GarLeb

My darling fiancé finally has her visa on hand and we have a flight booked for her to come home! Thank you all so much for all the valuable advice you've given, we really couldn't have gotten through this without it! She still has her CFO to do, but she's prepared for that.
 
I know it's far from over, so what is your advice on what we should do next?

I know everyone kind of follows everyone else, so here is my update.  My loving husband and father passed away June 14 in a tragic accident. Our family is just not settled yet for this. My MIL says it will take a bit longer now, even though we were at stage for interviews and waiting DQ on 2 children. She says the information is confusing and even lady at USCIS did not seem sure of what to do and kept going to look things up.  Does anyone know anyone who has dealt with this?  Not worried about needing another sponsor, we are good there. Please prayers for my kids, who are having a difficult time dealing at the moment.

Thanks to everyone who replied. Sorry it took me a while but I had to focus on job search. I did get to find a job eventually after 2 months. I'm now taking a leap of faith and moved all the way to another state with my husband.
 
For anyone who's reading this and is having trouble with finding work, my experience lead me to conclude:
If you're from the Philippines and is used to a faster hiring process, don't expect the same here. I had that same expectation which almost got me depressed. I thought I was just not cut out to find work here. Finding candidates here though is different and you have to use that to gain advantage. Most companies here use ATS. To those who were taught to write resumes/CVs as if a human eye will read it, forget about all that. Make your resume/CV short and have it only contain the important keywords that their job post is using. Make sure that you still use sentences but you don't have to write it with fancy english words (unless you're applying to be a copywriter, I guess?). I used https://www.jobscan.co/ to understand how it works, I'd recommend you try it. It gives recommendations on your linkedin profile too which I highly suggest. The company hiring me approached me through a recruiter on LinkedIn. I highly recommend to optimize your LinkedIn so that recruiters can approach you too. Make sure that you've set your profile to be searchable by recruiters and that they can message you even if you're not connected. It was extremely difficult to get an IT job at the city that we were living in. So consider your location as a factor to getting a job. I had to move to Tennessee for this job. Put your profile everywhere. There are several job posting sites and it's a good idea to just be searchable everywhere. I had my profile up in LinkedIn, Indeed, Seen by Indeed, AngelList and Monster.com. Just to give you an idea, I was approached in LinkedIn, Seen by Indeed and AngelList by several recruiters from different companies. Job hunt here takes months. The company I'll be working for took 2 weeks just to get all the interviews done. After that, my background check and paperwork took 3 weeks. It didn't help that we had to work around holiday schedules so just be ready. Also, most of the companies I applied for took a month before they got back to me for the first round of interviews. 1 of them took 2 weeks to let me know about proceeding to 2nd round of interviews. Some additional info I'd like to add:
Make sure to lookup the salary of the position you're applying for in the specific city that they are located. Make sure you don't undersell yourself. Yes, you're an immigrant but if you're giving them what they need, you deserve the same pay. Send out as many resumes as you need, put yourself out there. Most people suggest networking and it's better if you could do that. It's not like all cities have a community of what you need so that's just a good bonus option. Also, I'm an introvert and I hate meeting strangers XP. If you're interested in finding a community though, try meetup.com When you get scheduled for an interview, make sure to prepare. My husband was so surprised when I whipped out my pen and paper to write down my "Tell me about yourself" bit. I researched a lot of questions to prepare my answers and also tried to find good questions for my interviewers. Getting your resume noticed is a battle but your interview will let you win the war. I sent out my resume probably a hundred times but I was only interviewed twice. Lucky enough that I found what I was looking for in those 2 interviews but I brought my A game both times. Happy job hunting!

This is a larger answer that should encompass your questions.
 
You should both begin planning for you to hit the ground running, in every way possible, the instant you hit the Port of Entry.  Have a short-term list, a medium-term list, and a long-term list.
 
The short-term list would include getting married within 90 days (ideally, within days of your arrival) and filing for AOS immediately.  See if your officiant will permit you to carry the signed marriage license to the county courthouse yourselves.  Sometimes, the courthouse clerks can produce marriage certificates while you wait, or same-day.  Order 5 originals; you'll need them.
 
Qualify for a U.S. driver's license as soon as possible when you arrive.  Before you emigrate, renew your Brazilian license for the longest term possible.  If your passport is remotely within expiration time, renew it before your consular interview, so that the visa can be put into a fresh passport.
 
Interpersonally, if finances haven't been discussed, do it in exhaustive detail starting now.  I can't emphasize strongly enough how important this is; one reason is that financial issues are a chief reason for divorce.  Your fiancé can provide you a copy of his budget (income and expenses, in categories), which will also give you an idea of the high costs in the U.S.  When Mrs.-T-B.-to-be arrived from Ecuador, I showed her 4 months of expenses, and she murmured, "I've never seen numbers like that."  Regardless of how cosmopolitan you are or how many times you may have visited the U.S., things are eye-opening.
 
Plan to spend some time every day "acculturating" yourself.  Visit a supermarket together and spend time in one aisle of products at a time.  Look at what's available and at what price.  Ask questions that come to your mind.  Beyond this, take walks together, even around the block.  Notice differences or things that you don't immediately understand, and talk about these -- ALL of them.  No observation or question is too trivial.  NOTE:  Do a little of this every day; avoid overloading your brain all at one time.
 
Investigate which local banks will be willing to place you jointly on your new husband's account before you have a Social Security Number.  My bank was willing to add Mrs. T-B. upon my promise to supply her SSN when we got it.
 
Such things as dental/medical visits differ vastly between the U.S. and South America.  Mrs.-T-B.-to-be was stunned and disappointed to learn that, unlike in Ecu, you can't simply walk into a dentist's office here, tell them what you want done, be seen right then or that day, and leave with your procedure completed.  I had mentioned this reality to her, but I didn't think to ensure that she comprehended its impact.
 
Your fiancé (or you) should look (even starting now) for Brazilian or Portuguese-speaking communities or groups near you.  Relying on countrymen who have "been here, done that" can help you adjust to your new country and serve as a network of initial friends.  If some are local to where you'll be living in the U.S., wonderful.
 
The reason for the above acculturation recommendations is that homesickness and culture-shock will strike you.  This will happen when you least expect it, and even though you fully expect it.  There will be a point when you think that you have things pretty much figured out, and then one or more things will happen that will knock you for a loop.  If I had one #1 nonofficial immigration recommendation, it would be to absolutely immerse yourself as an informal and permanent student of every tiny detail of U.S. life and culture, starting the instant your feet touch U.S. soil.  Living here is far different from visiting.
 
Here are two helpful, even crucial, resources to look at in regard to U.S. law:
BUSTED:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqMjMPlXzdA

ACLU:
http://www.aclu.org/files/kyr/kyr_english.pdf
 
Another short-term goal (which you can begin now) is to prepare yourself mentally for the idea that maybe your current funds (which you'll transfer to the U.S.) will enable you to share in the costs of schools, classes, hobbies, etc., but maybe they won't... and that's OK!  This is part of what every new K-1 couple goes through.  Look for free or cheap classes and activities, pretending that you're Sherlock Holmes while you're doing so.  
 
Immediately after you're married, find a reasonably inexpensive attorney who will draft Wills, Powers of Attorney, and other estate documents for each of you.  These are valuable to have when you remove conditions on your green card, and they're even more crucial to have in "life."  (I have heard horror stories about what happens when someone has a Will created off the Internet and then dies; these documents are not something to economize on.)  Your English skills seem to be very good, but regardless, have that attorney or another one explain the meaning and impact of every statement in those documents.
 
Medium-term and long-term goals have to be flexible on the basis of events.  For example, you can't predict precisely when your work/travel authorizations or first green card will arrive, so prepare for your goals with "if.. then" flexibility:  "If my work authorization comes by ___ [month], then we can..."  This influences schooling/training beforehand, family budgeting, and your traveling back to Brazil.
 
There's much more that you can ask about, whether details on the above or additional issues.  I and others will be happy to help.  I hope that the above suggests a plan of action, and I can venture that undertaking these items as a mutual project will help you to become even closer as a couple.  

Hello,
I just wanted to share that after two years of waiting, our case was finally approved yesterday by U.S. Embassy Manila. We were one of those couples contemplating between switching from K-1 to CR-1. I posted about this here: 
and here: 
The last post was back in November 2021, and we were about 1-1/2 years in the process. 
 
I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who gave their advice and their words of sympathy and encouragement. Being in this forum really helped us get through the long wait. 
 
For couples just starting out on this journey and are choosing between K-1 and CR-1, I advise you to read all the comments on both posts and encourage you to go the CR-1 route (if we were to do it all over again, we would definitely choose CR-1). But of course, it all depends on your own unique circumstances and what feels best for you. 
 
Also, regarding the long waiting time, it was really stressful for us because of the uncertainty of when it would happen, so my advice is try to immerse yourself in projects, hobbies, or any productive activity to distract you and to while away the time--this actually made the wait easier for us, and when our interview letter came, we were pleasantly surprised. Then everything seemed to go much quicker afterwards, from scheduling my interview and medical to procuring the required documents to the actual medical and interview. I'm actually still in a bit of shock and can't believe that the interview's done. 😵
 
Interview - Check. Now moving on to the next stage, the CFO. 😬

Hello,
I just wanted to share that after two years of waiting, our case was finally approved yesterday by U.S. Embassy Manila. We were one of those couples contemplating between switching from K-1 to CR-1. I posted about this here: 
and here: 
The last post was back in November 2021, and we were about 1-1/2 years in the process. 
 
I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who gave their advice and their words of sympathy and encouragement. Being in this forum really helped us get through the long wait. 
 
For couples just starting out on this journey and are choosing between K-1 and CR-1, I advise you to read all the comments on both posts and encourage you to go the CR-1 route (if we were to do it all over again, we would definitely choose CR-1). But of course, it all depends on your own unique circumstances and what feels best for you. 
 
Also, regarding the long waiting time, it was really stressful for us because of the uncertainty of when it would happen, so my advice is try to immerse yourself in projects, hobbies, or any productive activity to distract you and to while away the time--this actually made the wait easier for us, and when our interview letter came, we were pleasantly surprised. Then everything seemed to go much quicker afterwards, from scheduling my interview and medical to procuring the required documents to the actual medical and interview. I'm actually still in a bit of shock and can't believe that the interview's done. 😵
 
Interview - Check. Now moving on to the next stage, the CFO. 😬

Hello,
I just wanted to share that after two years of waiting, our case was finally approved yesterday by U.S. Embassy Manila. We were one of those couples contemplating between switching from K-1 to CR-1. I posted about this here: 
and here: 
The last post was back in November 2021, and we were about 1-1/2 years in the process. 
 
I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who gave their advice and their words of sympathy and encouragement. Being in this forum really helped us get through the long wait. 
 
For couples just starting out on this journey and are choosing between K-1 and CR-1, I advise you to read all the comments on both posts and encourage you to go the CR-1 route (if we were to do it all over again, we would definitely choose CR-1). But of course, it all depends on your own unique circumstances and what feels best for you. 
 
Also, regarding the long waiting time, it was really stressful for us because of the uncertainty of when it would happen, so my advice is try to immerse yourself in projects, hobbies, or any productive activity to distract you and to while away the time--this actually made the wait easier for us, and when our interview letter came, we were pleasantly surprised. Then everything seemed to go much quicker afterwards, from scheduling my interview and medical to procuring the required documents to the actual medical and interview. I'm actually still in a bit of shock and can't believe that the interview's done. 😵
 
Interview - Check. Now moving on to the next stage, the CFO. 😬

Hello,
I just wanted to share that after two years of waiting, our case was finally approved yesterday by U.S. Embassy Manila. We were one of those couples contemplating between switching from K-1 to CR-1. I posted about this here: 
and here: 
The last post was back in November 2021, and we were about 1-1/2 years in the process. 
 
I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who gave their advice and their words of sympathy and encouragement. Being in this forum really helped us get through the long wait. 
 
For couples just starting out on this journey and are choosing between K-1 and CR-1, I advise you to read all the comments on both posts and encourage you to go the CR-1 route (if we were to do it all over again, we would definitely choose CR-1). But of course, it all depends on your own unique circumstances and what feels best for you. 
 
Also, regarding the long waiting time, it was really stressful for us because of the uncertainty of when it would happen, so my advice is try to immerse yourself in projects, hobbies, or any productive activity to distract you and to while away the time--this actually made the wait easier for us, and when our interview letter came, we were pleasantly surprised. Then everything seemed to go much quicker afterwards, from scheduling my interview and medical to procuring the required documents to the actual medical and interview. I'm actually still in a bit of shock and can't believe that the interview's done. 😵
 
Interview - Check. Now moving on to the next stage, the CFO. 😬

Hello,
I just wanted to share that after two years of waiting, our case was finally approved yesterday by U.S. Embassy Manila. We were one of those couples contemplating between switching from K-1 to CR-1. I posted about this here: 
and here: 
The last post was back in November 2021, and we were about 1-1/2 years in the process. 
 
I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who gave their advice and their words of sympathy and encouragement. Being in this forum really helped us get through the long wait. 
 
For couples just starting out on this journey and are choosing between K-1 and CR-1, I advise you to read all the comments on both posts and encourage you to go the CR-1 route (if we were to do it all over again, we would definitely choose CR-1). But of course, it all depends on your own unique circumstances and what feels best for you. 
 
Also, regarding the long waiting time, it was really stressful for us because of the uncertainty of when it would happen, so my advice is try to immerse yourself in projects, hobbies, or any productive activity to distract you and to while away the time--this actually made the wait easier for us, and when our interview letter came, we were pleasantly surprised. Then everything seemed to go much quicker afterwards, from scheduling my interview and medical to procuring the required documents to the actual medical and interview. I'm actually still in a bit of shock and can't believe that the interview's done. 😵
 
Interview - Check. Now moving on to the next stage, the CFO. 😬

Hello,
I just wanted to share that after two years of waiting, our case was finally approved yesterday by U.S. Embassy Manila. We were one of those couples contemplating between switching from K-1 to CR-1. I posted about this here: 
and here: 
The last post was back in November 2021, and we were about 1-1/2 years in the process. 
 
I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who gave their advice and their words of sympathy and encouragement. Being in this forum really helped us get through the long wait. 
 
For couples just starting out on this journey and are choosing between K-1 and CR-1, I advise you to read all the comments on both posts and encourage you to go the CR-1 route (if we were to do it all over again, we would definitely choose CR-1). But of course, it all depends on your own unique circumstances and what feels best for you. 
 
Also, regarding the long waiting time, it was really stressful for us because of the uncertainty of when it would happen, so my advice is try to immerse yourself in projects, hobbies, or any productive activity to distract you and to while away the time--this actually made the wait easier for us, and when our interview letter came, we were pleasantly surprised. Then everything seemed to go much quicker afterwards, from scheduling my interview and medical to procuring the required documents to the actual medical and interview. I'm actually still in a bit of shock and can't believe that the interview's done. 😵
 
Interview - Check. Now moving on to the next stage, the CFO. 😬

Wife and I had our ROC interview earlier today in Newark, NJ. We originally filed back on 11/1/2019. Almost 32 full months.
 
I am ecstatic to report that, after checking receipt # online, we were approved!
 
Our agent was no-nonsense but pleasant. Interview took about 15 mins. I was worried we were a bit thin on evidence but he only took about 15 pages of the many we brought. He mostly asked me, the petitioner, the questions, which my wife and I both thought was kinda funny.
 
At the end, he and my wife talked about the Philippines ( he was also Filipino ) and going back home. My wife really is charming and has such a beautiful smile, it is hard not to be taken by her.
 
He said he will review further and we should hear from him in a few weeks but 90 mins later, we saw those beautiful words "Your card is being produced" on the screen.
 
I wish all of those still waiting the best as we all know how excruciating that is. And, thank you so much for everyone on here for helping us to navigate the immigration terrain; it really made a huge difference in the process. All our best to you all!

Just an update, After much convincing the CFO in PH has accepted an email "receipt" of the ROM from the San Francisco consulate. What a stressful nightmare. Clear to go now. Thanks all for your kind words.
 
Jordan
 

Hello y'all.... Sorry that I forgot to thank y'all for the answers.
 
Just an update: I ended up doing an out-of-town late registration for my mother after completing 4 of the required documents by the Local Civil Registrar (LCR) in Angeles City, Pampanga.
 
We had to do out-of-town because my mother was born in Eastern Samar and it would be too much hassle for us to have to travel there, especially with my aging mother.
 
It was a very challenging experience because my mother, for whatever reason, used different names and different birthdate on her documents. We used whatever name/birthdate combination we can find to fulfill the 4 documents requirement: PhilHealth MDR, Senior Citizen document, Marriage certificate, and Baptismal certificate from her Baptist church.
 
Now, we just have to wait for the update from the Angeles City LCR office that the Samar LCR office acknowledged the documents.
 
Hope this helps!
 

I wanted to give a big thank you to everyone who responded to this post. I used the community advice in deciding which papers to send the embassy. I just saw that our case status is showing as "Issued" so I believe the visa has been approved and is hopefully on the way. For the last couple of years that we've been stuck in the visa process, this community has been immensely helpful and we are grateful for anyone who takes the time to help others get through this process.

Just wanted to update.
 
Our K1 is approved.   👍🥳🥳💑
 
We sent them her marriage certificate, an "Advisory on Marriages" (CRS Form No. 5) - because they would not issue a CENOMAR because she was married in the Philippines- and her Korean ex-husbands certificate of marriage relation showing that she was divorced in korea.
 
The package was sent on Friday and was received by our local LBC on Saturday and we collected the package today.
 
A letter attach to an email she received tells us we are allowed to open the plastic bag to remove and inspect the passport and Visa but not to open any of the yellow envelopes.
 
Now we go through the online CFO circus tomorrow.

The more you research, the more you will find out that the Philippines is not a great place to start a business as a foreigner compared to most other SE Asian countries, and for that matter, most Asia countries.  
 
Interestingly, besides the executions, tortures, and reeducation camps that Marcos Sr was responsible for, he can also be contributed to creating the OFW program.  The OFW program was actually quite genius (in a bad way) as the program was able to export many of the domestic economic problems, plus was a program to essentially get rid of the ambitious, vocal Filipinos who may stand in the way of his dictatorship.  Only when the economic situation became so dire, did the people eventually stand up and protest in '86, but at that point they had no other choice but to do so.  Poverty went from around 40% of the country in the early 1970s, to over 60% of the country by the mid-80's.  Today, the OFW remittances are over $30 billion each year.  You would think if an industry was bringing in that much money, it would be something to be proud of, but its not.  Its a continued way for politicians to export their problems, while essentially enslaving many of their citizens outside of the country.  It also leads to a terrible "brain-drain" where the best and the brightest are no longer in the country.  Until that is reversed, there is no hope for the economic situation of the country.  In addition, another 10%+ of their GDP is BPOs.  However, many BPOs are not happy with their operations in the Philippines and some have started to move to Malaysia, and even Indonesia of all places.  BPOs can quite easily be moved and have successfully jumped from the US/UK/Australia/etc etc to India, then to the Philippines now on to other countries where English is improving.
 
Marcos Jr has no policies on anything.  Essentially he has only repeated things that his Dad did.  Many Marcos Jr supporters will tell you that during Marcos Sr time, it was the "Golden Age" (which has proven to be false).  Many of todays Marco Jr supporters expect the 2nd Golden Age to appear.  However, ask any Marcos Jr supporter if they could have any job in the Philippines or that same job in the US/UK/Europe/Middle East/Australia/etc etc etc etc, most of them will take the overseas job.  All of them would leave the country at the first opportunity, except some who would not want to be separated from their family and friends, but not because they believe they will finally get the Golden Egg.  Marcos Jr won not only because of misinformation, but because he had the better, more funny tik-tok videos, the better and funnier Facebook posts, and as we all know and have seen, nowadays thats all that matters.

As bad as social media is here in the USA, it is even worse in the Philippines.  Marcos’ re-election is a direct result of a dumbing down of society to the point that millions of sheep will hop onto even the most self-destructive hype train without giving any of it much sincere thought.

The has been the ultimate game of chess won by the Duterte's/Marcos who will continue to wreak havoc on the country.
 
2010 onwards - mass misinformation and disinformation campaign set upon the Philippines, orchestrated in large part by the Marcos who used China, Filipinos, and Eastern Europeans for this .
2016 - Duterte wins and immediately starts threatening journalists, TV/radio stations, has some shut down, some arrested, etc.  Very similar tactic to Marcos Sr.
2022- BBM wins by a landslide through continued mass misinformation campaign.  Average age in the Philippines is 25, so they have no idea what really happened previously.
2022- Sarah Duterte allows Marcos to be President, but she takes the consolation price of VP but also gets thrown a bone to serve as Secretary of Education.  She will have full control to continue the misinformation campaign for the next 6 years.
2028 - Most likely Sarah gets her turn to be President and another Marcos will be VP
2034 - VP Marcos assumes the Presidency and the cycle continues.  
 
The main issue is that the 2022 campaign wasnt even close and it would take the country burning to the ground to change public opinion on those in power.  It is a very grim future for the country and if you thought the Philippines was a province of China during Duterte, the country will be owned by China after 6 years, most likely in subtle ways to not scare the public too much.
 
Misinformation, disinformation, and manipulation is far more powerful today then tanks, missiles, guns, grenades, etc etc etc.
 
 

I agree 100%. 
 
There can't be any moving on if the people who committed crimes won't even admit they did anything wrong.

Yeah, issues seem to be irrelevant in politics there. I guess even history fades memories. I live in Hawaii and remember the overthrow of the father and them arriving with trunks of cash that was confiscated upon arrival. I think the biggest mistake that the Philippines made was allowing BBM and his mother back to the Philippines after Ferdinand died. They should have demanded that they forfeit all the money that they took before letting them return.

Here is what I have noticed with my fiance's family, coworkers and friends (not saying this applies to all Filipinos). It seems a lot of them vote for the person who is from their area/province, regardless of the policies of that person. I actually went on the websites of Marcos and Leni so I could educate myself on them and noticed there is little to no information about their positions on the issues. 

Yes, they were whitewashed. They owe the Ph and the US government unpaid taxes. I would not fault the son of the sins of the father but he never acknowledged that his dad did anything wrong. What they say the good ol days is probably just for the people in their region.  

Thank you, dawg!!  It was a few minutes to wait.  Hehe  And, I very much appreciate your help. 
 
 

Congratulations! Super happy for you! 😊

We had interview today in Manila, and we are approved!!1  Visa will arrive in 1 to 2 weeks, and flight is scheduled for early June.  Woohoo!!  Thank you for everyone who helped along the way.