Several red flags, but how to get past them?

[sly020175 0]

I am looking to start the K1 visa process and am wondering if I am being paranoid or if there is going to be problems for us.  First off, I am in Michigan and she is from the Philippines.  We have been together for over 5 years and everything is great.  I have gone to see her 3-4 times per year over the last 5 years.  I have plenty of supporting evidence for all of this.  The point is that this is a very real relationship and we are ready to take the next step.  Here are the things that scare me:

1) When she was younger she did marry a Korean guy that she hardly knew. She had grand dreams of it being like an arranged marriage and she would live happily ever after. In reality, once she went to Korea she was treated like a slave on their farm and was not even allowed to live with her husband. She eventually ran away and worked at a bar in Korea until her 1 year visa expired.  She did not overstay her visa even though she could have easily done so.  She has also been to China and back to Korea and in both cases did not overstay her visa.  So she has a history to show that her intent is not to just get into the country.

2) She does have a previously denied visitors visa to the US. She was planning to go meet her relatives in California for a family celebration. On the surface this does not seem like a big deal, but we were together at that time and I am afraid it could look like we were trying to cheat the system.

3) We do have a 16 year age gap (45 vs 29).  This is not a big deal to me, but I have read that this can be considered a red flag.

4) She is from the Philippines which is considered a high fraud country

 

Has anyone had any experience with one or all of these similar situations?  If so, did you try to front load documents to address these issues?  I really want to get through this with no issues, but when I put my self in the shoes of a Consulate I could see how these things could add doubt.  Thanks in advance for the help.

[Lucky2Lucky 2,526]

The age gap you mentioned appears common with Philippines applicants. It sounds like you have a LOT of face to face time which is great. You shouldn’t have any problems with what you mentioned- as long as you guys tell the truth throughout the whole process. My (now) husband had a tourist visa denial while we were together and he was never questioned about it. As long as you guys can submit her divorce decree with the first husband you really don’t appear to have red flags for the Philippines.

[Boiler 43,394]

I see nothing abnormal.

[C90 376]

27 minutes ago, sly020175 said:

I am looking to start the K1 visa process and am wondering if I am being paranoid or if there is going to be problems for us.  First off, I am in Michigan and she is from the Philippines.  We have been together for over 5 years and everything is great.  I have gone to see her 3-4 times per year over the last 5 years.  I have plenty of supporting evidence for all of this.  The point is that this is a very real relationship and we are ready to take the next step.  Here are the things that scare me:

1) When she was younger she did marry a Korean guy that she hardly knew. She had grand dreams of it being like an arranged marriage and she would live happily ever after. In reality, once she went to Korea she was treated like a slave on their farm and was not even allowed to live with her husband. She eventually ran away and worked at a bar in Korea until her 1 year visa expired.  She did not overstay her visa even though she could have easily done so.  She has also been to China and back to Korea and in both cases did not overstay her visa.  So she has a history to show that her intent is not to just get into the country.

2) She does have a previously denied visitors visa to the US. She was planning to go meet her relatives in California for a family celebration. On the surface this does not seem like a big deal, but we were together at that time and I am afraid it could look like we were trying to cheat the system.

3) We do have a 16 year age gap (45 vs 29).  This is not a big deal to me, but I have read that this can be considered a red flag.

4) She is from the Philippines which is considered a high fraud country

 

Has anyone had any experience with one or all of these similar situations?  If so, did you try to front load documents to address these issues?  I really want to get through this with no issues, but when I put my self in the shoes of a Consulate I could see how these things could add doubt.  Thanks in advance for the help.

Don't really see a problem here.

 

You're together for 5 years what's good proof of a genuine relationship (assuming you spend A LOT of face to face time)

People get married and divorced in life, it happens. USCIS doesn't care, they care that you provide the right documents.

Denied tourist visa won't effect K1 unless it was denied cause she got caught in a lie.

 

Good luck with your journey!

Edited March 12, 2019 by C90

[SalishSea 16,746]

Since divorce is illegal in the Philippines, what is her marital status now?  Did she obtain a legal divorce in S Korea?

[Ate 180]

3 hours ago, sly020175 said:

1) When she was younger she did marry a Korean guy that she hardly knew.  [...]

2) She does have a previously denied visitors visa to the US.  [...]

3) We do have a 16 year age gap (45 vs 29).  [...]

4) She is from the Philippines which is considered a high fraud country  [...]

 

1)  Make sure you have her divorce record from South(?) Korea before you start any petition.  As Jorgedig mentioned, there is no way she can get a divorce in the Philippines.

 

2)  Not an issue for K1, unless she was denied a visa for lying.  In any case, she will need to disclose the denied visa application in her DS-160 form, which she will have to fill out after petition approval.

 

3)  Not an issue in the Philippines, as long as you're in a genuine relationship.  If you mention this age gap in the VJ Philippines forum, I bet you'll get a reaction like "Meh."

 

4)  Don't worry about this.  The US embassy in Manila is considered one of the easiest for K1.

 

Visit the regional sub-forum if you have questions specific to the visa application process via USEM --

https://www.visajourney.com/forums/forum/129-philippines/

 

Good luck to you and your fiancee!

 

[Limey 550]

In addition to the other answers, note that she needs a police certificate from any countries where she resided for more than 6 months. I'm assuming that won't be a problem?

Nothing in your post looks problematic. You've had way more face to face time than many on this forum (and numerous trips), and the age difference isn't massive compared to some. The denial of a tourist visa isn't an issue unless it was denied for lying/misrepresentation, or other serious issues. Assuming it was denied for lack of ties to home or risk of immigrant intent, those aren't an issue for the k1.

[Carpe Vinum 2,308]

On 3/11/2019 at 8:24 PM, Boiler said:

I see nothing abnormal.

None of this is a red flag for the Philippines as long as she is divorced and eligible to marry.....