apart that he's embarrassed about. I will not go into them because I respect my fiancee's privacy but the things he did are unforgiveable and the reason she stopped communication with him until our relationship started. He has been more cooperative lately though and we might possibly get him to file. If she has to I guess it's worth a try. I will talk to the attorney. He's handling all communicaiton and paperwork with him. Thank you for the info.
Robor007MalePhilippines2006-06-29 13:07:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWhich process will be best for us (K-1 or K-3)?
If necessary we could delay filing the petition for a bit. I will discuss with the guy helping me with the process and the immigration attorney. Thanks for the suggestion.

I think that by the time we're ready will definitely have plenty of evidence to show we've got a real relationship. I keep all of our SMS, Email, and Yahoo IM records. I send her several hand-written letters per week and she tries to send me at least one letter or post card. Her mail is only delivered to her in port once per week. I've also got nearly $1000 in phone card bills to call from the US to her in Manila. She spent plenty to call me as well but I doubt she can prove it because she pays cash (pesos) for everything. Plus, by the time she will be ready for an interview we will have known each other for about 18 months and will have spent a week together in Manila, a week together on her cruise ship in Canada/Alaska, 4 weeks together at my place in Florida, and I'm planning to fly back to Manila with her for another week after that. I've met and have pics with her mother, brother, and 2 cousins. And when we are together I take *a lot* of pics.

She will have a valid divorce document in October. It's in process now and both of them have been sent the paperwork to start the process. According to the attorney, an uncontested divorce in Florida is usually done in less than 2 months. Add in a little more time because it's about 2 weeks to send mail to her on the ship.

Thanks again everyone. I do appreciate all the advice and pointers about potential problems. That's why I am here. I'm seeking :help: from people who know because I want us to be prepared. :)

Edited by Robor007, 29 June 2006 - 11:24 AM.

Robor007MalePhilippines2006-06-29 11:21:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresFiance Visa OR Marriage Visa?

My own personal opinion is that a fiance visa is better. With the fiance visa, you get to bring him to the US and then he is allowed to wait out the other process there. If you get married and apply, he will have to wait out the process in his country. That takes longer than the fiance visa.

Isn't a baby proof enough? LOL ... all of this proof of relationship stuff just mesmerizes me. It makes my head spin. :wacko:


That would only apply if she's talking about the IR-1/CR-1 spousal visa process. The K-3 spousal visa process seems to be about as fast as the K-1 fiancee process now.

As Reba said, a baby doesn't really factor in. I met a guy in the Philippines who is petitioning his fiancee and she is currently pregnant and her condition doesn't affect the speed of the process one way or the other. The burden of proof is there to weed out those petitions that are fraudulent and we all get treated the same way (with heavy scrutiny). It's sort of like 'guilty before proven innocent'. ;)
Robor007MalePhilippines2007-01-26 08:48:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresK3 vs. CR-1
I too am a little confused on the I-130 processing if there's an I-129 in process. I saw that memo or press release about the change but it looks like people with I-129 & I-130 petitions still getting NOA2's for their I-130's now. Keep in mind that even if your I-130 is approved (NOA2) there is more processing to do at the NVC whereas the I-129 goes to the NVC for just a brief time and then is forwarded on to the foreign consulate or embassy. As far as the processing time for an I-130 at the NVC I don't know the amount of time but I do know there's fees, paperwork exchange, payment, etc involved. Maybe check out similar timelines in the 'Immigration Timelines' link above. Hopefully someone with more insight can shed more light on this... :)
Robor007MalePhilippines2007-01-27 23:07:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI-130 never on the processing USCIS site???
Thanks for that clarification. I guess that would explain why our NOA1 came from Missouri rather than Chicago (I wondered about that). Excellent info! :) :thumbs:

Robor007,

Point of clarification - the Chicago lockbox is Missouri. Chicago is where the NBC's receiving station for new filings is located. No adjudication goes on in Chicago, they just open the mail, check the submission for completeness, and bind the application or petition into a file.

Sending the file to Missouri is not a 'transfer', it's the same as sending it down the hall except that the way the NBC is set up it's a rather long hall.

Yodrak

..... Our transferred from Chicago to Missouri to California.


Robor007MalePhilippines2007-01-29 15:32:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI-130 never on the processing USCIS site???

So even though it tells us to file with nebraska... your saying we shouldn't? On the I-130 itself it says if your from wisconsin you are to file to nebraska... MORE confusion...

Also... Robor... they don;t show any I-130's on that link you gave for Texas? haha #######

Sounds like you've got it right. The I-130 is sent to the service center assigned to you by your geographical location. Send yours to Nebraska and it will probably get transferred to California or Vermont. I'm living in FL so mine goes to Texas. They don't process I-130's there so mine was transferred to California. Once you get the NOA1 document you have the option of doing sending the I-129 (K-3). Unless there's been a change in the procedure recently all of the I-129's go to Chicago. Our transferred from Chicago to Missouri to California.
Robor007MalePhilippines2007-01-29 07:29:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI-130 never on the processing USCIS site???

Nikki

Is your question regarding the location of the physical form that you can download from the USCIS website, or are you asking why the I-130 application does not show up on the processing dates it's because all the I-130's are being processed at Calafornia.

I think it's the latter. When I first read the thread I took it as he was looking for the form and that's how I replied. Unfortunately, it was too late for me to edit and correct my mistake. ;) :P
Robor007MalePhilippines2007-01-25 09:51:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI-130 never on the processing USCIS site???

whaaaat?

fwaguy means they don't have I-130's listed there because they don't process them. Where your I-130 is processed depends on where you live. I live in FL so my I-130 is sent to the Texas Service Center (link to them here). As you can see they don't process them there either. Mine was transferred to the California Service Center where it will be processed.

Edited by Robor007, 25 January 2007 - 09:45 AM.

Robor007MalePhilippines2007-01-25 09:45:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI-130 never on the processing USCIS site???

Does Nebraska even do I-130's? I think maybe it is only Vermont and California....

Everything I've read and been told says that is the case. We sent ours to the Texas Service Center and it was transferred to the California Service Center where it is now.
Robor007MalePhilippines2007-01-25 09:31:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresI-130 never on the processing USCIS site???
This is interesting... Do a search for this on Google: I-130 USCIS pdf

The top result will be 'Page Request Not Found' and if you go to the Google cached page it says this:

404 - Requested Page Not Found on Site

The page you requested, http://209.85.165.10...x...t=clnk&cd=1, is not on our site.

It may have been available before our redesign in October 2006.

Please look for related information on the USCIS Home Page.

Sorry for any inconvenience.
Robor007MalePhilippines2007-01-25 09:11:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresAdvice, abandon k-3 or not?

Hello everyone,

My wife and I have been approved for our I-130 petition. We were approved on 1/3/07, but have yet to see any other correspondance from the NVC, only the NOA2. Ironically, the National Benefits Center has posted the "processing" date as the same date as ours was received. So, at least they are finally working on it.


Why would you abandon the 129F even if that is possible?
The I-130 being "approved" simply means that it is put into the system (que) for processing when a vacancy is available for a visa. To check processing dates and anticipate a visa order being issued: https://egov.immigra.../jsps/index.jsp
The 129F should be much faster as it is processed like a Fiancé Visa.


I thought spousal visa petitions didn't have to wait for availability? It was more a matter of processing time at the NVC that makes the I-130 slower than the I-129. Either way, if the I-129 and I-130 are approved at the same time the I-129 should be quicker since it spends little time at the NVC before it's forwarded on to the foreign consulate/embassy.
Robor007MalePhilippines2007-01-29 15:37:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresimmigration interview and filing single
We're in a different situation being that my wife is in the Philippines but I was told that the issuing agency (Dept of Foreign Affairs) would be the one to certify/notarize her passport. She went to the DFA and should receive her paperwork in about s weeks. I don't know if that applies to Vietnam as well or not.

Edited by Robor007, 29 January 2007 - 08:12 PM.

Robor007MalePhilippines2007-01-29 20:11:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresimmigration interview and filing single

Yes he said 4-6 wks for the W7 to be processed and once the ITIN is assigned it will then be forwarded to the correct dept to process the tax return which can take another 4-7 wks. The rep says worse case scenirio (sp?) 10-14 wks for everything.


So about 3 months for the total process. That's not so bad. In the 'old days' regular taxes took that long to turn around. :)

Plus as you said it will only help with evidence of relationship for the interview. :thumbs:
Robor007MalePhilippines2007-01-25 17:15:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresimmigration interview and filing single

I cld the IRS # on the website and was on the phone w/the guy for an hour. He said the TAC will accept the form but will not process it. They will forward to the central office and will take 4-6 wks for processing. He did however, tell me I can file Head of Household (b/c I have a child) then file an amended return once my husband recv his SS#. He said it takes that long to process the W7 form and then another 4-7 to process my taxes. I'm thinking it will be to long for me to wait so I will probably file HOH and amend at a later time. But man, it would have looks great for the interview. I'm going to talk this over w/my hubby and make a decision but if it was up to me I would wait b/c we need those funds to help w/these immigration costs... :whistle:

Anna


Thanks for the info Anna... How long did they say it takes to process the W7 form? Do you mean 4-6 weeks?
Robor007MalePhilippines2007-01-25 16:28:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresimmigration interview and filing single

Am I correct when I say that the US citizen filing married & jointly must submit a notarized/certified copy of the spouses passport in their married name along with the W7 form for the ITIN?



The answer to your question can be found here====> http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw7.pdf

t

Thanks for the link to the form/instructions. So the answer is it's not a 'must' to submit a notarized/certified copy of the passport but if it is used they don't have to supply anything else. If they don't go the passport route there's a list of other forms of identification that can be used but at least one must contain a picture. That part is clear now. :)

Looking at the W7 form I think we would select box 'e'. It also appears that the easiest way is for me to complete the form for my wife and mail it to her for review and signature. Then she can send it back to me along with a notarized copy of her passport and I'll submit it. Does that sound like the right plan?
Robor007MalePhilippines2007-01-25 11:45:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresimmigration interview and filing single
Am I correct when I say that the US citizen filing married & jointly must submit a notarized/certified copy of the spouses passport in their married name along with the W7 form for the ITIN?
Robor007MalePhilippines2007-01-25 09:49:00