Help! Fiance Visa process

[MarkSilvers 0]

My girlfriend is a US citizen, living here in the Philippines, ever since she was 7 yrs old but goes there back and forth. Im a Filipino citizen (living in the Philippines too) and I want to marry my girlfriend, what do I have to do? They said we have to apply here, then once approved we need to marry within 90 days in America. What if my girlfriend doesn't live or work in America? and we want to live there for good. thanks

[merkin&regine 18]

The best way for you to do it is to get married in the Philippines, after marriage, file petition through Direct Consular Filing (DCF) is an unofficial term for filing an I-130 petition via a Consulate overseas, rather than through the US Service Center. While not everyone will qualify to do so, this process can expedite the speed in which a beneficiary can enter the United States and become a Green Card Holder (US Permanent Resident).

I know that your GF should have an ACR/ICR in order for her to file the Petition in Manila, although since, Dual citizenship was enacted in the Philippines a couple years ago. That could be a basis for US Consulate in Manila to have jurisdiction over your GF.

Good Luck!

[Loida and Ed 11]

Hi...

We all have different situations.. some similiar in many ways... so let me add some thoughts to your thinking... But realize... our lives are fluid and things do change. I was going to go the Philippines to stay / retire/ whatever you want to call it and Loida and I were going to make a good life there. Thats all cool, but it also would have severely limited us on her ability to fly anywhere internationally (including the US) and it would apply to you too. if for exampls an emergency came up and she needed to go to the USA, the odds of you getting a visa "quickly" would be real hard to do. Another example would be if she were to be ill in the USA and you cant be by her side... Dual citizenship is a gift. I think the k1 option might work with a co-sponsor and proof of ongoing and continuous travel.

The other option would be to marry and then apply based on marriage. Im sure others more knowledgeable in this will have better advice.

Personally though, take the actions so that you both have the ability to freely travel singular and jointly if the need arises.

Many Regards

Ed

My girlfriend is a US citizen, living here in the Philippines, ever since she was 7 yrs old but goes there back and forth. Im a Filipino citizen (living in the Philippines too) and I want to marry my girlfriend, what do I have to do? They said we have to apply here, then once approved we need to marry within 90 days in America. What if my girlfriend doesn't live or work in America? and we want to live there for good. thanks

Edited September 5, 2012 by Loida and Ed

[C-ma'am 684]

Does your girlfriend plan on moving to the US permanently? If that's not the case, you can marry her in Philippines and if she ever changes her mind and decided to move here, you can file a CR1 (spousal visa).

A K1 visa is meant for those who plan to come into the US to marry a US citizen and reside in the country.

A CR1 visa is meant for those who are married to a foreigner and plan to come to the US to reside.

Since you said she doesn't live nor work here, you don't need any type of visa at this moment. You can go ahead and marry her today if you wanted to!