Husband and I haven't seen each other since our wedding..

[Rob and Melinda 0]

I don't think that you wll have any problem at the interview as long as you have all the required documentation done exatly as they ask. When Melinda and I went to our interview in Manila we had more than 100 documents over what they asked us for. It turns out that they only ask for very basic documentation. At the interview I was with Mel and they asked simple questions about your husband that after 5 years you are sure to know.

The fact that you have been on a 5 year wait is actually a good thing, it shows consitency and legitimacy. How many couples would continue after 5 years unless the marriage was genuine and their love for each other is real. The main thing the embassy is looking at is is this a real marriage. Yours seems overwhelmingly genuine. Don't worry, everything is going to be fine.

Best wishes and our prayers for both of you on you life together here in the US.

Rob and Melinda

[juvy&Scott 0]

JadeVisa,

Because she wants to get into the USA as an LPR, and her marriage to this USC enables her to do that?

I think that a lot of your other suggestions are pretty good, and should be followed, but the problems are not trivial. The required doubts on the part of the consular officer are going to be hard to overcome. I agree with zyggy that a consultation with a US immigration attorney who is familiar with the consulate would be a very wise move for this case.

Yodrak

..... If anything, your sticking together for this long should be proof of real love being present. Why would you have stayed together for that long (instead of separating and finding other partners) if it wasn't for that?

.....

Thanks for all the insights..just some clarifications in here and I hope the consul will also take into considerations the following;

first, If my only reason to go to the US is to be an LPR, then why on earth I married someone who was still in college and was not financially stable and who can't even afford to petition me right away?why didn't I chose to find a financially stable USC, have him petition me as a fiancee, get married out there, adjust my status then maybe divorce him after i get the permanent greencard?...why wait for 5 years for someone who can't even afford to buy a plane ticket to visit me as often as what other people see as the way should be?..long absence may not be the normal way of things specially in a relationship but then somehow what's REAL (REAL love and REAL commitment) seems to appear as beyond what is normal.

second, I have a good banking career here..why would i be so giddy to jump on a plane to fly to the US knowing that my husband is not yet financially stable out there and can't afford to support the 2 of us? Why would i demand him of things he cant afford and beyond his control? Isn't it sticking with each other and understanding each of our own limitations and flaws all through these years enough to prove that what we have is a genuine marriage?

third, I dont understand what immigration laws you're talking about that we're trying to "circumvent" in here..as far as we know we married in good faith.

Bottomline is: my husband wasnt ready financially in the past..he is now and we're giving it our best to make things work at the immigration..and with all the prayers and good intentions, nothing is impossible.

Again, that you so much for all the insights.

Juvy

[alohaspirit 0]

Thanks for all the insights..just some clarifications in here and I hope the consul will also take into considerations the following;

first, If my only reason to go to the US is to be an LPR, then why on earth I married someone who was still in college and was not financially stable and who can't even afford to petition me right away?why didn't I chose to find a financially stable USC, have him petition me as a fiancee, get married out there, adjust my status then maybe divorce him after i get the permanent greencard?...why wait for 5 years for someone who can't even afford to buy a plane ticket to visit me as often as what other people see as the way should be?..long absence may not be the normal way of things specially in a relationship but then somehow what's REAL (REAL love and REAL commitment) seems to appear as beyond what is normal.

second, I have a good banking career here..why would i be so giddy to jump on a plane to fly to the US knowing that my husband is not yet financially stable out there and can't afford to support the 2 of us? Why would i demand him of things he cant afford and beyond his control? Isn't it sticking with each other and understanding each of our own limitations and flaws all through these years enough to prove that what we have is a genuine marriage?

third, I dont understand what immigration laws you're talking about that we're trying to "circumvent" in here..as far as we know we married in good faith.

Bottomline is: my husband wasnt ready financially in the past..he is now and we're giving it our best to make things work at the immigration..and with all the prayers and good intentions, nothing is impossible.

Again, that you so much for all the insights.

Juvy

Is this the same Juvy that posted over at PinoyInfo?

I'll pray for your approval whenever your interview is.

[juvy&Scott 0]

Is this the same Juvy that posted over at PinoyInfo?

I'll pray for your approval whenever your interview is.

yes alohaspirit..thanks for the prayers.

God Bless.

[zyggy 9]

JadeVisa,

Because she wants to get into the USA as an LPR, and her marriage to this USC enables her to do that?

I think that a lot of your other suggestions are pretty good, and should be followed, but the problems are not trivial. The required doubts on the part of the consular officer are going to be hard to overcome. I agree with zyggy that a consultation with a US immigration attorney who is familiar with the consulate would be a very wise move for this case.

Yodrak

..... If anything, your sticking together for this long should be proof of real love being present. Why would you have stayed together for that long (instead of separating and finding other partners) if it wasn't for that?

.....

Thanks for all the insights..just some clarifications in here and I hope the consul will also take into considerations the following;

first, If my only reason to go to the US is to be an LPR, then why on earth I married someone who was still in college and was not financially stable and who can't even afford to petition me right away?why didn't I chose to find a financially stable USC, have him petition me as a fiancee, get married out there, adjust my status then maybe divorce him after i get the permanent greencard?...why wait for 5 years for someone who can't even afford to buy a plane ticket to visit me as often as what other people see as the way should be?..long absence may not be the normal way of things specially in a relationship but then somehow what's REAL (REAL love and REAL commitment) seems to appear as beyond what is normal.

second, I have a good banking career here..why would i be so giddy to jump on a plane to fly to the US knowing that my husband is not yet financially stable out there and can't afford to support the 2 of us? Why would i demand him of things he cant afford and beyond his control? Isn't it sticking with each other and understanding each of our own limitations and flaws all through these years enough to prove that what we have is a genuine marriage?

third, I dont understand what immigration laws you're talking about that we're trying to "circumvent" in here..as far as we know we married in good faith.

Bottomline is: my husband wasnt ready financially in the past..he is now and we're giving it our best to make things work at the immigration..and with all the prayers and good intentions, nothing is impossible.

Again, that you so much for all the insights.

Juvy

We are not passing judgement on you.. all we are doing is saying that you need to open your eyes and see what your circumstances may look like from their point of view and what they have seen in the past... Since you are intimately involved with the situation, the set of facts from your point of view may look entire different to someone who comes from another point of view...

That why it was suggest that you consult with an attorney who has experience with the CO's in Manila.. they can look at your situation and your evidence and hopefully give you a game plan to strengthen your case so that the CO will look at your situation the same way as you look at your situation...

[JenT 0]

Bottom line is that you should be prepared to explain a 5 year separation, and no visits, with something more than excuses. Best wishes.

Jen

[Nanusia & Lukaszek 0]

The whole point is that you have to prove yourself to the CO... he doesnt have to ask you questions about every single detail you point out. It is your job to prove the validity of your marriage, and not seeing each other for 5 yrs is an up hill battle. I agree, its not mission impossible, but certainly a struggle. I know int'l traveling is expensive, but he better make the effort to be with you at the interview.

Not only is the 5 yr thing a hurdle, but so is his inability to support you. If he doesnt have $1500 for a trip, how will he be able to support you?

I read here on VJ that some users had an attorney who had offices in both the US & Phillipines, and connections with the embassy, so maybe do some research on that.

If your husband really wants you to come to the US, he better take on some debt to make the trip or consult with an attorney.

* Also, people here aren't being negative for fun... when you present the facts of your case, they are just giving honest advise of what the CO may think... and I agree with them.

good luck

[Robor007 0]

I agree and I don't think anyone is trying to be critical or discourage you. Just trying to give an unbiased opinion on your situation. The reality is five years is a long time and I think a separation that long will be very difficult to explain away by 'financial hardship' simply because this process is not that expensive. I mean, it's not like it's a bunch of money all up front. You have to remember that the burden of proof lies with the petitioner and beneficiary and given the circumstances I think you may have a very hard time at the interview.

[Singers 0]

Does he have someone that can co-sponsor?

It might look better if he has someone willing to sign even if he now makes the minimum requirements to support you. It could put the CO's mind at ease that you won't become a welfare recipient.

Also, you mentioned money transfers in your original post.. I would hold off on those if they are from you to him rather than the other way around. You don't want to seem like you are supporting him.

I personally think one of your main goals right now is painting him in the best possible light and making sure you won't be seen as a potential "burden" to the US taxpayers. (I'm not saying you will be one but the CO's job is to assume the worst and circumvent that.)

Do you have any joint bank accounts? or any other joint assets? Something that ties the two of you together? You should try to come up with tangible assets that shows you trying to build a life together (despite the distance) rather than just pointing to emails and phone records.

(By the way, you don't have to respond to this. It's just something for you to think about.)

[mendeleev 67]

Cosponsorship or its absence isn't the main issue here -- and it probably isn't the issue at all.

Seems to me, and to many here with more experience than me that the issue is the 5 years without seeing each other. COs see a lot of fraud and this seems to be the case especially in Manila. It seems likely that the posting couple truly is in a good relationship where the petitioner did not have the means to visit -- but for the CO the long absence reasonably may look suspicious. This married couple has a higher burden of proof to demonstrate than many others, because of the five years of separation.

Edited March 13, 2007 by novotul

[jade2004 0]

OMG...you poor things...if you need anything...please let me know.