RO_AH

4 hours ago, geowrian said:

True...definitely not easy, unfortunately. But it's worth the shot IMHO. Only $160 to lose.

Well the OP sounds like he is still in the Philippines. If they apply and fail they would be out the $160 plus whatever it costs to fly back again from NYC to get married and 3 weeks away from work. I just don't know enough about their situation to know if they are qualified to go that route.

34 minutes ago, ags143 said:

Our plan is for me to get a tourist visa and come visit him next year in NYC, then we'll get married there so he can petition me for a greencard as well.

Not to bring you down but tourist visa's are extremely hard to get for Filipino's. I think that a much better option is for you to get married in the Philippines and then file for you once he gets in US.

33 minutes ago, Hank_ said:

Dual citizenship is easy to acquire; file the forms with the consulate near you, once that is approved make an appt to appear to take the oath ... done.

 

Here is a tibit regarding the SSRVisa, YOU can't easily (read that to mean cheaply) get the SRRV on your own, for some reason the SRRVisa "courtesy" was designed to favor former Filipinos.  If you are a Veteran the SRRV "courtesy" is offered ...

 

 

I only wish us kano's could get dual citizenship hehe. But once she gets US citizenship I will have her get dual citizenship then when I am ready to retire we will move there and I will go for the SRRV. Luckily we have a Philippine Consulate here in my city.

16 hours ago, Hank_ said:

And true the USA is moot regarding the dual citizenship issue... and in this case, for that person to re-acquire Philippine citizenship she must follow the process granted by R.A. 9225 (Philippine Law)

I have been curious about this. How difficult is the process? When I reach retirement age we plan to move to the Philippines so I plan to have my asawa go through this process after she obtains US citizenship.

11 hours ago, Hank_ said:

You don't need dual citizenship to stay in the Philippines long term either, you can use the SRRVisa (requires a $1500 deposit, that can be used toward real estate or condo purchase).   Both of you can obtain the SRRVisa.

Wouldn't acquiring dual citizenship just be a whole lot easier?

I see no problems. Complete your divorce. Once you have an divorce decree you are free to file for a fiance visa. You just will not be able to get married there and bring her on a spouse visa. Your divorce would be recognized here but not in the Philippines (well it could be but it would take quite a while). That is something to consider when it comes to your future wife and her ability to do an ROM. You would need to have your previous divorce recognized in the Philippines first. 

Thank you for your detailed write up. I will be sharing it with my soon to be wife. She is very stressed about the whole immigration process and I think knowing as much as possible beforehand makes it much less stressful. Congratulations!

14 hours ago, KULtoATL said:

So choose wisely. K-1 route is faster but he cannot work till he gets his EAD. That's the only downside.

I wouldn't say that is the only downside. To me there is only 1 upside to the K-1 and that is saving a little time.

6 minutes ago, ThinkerBelle said:

He is 8 years older than me im in my 30s now, so i dont think he's that young anymore.

I thought he was young because the younger generation seems to have a fear of commitment.

Well like I said make sure your goals are aligned and not just in words but in action. And you're right, if you're planning to start a family your time is running out. So give him a swift kick in the butt and get him moving haha.

But like I said earlier. The discussion is not about the visa, it's about your relationship. That discussion will lead you to the visa.

2 hours ago, ThinkerBelle said:

Of course the relationship is my main goal (i dont know if its the same with him). Been together for about 4 years and counting..engaged with a an engagement ring for almost a year.

Wow I am sad when I read this. I am guessing he is young (under 30)? We have a saying here in America, I will give you the Tagalog version "oras na para tumae". I think it is time to have a conversation with him. Ask what he thinks that ring means? To me it is a promise of marriage. 3 years into my relationship with my fiance we were talking always about our future. Will I bring her here on a K-1 or will we marry there and get a CR-1. What's the pro's and what are the cons. Then we build our plans based on what we both want. You need to be strong. If it is a relationship a future and to start a family you want, then you need to make sure you are with someone that wants the same thing. Remember "oras na para tumae". Life keeps moving and if you are with someone that does not want the same things that you do out of life hurry and find someone that does. Never sit by and hope someone will change. Talk...Tell him what you want out of life and have him tell you. As long as he is comfortable with the way things are there is no reason for him to change the situation.

2 hours ago, ThinkerBelle said:

When we started LDR, I had to come visit him in the US every 6 months which burns a hole in both our pockets. Thats just about it.

Don't know what to say about that. My fiance has never spent a peso on our relationship. I guess I am just old fashioned like that.

2 hours ago, ThinkerBelle said:

Maybe he's relying on my lengthy, tedious, work-based immigrant visa which could take longer than the spouse visa lol

I think he's just in a comfort zone. Time for you to turn up the heat.If you are ready to get married and settle down tell him. Then tell him if he's not ready maybe you just have different goals in life. If he loves you it's time to prove it. Has he ever been to the Philippines?

18 hours ago, ThinkerBelle said:

Just out of curiousity. To everyone who has/have had a k1 visa, who initiated to start the process or brought up the idea of a K1? Is it the USC partner or the beneficiary? How long were you together before getting engaged and started the K1 visa process?

I would think once the relationship gets to the point of a proposal the obvious next phase in the relationship is discussing when and where you plan to get married and where you will live together. That would be the determining factor of when and what  visa may be needed.

In my case I have not even officially proposed to the woman I will marry in about a month. I have been there to the Philippines 4 times to visit her but circumstances kept us apart for three years now. We never stopped talking about our plans and had gone back and forth in spouse or fiance visa and decided to get married there and then file for spouse.We have planned our entire wedding already, yet I still have not proposed because I feel that needs to be done in person. So in 3 weeks when I first see her at NAIA I will be proposing to her and putting a ring on her finger :D.

But for your question don't put the cart in front of the horse. Focus on the relationship (if that is your main goal) and the details (such as immigration visa) will work themselves out in time.

Also don't be set on a fiance visa. Spouse visa's are better in many ways, the only negative is that it takes a little bit longer.

7 minutes ago, Boiler said:

Why did you not do an annulment?

My marriage was 27 years.

The news media relies on sensationalism to get peoples attention. Always try to read between the lines and find the truth.

I just went through a divorce and did not use a lawyer. I used a person that provides paralegal services and also divorce/probably annulment too. It was a much less expensive route to go. From what I understand annulments are fairly easy with a marriage as short as yours. Best of luck to you.

45 minutes ago, Meanis said:

Hello Everyone

out of curiosity, my friend have told me, that actually, at CR1 interview at US Consulate, they fruequently uses computer voice lie detector.

I never heard about it and if it is true, is it actually legal to use any kind of lie detector without my permission or at least knowing? 

I think you may want to consider making an appointment for a drug test for your friend.

I believe you will get a US Passport, use Philippines passport for exit from Philippines and US Passport for entry into USA. I think you will show both passports on exit and entry. Other more seasoned forum posters will either confirm or correct soon

2 hours ago, jwlussow said:

Are you staying at Hotel H2O?

I will be staying at The Best Western Hotel La Corona Manila.

26 minutes ago, Hank_ said:

USC can bring electronics .. IF .. you enter a separate door, then they will store your electronics for you.   You can meet back up with your fiancee inside.

I am just going in to get my affidavit In Lieu of Certificate of Legal Capacity to Marry, I didn't think I could bring my fiance. If I can she will be very happy.

14 hours ago, Hank_ said:

Really no benefit to arrive an hour early ... unless you enjoy excessive waiting.  There are cafes along Roxas

I finally made my appointment last night for 9/15/17. You will not see me there more than 15 min prior, I have better things to do with my time than sit and wait inside or outside of the embassy

7 hours ago, Hank_ said:

Just no electronics of any type; USB, phones, etc  ... not allowed

I did not know this...Is this true for all, including USC? If so I will just leave that at my hotel. I just don't know how I will get a hold of my driver to pick me up when I am finished. I guess I could just walk back to my hotel since it is only a few blocks away.

5 minutes ago, Hank_ said:

https://ph.usembassy.gov/holiday-calendar/?_ga=2.111185796.1667798714.1503205248-244817273.1495684922

Thanks for the link! I figured I would be okay but wanted to be sure. That date hasn't shown up yet on their calendar for booking appointments (legal capacity affidavit), so until I book that appointment I feel a little stressed.

Sadly from my experience Filipino's are so used to this kind of BS that they tend to accept it. They just go along so they do not make a scene. I have been teaching my (future) asawa not to accept that kind of #######. Ask for a supervisor and if you do not get the results you want ask for their supervisor. Never accept the first no. Keep pushing until you get the answer you need.

I feel bad for you and hope it all works out in the end.

On 8/18/2017 at 3:59 PM, Hank_ said:

need to contact the airline and raise H3LL.  That ticket person was running on OPINION not fact.

I agree with Hank on this one. I would definitely raise hell and demand a that they issue a new ticket with a new date.

Will they be open on 9/15/17? If not I am screwed on my non-refundable hotel reservations

The only real requirement is proving a bonified relationship. If you are married and able to prove  bonified relationship then the number of visits does not matter. How long where you there each visit? Did you get married on your first visit or did you visit before your marriage too?
You should be more concerned over your evidence than your number of visits. Such as pictures together with each other and family, chat logs (talking about your relationship and future plans), financial co-mingling, travel records for all of your trips (hotel, flight, etc.).

What was the result of her past application? As long as she didn't lie, commit fraud and get banned there should be no problem. Just do some research and make sure you have all of your proof for a bonofide relationship and you should be fine.