ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresName Change after marriage on K-1
Yes, it's time to use your new name.
TahomaMalePhilippines2011-10-18 01:46:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresName Change after marriage on K-1
Ask to speak with a supervisor, or go to another office.
TahomaMalePhilippines2011-10-17 17:29:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresCan my fiancee work after entering the US on a K-1 visa?
@Rebecca Jo.......Yes, I remember that thread. It's as ambiguous as this one is. Nothing was settled there either.

I would like to hear from those K-1ers who are still in their I-94 window and who have been run through an E-Verify employer.
TahomaMalePhilippines2011-10-19 12:07:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresCan my fiancee work after entering the US on a K-1 visa?

Any person, foreign or native born, must satisfy the requirements of the I-9 form to legally accept employment in the United States.

Agreed.

Look at the back of the I-9 form for a better understanding of this issue.

I'm familiar with the I-9. I'm also familiar with the employers handbook for completing an I-9.

I have never in 7 years reading immigration forums heard of a K1 entrant whose SS card was not restricted. The card your wife received was a mistake. Just like another guy runs around these forums and talks about how his wife was given a SS number the day after she landed in the US, before she appeared in the SAVE system. Both incidents were one offs.

You very well may be confusing causation and correlation. Has it occurred to you that the reason you haven't heard about K-1s with unrestricted SS cards is because they haven't posted that information? On the flip side of the same coin, you don't see many postings from K-1ers who tell us about their restricted cards, do you?

As you know, the usual posting regarding a K-1er and a SS card revolves around how the SS office turned them down for a card entirely because the SS office didn't understand that K-1ers were even allowed to have a card. That's the usual posting. There's rarely see anything beyond that.

If you would care to give your "expert" card a rest and to actually back up your claim with a shred of evidence, I would be interested to hear it.


TahomaMalePhilippines2011-10-19 02:16:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresCan my fiancee work after entering the US on a K-1 visa?

The employer must fill out an I-9 form which has certain required documents that must be shown in order for the employer to allow you to legally work for them. (I-9 form). There are several options, but you must have either a documnet in List A or documents in List B and List C to prove ID and elgibility to work. List A consists of a US Passport, the GC, the EAD card. List B is for ID and List C is for employement authorization. If you have a stae issued DL AND a SSC you can work, however; the K-1 visa's SSC will have a statment printed on it that says, "NOT VALID FOR WORK WITHOUT DHS AUTHORIZATION" which brings us back to the EAD or GC.

As others have stated, you need to file for AOS and EAD and wait for the EAD card to arrive (ours took 46 days) before accepting a job offer.

Good luck,

Dave

1) A K-1er is not required to show their SS card to an employer unless the employer uses the E-Verify system.

2) A K-1er's SS card will not always have "Not valid for work without DHS authorization" printed on it when the K-1er receives the card during their I-94 period.

Please see a more comprehensive discussion of this topic, including links, on this thread.
TahomaMalePhilippines2011-10-18 13:57:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresAffidavit of Support and Divorce Decree
Also, you never know what the CFO will ask for. They may want a certified copy. :o :help:
TahomaMalePhilippines2011-10-19 12:19:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresAffidavit of Support and Divorce Decree
Why take a chance? Just because one person got away with it doesn't mean you are going to get away with it.

Use certified copies of divorce papers. Also, use an original I-134.
TahomaMalePhilippines2011-10-17 17:41:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresInsight into USICS Service Center

can you ask your contact to move me to the top of the pile then please... thanks :thumbs:

^^^ :lol:

Lol, the people from CSC are the new 40.

^^^ :lol:




Oh ok, so when do you think they will switch back to CSC?

not until ive got mine i hope :lol:

^^^ :lol:



Not to be picky and have nothing against foreigners (I was/am one once), but your #2 seems to be saying that foreigners applying on a H1-B are given more priority than a USC??
Is the government so blantantly stating (with those priorities) that money trumps their own citizen population?
Since when money is more important than a future spouse and a person?

I guess the protesters at Wall Street are right after all (because the main beneficiary of H1-Bs are the companies sponsoring those persons)

Haven't you heard? In the U.S., corporations are people too!!! :wacko:
TahomaMalePhilippines2011-10-17 19:33:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresAny USC petitioners here married to a filipina before in the Philippines?

I think once you are divorced in a US Court from anybody, that divorce must be recognized by any US Government agency to include immigration.

The issue isn't with the U.S. government. The only potential issue would be with the CFO and whether they would require his fiancée to submit his CENOMAR (CENMAR). The CFO is a Filipino thing. If his fiancée doesn't have a CFO sticker in her passport, she's not going to be allowed on her flight to the U.S.
TahomaMalePhilippines2011-10-23 16:20:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresAny USC petitioners here married to a filipina before in the Philippines?

Just a side question, if a Filipina comes to the states are there benefits to her not filing for divorce but making the American husband file?

If the U.S. citizen is the one who initiates the divorce, she won't have to go to court in the Philippines to get an annulment if she wants to get married in the Philippines. Instead, she'll have to go to court in the Philippines to get her divorce judicially recognized. It's not much of a benefit because both processes are long and costly.
TahomaMalePhilippines2011-10-18 13:28:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresAny USC petitioners here married to a filipina before in the Philippines?

Just a side question, if a Filipina comes to the states are there benefits to her not filing for divorce but making the American husband file?

If the U.S. citizen is the one who initiates the divorce, she won't have to go to court in the Philippines to get an annulment if she wants to get married in the Philippines. Instead, she'll have to go to court in the Philippines to get her divorce judicially recognized. It's not much of a benefit because both processes are long and costly.
TahomaMalePhilippines2011-10-18 13:28:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresAny USC petitioners here married to a filipina before in the Philippines?

i am confused too by the other thread... is there a possibility that a USC who married once in PH can ask by the counselor to submit a Cenmar? of course Cenomar they cant have it.. but how about cenmar..? when they got married in the PH before their name was entered to nso data base.. so if they request for cenmar do u think they can have one..? just need an enlightenment about it :blush: :huh:

The Embassy won't ask a U.S. citizen for a CENOMAR nor a CEMAR. However...

...If the CFO asks for one, just give them the divorce papers which show the person as divorced, the Legal Capicity to Marry document from the Embassy which shows they are single and allowed to marry, and the latest federal income tax return which shows the person as having filed as single.

it's rare for the CFO to ask for a CENOMAR or a CENMAR. They probably only do it occasionally at the Cebu CFO. :bonk: The they settle for the documents listed above.
TahomaMalePhilippines2011-10-17 19:07:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresAny USC petitioners here married to a filipina before in the Philippines?

Divorce isn't recognize in the Philippines. She's maybe a USC now too and can remarry outside the Philippines.

The Philippines Family Code allows judicial recognition of a foreign divorce for Filipinos who are divorced from foreigners when the foreigner is the one who initiated the divorce. There have been Pinay here on VJ who have gone through this process.

If his ex is a U.S. citizen, of course she can get married outside of the Philippines. She also can get married outside of the Philippines if she's a legal permanent resident of the U.S.
TahomaMalePhilippines2011-10-17 18:55:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresAny USC petitioners here married to a filipina before in the Philippines?
There have been other VJers in your shoes, and they had no problems.

The one with the potential problem would be your ex, if she wanted to get married in the Philippines again. She would have to get an annulment because she is the one who initiated the divorce here in the U.S. If you had been the one to initiate the divorce, she would have to get that divorce judicially recognized in the Philippines.
TahomaMalePhilippines2011-10-17 17:50:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresIs Petitioner's Birth Certificate and Legal Capacity to Marry required??

Hi VJ'ers,

We are just wondering if Birth Certificate and Legal Capacity to Marry are required for interview for K1 Visa.
Because we are reading some post that includes both. My fiance was born in Philippines and became naturalized US citizen. He can request for birth certificate to NSO but it will take 2 months for them to deliver.

We would really appreciate your advice. Thanks in advance.

K-1ers don't need a Legal Capacity to Marry.

Also, there seems to be no need to wait for the NSO. According to the VJ Guides, the petitioner should send the beneficiary a copy of the I-129F packet. Included in that packet will be the following:

Copy of the Birth certificate (front and back) for the US Citizen or a copy of ALL pages of the US Citizen's passport issued with a validity of at least 5 years or a copy of the US Citizen's naturalization certificate (front and back). This is used to establish citizenship.

VJ Guides.
TahomaMalePhilippines2011-10-23 13:56:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresGeeting appointment set as Soon as NVC gives case #

anything is possible. I called on Friday and it had not been logged. Monday was a Holiday. Tuesday I had case number and wed I had Appointment. Got another buddy did the same thing. Anyway. So you got me now. CFO seminar ??? what the heck is that ?

Your sweetie needs to attend the CFO seminar and get the CFO sticker in her passport before she leaves the Philippines for the U.S. If she doesn't have the sticker in her passport, she won't be allowed on the plane. It's as simple as that. The whole thing costs less than twenty dollars. It's required by the Filipino government. Mostly, the seminar tells her what to do when she arrives in the U.S. and you start beating her.

There's two places in Manila to take the seminar and one place in Cebu. Avoid the one in Cebu if possible because they can be real strict. Chinook went to the PRISM seminar in Manila. The other one is in Quezon City and it's called St. Marys.

She can attend the seminar before her interview and get that out of the way if she wants to. But, she'll have to go back to get the sticker after she has her visa.

You should check out their website: click here.
TahomaMalePhilippines2011-10-12 21:57:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresGeeting appointment set as Soon as NVC gives case #

anything is possible. I called on Friday and it had not been logged. Monday was a Holiday. Tuesday I had case number and wed I had Appointment. Got another buddy did the same thing. Anyway. So you got me now. CFO seminar ??? what the heck is that ?

Your sweetie needs to attend the CFO seminar and get the CFO sticker in her passport before she leaves the Philippines for the U.S. If she doesn't have the sticker in her passport, she won't be allowed on the plane. It's as simple as that. The whole thing costs less than twenty dollars. It's required by the Filipino government. Mostly, the seminar tells her what to do when she arrives in the U.S. and you start beating her.

There's two places in Manila to take the seminar and one place in Cebu. Avoid the one in Cebu if possible because they can be real strict. Chinook went to the PRISM seminar in Manila. The other one is in Quezon City and it's called St. Marys.

She can attend the seminar before her interview and get that out of the way if she wants to. But, she'll have to go back to get the sticker after she has her visa.

You should check out their website: click here.
TahomaMalePhilippines2011-10-12 21:57:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresGeeting appointment set as Soon as NVC gives case #

The number is already in the state department system as soon as NVC logs it. My case number was issued and forwarded to Manila on 11 Oct by NVC and we made appointment on 12 Oct. in Manila. So unless it made it to Manila and was entered in less than 24 hours ???

NVC doesn't necessarily log your case number into the State Department's system before they send your physical case file to Manila. It's likely that the NVC sent your physical case file to Manila and then logged your MNL case number in later. By the time you got your MNL case number, your physical case file had already arrived at the Embassy.

In any case, good for you. I'm glad your visa journey is on the fast track. Are you ready for the main event yet? It's time for the medical, the interview, and the CFO Seminar. :thumbs:
TahomaMalePhilippines2011-10-12 20:09:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresGeeting appointment set as Soon as NVC gives case #

My Fiancee found out from some FB group. I had no idea. Shaves weeks off Process. Not posted anywhere that i have seen.

She found out from a FB group??? That doesn't sound reliable to me. My guess is that your petition was already at the Embassy when you got your MNL case number. It's pretty well-known that a case not only has to arrive at the Embassy, but it has to be entered into their system too before an interview appointment can be set.
TahomaMalePhilippines2011-10-12 19:38:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresGeeting appointment set as Soon as NVC gives case #
How do you know that your case was not at the Embassy already?
TahomaMalePhilippines2011-10-12 19:13:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresOverseas Fiancee Leaving Job Prior to K-1 Interview?

Got it. Was unclear whether there were legal grounds of "if you show an intent to make preparations to leave before you get the visa, you can be denied". It sounds like a cover-your-#### "liability's on you!" scenario, which is rather obvious.

*edited for clarity*

The Embassy doesn't need to cover their a$$. You do.
TahomaMalePhilippines2011-10-27 12:08:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK1 Visa
When your I-129F petition is approved by the USCIS, you will have four months in which to schedule your interview. The expiration date for your approved petition will be shown on your approval letter.

If you are still waiting for your CENOMAR after the four months, you can email the U.S. Embassy Manila and request a four-month extension of your petition.
TahomaMalePhilippines2011-10-27 12:03:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK-1 Fiance(e) interview failed

It is always a good idea for the US citizen petitioner to be present on the day of the interview, even if they can't go inside the consulate.

Agreed... :thumbs:

If the petitioner is not allowed in the consulate, or is not allowed inside the interview room, the beneficiary can show the consular officer the petitioner's passport in order to let the consular officer know that the petitioner is present and is there to support the beneficiary. I believe this can help win an approval.
TahomaMalePhilippines2011-07-28 12:23:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK-1 Fiance(e) interview failed

The road to a successful US citizenship interview is often a less rocky one if you are transparent in all disclosures and if you can pass the English/Civics test.

Ummm...ok. :huh:
TahomaMalePhilippines2011-07-28 11:24:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresgetting case number
You can call the National Visa Center to get your MNL case number. Their phone number is: 603-334-0700.

However, you'll have to wait until your case arrives there from the USCIS. That could take a week, or it could take a month.

Once you get your MNL case number, the beneficiary can complete their medical, the visa fee can be paid at BPI, and the interview can be scheduled.
TahomaMalePhilippines2011-11-02 02:04:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI-129F almost ready to file
Use ACCO fasteners because they are the best way to keep your packet together all the way through the process, and they also ooze professionalism. :thumbs:
TahomaMalePhilippines2011-11-02 02:15:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresGetting SSN for K! Fiancee
Chinook and I had an AOS interview. It was painless. The interviewer asked some general questions. He also looked at some of the documents we brought in which showed how our lives were intertwined...joint bank account, both of our names on the utility bills, marriage certificate...things like that.
TahomaMalePhilippines2011-11-02 10:46:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresmore PDOS/CFO questions

How do i delete this topic? I think I posted under the wrong thread?

You're right, you'll probably get more replies to your question in the Philippines forum. A VJ organizer will probably be around shortly to move your thread.

I don't know if you will be required to attend the CFO seminar. However, one thing you might want to keep in mind is that if you're husband is a naturalized U.S. citizen, he automatically gave up his Filipino citizenship at the time of his naturalization. If he did not apply for dual citizenship, then he is not currently a citizen of the Philippines. If this is the case, it's likely that you would be required to complete the CFO seminar and have the CFO sticker attached to your passport in order to go to the U.S.

You could always call the CFO and ask them. Their contact information is on their website.
TahomaMalePhilippines2011-11-02 11:10:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI-134

Thanks for the link to your blog, I enjoy the read on the medical and interview, sent the link to my Sweetie for her to read also.

Was looking at pictures and seen the one with the California Pizza Kitchen and said to myself - that's Makati and I have walked by that place, then I read your description... :thumbs:

Thanks for the write-up

Hank

Thank you for your kind words about our blog. :) I liked Chinook's description of her medical experience and her Embassy experience too. I hope it helps.

Yup...that photo was taken in Makati when we were having a latté at Starbucks. We spent the day looking around Makati and window shopping at Glorieta Mall. Chinook was a great guide because she used to work in Makati.

Best wishes for a smooth and speedy visa journey. :star:
TahomaMalePhilippines2011-11-03 01:28:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI-134
When using assets to meet the poverty requirements, I believe the formula is five dollars in assets for every dollar needed to meet the poverty guideline.

Also, the assets should be liquid assets. I'm not sure if real estate would qualify.

On the other hand, because the consular officers look at the totality of the circumstances, it couldn't hurt to show them that your mortgage is paid off. That way, if you're flirting with the poverty line, the consular officer will see that you're expenses are relatively low, and that you're sweetheart will be unlikely to become a public charge in the U.S.
TahomaMalePhilippines2011-11-02 11:35:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI-134

As per directions I did send most recent tax return...

Don't forget to send a complete tax return, including all Schedules, etc.

I would submit an IRS income tax transcript too.
TahomaMalePhilippines2011-11-02 11:23:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresPACKET 3 NOT YET RECEIVED
I posted it already on another one of your other threads, but I will post it again. Here is the eligibility letter which contains instructions to prepare you for the interview: click here.
TahomaMalePhilippines2011-11-03 11:16:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresPACKET 3 NOT YET RECEIVED
There is no packet three. Also, don't wait for the eligibility letter.

Pay the visa fee at BPI. The next day, start trying to schedule an interview. Keep trying to schedule an interview every day until the system allows you to schedule an interview.

It's that easy.
TahomaMalePhilippines2011-11-03 11:09:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresImportance of communication screenshots and ongoing relationship proof during interview

We don't excahnge snail mail, but my fiance sent me beannie babies, lots of them. I will not bring those stuffed animal to the interview (duh!) so can I just bring the envelope that shows dated stamp?

Bring the envelope...and bring one beanie baby for good luck! :star:
TahomaMalePhilippines2011-11-04 13:55:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresImportance of communication screenshots and ongoing relationship proof during interview
We front-loaded our I-129F packet that we sent to the USCIS. In other words, we submitted earlier versions to the USCIS of the same evidence that we submitted to the consular officer. The consular officer likely saw all of this stuff in our file already and didn't need to scrutinize the updated evidence.

Chinook took to her interview a few screen shots, a few representative emails from each month, the first page or two of a few representative chats from each month, a chat history, a few phone bills with the calls to 'Pinas highlighted, remittance receipts, and a couple pieces of snail mail.

The consular officer mostly looked at our photos.
TahomaMalePhilippines2011-11-04 13:06:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresso worried now :(

all i can say is thank you so much for a very kind words.

:lol: :thumbs:
TahomaMalePhilippines2011-11-05 12:26:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresso worried now :(

This is ridiculous. Instead of going by word of mouth by all your other friends who are stuck on getting a one way ticket to the states, I suggest that you and him do some research. If the process meant as much as it truly means to some of us, you would be sure to dot the I's and cross the T's with extreme scrutiny.

Where did the OP say that she had any friends "stuck on getting a one way ticket to the states?" :blink:

If the process meant as much to you as it truly means to some of us, you wouldn't make rude, ridiculous comments which only serve to tear people down so that you can feel better about yourself. :wacko:
TahomaMalePhilippines2011-11-04 10:11:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresso worried now :(
There's no need to include a CENOMAR in the I-129F packet.

You will have to get an updated CENOMAR for your interview.

Best wishes for a smooth and speedy visa journey. :star:
TahomaMalePhilippines2011-11-03 16:07:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresGot 221g About The Need To Pass The NCLEX First

I recently met someone who has the same status as mine. We both have pending approved I-140 cases as Registered Nurses in the US but haven't withdrawn the petitions.

Last Oct 21, she had her interview for K1 but was given a 221g because she haven't passed the NCLEX yet. Something which I don't understand as to why was it connected even to a K1 visa... I haven't taken my NCLEX too and do not have plans yet of taking it here since I don't have plans of working as a nurse yet when I'll get to the US because it's difficult to work on shifts if yoi have a 15 month old baby.

I really don't get it... Merely applying for the NCLEX will take several months and passing it even without ample preparation is much more difficult.

Has anyone had the same issues with the US Embassy Manila? Please help!

I find it difficult to believe that your acquaintance was given a 221g because she had not passed the NCLEX-RN yet. I have never heard of this before.

It would be helpful if you scanned her 221g and posted it here. We should allow her 221g to tell her story. You could block out her personal information.
TahomaMalePhilippines2011-11-05 13:53:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresOk to visit fiancee in Phillipines

But for interview they are looking for an ongoing relationship so as i said ur only making ur case stronger by going over there and spending time with her.

:thumbs: Agreed. :thumbs:

Edited by Tahoma, 05 November 2011 - 12:57 PM.

TahomaMalePhilippines2011-11-05 12:56:00