K1 Visa Application Help

[Jonathan Nam 0]

Hello everyone!

 

I am looking to present my case and ask you all if I’ll have any problems applying for a K1 for my gf in the Philippines.

 

I (24M) am a USC and am looking to apply for a K1 visa for my gf in the Philippines (22F). We are both college students, so little financial independence. We met on Tinder in Oct. 23, met in person on Dec. 23, which I stayed around 20 days. During the stay, we had 2 “party” related events (one served as a welcoming into her family, and we had another gathering on Christmas day). I also took her and a good number of her family on a weekend trip to Baguio. I have passport stamps, boarding tickets, hotel booking confirmations sent via email, some receipts from the small number of times I was able to use my credit card. I have countless pictures with her and her family also. The van/tour service we hired to take us to Baguio also made a post about it on their facebook. Me and she have been calling/texting each other everyday since Oct. 23. I am looking to apply sometime on Feb. of this year. I am mainly worried about our short relationship time and only one real-life meeting and how that can be viewed negatively by the USCIS/CO. I’m thinking of contacting my local church and see if I can’t get a letter from one of the pastors about getting us married once she gets here (Louisville, KY if that matters). I believe we will have enough to get an I-129f approval, and the plan is to meet at least 2-4 times more before the actual interview. 
 

I tried including as many details as I can, but this is getting long enough, so please feel free to ask for more details if you think it’s necessary. 
 

Thanks everyone. This has been extremely anxiety-inducing, as all US immigration matters usually are 😅.

[Rocio0010 5,572]

Is there a particular reason why you're in such a hurry to get married?

You already say you're "extremely anxious". So if you're very anxious, why are you guys going so fast? 

Have you considered spending more time together, and if you are still wanting to commit to that person, file for a spousal visa instead?

[Jonathan Nam 0]

The reason I feel anxious is that I had to deal with immigration before, and it wasn’t pretty. My family and I had a lot of problems when we filed for an N600 petition that end up costing us a lot of time.

 

I guess I’d say that I don’t think we’re “in a hurry”. We talked this thoroughly, and we simply think the K1 is the right visa for us, and yes we are aware of the pros and cons of both fiancé and spousal visas.

[Timona 3,969]

No need for church letters. It adds no weight. 

 

I think you should take this really slow until you're sure. You don't want to end getting played at 24. Maybe talk to the VJ members who are familiar with Philippines to see if you're missing some red flags. 2.5 months and you want to marry a foreigner? 

[Crazy Cat 39,597]

36 minutes ago, Jonathan Nam said:

I believe we will have enough to get an I-129f approval, and the plan is to meet at least 2-4 times more before the actual interview. 

There aren't many requirements for an I-129f approval.  Relationship evidence will come later at the interview.  Why a K-1?

[Rocio0010 5,572]

9 minutes ago, Jonathan Nam said:

The reason I feel anxious is that I had to deal with immigration before, and it wasn’t pretty. My family and I had a lot of problems when we filed for an N600 petition that end up costing us a lot of time.

Understandable. But it doesn't mean that this time it will be the same. That being said...

 

9 minutes ago, Jonathan Nam said:

I guess I’d say that I don’t think we’re “in a hurry”

You are only 24. You met her October 23rd and four months later you are wanting to marry her? To each their own, but marrying at 24 only four months of chatting with a person online and spending 20 days in person does seem rushed.

 

12 minutes ago, Jonathan Nam said:

We talked this thoroughly

Did you talk about your views on finances? Shared responsibilities? Children? Life? Sex? Extended family? All that in 20 days, and with her family being with you for some of it?

 

Did you also talk about your culturally different views on finances, education, shared responsibilities, children, life, sex, extended family?

 

Have you considered offering that you marry and live in the Philipines, or in a third, neutral country?

 

Do spend some time in the Philipines forum and ready about people's experiences. I don't want to rain on your parade, but please think long and hard before doing this.

 

[littleredscooty 2]

Have you reviewed the financial requirements you will have under K1 visa?

 

You said you are both college students with little financial independence, I am not sure what that means for you as far as employment, and your ability to meet the financial guidelines for sponsoring her.

Phillipines may still be, it surely once was, on the list of "high fraud" countries, which means you could face even more scrutiny. Spending less than three weeks together and speaking for four months may not be sufficient evidence for the uscis, that is always a risk when these petitions get filed in a relatively quick amount of time and after a relatively short time spent together. Not trying to rain on your parade, just bringing up some of the logisitics you'll need to be aware of.

[yuna628 9,541]

My husband and I met when we were teenagers. I knew from that moment that he was the one for me, but we also knew that we were young and a lot had to happen to get from point A to point B. Financial independence was a big part of that as well as finishing education. You are both young and have a whole future ahead of you. I'd suggest making sure your lives are stable with good financial backing first before jumping feet-first into immigration matters. Take time to visit more and develop your relationship together. We did not marry until I was nearly 30, so as you can imagine, not a lot of people can wait that long nor am I suggesting it. I'm only suggesting that once you start on an immigration journey you need to be well-prepared for it. Financial requirements, insurance, getting your degrees will all help to secure that future you're dreaming of together. But also learning about your families, and each other will be important before you leap.

[Amunah 61]

Spousal visa is far more superior, research it before you make a final decision. Also financial co-sponsor, start thinking and planning that out, either way you go. Best of luck

[SalishSea 16,862]

10 hours ago, Jonathan Nam said:

The reason I feel anxious is that I had to deal with immigration before, and it wasn’t pretty. My family and I had a lot of problems when we filed for an N600 petition that end up costing us a lot of time.

 

I guess I’d say that I don’t think we’re “in a hurry”. We talked this thoroughly, and we simply think the K1 is the right visa for us, and yes we are aware of the pros and cons of both fiancé and spousal visas.

You met this person for the first time just a couple of months ago?   You’re 24 and 22?

 

  I don’t get the urgency here.   Why not spend more time together like one does in a normal relationship?   Immigration aside, I’d give your chances of a lasting marriage at quite low in those circumstances.

[IWander 583]

17 hours ago, littleredscooty said:

Have you reviewed the financial requirements you will have under K1 visa?

 

You said you are both college students with little financial independence, I am not sure what that means for you as far as employment, and your ability to meet the financial guidelines for sponsoring her.

Phillipines may still be, it surely once was, on the list of "high fraud" countries, which means you could face even more scrutiny. Spending less than three weeks together and speaking for four months may not be sufficient evidence for the uscis, that is always a risk when these petitions get filed in a relatively quick amount of time and after a relatively short time spent together. Not trying to rain on your parade, just bringing up some of the logisitics you'll need to be aware of.

Manila rarely asks for an I134 and in the words of another VJ member, "Manila issues K1s like candy" kinda debunks any "high fraud" status. 

[Crazy Cat 39,597]

46 minutes ago, IWander said:

kinda debunks any "high fraud" status. 

Yep.  Philippines is still the world-wide leader in number of K-1s issued per year, I believe...by far. 

[Oloza2024 0]

My fiancé and I met almost 3 and a half years ago, both of us were going to school when we met. My fiancé finished getting his degree/certification about a year a half later, I still had about another year and a half left before i could get my degree. During the first couple years of LDR we really took the time to get to know one another and give each other the space we needed so we can finish our education, we’re both happy that we really took the time to get into a stable place, we physically met twice last year after I graduated. My suggestion… don’t rush.