How long to wait before starting K-1 Visa process?

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

You could of filed the day you got home from your trip. The requirement is to have met the person within 2 years of filing the petition.

Get rid of the lawyers.

AND GET RID OF THE LAWYERS

(I thought that part bore repeating)

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

So you're saying that you only knew your fiancee for two months before you filed the petition, and were actually married in less than a year? Sorry if I am asking the obvious, but this is contrary what I have been told, and of course good news to me!

whoever told you otherwise was wrong.

You could meet someone today and file the papers this afternoon and be successful. My wife and I were married exactly on the first anniversary of meeting for the first time...in the USA, AFTER going through the visa process.

You can file the petition IMMEDIATELY upon meeting.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

You made me think of another point of confusion thrown at me. It is my understanding that since my fiancee, though a Philippines national, is residing in the UAE, she will have the interview in Abu Dhabi. But I was told by some that the probability of success and speed of processing is faster in the Philippines than in UAE. While another told me the opposite (faster in UAE). For my fiancee, since she is working in Dubai, it's more convenient for her to wait there for the interview.

Is it highly recommended that I go back to be with her when she has the interview (whichever country that occurs)?

You need to stop talking to those people. I would advise losing their contact information

The country the fiancee interviews in has NOTHING to do with the processing of the petition and little to do with anything else. IF she is a legal resident of UAE she can request an interview there, otherwise she MUST have it in the Philippines.

A work visa would not qualify her to interview in UAE. She must be a ;egal permanent resident. It is not something you get to pick and choose about, really.

You can start filing now. You can go visit her again while waiting for your petition to be approved, it might take 4-6 months.

Your fiancee can choose to have her interview done in Manila or Dubai, whichever is more convenient for her. I suggest you read the reviews for both consulates and compare. She also needs to acquire birth certificate, CENOMAR and NBI clearance from the Philippines, regardless of which consulate you choose.

Good luck on your journey =)

Just working in anaother country does not allow you to choose. There is more to it than that.

[beejay 125]

You need to stop talking to those people. I would advise losing their contact information

The country the fiancee interviews in has NOTHING to do with the processing of the petition and little to do with anything else. IF she is a legal resident of UAE she can request an interview there, otherwise she MUST have it in the Philippines.

A work visa would not qualify her to interview in UAE. She must be a ;egal permanent resident. It is not something you get to pick and choose about, really.

Just working in anaother country does not allow you to choose. There is more to it than that.

Hi Gary and Alla. You are always full of useful and helpful information and I enjoy all the random bits of knowledge that you provide, however in this case her UAE work visa allows her to live and reside in UAE and will be enough to request her interview be in Abu Dhabi.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Hi Gary and Alla. You are always full of useful and helpful information and I enjoy all the random bits of knowledge that you provide, however in this case her UAE work visa allows her to live and reside in UAE and will be enough to request her interview be in Abu Dhabi.

Then she is good to go. I did not know the terms of her visa but generally just a work or student visa will not qualify them for that consulate.

Good luck

[beejay 125]

Then she is good to go. I did not know the terms of her visa but generally just a work or student visa will not qualify them for that consulate.

Good luck

I went through this embassy during K1. My SO and I were both on 'work visas'. There are a number of other Pinoys on this site that have also done the same thing. It will be no problem

[Love's JAA 100]

Thanks to eveyone that replied!

[Hank_ 9,174]

Remember now - read the guides on this forum.

...and add those lawyers you have been talking with to the 500 at the bottom of the ocean.

[Sapphire Moon 25]

If you two are sure about the relationship, the sooner the better. The K-1 Visa process will have you waiting (patiently......?)......... Why prolong the wait?

Exactly!!

[venusfire503 54]

I think I know why they were wondering if they should wait. For some countries, not knowing each other "very long" can contribute to a denial. There's no hard and fast rule, though, and there are always exceptions. Morocco is a country that likes to deny visas for all sorts of reasons. We knew each other only 4 months when I sent the paperwork, and he was here less than 3 months after that. We were married approximately 8 months after the very first online contact. And that was despite all sorts of "red flags" (differences in age and religion, meeting online, the fact my divorce had just been finalized, etc). If we had been denied/delayed, I would've been kicking myself for not waiting.

Being eligible to file and being likely to get approved are two different things.

I think it's ok to file as soon as eligible as long as you do whatever you can to address anything (including length of relationship) that might be considered a cause for concern to those who make the decision to grant - or not grant - the visa. For example, number of days spent together in one country might be more important than how long it's been since you first started being a couple. Showing that both families accept the relationship might be something to really strengthen the application. I remember at least a few of my relatives writing (yes, at my request) that they were excited to have him join the family, and were looking forward to meeting him in person. I absolutely included those letters with our proof of relationship!

best of luck to the OP

venusfire

[Rara & Chym 3]

You can file now. it will take a while to process. About 5 months or so. Being that your girl is Filipina, she will probably interview in Manila and not in UAE. You have just had to meet in person once in the last two years, plus show an on-going relationship. I meet my girl (a filipina as well) December 23, 2010. We met in person Feb 11, 2011. i filed Feb 25, 2011 (after I got back.) I visited her again May 30,2011 while waiting. I went back for the embassy interview on Sept 1, 2011. She is arrived in the USA with me on Sept 18, 2011. We were married on Dec 10, 2011. Hope this helps you some.

Hi,

Would like to correct your point that she will probably interview in Manila and not in UAE. His Filipina Fiancee can be interviewed in Abu Dhabi UAE. They can finish the whole process while she is in the UAE such as but not limited to her interview and medical.

[Rara & Chym 3]

You made me think of another point of confusion thrown at me. It is my understanding that since my fiancee, though a Philippines national, is residing in the UAE, she will have the interview in Abu Dhabi. But I was told by some that the probability of success and speed of processing is faster in the Philippines than in UAE. While another told me the opposite (faster in UAE). For my fiancee, since she is working in Dubai, it's more convenient for her to wait there for the interview.

Is it highly recommended that I go back to be with her when she has the interview (whichever country that occurs)?

There is no such as speed processing because every case is unique. She can have her medical and interview in Abu Dhabi UAE. There is no issue for that. I processed mine while I was working in UAE. Should you need help, my pleasure to assist you.

[Rara & Chym 3]

She can interview in Abu Dhabi if she likes. Just include a copy of her residence visa when you send the petition and you can also add that you would like her to be interviewed in UAE in your cover letter. Personally I think Abu Dhabi is much less of a hassle to interview in than Manila (no CFO seminar to attend for 1 thing) but it's a personal choice. You should make your decision based on what makes the most sense for your situation but it will be no problem to have her interviewed in Abu Dhabi.

There is no need/unnecessary to include a cover letter to be interviewed in UAE since in the form they will fill up a form where they have to mention the consulate/embassy where to forward the documents once approve.

[southcalhog 43]

You can file now. it will take a while to process. About 5 months or so. Being that your girl is Filipina, she will probably interview in Manila and not in UAE. You have just had to meet in person once in the last two years, plus show an on-going relationship. I meet my girl (a filipina as well) December 23, 2010. We met in person Feb 11, 2011. i filed Feb 25, 2011 (after I got back.) I visited her again May 30,2011 while waiting. I went back for the embassy interview on Sept 1, 2011. She is arrived in the USA with me on Sept 18, 2011. We were married on Dec 10, 2011. Hope this helps you some.

It all depends if there is a Philippine Embassy in UAE? I dont really know? I have a friend who i see often who met a Filipina in Kuwait. they met, fell in love and he petitioned her, they married there in kuwait.they applied there at the philippine Embassy and to the US Embassy. To make a long story short shes with him now in Southern California. I am thinking cause it was a Philippine Embassy THERE in Kuwait made the difference, she didnt have to go to Manila just through the US Embassy and Philippine Embassy there.

[TravelerMan 0]

Wow! this is good news for me. I just came back from the Philippines, we have about three months of a relationship, and I was wondering how long should I wait before filing the petition.