RO_AH

@heynow VJ has a fairly large user base of Filipina/US couples and they are a great resource. I suggest using a lawyer if you want a handhold during the process (but be aware that might not guard against an RFE) but questions regarding culture, civil documents, and nuances of medical through St Luke’s? VJ is the place to be… and it’s free! 

Especially when people don’t realize some consulting services are very country specific. What’s completely fine for one country is a red flag for the other. 

Thanks! It definitely sucked. I think I am out of the woods but I will keep the syrup in mind.
 
Yeah...QR code...that's it (nod to Jon Lovitz)!!!

First thing people need to realize is that not everything is like in America, if you travel a lot, you would more likely see that what it is like in the Philippines is more like the rest of the world. Most Americans are very spoiled in their thinking and expectations. Learn to embrace and accept the differences.
 
As far as the CENOMAR, I think it's pretty consistent across the board for requiring a CENOMAR for a Filipino to get married. They need to prove that they are not currently married first. But the foreigner usually but not always needs an "Affidavit in lieu of legal capacity to marry" to show that they aree not currently married and are able to marry. The need for and how to get an Affidavit in lieu of legal capacity to marry has changed so that is one reason that she must go check exactly what is required.
 
After getting married and receiving the PSA marriage certificate, then you will order a CEMAR from PSA for both you and your wife before the interview. That will prove that you are both legally married in the Philippines, and it is required at the interview.
 

If it's a fair price, that's for you to decide. I did all the paperwork myself, asked questions here if I wasn't sure. No problems for me.

I suppose anyone can charge whatever they want for reviewing documents. $50, $1,500. At least they're calling themselves a visa coach and not misrepresenting as an attorney. ☺️
 
You see organizations warn of excessive delays, denials, and so on for errors in paperwork. While it's true if you don't fill out a form correctly or submit enough credible and reliable (or required) evidence, then it certainly could result in a delay or refusal. This is partially why USCIS has pretty detailed and lengthy instructions for every document.
 
I like Dashinka's answer: Peace of mind for some folks is a big deal. As for fairness of fee, short of looking at market trends, it's really anyone's guess or opinion. And even if there were market trends to look at it, it still comes down to: they can charge whatever they want.
 
At the end of the day, as many others, we have so far done this ourselves. As another person mentioned, the forms are kind of the easier part. And if you have any questions and you ask, you will get answers from knowledgeable and experienced VJ members. No one here has ever let me down when I've had a question. 
 
Good luck with whatever you choose. 🤙🏾

You do the legroom yourself, u don’t need “consultant” to word / spell check your document. U can do it yourself. Donate that $400 for go fund me or people in need instead. The hardest one is to collect the evidence and not to fill the form. U can ask questions here people are willing to help 

Another vote to wait for the PSA marriage certificate before filing the I-130.  The LCR copy is not enough for US immigration.
 

Wait for the PSA. You did the right thing by requesting an expedite. The last thing you want is for them to reject the app or give you an RFE, because it's missing and have to start over.

You need to have your wife go to the local municipal building and LCR (Local Civil Registry) and ask what is EXACTLY required to marry a foreigner in her location. Make sure that she writes everything down so nothing is missed. Requirements vary all over the PH and may be wasting your time trying to get things that you don't need and missing things that you do. Please trust me on this. Next plan on a 3 week trip. It takes 10 working days (2 weeks) just to get your marriage license which allows you to get married. This is something that is consistent all across the PH. It will usually be a day or two to get everything together before you go to apply for the license and a day or 2 after to get married. 3 weeks is doable, less than that leaves no margin for error.
 
Last bit of advice. Have her ask the LCR if there is any way to expedite the PSA marriage certificate. That is very important because you will need that to get the CR-1. They usually have a way to do that and you will pay a fee. If you do not do that you can easily wait 6 months to a year for it.

She is moving her life to USA and doesn't even have a check on bag?? I went to get my wife and 2 children. We had 7 checked bags 50 lbs each and 4 carry on bags lol.

She is moving her life to USA and doesn't even have a check on bag?? I went to get my wife and 2 children. We had 7 checked bags 50 lbs each and 4 carry on bags lol.

She is moving her life to USA and doesn't even have a check on bag?? I went to get my wife and 2 children. We had 7 checked bags 50 lbs each and 4 carry on bags lol.

Cutting it too close IMO

Korean Air comes up $583 one-way MNL-ICN-SEA a bunch of dates in October.  In today's airfare market I don't think you could do to much better than that.   I would really try hard to avoid an unnecessary domestic connection just make things easy on your fiancée.  I'm sure it's stressful enough by itself.

Wait times to clear customs in SFO vary from 17 minutes to 90 minutes depending on time of day.  Since she is an arriving K1 she will likely be directed to secondary inspection which will significantly add time to her ability to get through the immigration process.  Then she must collect her baggage, clear customs, recheck her bags, change terminals, clear security again, find her gate.  Not a recipe for success in an hours time.  That's why i always try to have my last stop in my itinerary be my first stop in country and therefore my POE.

Cutting it too close IMO

customs and immigration will  be done at SF  her first POE

To be clear, as @jskibo said, it is tied to the medical. But to be more clear, it is tied to the start date of your medical not the completion date. Because of this getting flagged for sputum shortens your window. If you need treatment for TB it shrinks that window more.

Hello, It looks like the Philippines is no longer requiring Covid-19 Tests or vaccines to travel there! Also on a couple of Airlines Philippine Air and Korean Air are no longer requiring the Antigen tests to travel there according to their websites.

Sure you can. I would do the medical at least 3 days before interview because medical takes 2 days. However, please keep min mind that if any of them get flagged for sputum testing you will need to reschedule the interview.

To be clear, as @jskibo said, it is tied to the medical. But to be more clear, it is tied to the start date of your medical not the completion date. Because of this getting flagged for sputum shortens your window. If you need treatment for TB it shrinks that window more.

Typically 4-8 weeks.
 
They can travel the same day they arrive.  Their immigration visa, upon endorsement, will act as a temporary I-551 (GC) for 1 year (from the date of endorsement).
 
They will need to have a family member or friend who can receive the GCs in the mail.

The green card doesn't come from the PI, it is mailed from the USCIS production center in Kentucky.  The immigrant processing fee must be paid first before the card is even ordered.  Processing is roughly 30 days after arrival and if the fee has been paid.
 
They can travel using the temporary stamp in there passport while waiting for the actual card

Second opinion for what? The only opinion that matters is St. Lukes (not loots). If people are trying to think it's a money grab, it's not. You pay 1 fee for medical. It covers sputum as well. Now they have way more work to do and they do not get any more money.
 
I think it is due to poor equipment or poor training on how to read an x-ray. Sadly my wife was flagged and had to go through this and it really does suck. By the time she finished and we got a new interview date, her visa was set to expire a few days later. Appointments at the embassy were tough to get because it was during covid. We ended up having to do the medical again. 2nd time x-ray was fine and no sputum.
 
Like I said, it sucks, but you will make it through.