K-1 Visa Vs. Visitation/Sponsored Visa

[Rose Mary 0]

Hi! I'm Rose Mary. I'm from the Philippines. My boyfriend is a U.S. Citizen. We did not meet in person yet. He cannot travel. He's kinda ill. He want me to go U.S. ASAP. I don't know what visa to file. My boyfriend said I could go for Visitation Visa. The plan is, if I'll be successful with Visitation/Sponsored Visa, he'll be coming back with me here in the Philippines (if he'll be strong enough to travel) right after my visa expires. And here, we will file the K-1 Visa together. But I've heard from many people already, immigrations deny the visa at once even they haven't explained yet and proven they're really coming back. Ugh! Scary to file this kind of visa. I don't really have much idea with sponsored visa. And on the K-1 Visa, I've read an article before saying it would be possible for me to file K-1 Visa even we haven't meet yet. The U.S. citizen will just have to waive about his condition, that he cannot travel. Now, is that really possible? Do you have any ideas, infos and tips about the Sponsored Visa? In which Visa I'll be successful on filing? Have any of you filed a K-1 Visa and succeed even you and your partner haven't meet yet? Kindly reply me your opinions, knowledge and insights. I'll be so grateful for your help. Thank you so much!

[TracyTN 237]

You won't know if you can get a visitors visa until you try - so why not try? It won't hurt your chances for a fiancee visa if you have a denied tourist visa on your record so I really don't see the risk in trying it.

It's extremely hard to get a waiver for the meeting in person requirement for a K1 visa. I would do whatever you could first to meet in person before considering that. If your visitor's visa to the US is denied, consider meeting in a third location - Canada possibly?

Besides which, why would you want to marry someone you've never met in person? (Maybe I'm old fashioned but that seems very strange to me!)

[Bobby+Umit 161]

Hello.

Your chances to get a visitors visa to the US will most likely not be very good. (Single, female, from the PI)

Your correct, you will have to met in person in the previous 2 years of the date when you send in the K-1. Again, the chances of getting a waiver because the USC cannot travel are remote.

Your best bet would be for the USC to visit you in the PI, then he will fill out the K-1 for you, which will result in your application for the visa to come to the US.

(I will take it that you two plan on returning to the US after he visits you in the PI, as per your post)

[Rose Mary 0]

Thanks "TracyTN" & "Bobby+Umit" for the immidiate response. I understand your point of views. I will consider your suggestions. Yes, I really think the best way is for my boyfriend to come here first. I will tell him that. I will show him this thread so he will be enlightened. Maybe, I should also talk to a consultant. Anyway, thanks a bunch again guys!

[pushbrk 14,453]

My advice is for your boyfriend to join Visa Journey and study the K1 guide. He can file the petition after he travels to the PI to meet you in person. If his health delays his trip, so be it.

[~Johnny~ 27]

The vistitor visa in the Philippines is very difficult to get. And you still have to pay for it even if you're denied. Best bet is, as been said before, have your guy study the K1 process and go that route. It's easiest for him to visit you. Your chance of success with a visitor visa is very low. Two of my fiancee's aunts were denied visitor Visas to attend their nephew's wedding in the US. And they both have good jobs, homes and family, and a reason to return to PH. A single female without much ties to PH has a really hard time getting this visa.

Edited March 15, 2010 by ~Johnny~

[Bernie C 24]

One of the first things you both will need is patience. Hopefully his illness is temporary and recovery is expected soon (we will say a prayer for both of you on that).

It would be highly recommended that he visit you at least once in the PI. (From my reading and understanding, the PI is not the most difficult but is certainly not on the easy end either - we were through Vietnam and did multiple visits becuase it is a very difficult consulate). We did 2 visits before the I129F pretition and two more before interview (actually the last visit was during the interview time).

The process can be stressful so you both need to have strength, patience and lots of love. You cannot rush the process either, it is what it is, but if your love and desire is to be together you will prevail!

Good Luck and Best Wishes

[FrancElsie 6]

Hi Rose Mary,

You cannot petition for a K-1 Visa for any reason. This must be done by the U.S. Citizen. Secondly, he cannot apply for the K-1 Visa without showing evidence of meeting you within the past two years.

Your ONLY option is called a "Visitor's Visa" and that will be extremely difficult for you UNLESS you have strong ties to the Philippines such as property owned in your name, a bank account with a substantial sum of money, a job where you are presently employed and earning money and a letter from your employer stating that you have "vacation time" for a time period of two-weeks, one month or whatever. You will need to buy a round-trip ticket on the airlines...fairly costly from the Philippines. The intent to return to the Philippines must be evident and proven before you could get this visa. The liklihood of you getting this visa is extremely small.

Good Luck,

Franc

[Rose Mary 0]

pushbrk: Ok, will tell him that. Thanks for your advice.

~Johnny~: Yes, I've heard that kind of story before. And thanks!

Bernie C: Thank you so much. He's getting stronger now. Thank God! Indeed, we need to have lots of patience.

FrancElsie: Ahhh, I didn't know that I can't file for K-1 Visa. Thanks for the information.

To all of you guys, thanks for taking time to reply on my thread. I told him already what you've said here. And he said if that's the case, he'll just come and get me. Yeepee! Thanks a bunch again! God bless!