ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHow to file fiance visa if you are in other country?

i need some advise.. currently i am working in dubai and my country of origin is philippine, can may US citizen fiance file a fiance petition in the nearest us embassy in dubai?

Your fiancé needs to send the I-129F packet to the U.S.

The USCIS in the U.S. processes petitions for fiancé(e) visas.

However, you can have your Embassy interview in Dubai if you want to.



Is he in Dubai?If he is,He should go back to States and petition you there.

The petitioner does not need to be in the U.S. to petition her.
TahomaMalePhilippines2013-03-09 11:27:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresPetition requirements
Your friend is wrong.
TahomaMalePhilippines2013-03-08 21:41:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresCherry Blossoms

"Did you meet your fiance(e) or spouse through the services of an international marriage broker?

So how would you answer this question ? YES or NO

^^^ No.

Cherry Blossoms is not an international marriage broker.
TahomaMalePhilippines2013-03-09 11:39:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK1 visa general questions.
I don't think any amount of chat logs will help. What will help is the petitioner getting a job that pays more, or a second, part-time job which would put the petitioner over 125% of the poverty guidelines.

If the petitioner doesn't have a close relative who is willing to be a joint sponsor, then you may have to risk trying to use the beneficiary's relative as a joint sponsor. Either way, I would strongly recommend the petitioner attending the interview.
TahomaMalePhilippines2013-03-03 18:39:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK1 visa general questions.
The U.S. Embassy Manila accepts joint sponsors for K-1'ers on a case-by-case basis. I'd guess that they accept joint sponsors maybe 50% of the time. However, I doubt if they would accept a joint sponsor who is related to the beneficiary.
TahomaMalePhilippines2013-02-26 10:35:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresCan we process my k1 visa even if im not in my country of origin?

Hi, I need some advise.. currently I am working in Dubai and my country of origin is Philippines and im a Filipino and my fiance is living in USA, my question is can may US citizen fiance file k1 visa even im in Dubai?

Yes. No problem. :thumbs:
TahomaMalePhilippines2013-03-13 10:25:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresPost NOA2

Thank you for your assistance Tahoma and everyone else who responded!

We now have an interview date of April 1st :)
I'll be arriving in Manila on March 26th
She printed up the confirmation emails for the online appointment booking so now she can do the medical.

I'm very happy right now

You're very welcome. Best wishes to both of you for a smooth and speedy journey. :star:
TahomaMalePhilippines2013-03-14 09:10:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresPost NOA2

I was unaware about the CFO situation. When exactly should this be done? I see that it's a 2hr seminar. The sticker is provided at the end of the seminar correct? Judging by the way things look, We'll need to have the Visa already for us to do the Seminar as it asks for visa info I've noticed on the registration. So this is something we'd do after the interview? Just trying to avoid any form of delays.

You can complete the CFO seminar before the Embassy interview and then go back to the CFO and get the CFO sticker after receiving the visa packet from the Embassy. Or, you can wait to get the visa packet from the Embassy and then complete the CFO seminar and get the CFO sticker at the same time. If you opt to complete the CFO seminar before the Embassy interview, and get the CFO sticker after you receive your visa packet, don't forget to take your CFO seminar certificate of completion with you when you go back to the CFO to get the CFO sticker.



My fiancee will be paying the Application fee at BPI in a few hours and hopefully able to schedule an interview 4 hours later. I hear it's better to schedule it online rather than via phone but I'm not sure.

The medical:

I see it asks for an Appointment/Instruction letter from the embassy. If we register using the online method for the interview, would we receive an email that would essentially be the Appointment letter and in turn act as the Appointment letter they're asking for at the medical exam? I ask because I hear the embassy is very slow with sending out things to people and I don't want a situation where we've scheduled an interview but don't have what's necessary to complete the medical exam causing issues.

Scheduling online is easy. Scheduling by phone is easy too. Either way will work fine.

While you are booking your Embassy interview online, just print out two copies of the confirmation sheet. You'll need one of those appointment confirmation sheets for the medical and the other one for the interview.

If you book the interview by phone, you will be sent a confirmation immediately by email. Print out two copies of the confirmation.
TahomaMalePhilippines2013-03-13 09:31:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresPost NOA2
Congratz on your getting your MNL case number. Now you're rolling! :star:

1. First, read this letter from the U.S. Embassy Manila. Read it and heed it. (Don't wait around for the Embassy to send you this letter or you will waste a lot of time.)

2. Pay the visa application fee at BPI. It costs $240 (in pesos). Pay it today.

3. Tomorrow, schedule the Embassy interview.

4. Anytime after scheduling the Embassy interview, all the way up to within about a week before the interview, complete the medical at St. Lukes. St. Lukes operates on a walk-in basis...no appointments. Pre-register for the medical on St. Lukes website.

5. Complete the Embassy interview.

6. After getting the visa packet from the Embassy, complete the CFO seminar and get the CFO sticker. Or, you can complete the CFO seminar before the interview and get the sticker after you get the visa packet from the Embassy. Check out the CFO website.

7. Buy plane ticket after the visa is in hand.

8. Fly to the U.S.
TahomaMalePhilippines2013-03-11 10:54:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHow long will we have to wait to call NVC for the case number?
Start calling the NVC in a week or two.
TahomaMalePhilippines2013-03-15 10:07:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedurespassport

Use your new passport not the old one. Bring both the old one and the new one to the interview in case they ask questions. But only give them the new one if you pass and get the visa stamped in the new one.

^^^ This... :thumbs:
TahomaMalePhilippines2013-03-18 18:15:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresRFE
You should get a hard copy within a couple of weeks.
TahomaMalePhilippines2013-03-19 13:10:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresPotential Red flags for K1 application?

Thanks for tne words of encouragement, Tahoma! :thumbs:

Yes, she passed NCLEX in California and was issued a temporary license (since she didn't have an SSN), which she transferred to Vermont. Her Vermont license is still active. I live in California, so we hope she can transfer her license back here once she has an SSN. Do you know about this?

The first thing your fiancée needs in order to endorse her Vermont nursing license to California is a Social Security number. Check out the California Board of Nursing website for any other requirements for endorsing her license to California.

A week or two after your fiancée arrives in the U.S., you should take her down to your local Social Security office and have her apply for a Social Security number. She'll receive it a couple of weeks later. If the clerk at the Social Security office gives her any guff about K-1'ers not being allowed to apply for a Social Security number, then you need to talk to a supervisor because K-1'ers are allowed to have a Social Security number.

Once you get married, if your wife changes her name, take her back down to the Social Security office and have her apply for a name change. She'll get her updated Social Security card in a couple of weeks.

Chinook was approved to sit for the NCLEX by the state of Vermont. When she arrived here in Washington state, she passed the NCLEX and received a Vermont nursing license. Then she endorsed her license to Washington.
TahomaMalePhilippines2013-03-19 12:12:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresPotential Red flags for K1 application?
Hi dic68...

My wife, Chinook, and I were K-1'ers just like you. Chinook was a nurse in the Philippines, and now she's a nurse here in the U.S. Chinook has a friend who was also a nurse in the Philippines and successfully went through the K-1 process at the same time we did. There have been many other Pinay nurses here on VJ who successfully completed the fiancée visa process or the spousal visa process. The U.S. Embassy doesn't give nurses the stink eye, probably because they know a nurse is a highly educated and skilled professional who is unlikely to become a public charge here in the U.S. So, you and your fiancée have little to worry about in that regard.

I don't think your fiancée will have any problem with her fiancée visa because of her pending work visa. I'm sure the Embassy understands that a lot of nurses in 'pinas want to work in the U.S. It's only natural.

Just out of curiosity, has your fiancée passed the NCLEX-RN yet? If so, what state did she apply through? If not, what state is she planning to apply through? What state do you live in?

PS...After working as a nurse in 'pinas, she's going to faint when she sees her first paycheck here in the U.S. :)
TahomaMalePhilippines2013-03-18 17:35:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresPlanning on Scheduling Interview & Process Followthrough

All your above advise and been noted and very very much appreciated! :)

You're very welcome. :)

You should also read the U.S. Embassy Manila's K-1 interview preparation instructions. However, don't wait around for them to send this letter to your fiancée because it will set you back a month or more waiting for it to arrive via PhilPost. Sometimes the letter never arrives.

Instead, once you get your MNL case number, simply proceed with paying the visa application fee and scheduling the interview, etc.
TahomaMalePhilippines2013-03-20 11:20:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresPlanning on Scheduling Interview & Process Followthrough

Ok, not sure how to ask this, but here goes…

I am planning on calling the NVC, starting 7 days after our NOA2, to obtain our MNL Case Number and when I do; what’s next and what’s the necessary follow-up to that… This is the plan in my head, so anyone with some experience with the NVC and USEM, please pick the below plan apart if you see that I’m missing something or putting the cart before the horse and some point in the below rundown…

1. Obtain Case Number from NVC
2. Next day, visit to BPI and pay the visa fee
3. Schedule the interview online
4. Fill our personal details on Medical Facility’s Website
5. 10 days prior to interview; Medical & CFO Seminar
6. Interview at US Embassy Manila
7. Await Visa Delivery/Picked up
8. Travel to Manila two days prior to departure to US
9. Revisit CFO Office for Passport Stamps now that Visa is in place
10. Departure for US (home sweet home)

Please, let me know what you think about the above…

GOD Bless all,
Sahs

1. Start calling the NVC about a week or two after your petition approval. Don't be surprised if it takes a while to get your MNL case number because this step of the process has slowed down a lot. Just be persistent.

3. When you schedule the interview online, print out two confirmation sheets because you will need one for the medical and one for the Embassy interview.

4. St. Lukes operates on a walk-in basis. Fill out this registration form on St. Lukes website, print out a copy of it, and take it to the medical. It will save time. Your fiancée should do her medical when she's not on her period. If you decide to go to the Philippines before her medical, make sure that you guys have no sexual contact before the medical because it will delay the vaccinations at St. Lukes. Also, keep in mind that any admission of illegal drug use will likely result in a visa denial.

5. Fill out this CFO registration form, print it out, and take it with you to the CFO seminar. Make sure to fall in line at the CFO about 5:00 a.m. to make sure you get a slot that day. Besides the CFO requirements, your fiancée should take every scrap of paperwork with her to the CFO seminar that she brought to her Embassy interview.

9. Yes, you absolutely will need to get a CFO stamp affixed to your fiancée's passport.

Best wishes for a smooth and speedy visa journey... :star:
TahomaMalePhilippines2013-03-19 12:50:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresNeed your judgment and comments
You'll be fine.

It's OK to find something else to worry about! :jest:
TahomaMalePhilippines2013-03-18 17:48:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresVisa Expiration
You did the right thing. Your petition could easily take seven months or more to be approved, followed by another month or two before your fiancé has his interview. Then, once his visa is approved, he still has six months (from the date of his medical at St. Lukes) to enter the U.S.

Even if your petition were approved much sooner, you would still have no problem because the petition is valid for four months and the U.S. Embassy Manila will extend the validity of your petition for up to one year if you request it.

To sum it up, here's how long you and your fiancé potentially could stretch out the process:

> 7 months -- approximate time for USCIS petition approval.

> 12 months -- maximum petition validity including Embassy extensions.

> 6 months -- validity of his visa from the date of his medical (he'll probably complete his medical a week or two before his interview).

> 25 months -- total. That should give your fiancé plenty of time to pass the NLE, even if he has to take it a few times!!! :whistle:
TahomaMalePhilippines2013-03-23 11:37:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresScheduling Interview
Chinook and I went through the process before online scheduling was available. We didn't schedule Chinook's interview through the call center either. Actually, I scheduled Chinook's interview appointment directly with the IV Unit at the Embassy. It was very easy, but I doubt if they allow that anymore. :)

From what I've read here on VJ (and it may be outdated), when you schedule online, the system gives you a very limited amount of time to choose an interview date before the system times out. If that's still the case, it would be a good idea to have a few interview dates in mind before you reach that screen. Also, they say you should remember your password and your UID number because you will need it again.

According to some VJers, once you've made an appointment online, you can go back in and get an earlier appointment date. I wish I had bookmarked one of those threads which explained how to do it.

Does anyone have any updates on VJ member JeWcHee's instructions on how to schedule an interview online, or VJ member hoody's video on how to schedule an interview online?

I hope those with recent experience will chime in.
TahomaMalePhilippines2013-03-23 11:16:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresTax Transcript for Affidavit of Support

I am self employed so I do not have a W-2 or pay stubs. I will be including the taxes and bank statements

In that case, you should submit copies of your last three income tax returns (2009-2010-2011). Technically, you won't be required to submit a copy of your 2012 income tax return because your fiancée's interview is on April 11, and the Embassy does not require 2012 income tax returns until April 15. However, it would be a good idea to submit a copy of your 2012 income tax return anyway. You always want to build the best case possible. Submitting tax transcripts and bank statements would be a bonus.

By the way, the Embassy will be looking at line 22 of your latest income tax return to determine whether you surpass the 125% of the poverty guideline for your household size.
TahomaMalePhilippines2013-03-25 11:47:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresTax Transcript for Affidavit of Support
The U.S. Embassy Manila will be fine with a copy of your income tax return. A tax transcript is not required.

Don't forget to send a copy of your W-2, your current paycheck stubs, your employer's letter, and your I-134.
TahomaMalePhilippines2013-03-25 10:22:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresGoing to visit my fiancee

This will be my 4th trip to Philippines to see her and 6th time overall seeing her in person.

^^^ Your fiancée's Embassy interview should be a slam dunk! :thumbs:

Have a great trip! :star:
TahomaMalePhilippines2013-03-25 10:16:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresReapplying for a K-1 Visa

Her visa was denied for reasons I won't detail here, but it has to do with her CENOMAR. She went thru the entire process with no issues, we filed in March 2011 2012, medical and interview was in the fall of 2011 2012 and then waited from October after her interview until January for an answer which was denied. We know what the issue was for the denial and are in the process of fixing it so we can reapply soon. My questions are "do we start from scratch?" and "where are my original papers we filed for the first I-129?" I have tax forms in the original papers and don't want my personal info floating around somewhere. I have copies of the first submission, so I am not concerned about what we need to complete the application again.

^^^ Fixed. :thumbs:
TahomaMalePhilippines2013-03-26 11:50:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresReapplying for a K-1 Visa

Yes I realise that... So it expired 4 months after approval then ... it wasn't totally clear, but I guess that's the case.

That's not the case. Please read post #13.
TahomaMalePhilippines2013-03-26 11:42:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWho do we call for the case number?
Here's the Cliff Notes version of what to do when the USCIS approves your petition:

1. Keep calling the NVC until you get your MNL case number.

2. Once you get your MNL case number, pay the visa fee at BPI. Don't wait for the Embassy to send you a letter.

3. The next business day after you pay the visa fee at BPI, schedule your interview appointment online or by phone.

4. Complete the medical at St. Lukes extension clinic a week or two before the Embassy interview.

5. At the same time as your medical, complete the CFO seminar.

6. Complete the Embassy interview.

7. After you get your visa packet from the Embassy, go back to the CFO and get the CFO sticker.

8. Book a plane flight to the U.S.

9. Pack your bags.

10. Fly to the U.S.

Click here to read the Embassy's letter to the beneficiary which tells the beneficiary they are eligible to schedule an interview and gives them interview preparation instructions.
TahomaMalePhilippines2013-03-26 14:37:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresExpiration for Cenomar?

Secure another one after you get your NOA2 as you don't know you'll be approved. You'll need a current one at the time of the interview.

Good luck!

^^^ Agreed. :thumbs: :thumbs:

Update your CENOMAR three or four weeks before your interview.
TahomaMalePhilippines2013-03-26 18:34:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresNeed Some Help

Hello everyone. I have a question. I tried contacting NVC to get MNL case number but they had beneficary birth date wrong so i was unable to get any information. I have to send copy of birth certificate to NVC. If they forward petition to embassy before they recieve my copy of birth certificate, what must i do to correct problem. It has already been 4 weeks since we recieved NOA2.Thanks for any info from someone who has had this problem.

Are you sure the NVC is wrong? Did you cross reference her birth certificate with her passport and the I-129F and the 325g?

If all four dates match, you might want to forget the NVC and call the Embassy's IV Unit instead because your petition is there by now. You should be able to book an interview on Monday.

You can correct the problem with the Embassy.
TahomaMalePhilippines2013-03-30 20:48:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresdocuments needed after recieving the NOA

Review these required documents for medical exam and interview. You do have a long wait to go and can't get some of these too soon as they only have 6 months to 1 year validity. They need to be valid at the time of your interview.

http://photos.state....on_rtf2_005.pdf

Good luck!

^^^ :thumbs: :thumbs:

Once your petition is approved, start gathering the documents in Tintin's link.
TahomaMalePhilippines2013-03-31 17:01:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresMedical Timing

Your fiancée doesn't need her Hong Kong police clearance in order to complete her medical.


Maybe I was not clear enough, sorry. I was just wanting to know if it was okay to do the Medical while we were waiting for the HK police clearance to arrive at the USEM.

Yes, it's okay.
TahomaMalePhilippines2013-03-30 14:29:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresMedical Timing
Your fiancée is welcome to post in the Philippines forum in her native language.

Your fiancée doesn't need her Hong Kong police clearance in order to complete her medical. Keep in mind that her visa will be valid for only six months from the date of her medical. Most people complete their medical a week or two before their interview.
TahomaMalePhilippines2013-03-30 14:18:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresAm I good to get my interview schedule?
You could have booked your interview at least a week ago when the NVC still had your I-129F petition. You should have called the NVC and gotten your MNL case number. You need your MNL case number.

Call the Embassy (or the NVC) and get your MNL case number. Once you have your MNL case number, you can pay the visa fee at BPI. Once you pay the visa fee at BPI, you can book your interview appointment by the next business day. Then you can complete your medical.

Don't wait for the Embassy to send you the letter which tells you that you are eligible to schedule an interview and gives you interview preparation instructions. The Embassy sends those letters via PhilPost and it may take a month or more for you to receive the letter. Sometimes the letter never arrives. Just get your MNL case number from the Embassy (or the NVC) and start rolling.

Don't worry about your mom's maiden name. You can take care of that at your interview.
TahomaMalePhilippines2013-03-31 16:55:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresOriginal Signatures
FedEx will have those documents in your hand in three days.
TahomaMalePhilippines2013-03-31 16:40:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresApplying K-1 in the Philippines

My question is, how true are the allegations of red tapes and difficult processing there? Many have told me that it's easier to process outside of your own country? :( :( :(

What are their reasons for why it would be easier to process outside of the Philippines?
TahomaMalePhilippines2012-11-06 13:36:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresFilling-up DS-156 Form

Yes Tahoma.. I just got confused since I applied for my passport and was also released here in Tarlac City. But now I already know the answer because of you guys, thanks for that! But I'm just wondering now what city would I right because the province is Pampanga, but I'm not sure which city would I right.. because if I am not mistaken Pampanga has many DFA branches. hehe! Something I have to I to find out. :help:

The city does not matter. You don't need to write the city. Just write: "DFA Pampanga."
TahomaMalePhilippines2013-04-02 12:43:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresFilling-up DS-156 Form
Welcome, Kring... :star:

The issuing authority of your passport is "DFA Pampanga."

That information should be stamped toward the bottom of the biographics page.
TahomaMalePhilippines2013-04-01 13:38:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresTraveling to US without my fiance (K1)

No problem, Mike was alone

Have a safe flight!

^^^ :thumbs: :thumbs:

No problem. Plans change. The immigration officers understand this.
TahomaMalePhilippines2013-04-01 12:52:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresMoney Remittance
The issue most likely won't come up at your interview if you don't submit the receipts.
TahomaMalePhilippines2013-04-02 13:45:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresBringing fiancée's kids in the future

...her son's birth certificate shows that she is married...

...Now I'm hearing i'll need to come up with 2 grand to change the birth certificate.

Are you positive she's not married? $2000 is the cost of an inexpensive annulment in the Philippines. Before you part with two grand, you should order a copy her CENOMAR to verify she's not married. It



Also I don't support enough for more than my fiancée so ill use my father as a cosponsor aswell... I'm lost. Once here can my fiancée petition her kids?

On K-1 cases, the U.S. Embassy Manila accepts joint sponsors on a case-by-case basis. I'd estimate that the Embassy accepts K-1 joint sponsors maybe 50% of the time.
TahomaMalePhilippines2013-04-03 11:53:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresPacket 3

The two forms we needed from the packet 3 were the DS-230 and the DS2001, both can be gotten online. It may be different for K-1 filers

K-1'ers don't need a DS-2001. See Tintin's link.
TahomaMalePhilippines2013-04-04 20:14:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresPacket 3

You don't need to wait for the Packet 3 from USEM, you may or not get it at all. All you need is the MNL case # from NVC. Pay the visa fee to any BPI bank and call to schedule your interview. Below is the link for all you need to do and required docs at the time of the interview.

http://photos.state....f2_rtf2_001.pdf

Congrats on your approval and good luck to the rest of your K1 journey!

:thumbs: :thumbs:



Thank You So much! I wasnt sure if there was something special in packet 3 i needed haha, Ill be scheduling interview tommorow! Thank you again!!

Don't forget to print out a deposit slip and take it to BPI when you pay the visa fee. You can print out a deposit slip here.
TahomaMalePhilippines2013-04-04 10:09:00