NEWLY MARRIED to an American -- WHAT TO DO FIRST?? WHAT VISA TO GET??

[Dbkrantz 16]

Oh.. you guys are lucky to be able to take the DCF route. I know there's no chance of us doing the same, but I wish you luck with your process! =)

We are very lucky indeed! Thank you very much, I wish you lots of luck with your visa as well. It's long but it's worth it.

[Marie&Curt 10]

I am a j1 before also. But now I am getting a K1 visa. I came back immediately here in PH after my visa expires. im telling you this is a very different and crazy process compare to our J1. Goodluck to your journey. I will message you in inbox.

Yeah, same here.. came back to the Philippines even before my visa expired. Im trying to prepare myself for the process, and I dont wanna get discouraged, so I'll need all the help and information I can get. Thanks, MJ! =)

[Harpa Timsah 13,259]

Do this. http://www.visajourney.com/content/i130guide1

[Marie&Curt 10]

Do this. http://www.visajourney.com/content/i130guide1

Thanks!

[a+j 77]

Yes, I was a J1 visa holder before..

Make sure your J1 didn't come with a 2 year home residency requirement. Good luck!

[mounir412 101]

http://www.visajourney.com/content/i130guide1

[Marie&Curt 10]

Make sure your J1 didn't come with a 2 year home residency requirement. Good luck!

I checked, Im not under the 2-year restriction. Thank you!

[Marie&Curt 10]

I have a new question though.. The I-130 Form asks for the foreign spouse's last name and middle name. Do I put in my new last name (Wilson) instead of Blancaver (my maiden name)? For my middle name, since Im Filipina, our culture here is that when we get married, our maiden name becomes our middle name, unlike in America where you can have different middle names from your siblings. Should I put in my maiden name as my middle name (Blancaver), or put in my old middle name (Funtila), which is my mom's maiden name? Im confused.. PLEASE HELP!

[Harpa Timsah 13,259]

Put the name that is on your passport.

[BRB 6]

We got the same visa you are going after and I also married in the Philippines. Go to the guide section. Find the forms you need to fill out. Search for answers to your questions and if needed ask. All the information you need is here. It is a long process.

You need to update your passport to your new married name. That is what my wife did first. She kept her name style that is used in the Phil.

Edited August 30, 2013 by BRB

[Marie&Curt 10]

Put the name that is on your passport.

Right now of course my passport is still in my maiden name, because I still haven't been able to update it. But of course in the next few months, I will be able to change it into my new last name.

[Marie&Curt 10]

We got the same visa you are going after and I also married in the Philippines. Go to the guide section. Find the forms you need to fill out. Search for answers to your questions and if needed ask. All the information you need is here. It is a long process.

You need to update your passport to your new married name. That is what my wife did first. She kept her name style that is used in the Phil.

So when you guys filled out the I-130 form, did you put her maiden name as her middle name?

[jessyjessy 13]

K3 is available, seldom used though. You are newly wed, so you should file for CR1. IR1 is for those who were married for more than 2 years. So if you file for CR1 and it takes long to be approved, which is not impossibpe unless your husband is in military, and if ever it takes long and you have interview on the embassy after 2 years of marriage, they will issue you a IR1 visa.

[Marie&Curt 10]

K3 is available, seldom used though. You are newly wed, so you should file for CR1. IR1 is for those who were married for more than 2 years. So if you file for CR1 and it takes long to be approved, which is not impossibpe unless your husband is in military, and if ever it takes long and you have interview on the embassy after 2 years of marriage, they will issue you a IR1 visa.

Wow.. so there really is a possibility that the process can take up to two years? ='(

[jessyjessy 13]

If I am not mistaken according to the embassy and uscis website a spousal visa can take 6 months - 1 year. But they say that the California Center takes short time to process these days, if that is true you can possibly wait short time. But as what they always say, it will be a case to case basis.

Wow.. so there really is a possibility that the process can take up to two years? ='(