Fogi

I used the following:
 
1. Letter from employer stating tenure and salary. I know they don't need the salary, but this is a standard letter employers issue. 
2. Passport stamps showing when I left and returned. (I had just gotten a new passport about a year before, so most of this came from an old passport). 
3. A single months electricity bill, a different month phone bill, and a different month cable/internet bill. This was overkill I suppose. 
 
 

Get married and file the I-130 for a spouse visa

Thinking with *wrong head*        

Nice! My wife's family let me use their car whenever I wanted. Even the day they met me, I always thought that was cool. Never asked for anything other than physical labor a few times. Normal son-in-law stuff. I hear the horror stories, I always wonder how a guy can get tricked. I think the guys getting tricked have very little experience with women in general, or they're thinking with the wrong brain. 

hahaha
 
Don't buy any fridges or ACs also. I seem to see that one a a lot. 

hahaha
 
Don't buy any fridges or ACs also. I seem to see that one a a lot. 

My now wife went through an annulment in the Philippines. The only way to speed it up is to make it more "expensive" or to know someone inside the system. It's already about $3k and takes 2 years. Search around the forum, there is many recommendations already  in here. 

hahaha
 
Don't buy any fridges or ACs also. I seem to see that one a a lot. 

hahaha
 
Don't buy any fridges or ACs also. I seem to see that one a a lot. 

OP Follow this!^ 
 
Hank is always spot on. 
 
Talking about sex is still a little taboo in the Philippines. I have only been with one Filipina, but my experience working in the Philippines is that they are just as promiscuous as American woman. They just don't broadcast it like western women. Judgement free here, everyone should practice as much safe sex as they want.  I would advise everyone anywhere not to care how many partners someone had before they met you, all that matter is you're their only partner now. You have to trust that someone you care about cares enough about you to make sure they're not giving you an STD. 
 
My now wife and I were only together for about 6 months before we got pregnant, so of course I sent money for that. But in those 6 months she tried to pay for everything., or we went dutch. She hates the white knight stereotype. If she is constantly in need of money, that's a red flag. If she is short 1k php every now and then, that seems pretty normal. If she didn't have money for Christmas gifts, that also seems weird to me. They have 13th month pay laws in the Philippines that specifically boost pay around Christmas time. Some companies offer 14, 15, and 16 month pay. Did you constantly give money to girlfriends in the USA? Probably not. If she has a job, she should live within those means, unless of course you're wealthy, then stop being so cheap.  "Budget" is literally the only thing my wife and I argue about. I am super conservative with money. Why eat out? Why buy new clothes when these still fit? We've booth had to budge on this one. i occasionally get a new shirt and try new restaurants, she doesn't complain about our 12 YO car.
 
We did the K1 because I wanted her here faster. While our child is a US citizen, he was there with her, so I wanted him here sooner too.  If there was no kid, I would have done the marriage visa. 

OP Follow this!^ 
 
Hank is always spot on. 
 
Talking about sex is still a little taboo in the Philippines. I have only been with one Filipina, but my experience working in the Philippines is that they are just as promiscuous as American woman. They just don't broadcast it like western women. Judgement free here, everyone should practice as much safe sex as they want.  I would advise everyone anywhere not to care how many partners someone had before they met you, all that matter is you're their only partner now. You have to trust that someone you care about cares enough about you to make sure they're not giving you an STD. 
 
My now wife and I were only together for about 6 months before we got pregnant, so of course I sent money for that. But in those 6 months she tried to pay for everything., or we went dutch. She hates the white knight stereotype. If she is constantly in need of money, that's a red flag. If she is short 1k php every now and then, that seems pretty normal. If she didn't have money for Christmas gifts, that also seems weird to me. They have 13th month pay laws in the Philippines that specifically boost pay around Christmas time. Some companies offer 14, 15, and 16 month pay. Did you constantly give money to girlfriends in the USA? Probably not. If she has a job, she should live within those means, unless of course you're wealthy, then stop being so cheap.  "Budget" is literally the only thing my wife and I argue about. I am super conservative with money. Why eat out? Why buy new clothes when these still fit? We've booth had to budge on this one. i occasionally get a new shirt and try new restaurants, she doesn't complain about our 12 YO car.
 
We did the K1 because I wanted her here faster. While our child is a US citizen, he was there with her, so I wanted him here sooner too.  If there was no kid, I would have done the marriage visa. 

OP Follow this!^ 
 
Hank is always spot on. 
 
Talking about sex is still a little taboo in the Philippines. I have only been with one Filipina, but my experience working in the Philippines is that they are just as promiscuous as American woman. They just don't broadcast it like western women. Judgement free here, everyone should practice as much safe sex as they want.  I would advise everyone anywhere not to care how many partners someone had before they met you, all that matter is you're their only partner now. You have to trust that someone you care about cares enough about you to make sure they're not giving you an STD. 
 
My now wife and I were only together for about 6 months before we got pregnant, so of course I sent money for that. But in those 6 months she tried to pay for everything., or we went dutch. She hates the white knight stereotype. If she is constantly in need of money, that's a red flag. If she is short 1k php every now and then, that seems pretty normal. If she didn't have money for Christmas gifts, that also seems weird to me. They have 13th month pay laws in the Philippines that specifically boost pay around Christmas time. Some companies offer 14, 15, and 16 month pay. Did you constantly give money to girlfriends in the USA? Probably not. If she has a job, she should live within those means, unless of course you're wealthy, then stop being so cheap.  "Budget" is literally the only thing my wife and I argue about. I am super conservative with money. Why eat out? Why buy new clothes when these still fit? We've booth had to budge on this one. i occasionally get a new shirt and try new restaurants, she doesn't complain about our 12 YO car.
 
We did the K1 because I wanted her here faster. While our child is a US citizen, he was there with her, so I wanted him here sooner too.  If there was no kid, I would have done the marriage visa. 

OP Follow this!^ 
 
Hank is always spot on. 
 
Talking about sex is still a little taboo in the Philippines. I have only been with one Filipina, but my experience working in the Philippines is that they are just as promiscuous as American woman. They just don't broadcast it like western women. Judgement free here, everyone should practice as much safe sex as they want.  I would advise everyone anywhere not to care how many partners someone had before they met you, all that matter is you're their only partner now. You have to trust that someone you care about cares enough about you to make sure they're not giving you an STD. 
 
My now wife and I were only together for about 6 months before we got pregnant, so of course I sent money for that. But in those 6 months she tried to pay for everything., or we went dutch. She hates the white knight stereotype. If she is constantly in need of money, that's a red flag. If she is short 1k php every now and then, that seems pretty normal. If she didn't have money for Christmas gifts, that also seems weird to me. They have 13th month pay laws in the Philippines that specifically boost pay around Christmas time. Some companies offer 14, 15, and 16 month pay. Did you constantly give money to girlfriends in the USA? Probably not. If she has a job, she should live within those means, unless of course you're wealthy, then stop being so cheap.  "Budget" is literally the only thing my wife and I argue about. I am super conservative with money. Why eat out? Why buy new clothes when these still fit? We've booth had to budge on this one. i occasionally get a new shirt and try new restaurants, she doesn't complain about our 12 YO car.
 
We did the K1 because I wanted her here faster. While our child is a US citizen, he was there with her, so I wanted him here sooner too.  If there was no kid, I would have done the marriage visa. 

If you get asked to DNA, use the expedited process. We had the test on a Monday or Tuesday (can;'t remember exactly) USEM had results by the end of the week. If you PM me I'll let you know the lab. It was expensive AF, but worth it. 

ACR Card is super easy to get. Take a trip to BI in Manila, while waiting for the card do touristy stuff. It shouldn't be more than 2 hours. There's a Starbucks right there, and many restaurants. It's also handy because then you can carry that around instead of your passport. 

ACR Card is super easy to get. Take a trip to BI in Manila, while waiting for the card do touristy stuff. It shouldn't be more than 2 hours. There's a Starbucks right there, and many restaurants. It's also handy because then you can carry that around instead of your passport. 

Doubtful, because you will need to wait for the official birth certificate from the Philippines. Once you have that, you're good to begin the process. If you plan to bring the baby to the USA right way, you can hold off on the SSN, and get that stateside. Baby does not need it to travel. I'd get it before traveling so you can put the baby on your insurance. 

What country? For me in the Philippines, it was about a week after the results of our DNA test was sent to USEM.  This process is actually kind of quick in the Philippines. 

Traveled dozens of times between USA and PH, always had work and personal laptop with me, no issues. Fiance brought laptop and tablets when she came over, no issue 
 
There was a laptop ban from 10 middle eastern airports for a few months in 2017.  Perhaps that is what he's referencing. 

Traveled dozens of times between USA and PH, always had work and personal laptop with me, no issues. Fiance brought laptop and tablets when she came over, no issue 
 
There was a laptop ban from 10 middle eastern airports for a few months in 2017.  Perhaps that is what he's referencing. 

My partner went late on day 1, so went late on day 2. She arrived 1 PM, was out before 5 PM. Going later = less waiting. That is until everyone figures out going later  in the day is better.

I wanted to address the negative attitudes we have seen on the rise recently in the upper/ immigration forums towards those who ask beginner/ simple questions, or have unusually fast or slow VisaJourneys.

First, there is a tone difference between the Progress forums- which are mostly for support and cheerleading, and the Info forums, which are mostly to have questions answered.   While all our forums are supposed to be welcoming to all and friendly, this is especially important in the Progress forums, which are not to discuss politics, or be negative towards  those fortunate to have their case dealt with quickly, or  critical of those who voice sadness about their own slow progress. These forums are there to uplift eachother!

Secondly- in the info forums, you may get bad news.  When a question is asked, our members are encouraged to answer truthfully, even if this may not be what the Op wants to hear, because it is important to be informed.  However, the emphasis is still on being welcoming and friendly.  If you need to give bad news, do so gently, and stick to facts; constructive criticism of the Op's plans ARE allowed, but the emphasis is on constructive.  No need to dwell on mistakes (or tell members they should be on 90 Day Fiance- that is a personal attack and automatic suspension), or  illegal actions in the past- instead, encourage and explain legal options for the future.  And ONLY legal options- as per our TOS, VJ does not support, condone or encourage illegal (immigration) actions, and such posts will be removed.

Ultimately, we are here to help all members, old and new, easy cases and complicated, those who write a fact filled bullet point post and those who are panicking and don't make much sense in their first post. Yes, sometimes questions can be easily googled, or answered via a search of our forums.  But if you feel that way, just scroll past- no need to criticise the OP for asking the question. 

Thank you Fogi. We did pay for shipping and the kit was meant to be sent via fedex and it had tracking number. We started getting worried when the lab advised that kit hasn't left South Africa after 10 days of doing the testing. Tracking number still reflects that kit is in South Africa. Noone is responding to our calls and emails and it is frustrating.

Yes, they let our 4 YO (who didn't need a visa) to attend my fiances visa appointment with her. 

Yes, they let our 4 YO (who didn't need a visa) to attend my fiances visa appointment with her.