CR-1 Visa (Filipino-American Couple)

[Jajajajaja 0]

Hi,

 

I am a Filipino citizen (26F) currently living in Australia on a student visa and my course is scheduled to finish in November 2026. My boyfriend is a United States citizen (25M).

 

We met in Australia while he was on a working holiday visa and have been together since May 2025. I had known him from October 2024 and we have been friends since February 2025. After his working holiday visa, he returned to the United States in July 2025 but we have maintained our relationship.

 

In September 2025, I applied for a U.S. tourist visa in Sydney because we planned to travel together in the United States and I intended to stay with him for a short visit. Unfortunately, my application was denied. The reason provided was that I did not have sufficient ties in Australia for them to be confident that I would return.

 

Because of this, we decided to meet elsewhere so we could spend time together. From December 2025 to February 2026, I joined him on his Latin American trip. During this time, we travelled together in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama, and Colombia. I also met his entire family for the first time in Costa Rica while they were traveling there with us.

 

Right now, we are looking into having a civil wedding here in Australia by this May and having another trip to Fiji as well. After that he will return to the U.S. to work and file the visa as well, which means we will be in long distance again. My boyfriend works as a cook in a seasonal job. He works approximately six months of the year and the business closes during the winter months, during which time he usually travels. So, we are concerned about the financial requirements. It seems his annual income may not meet the financial requirements so we’ll have his parents act as financial sponsors. As for me, I am working as a casual employee in Australia along with my studies. And while in the process and waiting for the result once we lodge it, I will continue my visa here in Australia and apply for an extension.

 

Our main questions are these:

1. Is my Tourist visa denial going to affect my K-1 application?

2. What strong evidence do we need to provide in a long distance relationship when we live in different countries to prove our relationship? (we don’t have joint accounts)

3. For the interview, am i going to do it here in Australia or in the Philippines?

 

Thank you very much for your time. I would greatly appreciate any guidance you could provide. 🥹🙏

Edited 2 hours ago by Jajajajaja

[Boiler 48,829]

No

From what you have said you have plenty of evidence

Where will you be in 2 years?

[Crazy Cat 46,406]

19 minutes ago, Jajajajaja said:

Right now, we are looking into having a civil wedding here in Australia by this May

Then, you will not qualify for a K-1 visa.  K-1s are for couples who wish to marry inside the US.  After marriage, you would qualify to apply for a CR-1 spousal immigrant visa.

You can interview in Australia. 

Edited 1 hour ago by Crazy Cat

[Jajajajaja 0]

EDIT:

 

1.  Is my Tourist visa denial going to affect my CR-1 application?

[Boiler 48,829]

No

[Jajajajaja 0]

14 minutes ago, Boiler said:

No

From what you have said you have plenty of evidence

Where will you be in 2 years?

I plan to extend here in Australia 

10 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

Then, you will not qualify for a K-1 visa.  K-1s are for couples who wish to marry inside the US.  After marriage, you would qualify to apply for a CR-1 spousal immigrant visa.

You can interview in Australia. 

Sorry, it was supposed to be CR-1 not K-1

[Jajajajaja 0]

28 minutes ago, Jajajajaja said:

 

1. Is my Tourist visa denial going to affect my K-1 application?

1. Is my Tourist visa denial going to affect my CR-1 application?

[Crazy Cat 46,406]

17 minutes ago, Jajajajaja said:

1. Is my Tourist visa denial going to affect my CR-1 application?

No.  There is no requirement for immigrant applicants to have ties to home country or country of residence.

Edited 1 hour ago by Crazy Cat