TomD

I can't find it again but I saw in one of the post that the Bride should have her passport name changed to match her new name she has as a result of her wedding. Is this really something that needs to be done? Should all her identification documents (i.e. drivers license, Work badges, other picture ID) be change to reflect the married name she is assuming? Does this really matter? In the Philippines I found that they take the maiden name as their middle name where as in the US everyone I know is given a middle name which is not associated with the mothers last name. Is this really something to be concerned about to have all the names match perfectly? I would think reasonable thinking people can figure out why there will be differences in name on some documents.

I-129 is filed for a K3 visa which is now obsolete, you are not missing out on anything.

NVC procedures will not change dramatically while you are waiting for your NOA2 so familiarize yourself with the guides and follow VJ postings for additional information.

I believe you had posted the question about waiting out the process in the Philippines in a previous thread ( http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/251819-advice-for-waiting-game-after-noa-2-is-received/) and your concerns were answered there.

Good luck!

Thanks for the response. Thanks also for reminding me I guess my memory is failing. Just one last question, if the K3 Visa is obsolete, then why keep it on the site or why not clearly mark it as obsolete to ensure folks dont go down a path thats not there? Things are confusing enough with this process.

I submitted my I-130 and received the NOA-1. Once this was accomplished I discovered that I have a 5 month waiting till the next step. So I have been looking for what am I missing... I see that some people are filing a I-129 after receiving the NOA-1. I dont get it? What's the benefit of that as they both take the same and the I-130 is the more logical way to go if your already married. Is this just doubling down your bet hoping that regardless of which happens first your covered? The problem with the I-129 is that you have to as some point deal with this process again.

I have also been putting together the required paperwork recommended by the short cuts for NVC LingChe put together ( http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/LingChe_NVC_ShortCut#FROM_BENEFICIARY_.28DS-3032_and_components_for_DS-230_IV_Package.29: ) but if I have to wait for 4 more months the information could change significantly. Am I just over thinking this whole so called process?

I am thinking of going back to the Philippines once I have the paperwork in because I dont want to be home alone so to speak and I dont have any great need to be in the US during this process. Would this be advisable? WOuld it slow down our getting a visa for my wife?

I tried to talk to someone at USCIS. I called this number 1-800-375-5283. The greetings says that customer representitives are available, but no option can lead to a representitive. Anyone knows how to reach a person.

Thanks.

I tried over and over again and dont think its possible. I even sent them an email and only got an applogy and directions to try the same number ... WOW is all I can think of to say without becoming angry.

I dont know the total accuracy of the above post but I feel his frustration. I was told much the same thing by the same US Embassy that I needed to return to the US and start the filing process from my home here. This meant that I had to leave PI and I did about 6 weeks later. Then when I got here I could not even speak to anyone on the phone number published on their website. I sent an email complaining about it and got an appology which didnt help because they basically told me to try again and I did and still could not speak with anyone. I agree with most of what the person who initiated this thread stated with regards to the process. I to am confused and frustrated with it. I feel that our so called goverment workers are less than compatent and the web sites are not very clear or easy to follow. If things were that great with our goverment departments and servants this website would not be needed.We should not feel that we have accomplished a great thing by getting our wives permission to come to our own country. It also should not take the lenght of time it takes to get this done. Period!!! However we have little choice but to try our best and get through this with the help of the good folks who offer it here.

I am just trying to figure out what the time lines are for this Visa process and frankly they dont look good. I realize there is nothing I can do to change it so my question is this. I am living in the US and filed the I-130 from my home here. My wife is in the Philippines and continues to work at her job which she has had for the past 16 yrs. I received the NOA1 in a relatively short period of time after submitting the I-130. Now it looks like they are taking 4-6 months to Issue a NOA2. I can wait for that but after that do I need to stay in my home state to answer and respond to State Department questions or can I leave the US and go back to my wife's country and hang out there until she is approved to enter the US. When I was in PI I called the Embassy and they said I needed to file in the US and I could not get things rolling until I returned home. I dont work and dont have any reason to stay in the US during the Winter months as the grass doesn't grow and Its cold. Is it best that I stay at my home awaiting during the finally stages of this long journey? Is it possible for me now to deal with the remaining BS from out of the country. Myself I would rather be with my wife than sitting at my home alone for no good reason other that well you know...

THanks for any comments you may have.

Yes there's been a lot of confusion including some in the above post. USCIS hasn't changed anything regarding K3 for more than three years. What's new came from NVC, part of the Dept. of State. The result is the same though. K3 hasn't saved any appreciable time in three years and now K3 is dead with only an obscure obituary. As a result the K3 ghost is still reaching out from the grave to slow down the CR1 process for anybody who hasn't read or heeded the obscure obituary.

Well Dead is dead I dont care if its with a gun or a knife. Thanks again for the direction and clarification.

THEBEARS,

Thanks for the quick and detailed response. I like the less paperwork part the best . We dont call each other but email alot so I have those records for the past 2 yrs if push comes to shove. Also tons of pictures of us at various places including our wedding pics. I was over in her country twice for a total of 8 months with in the past 2 years. I haven't done my taxes and I am not working by choice but have the financials available when needed. I also opened a joint account with her on my last trip after we married. Your right I should and will complete the forms in advance as nothing should change and I can review them several times prior to their submission. I will see what the short cuts can offer as well again thanks for the great guidance.

Tom

Hi to all and thanks in advance for your help on this as I am a bit confused. I sent in the I-130 package with payment and received a I-797C(NOA)and a tracking number. This happened about 2 weeks ago. My wife and I were married before I sent this in to the USCIS. So am I applying for a K3 or a IR-1 / CR-1? When, where and by who is this decided? Additionally I am hearing that I should now file a I-129 after submission of the I-130. I dont get it. Seems like there is lots of duplication and redundancy here.

Should I be doing something or wait until I receive instructions from someone in the Immigration Service? I know that I have to put together a Affidavit of support but was under the impression that I dont do this until ask. I have that deer in the headlights feeling about all this like I am leaving something undone.

Tom

My case is fairly complex and I did it without a lawyer and no RFEs.

It will take a minimum of 2 weeks to get married in the Philippines due to the 10 day waiting period.

There is quite a few benefits to getting married in the PI... A couple are... First, your fiancee can invite her friends and relatives...

Second, She will not have to put her life on hold for a promise,,, that can be a long time,,, and there is no guarantee that you

will marry her,,, even after she travels to the USA...

So,,, I know in my situation is was the right one.. To marry in the PI and file for the I-130 CR1.

Costs are about $1100.00

Regards,

THanks Doug, I have a few more questions for you if you dont mind. I will try to ask them off line as I dont think they are need to be on the forum.

Cheapest, easiest and BEST by far visa at this time is The CR-1.

Mahalo Haole... Now I need to look at this CR-1 and figure out what it is. Sure miss my time of living in Hawaii but that was back in the mid 80s

Hi All,

I am new with all of this and still a little shocked at the difficulty, time and expense that is required to have someone get a visa to the USA. I will be soon playing this game and was wondering what you recomentd based on your past experiances. I am not married yet and I have not filed anything with anyone.

Here are a few questions that I have

- Do I need an Attorney to get a visa for my lady in the Philippines or is it straight forward enough to do myself.

No, you don't need an attorney, VJ is a better adviser than an attorney would be to you in most of the cases. It's pretty straight forward, just follow all the instructions you'll get in the process from either USCIS or NVC.

- Is the fee charged by the Attorney usually a flat rate or do they add cost as the process moves forward.

Fees could be different, an attorney could always find something else to charge you more!

- Should I get married in PI and file for a K-3 or go the K-1 route.

As of what I see on timelines here on VJ, K-1 is just a little bit shorter than the CR-1. Do not do the K-3, it's taking nowadays as long as the CR-1. K-3 is not good anymore, plus it cost more money. Save it (from attorney and K-3/K-1). So, yes, go ahead and marry in PI

- What is the typle cost for the entire process once your completed the process.

Prices vary.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...amp;page=guides

http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/...nited_States%3F

http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/...he_NVC_ShortCut

http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/...s%27s_Shortcuts

Thanks Chris From what I am reading I think I can do it myself without much pain. Also as some have said I need to do all the gathering of documents anyway so all thats left is filling in the blanks.

The wedding would be cheaper in PI and her family could attend which would be much better for her. My family is pretty much non existant. Okay now I need to work on finding those darn divorce papers from 1978... haha that should be a snap...probably better off not even bringing it up...

The definition of straightforward case for any petition would mean IF you do not have the following blocks(for both petitioner and beneficiary):

1. previous marriages still NOT legally severed.

2. paternity/maternity issues

3. criminal history issues

4. "domicility" issues hence security verified identity papers can not be had

5. those with no employment affecting the proof of financial support for the one being petitioned (in which case the US Embassy in the Philippines is very "snob-nosed" on co-sponsorships on that regard)

6. prior entry bans to United States

Those are the major concerns that make your cause NOT straightforward. Personally, I would suggest you and your lady love do the paperwork together. Besides, whatever USCIS/NVC/US Embassy Manila ask about your petition, it is you and her that hold the answer and not your lawyer.

Thanks I dont see any concern other than my finding divorce papers that are 30 yrs old. Even the IRS only requires documentation up to 7 yrs...Thanks

Hi All,

I am new with all of this and still a little shocked at the difficulty, time and expense that is required to have someone get a visa to the USA. I will be soon playing this game and was wondering what you recomentd based on your past experiances. I am not married yet and I have not filed anything with anyone.

Here are a few questions that I have

- Do I need an Attorney to get a visa for my lady in the Philippines or is it straight forward enough to do myself.

- Is the fee charged by the Attorney usually a flat rate or do they add cost as the process moves forward.

- Should I get married in PI and file for a K-3 or go the K-1 route.

- What is the typle cost for the entire process once your completed the process.

I know these are broad questions and I dont expect exact answers but any information you can provide would help.

Thanks.

Hi Tom!!

You can process it yourself. With my case we hired Cherry Blossoms but we also asked help from other people who had undegone the same process. I would say, you can save more money if you wont hire lawyers. In most cases, lawyers dont even make the process faster:)

Thanks Donna I am leaning in that direction.

Hi All,

I am new with all of this and still a little shocked at the difficulty, time and expense that is required to have someone get a visa to the USA. I will be soon playing this game and was wondering what you recomentd based on your past experiances. I am not married yet and I have not filed anything with anyone.

Here are a few questions that I have

- Do I need an Attorney to get a visa for my lady in the Philippines or is it straight forward enough to do myself.

- Is the fee charged by the Attorney usually a flat rate or do they add cost as the process moves forward.

- Should I get married in PI and file for a K-3 or go the K-1 route.

- What is the typle cost for the entire process once your completed the process.

I know these are broad questions and I dont expect exact answers but any information you can provide would help.

Thanks.