Going it alone. Confident but looking for assurance..

[MSmith4542 0]

Hello all!

First off, this website is a Godsend. The wealth of information here is outstanding, and as a lurker for a couple months I am amazed how helpful people can be towards each other. Cheers to all of you! Honestly, I am making this post for validation. We were initially going to hire Fred Wahl from visacoach.com, but after researching the process, I am confident we can do this on our own and save a few bucks. Neither of us have children, or legal trouble, or have been previously married. I think we have the K1 process understood and almost ready to submit, I'm just looking for specific answers to the things I am not entirely confident about.

My situation. My name is Matt, her name is Marisol. We are both 28 years old. I am American, she is Filipina. I met my soon to be fiance on an app called Tagged in February of 2013. It really is a silly app that we've since deleted, but it led me to her so I am grateful it exists. After innocently flirting with each other for a few months, we realized we had a connection and genuinely enjoyed talking with each other. This lead to talking of a trip to Dubai where she works, and in March of 2014 I took a shot and hopped on a plane to meet her. It ended up being one of the best experiences of my life and the second I got home we started planning for our next meeting. I will be visiting her and her family March 23rd in the Philippines and having a formal engagement party.

So down to the legal nitty gritty...

Technically, we won't be engaged until the party. As of today , she currently lives and works in Dubai. She is going home the beginning of March and is not returning to Dubai. Which brings up the first, and main question; Is it premature to file now, given that a) we will apply as being engaged when the engagement has not yet occurred (ring, party, trip...we have receipts for all of this), and b) to list on the G-325a that her address is in the Philippines (when it won't be until March)?

I have a few more minor questions, but those are the 2 that I am really having trouble finding information about. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Again, thanks to every one of you on here, for understanding the difficulties and joy of finding your soulmate halfway around the world, and for sharing your experiences with the world. Love is a beautiful thing.

Oh and, nice to meet ya'll

[apple21 953]

I would advice wait until she's officially back in the Philippines just to avoid the hassle of NVC sending your case file to Dubai.

She must also get a police clearance before she leaves Dubai. It will be needed later on in the embassy interview.

Good luck!

Edited January 10, 2015 by apple21

[MichonandRuben 15]

Hi! I agree with the advice above, but would definitely suggest getting the packet ready now so that when that date arrives you can simply mail it off. It can take a bit of time getting all the documents filled out and the required/requested documentation assembled.

Best of luck!

[Texas22 50]

Hi! I agree with the advice above, but would definitely suggest getting the packet ready now so that when that date arrives you can simply mail it off. It can take a bit of time getting all the documents filled out and the required/requested documentation assembled.

Best of luck!

Totally agree with above... it is a long drawn out process. Start getting ready now and gathering the documentation that you will need, so that you are ready to file as soon as it's official!

Good Luck to you on your journey!

[j&ana 363]

You do not need to be officaly engage or have engagement party or ring before filing the only requirement is that you met in person within 2 years before filing as others have mention it is probably best to wait.they are processing petitions fast from Philippines so yours could get approved faster then other even if you wait a couple of months

[Hank_ 9,174]

Hello all!

First off, this website is a Godsend. The wealth of information here is outstanding, and as a lurker for a couple months I am amazed how helpful people can be towards each other. Cheers to all of you! Honestly, I am making this post for validation. We were initially going to hire Fred Wahl from visacoach.com, but after researching the process, I am confident we can do this on our own and save a few bucks. Neither of us have children, or legal trouble, or have been previously married. I think we have the K1 process understood and almost ready to submit, I'm just looking for specific answers to the things I am not entirely confident about.

My situation. My name is Matt, her name is Marisol. We are both 28 years old. I am American, she is Filipina. I met my soon to be fiance on an app called Tagged in February of 2013. It really is a silly app that we've since deleted, but it led me to her so I am grateful it exists. After innocently flirting with each other for a few months, we realized we had a connection and genuinely enjoyed talking with each other. This lead to talking of a trip to Dubai where she works, and in March of 2014 I took a shot and hopped on a plane to meet her. It ended up being one of the best experiences of my life and the second I got home we started planning for our next meeting. I will be visiting her and her family March 23rd in the Philippines and having a formal engagement party.

So down to the legal nitty gritty...

Technically, we won't be engaged until the party. As of today , she currently lives and works in Dubai. She is going home the beginning of March and is not returning to Dubai. Which brings up the first, and main question; Is it premature to file now, given that a) we will apply as being engaged when the engagement has not yet occurred (ring, party, trip...we have receipts for all of this), and b) to list on the G-325a that her address is in the Philippines (when it won't be until March)?

I have a few more minor questions, but those are the 2 that I am really having trouble finding information about. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Again, thanks to every one of you on here, for understanding the difficulties and joy of finding your soulmate halfway around the world, and for sharing your experiences with the world. Love is a beautiful thing.

Oh and, nice to meet ya'll

You have met in person within the past two years and you both are smilin'? Then file. Get the G-325A, Letter of Intent, and 2X2 passport photo from your fiancee. complete the I-129F....

Oh and DO NOT use her current address in Dubai, use her address in the Philippines for everything.

Then when you have time pop over to the Philippines forum and say HI.. http://www.visajourney.com/forums/forum/129-philippines/

[Darnell 8,478]

concur with Hank_

[MSmith4542 0]

Sorry for the late response.

Thank you all so much for the advice. After discussing the decision together, we decided we have a pretty straightforward case and all of our ducks in a row, and will file within the next couple of weeks. I informed her that it may be delayed if the case is forwarded to UAE, but we seem pretty confident that our 34.a. supplement will do a good job of explaining the situation, and by the time the gears are working she'll be back home anyway.

Hoping for the best, I'll definitely be sure to keep you all updated!

Thanks again

[MichonandRuben 15]

Sounds like a great plan! Congratulations and best of luck to you both in your journey!

[stef_curls 42]

Also, since Marisol is from the Philipines, you should expect a much faster approval (time between noa1, initial filing),and noa2(approval). Its been looking like 2 months.

For some reason unbeknownst to me, Philipines cases get expedited in front of everyone else.

Also, someone correct me if this is wrong.. I've been scouring these forums for days now but this is my first post.

Congrats to you and finding your love.

Edited January 17, 2015 by stef_curls