Dolly&Dan

While its not advised to buy airfare until visa is in your hand it is not mandatory when buying your ticket in the USa or online. However some Philippine travel agents in the Phil have special deals with airlines for visa holders and will need visa before selling tickets. With that said I gambled and bought my fiances ticket before having visa in hand because her flight plans were 6 weeks after approval and I felt tge risk if not getting visa by then was low. I booked with cheapoair.com and already registered and got etickets directly off the airlines website. At no time was I ever asked for visa.

My exwife and her husband had the same problem . They were able to open a checking account at Bank of America. Its worth a chance . Another bank that was willing to help them was Union Bank of California. There are a few banks out there but it takes work to find the ones not using Chexsystems and credit checks. Heres a link to try. Cabt guarantee it will work but it did for them. Hope it helps.
http://www.ehow.com/how_4572847_have-been-reported-chex-systems.html

Consider divorcing in Nevada. I know many California residents who did so. I was divorced in Nevada and entire divorce from filing until having final divorce decree in hand was 2 weeks. In California you have the 6 month mandatory wait. In order to divorce in Nevada it is a very easy requirement to meet the residency requirement.
To establish Nevada residency and qualify for a divorce in days: one (1) party must currently reside in Nevada for at least 6 weeks. To prove your residency type a Resident Witness Affidavit that another resident signs stating that he/she has seen you living in Nevada for 6 weeks. The witness must be at least 18 years of age who has lived in Nevada for at least the past six (6) weeks and may be a relative, friend, co-worker or an employee of a Lodging Establishment where you are residing.
Divorcing in Nevada was simple as long as both parties agree. If its contested it will be more difficult no matter where you divore and would likely take over 6 months in California.

You definetly need the final divorce decree to file.

Consider divorcing in Nevada. I know many California residents who did so. I was divorced in Nevada and entire divorce from filing until having final divorce decree in hand was 2 weeks. In California you have the 6 month mandatory wait. In order to divorce in Nevada it is a very easy requirement to meet the residency requirement.
To establish Nevada residency and qualify for a divorce in days: one (1) party must currently reside in Nevada for at least 6 weeks. To prove your residency type a Resident Witness Affidavit that another resident signs stating that he/she has seen you living in Nevada for 6 weeks. The witness must be at least 18 years of age who has lived in Nevada for at least the past six (6) weeks and may be a relative, friend, co-worker or an employee of a Lodging Establishment where you are residing.
Divorcing in Nevada was simple as long as both parties agree. If its contested it will be more difficult no matter where you divore and would likely take over 6 months in California.

Consider divorcing in Nevada. I know many California residents who did so. I was divorced in Nevada and entire divorce from filing until having final divorce decree in hand was 2 weeks. In California you have the 6 month mandatory wait. In order to divorce in Nevada it is a very easy requirement to meet the residency requirement.
To establish Nevada residency and qualify for a divorce in days: one (1) party must currently reside in Nevada for at least 6 weeks. To prove your residency type a Resident Witness Affidavit that another resident signs stating that he/she has seen you living in Nevada for 6 weeks. The witness must be at least 18 years of age who has lived in Nevada for at least the past six (6) weeks and may be a relative, friend, co-worker or an employee of a Lodging Establishment where you are residing.
Divorcing in Nevada was simple as long as both parties agree. If its contested it will be more difficult no matter where you divore and would likely take over 6 months in California.

You wont find it in the guide and wont need it until the interview phase but I always suggest if possible get a xerox copy of her NSO Birth Certificate. It is common in the phil to have wrong spellings , dates etc. You wont send it in with your I-129F packet but using it to cross reference information you put in forms avoiding discrepancies between Birth Certificate , Passport ,and paperwork you can come up with what will work best to avoid possible delays.

Glad I could be of some use

This is my second time going through this process . I was with my first Filipina wife for 10 years and went through entire process , she is now a US Citizen. Over the years I have helped many people go through this process . I was also lucky enough to meet a gentlemen many years ago who has been married to his lovely Filipina bride for over 30 years. He prepares peoples paperwork for every aspect of the process from the I-129F through Citizenship. He specializes in the Philippines and has seen just about everything possible. I just try to help people when I give advice through real life experience, not Urban legends I read about on the internet.
I agree with everyone above that most couples have very little trouble and most supporting docs you bring to interview will not even be looked at and remain in your folder. Unfortunately not every situation is the same. There are many factors , A guy who goes to the interview with his fiance ,has all his paperwork filled out perfectly, visited his fiance many times or for a substancial amount of time will breeze through. Now on the other side from a actual real life case and using Scuffydogs example below.
I agree with with Scruffydog's post above about most problems arising from " lack of proof of income-That is number 1, NBI cert problems, medical problems, CENOMAR problems, criminal history problems. prior marriage problems, Prior K-1 problems"
A few years ago my brother went on a trip to Davao City with me and my wife at the time. While there on our last 7 days of vacation he met and fell in love with my wife at the times niece. They had never met prior to our trip. As soon as we got back to America we filed their I-129F K1 Petition. They were approved by USCIS with no RFE because they met the requirements of Citizenship, both legal to marry, and having met in person within two years. The only evidence supplied was what they had. That pictures , airline boarding passes and letters if intent. No problems approved.
Where they had problems was at the interview. My brother had been unemployed for 3 years with no tax returns or proof of income. He did get a job 4 months before the interview and saved his paycheck stubs. He did not want to use a co sponsor even though we advised him to do so. His income on paychecks if you muliplied the 4 months x 3 would still be a little under the Poverty guidelines but it was close.. He filled out the I-134 and only had the paystubs included and employment letter. During interview his fiance was asked many questions, she was asked for pictures and the officer looked at many. His fiance was asked if she had any secondary evidence to support her ongoing relationship. She supplied her chat logs, money remittances,and the " new improved letter of Intent to marry" from my brother. This continued through the pre interview and interview. They repeatedly looked at the evidence and asked his fiance if she planned to work once she was able in the USA. She answered "Yes" they looked at the evidence again . The officer asked you do know that you must get married within 90 days of entering the United States. She answered "yes" and they approved her. Her evidence of a bonafide relationship helped her in this case. Not all cases are the same. I don't know people in the internet's situation so I always advise on worst case possiblities.
Honestly how long does it take to go into your docs and change the date and address on your original letter of Intent, print and sign it. 2 minutes? I would rather have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it.
Another thing I like to do is have the pictures in a easy access envelope paper clipped on top of all your other proof of relationship docs in a neat package not to thick , organized with tabs labeling the docs . When interview asks if you have pictures, answer yes "maam or sir" I do right here along with other evidence or something similar. They will 99% of the time see that your prepared and glance at the pictures and not even look at anything else.
The bottom line is ,I'm just sharing my experiences and not sure why you would want to laugh at my advice. You can take my advice or leave it, after all it is your interview. I'm just trying to help. It is beyond me why some would advise on bringing minimal evidence . When you can print it up in a few minutes and have it just in case you do have some problem and are one of the unfortunate fiances who gets asked for it. It can make a difference in some cases. If it stays in your folder that is even better.

The Consulate at US Embassy in Manila will almost always look at your pictures. They can ask to see anything they want. You will definitely want to bring your picture album to the interview. Pictures are one of the most common things the Consul will ask to see. The pictures would be pretty small to fit 6 on one page. Maybe 2 4x6 per page would be better . I sent the clearest 4x6 photos I had , pics in different clothes ,locations and a couple with friends, family and US together in every photo of course. I sent 8 total pics, the very best quality I had that you could see us crystal clear. Marking dates and description is helpful but many do not and have zero problems.

I think 6 -8 is the perfect number.Different locations and clothing. With you together with family and friends also helps but just the two of you will work fine if that's all you have. Make sure to send plenty to the interview.