loshyian

Thank you everyone for your input, looks like we will just go ahead and start the process for CRBA for my stepdaughter. Probably won't be able to take her to the states until next year, but hopefully she will have her citizenship by then!

I actually called the US Embassy in Manila they gave me the boilerplate response of "feel free to apply for visa but the decision is up to the officer at the interview" which I understand they have to say to cover themselves, but everyone else I talked to who seems somewhat knowledgable said just to go for CRBA as tourist visa would never be approved.

Let me try to clear up what I am trying to accomplish. So, my filipina wife has a USA tourist visa and we have been to USA once together. Now we want to bring my stepdaughter with us to USA for holiday later this year. My original post was asking regarding long term plan regarding bringing my wife and stepdaughter to USA permanently. That is probably 2+ years away. My original post did not mention the planned vacation because I did not know this could possibly affect status later on if she had to apply for citizenship or if I were to sponsor her. I would never consider bringing my wife or stepdaughter into USA permanently on a tourist visa or do anything to jeopardize their status.

Thanks Jojo! This is what I was afraid of, but just a small detour on our journey. Quick follow up question, if my stepdaughter's family had no interest in pursuing US citizenship for her, would it at all be possible for her to get a tourist visa?

Looking into DCF process for bringing wife and stepdaughter to USA from Philippines. Married for a bit over 2 years now, wife has 10 year multiple entry tourist visa. We are in the process of getting my stepdaughter her Philippines passport. Here is the wrinkle, biological father of my stepdaughter is a US Citizen and was a US Citizen when she was born (he is now residing in the states). So, it looks like it may still be possible for stepdaughter to get her US citizenship without sponsoring her along with my wife. My wife has cordial relationship with family of her ex (mother of ex and sister of ex) but does not have any direct contact with her ex. This family arrangement now seems perfect, however it looks like her ex's family or her ex would need to do a lot of legwork and follow up to obtain US citizenship for stepdaughter if they agree to go through with the process, and I see it being a major stumbling block even if they do agree. Also my wife may need to get back into direct contact with her ex in order to go through the process of obtaining citizenship for my stepdaughter, and getting back in contact with him is something she does NOT want to do and also this is NOT something I want to push for unless absolutely necessary.

Question time:

1. Would consulate allow me to sponsor my stepdaughter for a visa when they know her father is a US Citizen?

2. If the answer to #1 is no, is there anyway we could streamline/combine these 2 processes through DCF?

Thanks in advance, everyone here was so much help with my last post.

Plan for DCF from Philippines within the next year. Will be married for 2 year this coming April.

1. Is two years the minimum or better chance of getting approved or is it 3 years now? 

2. My non citizen wife has a 10 year tourist visa, I assume that it will be revoked or that it would at least be strongly discouraged from visiting while DCF applications are pending? We plan to visit USA every Thanksgiving if it is financially possible.

3. My USA domicile is my brother's house and he would let us stay there until we are able to get our own apartment, would this suffice? 

Good news, wife received verbal approval for tourist visa at the embassy this morning and should have her stamped passport sent within a week. I was a little surprised due to all of the horror stories I have heard on internet about denials and possibly needing a spousal visa. Based on my wife's recollection of the interview, it was her stable higher paying (for the Philippines) job that put her over the top, as the interviewer sort of raised her eyebrows in surprise when she gave her salary. My wife was not asked to show any supporting paperwork, although the interviewer did ask questions about her job, my stepdaughter, and any intentions to move to USA permanently. I know we were very lucky to get the visa and thanks to everyone who posted on this forum for their assistance.

Interview questions my wife remembers, don't quote me on the exact wording, hahaha...

1.  Q: Are you married?

2.  Q: How long have you been married?

3.  Q: Is your husband a US Citizen? - I think my wife volunteered at this point information that I was a permanent resident of the Philippines

4.  Q: Do you have any intentions of staying in the US permanently?

5.  Q: Do you have any children?

6.  Q: Is your child the biological child of you and your husband?

7   Q: Will your child be traveling with you?

8.  Q: What is your job?/How long have you worked for your employer?

9.  Q: What is your salary?

10. Q: Have you traveled outside of the country before?

Again we were lucky, so please don't take this story as any hope, as everyone's situation is different, and there may have been a different outcome for us if we had a different interviewer or our interviewer was in a bad mood today. 

Quick question on filling out the D160 application. The question "Do you have any immediate relatives, not including parents, in the United States?"  should my wife answer yes or no? I (husband) am a USA citizen with permanent residency in Philippines. I have not been in the USA for 19 months but am still a citizen.

The apartment lease is in my name, I also own a car in my name. Maybe a detailed itinerary for vacation would help as well? Thanks for the replies/assistance.

I am a USA citizen married to filipina for 15 months. We are living in Philippines permanently (for now). We are in the process of gathering all supporting docs for interview for B2 visa for a 3 week trip to USA to see friends and family and plan to interview in Manila in the next month or so. My wife has only left the philippines once on a 4 day trip to Hong Kong with me last year. She has a good job here in the Philippines (about $1800/mo after taxes) and her daughter is here in the Philippines as well. I am currently a permanent resident of the Philippines. Just trying to get a feel on her chances of getting a B2 visa, as I am a little worried because of her minimum foreign travel.