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Tina12

Tourist Visa Vs Spouse Visa

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Hi, just got married 3 months ago here in Philippines and planning to visit US, my husband (US Citizen) is working here in Philippines for almost 8years so no plan yet to stay longer to US. What should I apply tourist Visa or Spouse visa at DCF. Thank you. 

 

Note 2017 I apply for tourist visa, but got declined and we are not yet married back then.

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Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Germany
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So you both have no intention to stay longer in US in the near future? Then the spouse visa makes no sense since you have no intention to immigrate at all. You need a tourist visa and to show them strong ties to your home country. Good luck

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Russia
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43 minutes ago, Tina12 said:

Maybe when he retired. Is there any faster procedure/step to get spouse visa, so that anytime we decided to stay at US we can. Thank you.

 

Or If  I got the tourist visa how many years is the minimum validity they can give any Idea how long is the processing time?

As stated, the tourist visa application is your only real option right now since you have no plans to immigrate (a GC from a spouse visa is not a multi-entry tourist visa).  You will have to show strong ties to the Philippines on your application, but I suppose you can now show your ties to your husband.

 

As to a faster spouse process, I believe the DCF option is the fastest option, but others may know better.  When you start planning on returning to the US, start the process and when you are ready to return, you should hopefully have your visa in hand.

 

Good Luck!

Visa Received : 2014-04-04 (K1 - see timeline for details)

US Entry : 2014-09-12

POE: Detroit

Marriage : 2014-09-27

I-765 Approved: 2015-01-09

I-485 Interview: 2015-03-11

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Green Card Received: 2015-03-24 Yeah!!!

I-751 ROC Submitted: 2016-12-20

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DCF is available with Manila. So the spouse visa process can usually be completed in a few months if you continue the route of living in the Philippines together at the time.

 

A spousal visa does not replace a tourist visa. If you intend to live abroad, your green card would be deemed abandoned if you don't actually live in the US.

 

While this is a bit of an unusual and costly method...people have obtained a green card, formally abandoned it it shortly after, then applied for a tourist visa. Usually they will then grant it, although nothing is guaranteed.

Timelines:

ROC:

Spoiler

7/27/20: Sent forms to Dallas lockbox, 7/30/20: Received by USCIS, 8/10 NOA1 electronic notification received, 8/1/ NOA1 hard copy received

AOS:

Spoiler

AOS (I-485 + I-131 + I-765):

9/25/17: sent forms to Chicago, 9/27/17: received by USCIS, 10/4/17: NOA1 electronic notification received, 10/10/17: NOA1 hard copy received. Social Security card being issued in married name (3rd attempt!)

10/14/17: Biometrics appointment notice received, 10/25/17: Biometrics

1/2/18: EAD + AP approved (no website update), 1/5/18: EAD + AP mailed, 1/8/18: EAD + AP approval notice hardcopies received, 1/10/18: EAD + AP received

9/5/18: Interview scheduled notice, 10/17/18: Interview

10/24/18: Green card produced notice, 10/25/18: Formal approval, 10/31/18: Green card received

K-1:

Spoiler

I-129F

12/1/16: sent, 12/14/16: NOA1 hard copy received, 3/10/17: RFE (IMB verification), 3/22/17: RFE response received

3/24/17: Approved! , 3/30/17: NOA2 hard copy received

 

NVC

4/6/2017: Received, 4/12/2017: Sent to Riyadh embassy, 4/16/2017: Case received at Riyadh embassy, 4/21/2017: Request case transfer to Manila, approved 4/24/2017

 

K-1

5/1/2017: Case received by Manila (1 week embassy transfer??? Lucky~)

7/13/2017: Interview: APPROVED!!!

7/19/2017: Visa in hand

8/15/2017: POE

 

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If you show ties to return to the Philippines like family, property and work, any kind of contacts leases etc, you should be able to get a tourist visa. In the interview make it clear you are married to an USC and both of you intend to live / retire to the Philippines. 

March 2, 2018  Married In Hong Kong

April 30, 2018  Mary moves from the Philippines to Mexico, Husband has MX Permanent Residency

June 13, 2018 Mary receives Mexican Residency Card

June 15, 2018  I-130 DCF Appointment in Juarez  -  June 18, 2018  Approval E-Mail

August 2, 2018 Case Complete At Consulate

September 25, 2018 Interview in CDJ and Approved!

October 7, 2018 In the USA

October 27, 2018 Green Card received 

October 29, 2018 Applied for Social Security Card - November 5, 2018 Social Security Card received

November 6th, 2018 State ID Card Received, Applied for Global Entry - Feb 8,2019 Approved.

July 14, 2020 Removal of Conditions submitted by mail  July 12, 2021 Biometrics Completed

August 6, 2021 N-400 submitted by mail

September 7, 2021 I-751 Interview, Sept 8 Approved and Card Being Produced

October 21, 2021 N-400 Biometrics Completed  

November 30,2021  Interview, Approval and Oath

December 10, 2021 US Passport Issued

August 12, 2022 PHL Dual Nationality Re-established & Passport Approved 

April 6,2023 Legally Separated - Oh well

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I agree that a tourist visa is really your best path right now.

 

If you're not moving to the US for more than 2 years, I don't see the benefit of applying for a spouse visa.

 

I didn't apply for US visas while I was living the Philippines. But, I believe the US Embassy in Manila has a lot of services & may include DCF.

“The fact that we are here and that I speak these words is an attempt to break that silence and bridge some
of those differences between us, for it is not difference which immobilizes us, but silence.
And there are so many silences to be broken.”

Audre Lorde

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