iance's family flying over with tourist to observe the wedding

[mikeandjoana 1]

OK, I am about to submit my I129F paperwork for the K1 visa. But first I have a serious question. My fiance from the Philippines expects her family to be granted tourist visas to observe our wedding here in the US. I've heard from numerous sources that the tourist visa's for the family are usually denied. Is this normal? How are we supposed to get married if her family can't be here to observe the wedding?

Any suggestions?

[Kathryn41 3,205]

It can be very difficult for people to receive visitor visas from the Philippines. A lot will depend on the family's ability to prove to the Consulate their strong ties to the Philippines that will act as incentives to ensure their return from the US. If they are not able to get visas you may wish to have a small personal ceremony in the US to fulfill the visa requirements and get the AOS paperwork on its way. Make sure you apply for the I-131 Advance Parole with the I-485. Once either the I-485 or the I-131 are approved (AP is usually approved first), you can then visit the Philippines and have a family wedding celebration there. You may have to have a separate wedding with each family. Remember, you cannot get married in the Philippines before she enters the US on a fiancee visa or that would negate the visa. If you find that the family requires her to be married in their presence, then you might wish not to submit the I-129f, get married in the Philippines and apply for the I-130 Spouse visa instead (and can co-file the I-129f for a K-3 visa).

[reeses16 8]

If your fiance's family can't get a visitor visa you will have to get married without them being there. You could always have a second ceremony in the Phillipines once she has her green card (or AP). My hubby's family couldn't attend so my dad recorded our wedding and we sent them the dvd and photos.

Edited March 23, 2008 by reeses16

[R de la R 2]

If your fiance's family can't get a visitor visa you will have to get married without them being there. You could always have a second ceremony in the Phillipines once she has her green card (or AP). My hubby's family couldn't attend so my dad recorded our wedding and we sent them the dvd and photos.

It was a good idea about recording the wedding.

Yes, there is not way they can attend to the wedding unless they have visitor visa on their own or showing to the consular officer enough ties to come back and also they are financially stable to afford the trip.

Edited March 23, 2008 by YMR

[mikeandjoana 1]

If your fiance's family can't get a visitor visa you will have to get married without them being there. You could always have a second ceremony in the Phillipines once she has her green card (or AP). My hubby's family couldn't attend so my dad recorded our wedding and we sent them the dvd and photos.

ooohhh, thanks for the advice. But, this is going to break her heart. Maybe we are naive, but we expected her family to be able to come here for the wedding.

She didn't want to marry in the Philippines and go the K3 route because my fiance can't stand the thought of having me leave her to go back to the states without her, as her husband.

I know she won't want to get married here without her family. I don't want to chance it either. Maybe the best bet is for us to get married and honeymoon in the Philippines, then I submit the K3, and wait for her. I have no problem waiting for her. She's amazing and I love her so!

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

[manilaphilippines 0]

ooohhh, thanks for the advice. But, this is going to break her heart. Maybe we are naive, but we expected her family to be able to come here for the wedding.

She didn't want to marry in the Philippines and go the K3 route because my fiance can't stand the thought of having me leave her to go back to the states without her, as her husband.

I know she won't want to get married here without her family. I don't want to chance it either. Maybe the best bet is for us to get married and honeymoon in the Philippines, then I submit the K3, and wait for her. I have no problem waiting for her. She's amazing and I love her so!

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

As much as you want everybody from your fiancee's side to invite so they could witness your wedding in the US,it's really way too impossible.Everyone here knew how hard it is to get a visa no matter how many assets or money you have,all you to have to have is pure LUCK i guess.The idea of marrying here in the Philippines and file for a K3 is certainly a very good one.That way,you'll make everybody happy,unless they really want to go to the US and witness how wedding there is being held

Good luck!