Can my Philippine wife and I live in Mexico while waiting for her US visa to be processed?

[aaa2zzz 27]

Yes I think its a great idea. Look into renting a place at Playas del Rosarito or in San Antonio del Mar. http://www.playasdebaja.com/ is operated by an American expat.  You are correct you will not need FM2 or FM3,. 

 

[David & Diana R 1,005]

14 hours ago, perritonegro said:

Hmm, I hadn't looked at it that way.  Makes a lot of sense though.  Cheers for that.  Yeah, I won't be giving up my current home, or address.  I know she can "legally" stay in Mexico for up to 6 months on a tourist visa.  The truth is, she can probably stay a lot longer, if we grease the right wheels.  Perhaps, even through the entire duration of the wait.  

Yes you might be able to "grease the wheels" however you must realize that the US Agents in the Manila Embassy will know that a standard tourist visa to Mexico is for a limited period of six months maximum.  In which case they will figure out that you "greased a wheel or two" for her to LIVE in Mexico beyond the "legal" time frame.  This might cause the CO in Manila to not trust you.  It might very well present issues for you.  Just a thought.

[David & Diana R 1,005]

13 minutes ago, perritonegro said:

It's just be a  6 month stay.

Not sure how many people on this planet, let alone a Filipina could afford to spend 6 months on a vacation? 

[perritonegro 4]

11 minutes ago, David & Zoila said:

Yes you might be able to "grease the wheels" however you must realize that the US Agents in the Manila Embassy will know that a standard tourist visa to Mexico is for a limited period of six months maximum.  In which case they will figure out that you "greased a wheel or two" for her to LIVE in Mexico beyond the "legal" time frame.  This might cause the CO in Manila to not trust you.  It might very well present issues for you.  Just a thought.

That's actually not what I'd intended to do.  The intention of greased wheels was to expedite the Affidavit in Lieu, and her CENOMAR documents in order to marry in a timely manner.  Nothing to do with staying beyond a legal time frame in Mexico.  

Edited March 20, 2017 by perritonegro

[Carla V 43]

She would need a visa for Mexico... and it seems that you, as an USC can check in a Mexican embassy in the US the process to get a Temporary Resident Visa... The best advice to do the things properly and legally would be to call your nearest Mexican Embassy/ Consulate in the US to find out your options... She will need a visa to enter Mexico because she is from Phillipines 

[perritonegro 4]

2 minutes ago, Carla V said:

She would need a visa for Mexico... and it seems that you, as an USC can check in a Mexican embassy in the US the process to get a Temporary Resident Visa... The best advice to do the things properly and legally would be to call your nearest Mexican Embassy/ Consulate in the US to find out your options... She will need a visa to enter Mexico because she is from Phillipines 

Thanks Carla, but that's not exactly how I'll do it.  I'm close enough to cross daily.  No need for any visa for me.  If anything, I'll get CENTRI to allow me to cross faster.  I don't need a visa at all for stays under 6 months.  That being said, I'll only stay for 2 days at a time MAX.  It then resets.  

Edited March 20, 2017 by perritonegro

[Shiobhan 235]

23 minutes ago, perritonegro said:

Thanks for that.  Yeah, that's exactly what I was planning to do.  I reckoned it would work that way.  I knew it was legal, I just wasn't sure if a dim view would be taken if discovered by the interviewer.  As far as working is concerned, it's a cash society.  She can work if she wants, and no one will care.

Dont be flippant about her working there, I understand

the cash society, but MX has began to tighten up on people

arriving because of the many deportees they are getting

back daily, and they cannot be blamed, be mindful that

one has to live very careful,obey their laws, and speak

their language.Just practise good sense, and saftey

[Eric & Idalia 56]

16 hours ago, perritonegro said:

I'm a US citizen and I'm traveling to Philippines this April to marry her.  So we don't have to spend the next several months, or year apart.  I thought, because I live very close to Mexico, that she could could travel there on a Mexican Tourist Visa without it jeopardizing her US Visa application.    I know that she can stay there for up to 6 months on a tourist visa.  As a US citizen, and I don't need a visa for stays up to 6 months.  Does anyone have information on this "brilliant" idea?  lol  

Hi,

 

I am Mexican. Your wife as citizen of Philippines needs to apply for a tourist visa in a Mexican consulate. It has to be with the purpose of tourism. She will be able to stay 180 days.

 

You can check more info here: 

 

https://embamex.sre.gob.mx/filipinas/index.php/servicios-consulares/visas (The visa does not guarantee the entrance to Mexican territory)

http://www.inm.gob.mx/gobmx/word/index.php/paises-requieren-visa-para-mexico/

https://www.gob.mx/tramites/ficha/visa-de-visitante-sin-permiso-para-realizar-actividades-remuneradas/SRE232

 

I hope she can get the visa and visit in Mexico. It's a beautiful country. Enjoy the food!

 

Regards.

[perritonegro 4]

Perhaps I'm not being clear.  I'll be with her supporting her.  I will stay there with her, then cross to go to work and conduct business across the border.  She'll neither be alone, nor need to afford anything.

[Eric & Idalia 56]

1 minute ago, perritonegro said:

Perhaps I'm not being clear.  I'll be with her supporting her.  I will stay there with her, then cross to go to work and conduct business across the border.  She'll neither be alone, nor need to afford anything.

I understood. But as she will be the one applying for the visa in Mexico. She will need to present documents for financial solvency. Check that section in the first link from my previous comment.

 

Regards.

[perritonegro 4]

12 minutes ago, Shiobhan said:

Dont be flippant about her working there, I understand

the cash society, but MX has began to tighten up on people

arriving because of the many deportees they are getting

back daily, and they cannot be blamed, be mindful that

one has to live very careful,obey their laws, and speak

their language.Just practise good sense, and saftey

That's not really how it works over here.  Most Mexicans here speak English.  There isn't any intention of her working there, but it wouldn't be difficult if she decided to.  I'm not being flippant.  I'm being factual.  I've lived in San Diego for over 30 years, and been in Tijuana more times than I can count.  Many of my friends and neighbors are from there, and we travel there together often.  I'm very comfortable in this realm, as I draw from first hand experience.

 

Regardless of all that, it's detracting from my original post, which I believe has been answered.

[perritonegro 4]

18 minutes ago, Eric & Idalia said:

I understood. But as she will be the one applying for the visa in Mexico. She will need to present documents for financial solvency. Check that section in the first link from my previous comment.

 

Regards.

I didn't see those links originally, but I already knew that.  Thanks again for it, though.   

[perritonegro 4]

I live only 25 minutes from the border.  I'm there a lot.  I really enjoy  Puerto Nuevo for the lobster, when it's in "season".  I've done the Rosarita-Ensenada bike ride like 17 times, and I've dated a few girls from Tijuana.  Plus, renewing my Costco card there is half the price as it is in San Diego!  A lot of San Diegan's live their and work here.  However, the new president has been making life difficult for residents... He's recently increased the cost of energy (oil, gas, fuel, etc) so high, that barely half the amount of cars are on the road now.  Commensurately, food, goods, and services are also increasing at an alarming rate.  Very tough has recently become even tougher for my Mexican neighbors right now.  

For sake of time, I'm thinking of renting a small place near Playas de Tijuana, or even in HOTEL TIjuana.  Cost is about the same, I'm just not crazy about the border "smell".  If anyone on here is from the area, you know what I mean... lol

[IcezMan_IcezLady 582]

Why don't you move to PI for that 6 months?

[Amshep 0]

1 hour ago, perritonegro said:

To play it safe, we'll plan on a 6 month stay for her, then return to Manila for the interview.  I'm not sure how to time the Mexico trip for her though.  I'm still a bit confused on which visa to apply for (K-1 vs. CR-1/IR-1).  I'm not as young as I once was, so this is getting a bit confusing for me.

Idk anything about the K-1, so you better start reading about it to know the process and be able to make a decision.

 

CR-1/IR-1 is only if you want to get married before taking her with you to US, and is a process that could go between 12 months or more before she receives the green card. You already know it won't be a problem for her visa if she stays in Mexico for 6 months while you start the process, since is gonna be you feeling and sending all the forms as petitioner.