AlaMike

Hello everyone, 

Just wanted to relay the experience my fiance had at the CFO/GCP counseling session.

We decided to go ahead and get the counseling done ahead of the visa since we were going to be in Manila before my flight home and to hopefully save time in the future. Knowing that she would have to return for the CFO stamp after the Visa.

Once she was checked in and the session actually started that is when the problems started. We has assumed there would be 2 different sessions; 1 for people with Visa's and 1 without. But that was not the case. They put her in with the ones with Visa's? I guess to consolidate? 

The person running the session proceeded to tell her that she had wasted her time by coming and and would have to return anyway. So, why did she even show up and that I was stupid for scheduling without the Visa.

She said they were very rude and kept insisting that since I had been married before and had no children that I "must" have have problem with having children. They also told her that most men in the US are womanizers and abuse their wives, that's why they have so much divorce. 

The counselor told them that murder of US men's wives was common and to expect to be treated like a slave. And told of several instances where Filipino's were murdered by their husbands.

They even went as far to tell her that after she gets her Visa, she will get an envelope that says. "Do not open". But to to open it anyway to see whats inside!

I thought this was supposed to be a counseling session to advise them of their rights and what to do in case things go wrong. Not outright lies and scare tactics. They had her so upset she was almost crying. 

Is this common for the session and has anyone had this type of experience?

Its just a let down to put so much into the application only to have them request more.

I had modeled my application from others on the site and added even more information than was requested. 

Luckily I have had the means for a second trip to visit and I  did think ahead and had updated intent letters for her to sign in case they asked in the interview.

Just adds more time to an already lengthy process. But, we are just pawns to their rules...

They asked for any other proof also. But not sure since I loaded the packet the first time.

I will just send all the stuff from the latest trip.

A seperate one from each. I have new updated ones. They are seperate bit reaffirm our intent.

Well, 

Just got the dreaded RFE on my K1. I thought I had loaded my 129f application well and I included signed letters of intent, pictures, flight info, hotel info and everything else requested. 

They are now wanting, "More evidence of the bona fide nature of your and the beneficiary's intent to marry within 90 days". They also want evidence of wedding preparation? Just how can you plan for something you don't even have an approval for??

Luckily, I just returned from a 2 week trip for visit my fiance for the second time. I will send them what they asked for...again. 

My question is: They sent a small envelope to return the information, which of coarse id too small. Can I send in a larger envelope and would I send it registered with return receipt?

The only problem with trying to schedule them both on the same day. Is you have to schedule the GCP/CFO ahead of time and there might not be any openings on the the same day of the interview and there are a limited number of people seen each day. 

But if your interview is scheduled a couple weeks to a month in advance, I see no reason not to do them at the same time. Although, I would not try and schedule them on the same day. To many things on an exact time schedule, give yourself some breathing room.

KJ34

Here was Filipino Cupids response as to whether they were "marriage broker" or not. 

I included this as well as copy of the terms an conditions.

Unfortunately they only keep data for 3 months, if is deleted from their servers after that.

Dear member,
Thank you for contacting us.

The intention of the International Marriage Broker Regulation Act of 2005 was to
regulate International Marriage Brokers and not to regulate online dating companies.
There are several fundamental differences between international marriage brokers
and online dating websites. This is why the International Marriage Broker Regulation
Act specifically exempts online dating companies from being classified as an
International Marriage Broker in section 4 (B) (ii) of the International Marriage
Broker Regulation Act of 2005.
Section 4 (B) (ii) of IMBRA exempts dating companies:
If its principal business is not to provide dating services between US citizens (or
residents) and foreign nationals and so long as it charges comparable rates and
offers comparable services to all individuals regardless of gender or country of
citizenship. Our company meets the above conditions required for an exemption
under Section 4 (B) (ii).
Specifically:
• Our principal business is not to provide dating services between US citizens and
foreign nationals. “Principal Business” as described under Section 4 (B) (ii) of IMBRA
relates to the principal business of the corporate entity as a whole and not to the
characteristics of an individual website operated by a business. We are not a US
company and we have paying and non paying customers from all over the world.
The number of non US men vastly outnumber the number of US men who use our
various dating websites. We are a diversified online dating company operating a
wide range of online dating services. Many of our dating sites attract large number
of users seeking a partner within their country. We operate websites based on
religion, occupation, sexual orientation or special interest where the majority of
people seek a partner within their own country. US men seeking a foreign partner
does not constitute the majority of our business.
• Our websites charge comparable prices regardless of gender. The price of
membership is identical for men and women.
• Our websites charge comparable prices regardless of country of citizenship. The
price of membership does not depend upon the citizenship of the individual. We are
an Australian company and our base price is in Australian Dollars. For convenience
we offer consumers the ability to pay in their local currency. The price that a
consumer pays will depend upon local taxes (if any), foreign exchange fluctuations,
the cost of doing business in that market and various other factors. Prices are
comparable for consumers in every market.
• Our websites have identical features and offer comparable services regardless of
gender. The website features and services offered are comparable for men and
women. When a user registers on one of our websites the user creates a detailed
profile. Male and female profiles are comparable. Male and female users have the
ability to perform a detailed search on the database or use any of the same site
features. The websites provide comparable features to any user of a particular grade
irrespective of the users gender.
Consequently, our company is exempt from The International Marriage Broker
Regulation Act 2005 as it falls within this exemption provided by Section 4 (B) (ii) of
the International Marriage Broker Regulation Act. Most other online dating
companies would be similarly exempted.
However, as a service to our members, we provide an optional IMBRA form on all
our websites for US residents to complete the required IMBRA background
information.  To complete the IMBRA form, logon to the website then select Update
Profile, then select the IMBRA tab. The completed form may be printed from our
website if desired. This may assist our members who wish to apply for USA K non-
immigrant visa in future.
Full information regarding IMBRA can be found at
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Marriage_Broker_Regulation_Act







 

Being from Alabama I can shed some light on the subject.

One of the reasons for the change is that some Probate Judges refused to sign marriage licenses for same sex couples based on their religious beliefs.

This takes the process of applying for a marriage license and have a judges "approve" and sign. Now they are only required to file them.

Thanks again Hank, 

Not wanting to be " tulala dayuhan".

Information says that the HK Police will send information directly to the NVC. I would need something for HK police to use as a "file" number.

Since I am only in NOA1 status, am I rushing things or do I need to wait.

Thanks again, 

How and where do I obtain the following: 

(requirements for Hong Kong Police Clearance)

2. The original and a photocopy (for each applicant) of the letter from NVC which contains his/her name and the checklist of documents necessary for obtaining a visa (the one that references the need for police certificates)

Your experience and guidance is appreciated 

Thanks for the info pertaining to Saudi... 

Next question.

She also spent time working in Hong Kong (3/2014 to 5/2015). Does she need NBI for HK?

I have read the instructions for obtaining the NBI. Where would I get the the following?

**the original and a photocopy (for each applicant) of the letter from NVC which contains his/her name and the checklist of documents necessary for obtaining a visa (the one that references the need for police certificates)

Hi Folks, 

I am in Alabama (McCalla). Fiance is from Philippines (Libon, Albay). K1 Visa has been applied for, NOA1 is done, waiting on NOA2.

She was worried about there being no one in the area from her country. Looks like there are a few.

Thanks Guys, 

Just trying to stay on top of any unexpected problems.

By the way, she does have her final exit papers from Saudi.

My fiance spent the last year in Saudi for work. She has been back in the Philippines for the last 2 months. Will she need any NBI type clearances from Saudi or just the one from the Philippines.

I am a July Filer also. I am in this for the long haul now.

I was able to check the web site and found the slots were only full for most of next week. We will not attend until November. I just didn't want to go online only to find out the slots were full for the next 3 months. We will schedule in mid October just to be sure.

Thanks for the assistance

Any idea how long the wait time is after scheduling for the Guidance Counseling online.