Matrix13

Congratulations. You say you got approved...I assume you mean an approved NOA2 from the USCIS. Correct? 

What did you ever do about the CENOMAR? Keep us posted

As we all know, the Philippines requires foreign travelers to have confirmed tickets for return or onward journey to the next port of destination in order to enter the country on a temporary visitor's visa.

My question is:

Does anyone know the timeline requirement for the onward ticket? As in, does it need to fall inside the first 29 days in the Philippines?

Any help or references are greatly appreciated.

On 12/24/2018 at 10:25 PM, Hank_ said:

Actually a "tourist visa" is how most expat are living in the Phils  ... that plus an ACR card.    

You're absolutely right. The "tourist visa" (technically called a temporary visitor's visa) & ACR-I card is the way lots of us make the Philippines our home. 

Can anyone provide the OP with a (recent) case where a USC was allowed to submit their DCF in Manila while staying in the Phils on a tourist visa? If you can, please include the length of time the USC was living in the Phils.

You had 5 1/2 months between NOA1 and NOA2. That's really quick! I hope the rest of your journey is as trouble-free. 

DCF is definitely the gold standard for visas, it's the quickest of your 3 options and she will have her green card status immediately upon arrival in the US. But, getting them to accept your petition is a bit of a gamble. The driving factor of whether they accept your petition is the residency requirement.

Your residency qualification will be based on a decision by the USCIS Manila field office. Their residency guidance is on their website. https://www.uscis.gov/about-us/find-uscis-office/international-offices/philippines-uscis-manila-field-office

I was in a similar situation as yours, so I researched the DCF and found anecdotal evidence that my being in the Philippines on a tourist visa was not going to be enough to allow the field office to consider me a resident. Because of that, we delayed our marriage plans and opted for the K-1 because of the timeline advantage it has over the CR-1. 

Good luck to you, whichever route you choose

Good catch. I definitely meant to say beneficiary, not petitioner. Good luck to you guys, as well!

We received our NOA1 in the mail last week. It follows the same format as the one you have...USC addressee has a middle initial shown, petitioner's name does not show a middle initial.

Based on that, my opinion is that you don't have anything to worry about.

Out of curiosity, did you ever get electronic notification of your I-129F petition being accepted by the USCIS? Our electronic notification never came.