marklovetina

There have been other VJers in your shoes, and they had no problems.
The one with the potential problem would be your ex, if she wanted to get married in the Philippines again. She would have to get an annulment because she is the one who initiated the divorce here in the U.S. If you had been the one to initiate the divorce, she would have to get that divorce judicially recognized in the Philippines.

almost all of us.
I have had NO Rfes through the Removal of Conditions and now we are filing for citizenship. No questions asked at the visa interview, none asked at the AOS and no interview at all for the RoC...for my wife and two sons!
Never ever felt a need for an attorney. Cannot even imagine what one would do.
VJ rocks!

Thanks! My nerves have settled now. I think I knew this already as I'm sure that I fully investigated this back when Ritchie and I first got serious about each other nearly 3 years ago. Its getting close now as she will be 7 weeks into culture test on thursday this week so I think I'm just jumpy at everything I read now.
I'm okasy now.
Thanks again, to you and Tahoma.
Thanks for all the replies. Just got a little spooked. I'm okay now

The Philippines Family Code allows judicial recognition of a foreign divorce for Filipinos who are divorced from foreigners when the foreigner is the one who initiated the divorce. There have been Pinay here on VJ who have gone through this process.
If his ex is a U.S. citizen, of course she can get married outside of the Philippines. She also can get married outside of the Philippines if she's a legal permanent resident of the U.S.

USCIS always accepts copies of any document for case approval. Even the instructions state that copies are fine.
Consular interview is different. Most times you will be asked to produce originals of "important" documents, such as birth certs; police reports; divorce decrees. This is done because people have been known to forge these documents, so the consulate may wish to see the original. One should plan on having originals on hand for any consulate.
The subject of divorce decrees is confusing because no one can ever have the "original". The "original" with the judge's signature is always on file with the Clerk's office in whatever county/parish the divorce occurred. However, the clerk's office can always provide you with a "certified copy" of a decree. "Certified" in the legal world means certified by the court to be a true and accurate copy of the original. Certification is accomplished by the Clerk/Registrar placing their seal or signature on the document, thereby authenticating the document. DOS will always accept a certified copy.

The children can immigrate separately from mom after she enters the US.
The children can apply for K-2 visas. A K-2 can only be issued within one year of the K-1 issuance. One year after issuance of the K-1, this route is closed to the children. You will need to apply to adjust their status after they enter the US. Until they successfully adjust from the non-immigrant K-2 visa to a green card, they may not be able to enroll in school for several months (Non-immigrants can have an awful time trying to enroll in school). Keep this in mind if you pursue this route.
As a US citizen, you can file separate I-130 for the children as your stepchildren after you marry mom. It will take 6-12 months for them to get visas. The nice part is that they will automatically get green cards when they arrive. You don't have to go through the trouble of adjusting status and they will be able to enroll in school right away.
In addition, you will need the non-immigrating parent's permission for the children to immigrate to the US. You will need a notarized statement from the non-immigrating parent before the US Embassy will issue any type of visa.

Thanks for you response, Tina.
I don't think the OP has anything to worry about (unless she's really ... ).

What did the CO tell your fiancee after the interview?
:thumbs:

Paul, I'm sorry you both are hurting, but I applaud you for thinking rationally and making the tough decisions based upon reality and not letting the romanticism overwhelm your judgement.
I hop you and your fiancee can work through what will eventually be a minor blip in the road called marriage.

I'm thinking the same thing as Tina. She doesn't have her visa yet.
Also, she can get her sticker at CFO main...not at PRISM.

No need a lawyer for us. This site is enough to know the drill

There is no date you must travel 'by,' however, you have 6 months to enter the USA.
So you can travel any date you want, just get here before 6 months.
Congratulations and best wishes with the rest of your journey!

Ms. Teapot, I would respectfully disagree with your statement.
I have not done any scientific study using posts here on VJ regarding lawyers and the "likelihood" of receiving an RFE. But I believe I have seen more RFE issues when members were using lawyers.
In my recollection of reading past posts I have see nothing that indicates you are less likely to receive an RFE using a lawyer. IMHO

Don't think its worthless....
I'm working in utility company with a government compliance right now. And I used all my Philippine credentials from school and work when I applied. I didn't came from prestigious with-so-much accreditation school and I didn't my school stuff evaluated. They seemed to just validate it to make sure I am who I am.
Just a thought..... I observed when I was applying job to different companies... They don't care about where you get your credentials as long as they can validate it and you really have experience with the job you're applying.

Its not worthless. Its still a degree. I got into all the grad schools I applied to with my Philippine degree, all I needed was to have my transcript validated by a foreign company and my grades converted into the US equivalent. I did not need additional courses. St. Paul is a good school too. I am not sure how easy it is to get a job in her field but she is still a college grad no matter what.

yes we had too during our previous K1.. but when we re-filed it we didnt hire anymore... VJ and friends are here to help... and hiring a lawyer or any agency will not help to make the process quick... maybe we will if we have a complicated case that needs an immigration lawyer...

For BPI just your passport & cash. tell them what type of visa then they have a standard peso equivalent of the $350 amount.
St. Lukes all the above comments are right

Yes you need a copy front and back of I-94 for AOS

wow.. lol.
Btw, Darren, I am offended by your post that most Americans pay for the medical. The K1/CR1 is just one of the many visas processed there, there are plenty of other immigrant petitions there (like the family-based ones that take a long time) and they pay for their medicals with their hard-earned cash. I paid for both my medical and visa fee, as well. And when I did my medical my fiance was sleeping and I just told him how it went afterwards.. I look like a foreigner but I was not hounded by peddlers, if you are kind to them and not act obnoxious they will even give great advice as they know the process by heart. You need to learn to take things with a grain of salt, seriously! This kind of behavior will not give you a happy life. Relax, be grateful for your blessings and let go of the nuances. It all worked out for you, you are so blessed, so count your blessings and move on. I wish you a happy married life!

its not worthless..

They feel the relationship is for the purpose of immigration benefits.
The best thing to do in this case is withdraw the petition and file a new one and do a better job of documenting your realtionship. whatever you did, do more.
I do not suggest getting married and filing for a CR-1. Getting married is no guarantee of a visa and then you are married. Your visa was not rejected because you are not married so getting married is not a solution.

Proof that the immigrant is on the spouse's medical insurance?
Proof that the immigrant is a beneficiary of spouse's life insurance or retirement policy?
Name of both on telephone/electric/cable bills?
Info on "stokes interview":
http://immigrationroad.com/green-card/stokes-interview-marriage-based-immigration.php

I remember your fiance's story quite well as his deceased wife Maria was also a VJ member and we have common friends at FB. There was even a post here about her and the that accident that claimed her life....
http://www.visajourn...ia/page__st__45
To the OP goodluck!!

Go to the embassy and get your passport back. Call Marc Ellis for a phone consultation, he is a member here and he has articles pinned on returned petitions in the K1 forum. He specializes in returned petitions.
It will take a while to hear from the USCIS. If they give you a chance to address the issues then they may reaffirm and send the case back to the embassy.