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Alan MC

Wedding in the Philippines!

By Alan MC in K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures

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Alan MC Rookie

Alan MC   0

Posted
Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Philippines
 Timeline
Posted

Quick question... We just recently filed our K-1 / I-129F and have been talking about wedding plans. I know that getting married here in the USA is okay for my fiance but I can tell that she really wants a wedding in the Philippines. I will be going back to visit her in September. Can we have a civil wedding in the Philippines that will not affect the visa process that we've already started? Any and all feedback is greatly appreciated...smile.png

Adam & May Enthusiast

Adam & May   4

Posted
Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Philippines
 Timeline
Posted

'Civil' meaning legal not church? I think either way, a marriage prior to coming to the States renders a K1 visa null and void.

----------------K1 Journey---------------

02/01/2010 - Sent I-129F sent to CSC Express Mail

02/03/2010 - Date on NOA1

02/09/2010 - NOA1 Hardcopy arrived in mail

03/18/2010 - NOA2 approval mailed by CSC (per USCIS.org)43 Days from NOA1

03/23/2010 - NOA2 Hardcopy Received

06/18/2010 - Interview Passed PINK!!!! PINK!!!! PINK!!!! PINK!!!! PINK!!!!

07/02/2010 - Visa received!

07/03/2010 & 07/05/2010 - PRISM Seminar & CFO Sticker (We are all set

08/08/2010 - May's POE Detroit, MI USA

09/24/2010 - Received SSN Card

10/08/2010 - Wedding

----------------AOS Journey---------------

12/07/2010 - Submitted AOS/EAD Package

12/14/2010 - NOA1 Received

12/27/2010 - Biometrics Completed

01/20/2011 - AOS Transfered to CSC

01/26/2011 - AOS Received by CSC

02/16/2011 - EAD Approved

N/A - AOS Appointment

02/22/2011 - AOS Appproved

02/26/2011 - EAD Card Received

02/27/2011 - Green Card Received

01/19/2013 - Mailed I-751

##/##/2013 - NOA1 Received

##/##/2013 - BIometrics Appointment

##/##/2013 - Interview

##/##/2013 - 10 Year Green Card Issued

FV%20US%20-%20Reg.jpg

fantonledzepp Community Regular

fantonledzepp   159

Posted
Filed: Lift. Cond. (apr) Country: Ecuador
 Timeline
Posted

Bad idea. Don't do it. You're filing for visa to get married, if you get married then you won't be eligible for the fiancé visa.

If you're hell bent on getting married in the Philippines, withdraw the petition and file the spousal visa.

Fernando & Michelle

12/05/2011 - Mailed I-129F
12/09/2011 - Received NOA1
12/21/2011 - Last updated by USCIS
04/12/2012 - Approved!
05/08/2012 - NVC received
05/09/2012 - Left NVC
05/14/2012 - Received at Consulate
06/25/2012 - Interview at Consulate, APPROVED!!!!
07/07/2012 - POE at JFK, easy.

09/28/2012 - Mailed I-485
11/09/2012 - Appointment for Biometrics
12/08/2012 - EAD and AP Card arrived in mail. No updates to USCIS website.
07/26/2013 - Approved, no interview.

04/30/2015 - Mailed I-751

06/03/2015 - Appointment for Biometrics

02/29/2016 - Approved, no interview.

03/14/2016 - Received 10-year Card

TBoneTX Grand Master

TBoneTX   47,576

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Ecuador
 Timeline
Posted

Can we have a civil wedding in the Philippines that will not affect the visa process that we've already started?

In general, doing this can be one of the most harmful (perhaps fatal) things that a couple could do at this stage of the K-1 process.

Better idea: Remain unquestionably unmarried; she comes to the U.S. (presuming issuance of the visa); marry; file for AOS/AP/EAD; when AP (or, ideally, green card) is in hand, return to Philippines for an actual "wedding" ceremony.

06-04-2007 = TSC stamps postal return-receipt for I-129f.

06-11-2007 = NOA1 date (unknown to me).

07-20-2007 = Phoned Immigration Officer; got WAC#; where's NOA1?

09-25-2007 = Touch (first-ever).

09-28-2007 = NOA1, 23 days after their 45-day promise to send it (grrrr).

10-20 & 11-14-2007 = Phoned ImmOffs; "still pending."

12-11-2007 = 180 days; file is "between workstations, may be early Jan."; touches 12/11 & 12/12.

12-18-2007 = Call; file is with Division 9 ofcr. (bckgrnd check); e-prompt to shake it; touch.

12-19-2007 = NOA2 by e-mail & web, dated 12-18-07 (187 days; 201 per VJ); in mail 12/24/07.

01-09-2008 = File from USCIS to NVC, 1-4-08; NVC creates file, 1/15/08; to consulate 1/16/08.

01-23-2008 = Consulate gets file; outdated Packet 4 mailed to fiancee 1/27/08; rec'd 3/3/08.

04-29-2008 = Fiancee's 4-min. consular interview, 8:30 a.m.; much evidence brought but not allowed to be presented (consul: "More proof! Second interview! Bring your fiance!").

05-05-2008 = Infuriating $12 call to non-English-speaking consulate appointment-setter.

05-06-2008 = Better $12 call to English-speaker; "joint" interview date 6/30/08 (my selection).

06-30-2008 = Stokes Interrogations w/Ecuadorian (not USC); "wait 2 weeks; we'll mail her."

07-2008 = Daily calls to DOS: "currently processing"; 8/05 = Phoned consulate, got Section Chief; wrote him.

08-07-08 = E-mail from consulate, promising to issue visa "as soon as we get her passport" (on 8/12, per DHL).

08-27-08 = Phoned consulate (they "couldn't find" our file); visa DHL'd 8/28; in hand 9/1; through POE on 10/9 with NO hassles(!).

TBoneTX Grand Master

TBoneTX   47,576

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Ecuador
 Timeline
Posted

Point taken! Thank you.

Good thing that you asked. :thumbs:

06-04-2007 = TSC stamps postal return-receipt for I-129f.

06-11-2007 = NOA1 date (unknown to me).

07-20-2007 = Phoned Immigration Officer; got WAC#; where's NOA1?

09-25-2007 = Touch (first-ever).

09-28-2007 = NOA1, 23 days after their 45-day promise to send it (grrrr).

10-20 & 11-14-2007 = Phoned ImmOffs; "still pending."

12-11-2007 = 180 days; file is "between workstations, may be early Jan."; touches 12/11 & 12/12.

12-18-2007 = Call; file is with Division 9 ofcr. (bckgrnd check); e-prompt to shake it; touch.

12-19-2007 = NOA2 by e-mail & web, dated 12-18-07 (187 days; 201 per VJ); in mail 12/24/07.

01-09-2008 = File from USCIS to NVC, 1-4-08; NVC creates file, 1/15/08; to consulate 1/16/08.

01-23-2008 = Consulate gets file; outdated Packet 4 mailed to fiancee 1/27/08; rec'd 3/3/08.

04-29-2008 = Fiancee's 4-min. consular interview, 8:30 a.m.; much evidence brought but not allowed to be presented (consul: "More proof! Second interview! Bring your fiance!").

05-05-2008 = Infuriating $12 call to non-English-speaking consulate appointment-setter.

05-06-2008 = Better $12 call to English-speaker; "joint" interview date 6/30/08 (my selection).

06-30-2008 = Stokes Interrogations w/Ecuadorian (not USC); "wait 2 weeks; we'll mail her."

07-2008 = Daily calls to DOS: "currently processing"; 8/05 = Phoned consulate, got Section Chief; wrote him.

08-07-08 = E-mail from consulate, promising to issue visa "as soon as we get her passport" (on 8/12, per DHL).

08-27-08 = Phoned consulate (they "couldn't find" our file); visa DHL'd 8/28; in hand 9/1; through POE on 10/9 with NO hassles(!).

Grant PDX Collaborator

Grant PDX   183

Posted
Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Philippines
 Timeline
Posted

You can have a "party" in the Philippines. My fiancée and I had an engagement ceremony for her family. We invited about 100 of her closest friends and family, rented a large room at the local resort, fed them, had an engagement ceremony complete with a pastora, had cake and wine and dancing. But it was clear it was engagement only. If you or your fiancée believe you got married, it's going to be tough to convince the CO that you didn't. We had a PARTY, for the engagement, clearly not a wedding, but it satisfied my fiancée's need to celebrate with her family.

My fiancée had her interview yesterday and passed. She should have a visa in hand within the week. It's certainly possible. But never ever ever refer to the party as a wedding.

Good luck!

TBoneTX Grand Master

TBoneTX   47,576

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Ecuador
 Timeline
Posted

But never ever ever refer to the party as a wedding.

Absolutely this. Being cautious, I'd recommend being more conservative than what Grant did, and hold no party. However, if you (the OP) MUST do something, be 100% sure -- as a priority -- that the party can't be interpreted even remotely as a wedding. One wrong move by anyone, or one assumption by a consul, can send your lives crashing down. Again, I wouldn't risk it even if someone held a gun to my head.

06-04-2007 = TSC stamps postal return-receipt for I-129f.

06-11-2007 = NOA1 date (unknown to me).

07-20-2007 = Phoned Immigration Officer; got WAC#; where's NOA1?

09-25-2007 = Touch (first-ever).

09-28-2007 = NOA1, 23 days after their 45-day promise to send it (grrrr).

10-20 & 11-14-2007 = Phoned ImmOffs; "still pending."

12-11-2007 = 180 days; file is "between workstations, may be early Jan."; touches 12/11 & 12/12.

12-18-2007 = Call; file is with Division 9 ofcr. (bckgrnd check); e-prompt to shake it; touch.

12-19-2007 = NOA2 by e-mail & web, dated 12-18-07 (187 days; 201 per VJ); in mail 12/24/07.

01-09-2008 = File from USCIS to NVC, 1-4-08; NVC creates file, 1/15/08; to consulate 1/16/08.

01-23-2008 = Consulate gets file; outdated Packet 4 mailed to fiancee 1/27/08; rec'd 3/3/08.

04-29-2008 = Fiancee's 4-min. consular interview, 8:30 a.m.; much evidence brought but not allowed to be presented (consul: "More proof! Second interview! Bring your fiance!").

05-05-2008 = Infuriating $12 call to non-English-speaking consulate appointment-setter.

05-06-2008 = Better $12 call to English-speaker; "joint" interview date 6/30/08 (my selection).

06-30-2008 = Stokes Interrogations w/Ecuadorian (not USC); "wait 2 weeks; we'll mail her."

07-2008 = Daily calls to DOS: "currently processing"; 8/05 = Phoned consulate, got Section Chief; wrote him.

08-07-08 = E-mail from consulate, promising to issue visa "as soon as we get her passport" (on 8/12, per DHL).

08-27-08 = Phoned consulate (they "couldn't find" our file); visa DHL'd 8/28; in hand 9/1; through POE on 10/9 with NO hassles(!).

notusinganymore Collaborator

notusinganymore   31

Posted
Filed: Country: Philippines
 Timeline
Posted (edited)

I agree with not having a party at all tongue.png Not that we're being insensitive here but if you will have a hard time proving that it isn't a wedding then don't risk it. This needs to be talked between the two of you though to avoid any hurt feelings smile.png

We were supposed to get married so all the preps were for a marriage and my fiance's dad is even coming over. The USEM was flooded then because of a typhoon so we never got our appointment with them and rescheduling would make it impossible to get the marriage license given the time he was here in PI. We had to cancel his dad's flight and instead of a wedding we turned it into an engagement party. It was crazy calling all the guests of the change, cutting my dress and turning it into a cocktail dress but it turned out well but I'm not submitting our album from the party because the photographer misspelled my fiance's name and used the word "reception" in some part. sleep.png I'll have some explaining to do tongue.png The trick is answer what is asked and never open a new topic and never ever ever lie or act as if you are lying biggrin.pngtongue.png

You need to be very particular with what you say and pay close attention to details and you can tell her not to act nervous or like guilty by fidgeting or something. If ever you have a party then it is a party and she is not telling a lie. It's a psychological warfare with the embassy tongue.png

Good luck with it! Hope things go well happy.png

Edited by emmandenn
John&Juvy Collaborator

John&Juvy   36

Posted
Filed: Lift. Cond. (apr) Country: Philippines
 Timeline
Posted (edited)

Why not just throw engagement party and explain to your fiancee family if why can't married there now in the Philippines. Unless you are willing to start the whole process of visa all over again by filling the CR1 and cancelling K1 if you both agree to just get married there. Lol but prepare your self for much more longer of waiting process..........I think..wacko.png

Edited by John&Juvy
SzIKm4.png
4202e493-922b-4a14-a1b7-438a49a69f71_zps0b740bfd-4829-475c-92b2-ceedfc991843_zps

Chains do not hold a marriage together. It is threads, hundreds of tiny threads which sew people together through the years.

JAYANN & JAY Collaborator

JAYANN & JAY   11

Posted
Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Philippines
 Timeline
Posted

Quick question... We just recently filed our K-1 / I-129F and have been talking about wedding plans. I know that getting married here in the USA is okay for my fiance but I can tell that she really wants a wedding in the Philippines. I will be going back to visit her in September. Can we have a civil wedding in the Philippines that will not affect the visa process that we've already started? Any and all feedback is greatly appreciated...smile.png

Wait until your fiancee gets here and then get married. Do the civil ceremony here in the US and then once she has her green card you guys can do a church wedding in the Philippines. Besides it will give you sometime to save money to have a beautiful wedding in the Philippines :) Good luck :)

JAYANN & JAY

K1 VISA PROCESS

03.05.13: I-129F Sent
03.12.13: I-129F NOA1 (Vermont Service Center)
07.12.13: I-129F NOA2 (Petition approved)

08.27.13: Interview - APPROVED

09.23.13: POE to JFK

10.08.13: WEDDING DAY

AOS PROCESS

11.02.13: AOS/AP/EAD Sent

11.08.13: NOA1

12.11.13:Biometrics

01.06.14: EAD/AP combo card received

02.07.14: Received an interview waiver letter

04.18.14: Green Card received

ROC PROCESS

03.08.16: ROC Sent

03.12.16: NOA1

04.04.16:Biometrics

Glynn & Jean Explorer

Glynn & Jean   5

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Philippines
 Timeline
Posted

You can have the engagement party as it is normal for this to be done. We did just this, my wife was asked at her interview if we had an engagement party that family attended. She showed pictures and all was good. If you research on VJ you will find many who had an engagement party in the Philippines and had no issue during the interview. It is just more proof to be shown at the interview.

 
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