Wedding in the Philippines!

[MissingHerSo 10]

Yes, dont do it....If you did marry her there, then you will have to file an I-30 instead. And I-30 petitions take longer than i-29f petitions.
Trust me I want her here as quick as i can, and I chose to just wait it out on a fiance visa

[MissingHerSo 10]

Yes, dont do it....If you did marry her there, then you will have to file an I-30 instead. And I-30 petitions take longer than i-29f petitions.
Trust me I want her here as quick as i can, and I chose to just wait it out on a fiance visa

i had a buddy who has his love here in the states now and he married her in Thailand, he also waited for his I-30 16months.............16 months!!!!

[bigdog 377]

You have been given excellent advice, If it looks like a duck, walks and talks like a duck, it is a duck.

[M and C 32]

My fiance and I are planning to have a wedding celebration in the Philippines AFTER we get married in the US. That way my family and friends will also be able to celebrate with us.

[Billious 32]

Maybe I should have chose my words a little more carefully. Basically, have a ceremony in the Philippines where all of her friends and family can attend but have it not be legal in the eyes of the government.

Simplest way to find out is to ask. My fiance and I did the same thing in Indonesia... I emailed the consulate and asked them, and their response:

"Thank you for your email.

You can have a family celebration here in Indonesia. Do not register this ceremony to the KUA or Civil registry Office. If you do so, your fiancé will not eligible for a K-1 visa status. "

The analysis that determines whether your K1 eligibility is affected is simple - is there any government on Earth that considers you married? If so, you are not eligible for a K1 visa. Some people going through the consulates in India and some African countries have had problems, because in those countries the simple declaration of two people proclaiming themselves to be married is enough to create a legal status of matrimony, thusly invalidating a K1.

If you want peace of mind, simply email the embassy in Manilla and ask!

[Alan MC 0]

Thank you everyone for all of the replies. I appreciate all of your feedback. Thank you...

[Artisan 138]

What's wrong in having an engagement party if you are officially getting engaged and filing got k-1?

All it takes is the consul to be the least bit suspicious that the couple considers themselves married prior to receiving the visa. You don't want any family members getting the wrong idea either. It's hard enough for K-1 visa applicants from the Philippines that any and all extra precautions you can take to smooth the process out are well worth taking.