Our costs from Start to Finish of K1 (Philippines)

[LSnBigBear 61]

I tracked in a spreadsheet the visa costs and money I sent for K1 Visa Processing, her travels, medical, interview & CFO etc. Keep in mind you may be able to cut 300-500 USD off if your fiancee goes for medical the day before, then interview within a few days of medical and then back to her home. My fiancee's mother works in Manila so she just stayed since her medical. I just want everyone to see the costs as many times people ask about costs and the 125% poverty guidelines etc. It is not cheap but can be affordable if you can budget. I suggest if your fiancee lives on a different island then a budget of $3000 plus minus as to your descretion is needed. I could have saved maybe $300-$400 had I wanted to be more frugal in doing things and sending her money. I just do not want her to go without while she is in Manila. I hope this helps everyone. And for those that have gone through it, chime in please as to your thoughts as to save for those just starting.

Thanks

Shawn

Fiancee travel and fee for NBI & Passport (March 2012) $150.00

Fiancee sending me her documents for 129F (April 2012) $69.00

Visa Fee May $340.00

Postage for mailing 129f $11.00

Manila Visa Fee payable to BPI(January 2013) $235.00

Me sending my docs for Interview to Fiancee (January 2013) $130.00 ** If you scan you can save on this.

Airfare for Fiancee to Manila for interview January 2013) $85.00

Medical payment St Lukes ( February 2013 ) $223.35

Travel money for Manila (February 2013) $250.00

Money in Manila (February 2013) $200.00

Money for food and CFO (Februay 2013) $80.00

Money for food, transpo,misc and luggage purchase $150.00

USA Flight $817.00

For US travel misc just in case needed $150.00

Total $2890.35

[RyRo 47]

I tracked in a spreadsheet the visa costs and money I sent for K1 Visa Processing, her travels, medical, interview & CFO etc. Keep in mind you may be able to cut 300-500 USD off if your fiancee goes for medical the day before, then interview within a few days of medical and then back to her home. My fiancee's mother works in Manila so she just stayed since her medical. I just want everyone to see the costs as many times people ask about costs and the 125% poverty guidelines etc. It is not cheap but can be affordable if you can budget. I suggest if your fiancee lives on a different island then a budget of $3000 plus minus as to your descretion is needed. I could have saved maybe $300-$400 had I wanted to be more frugal in doing things and sending her money. I just do not want her to go without while she is in Manila. I hope this helps everyone. And for those that have gone through it, chime in please as to your thoughts as to save for those just starting.

Thanks

Shawn

Fiancee travel and fee for NBI & Passport (March 2012) $150.00

Fiancee sending me her documents for 129F (April 2012) $69.00

Visa Fee May $340.00

Postage for mailing 129f $11.00

Manila Visa Fee payable to BPI(January 2013) $235.00

Me sending my docs for Interview to Fiancee (January 2013) $130.00 ** If you scan you can save on this.

Airfare for Fiancee to Manila for interview January 2013) $85.00

Medical payment St Lukes ( February 2013 ) $223.35

Travel money for Manila (February 2013) $250.00

Money in Manila (February 2013) $200.00

Money for food and CFO (Februay 2013) $80.00

Money for food, transpo,misc and luggage purchase $150.00

USA Flight $817.00

For US travel misc just in case needed $150.00

Total $2890.35

almost the same as ours here

Edited February 17, 2013 by RyRo

[wilfon 30]

Thanks for the post. I am right on pace, probably a little ahead. I wish I could find a flight for her at that price. The cheapest I can find to NC is $1200. If you don't mind me asking, where did you get your ticket for her from and where was her final destination? How many connecting flights? Thank you so much.

[LSnBigBear 61]

Thanks for the post. I am right on pace, probably a little ahead. I wish I could find a flight for her at that price. The cheapest I can find to NC is $1200. If you don't mind me asking, where did you get your ticket for her from and where was her final destination? How many connecting flights? Thank you so much.

I used cheapoair. OUr final destination is Fort Myers. I used March 2 as an example and it is $926. I see you have not had your interview yet so this is just an example. I heard China airport can be time consuming if you read my other post about baggage transfer. I guess I will know March 2 how my fiancee did with her layovers. Here is the link.

http://www.cheapoair.com/Default.aspx?tabid=1685&sid=2&oa=MNL&da=CLT&adt=1&chd=0&snr=0&infl=0&infs=0&dd=03-02-2013&tt=ONEWAYTRIP

Good luck

Edited February 17, 2013 by LSnBigBear

[RyRo 47]

we also bought our ticket from cheapoair but we would recommend the flight thru China for now esp Beijing because of the air pollution there now although i went that route without an issue last December

[nigelrock 1]

I am using it and I just now got my notice off approval for my K1 fiancee visa! I didn't want to take a chance so I looked into others and these people seemed to be legit and assist you through the entire process. I have a good feeling about them and now will get there assist for the rest of the process.

[TBoneTX 45,064]

*** Thread moved from Embassy/Consulate forum to Philippines regional subforum -- topic isn't a consular issue. ***