RO_AH

Hahahaha well believe me, I know all about that.  The ONLY arguments we ever seem to have, is because during this whole process, she is constantly second guessing my every move because, "my cousin said this", "my friend and her fiancé did it like this", "a girl I met a SLEC said it would be like that".   The after she freaks out, it's revealed that the cousin was a CR1, the friend was a B2, and the SLEC girl was a H-1!!    I keep reminding her that our case is different.  All cases are different!    She agrees and settles down..then 3 days later it all starts up again...the rumors....the fears....all of it.  So it's been a roller coaster on that front for sure!

One of the skills you have to learn as a husband-to-be of a Filipina is how to deal with FB-induced anxiety from reading about other cases and rumors in Filipino FB groups 😆  Support group with other Fil-Am couples here, in case you need it -- https://www.visajourney.com/forums/forum/129-philippines/
 
[EDIT]  Actually, I should have moved your thread sooner... 😅
 
*** Moved from K1 Process & Procedures to the Philippine regional forum, for country-specific input ***
 

1.  Yes
2.  Yes
3.  Typically within a couple of weeks depending on work load 

Hi, my category is IR2 and I have already gone to the interview before.
 
At the interview, I received a 221g requesting a DNA test be done to confirm paternity because my birth cert. doesn't have my petitioner's name - we did that and now the Embassy has the result.
 
Now, they've sent me a letter (another 221g) telling me to send my passport through LBC. (Perhaps no more 2nd interview, so I can't bring my passport to the Embassy anymore.)
 
DNA was positive, so I'm guessing they want my passport for stamping.

Yeah, the officer kept asking my gf for the flight date and we kept answering "we will book once we get all documents "

*** Moved from K1 Progress Reports to the Philippine regional forum, for country-specific input ***
 
 
Once your CEAC case status shows "Ready", submit the DS-160, pay the MRV fee, and book the K1 interview.  Once you have the interview schedule, book the medical at SLEC.
 

Just a reminder to still print the PDF.  I know the airport staff accepts e-tickets, no need for paper copies.  But I don't know if it's the same with the BI officer and CFO certificates.  Best to present a print-out.
 

Yeah
 
She was sent a pdf to her email.
 
We can fly now.

Our immigration process has nothing to do with them so that's irrelevant.
 
It's just that mall cop complex.

The CFO is very odd and sadly holds a lot of power. By requesting a CENOMAR/CEMAR they are wanting to make sure that neither of you are married according to the Philippine Government.

I would be hesitant to remarry in the Philippines until after recognition of the foreign divorce was completed and 1.5 years could be an overly optimistic time prediction on that.  Your ex's lawyer in the Philippines may be legally correct but the question is what happens when PSA goes to register the marriage but discovers the name already show up as married?  If the primary goal is to be married and for her to immigrate to the US, I would think a Utah online marriage would be a safer bet. 
 
 
 
😁  My thought would be that filing the ROM would present more or less exactly the same risk with PSA registering it.  I'm sure the Philippine consulate would accept the ROM no problem and it may very well not be no problem for PSA to register it either.  But, if there was a problem, they would still be left with a marriage that is 100% valid for US Immigration purposes and the ROM issue could wait for the recognition of foreign divorce to complete or otherwise working it out with PSA.  So it seems the lower risk option if the primary goal is to be married and for her to immigrate to the US.

The entire controversy about the validity of Utah online marriages in the Philippines stems from a two or three month suspension of processing ROM's for them around last November, while PSA and DFA conducted a review of their validity.  The results of their review is that they ARE 100% completely valid under Philippine law.  As long as a ROM is filed they are acceptable for anything  and everything that any other Philippine marriage is.  So now that question has been formally put to rest by DFA and PSA.   The Philippine Consulate in San Francisco has resumed processing the ROM's normally and is doing so in droves.
 
On some FB groups there are also people giving their first hand accounts of Utah online marriages going through US Embassy Manila without the slightest question in large numbers, probably daily.  It seems clear that USEM is now very familiar with them.  With or without the ROM is fine for US Visa purposes.

I would argue that a K1 visa is a formal document from the US government that says you are both free to marry.😁  Though arguing with CFO is never likely to be a productive endeavor. I would go along with Chancy and say a CENOMAR is probably what they want.  It is kind of a strange request by CFO, though hardly the strangest they ever came up with.  If you have ever lived in the Philippines or have any Filipino heritage or maybe your name is just the same or similar to some other previous petitioner in CFO's records it might be the reason.

Hello,
 
It seems like my spouse's visa has been approved based on the screen shot below:
 
I have a few questions:
 
For those who went through the 221(g) process - did you receive all the additional documents you submitted back along with the stamped passport? I'm asking because we'll need some of these documents (e.g. CENOMAR, NBI Clearance) for the GCP Seminar How long did it take for you to receive your passport back? My spouse is Manila-based  
Thanks!!

The paper given to your fiancee is very clear that a CENOMAR is required.  But, do they mean your fiancee's CENOMAR or yours?  In any case, you (the USC) may also apply for a CENOMAR from PSA.  Very easy to apply for one online through the PSA Serbilis website.  If you have never been married in the Philippines, you should be able to get a CENOMAR just fine.
 

I have been sending BB boxes through LBC for almost 15 years. First bit of advice, ignore the person you spoke to at LBC. I have never asked or been told that I am limited to 12 of anything. But, if nothing else, say you are sending 36 shirts. List as 12 Boys shirts, 12 Mens shirts. 12 womens shirts. See what I mean? The do not check your boxes anyway. I have sent many things that I either did not list or listed incorrectly. For chocolates, the best deal is the big bag at Costco. I don't know how you can 15 of those in a single bb box. I have sent computers, laptops, cash, jewelry, etc. and never had a problem. If you list them they will want to charge you extra. Bottom line is no one is going to open your box and search it.

I have been sending BB boxes through LBC for almost 15 years. First bit of advice, ignore the person you spoke to at LBC. I have never asked or been told that I am limited to 12 of anything. But, if nothing else, say you are sending 36 shirts. List as 12 Boys shirts, 12 Mens shirts. 12 womens shirts. See what I mean? The do not check your boxes anyway. I have sent many things that I either did not list or listed incorrectly. For chocolates, the best deal is the big bag at Costco. I don't know how you can 15 of those in a single bb box. I have sent computers, laptops, cash, jewelry, etc. and never had a problem. If you list them they will want to charge you extra. Bottom line is no one is going to open your box and search it.

We sent off massive Balikbayan Boxes and none of the chocolate melted . . . and leftover Halloween candy arrives in time for christmas!

I have sent chocolate in every BB box I have sent in the last 15 years, Never once has it been melted.

I can totally see my wife's family going through this. When we had her despedida/engagement party, it seemed like the entire town showed up.

We shipped more than 60 boxes last year in individual shipments of 10 to 13 boxes at a time.  Absolutely no declaration of contents was given.  All arrived without a hitch.
 
If there is one thing notable that Duterte did was eliminated the cusoms holdup for anything other than prohibited items.  Also , If they want to open a box, it now must be done in the presence of the sender or receiver.
 
We currently have 17 boxes in transit with another 6 being packed up for shipping in October.

All these balikbayan box stories bring back memories. Many years ago, when I was a kid, we received a BB box at our house. The delivery driver was so excited for us, he was yelling in Filipino, "Balikbayan box! Balikbayan box is here!" My mom promptly told him to shut up. She was thinking about all the neighbors who would get excited and invite themselves over for ahem, "a look" at our package. 😂

I have been sending BB boxes through LBC for almost 15 years. First bit of advice, ignore the person you spoke to at LBC. I have never asked or been told that I am limited to 12 of anything. But, if nothing else, say you are sending 36 shirts. List as 12 Boys shirts, 12 Mens shirts. 12 womens shirts. See what I mean? The do not check your boxes anyway. I have sent many things that I either did not list or listed incorrectly. For chocolates, the best deal is the big bag at Costco. I don't know how you can 15 of those in a single bb box. I have sent computers, laptops, cash, jewelry, etc. and never had a problem. If you list them they will want to charge you extra. Bottom line is no one is going to open your box and search it.

I have been sending BB boxes through LBC for almost 15 years. First bit of advice, ignore the person you spoke to at LBC. I have never asked or been told that I am limited to 12 of anything. But, if nothing else, say you are sending 36 shirts. List as 12 Boys shirts, 12 Mens shirts. 12 womens shirts. See what I mean? The do not check your boxes anyway. I have sent many things that I either did not list or listed incorrectly. For chocolates, the best deal is the big bag at Costco. I don't know how you can 15 of those in a single bb box. I have sent computers, laptops, cash, jewelry, etc. and never had a problem. If you list them they will want to charge you extra. Bottom line is no one is going to open your box and search it.

I have been sending BB boxes through LBC for almost 15 years. First bit of advice, ignore the person you spoke to at LBC. I have never asked or been told that I am limited to 12 of anything. But, if nothing else, say you are sending 36 shirts. List as 12 Boys shirts, 12 Mens shirts. 12 womens shirts. See what I mean? The do not check your boxes anyway. I have sent many things that I either did not list or listed incorrectly. For chocolates, the best deal is the big bag at Costco. I don't know how you can 15 of those in a single bb box. I have sent computers, laptops, cash, jewelry, etc. and never had a problem. If you list them they will want to charge you extra. Bottom line is no one is going to open your box and search it.