does fiance living in UAE need to go home to apply?

[paxton25 0]

Had trouble finding a straight forward answer anywhere. I am a US citizen my GF, (probably soon to be fiance) is living legally under a work visa in Dubai, she is a citizen of the philipines. We have met and have photos, communications documentation etc. There is nothing that would make either of us ineligible, If I did a fiance visa would she have to enter from the philipines or could she enter through Dubai? Would it be easier for me to go back to dubai and get married then bring her over? What about the direct consular? I didn't see the embassy in UAE on the list of ones accepting that. We have plenty of time and haven't comitted to this yet and I may hire an attorney to do this for me but want to be prepared so if things do go along right the process will be as smooth as possible. Any other tips are greatly appreciated.

[Otto 83]

Foreign beneficiary does not have to return to his/her home country to apply for a petition.

According to VJ's Embassy Section (HERE) DCF is accepted there.

[paxton25 0]

Thanks! I saw a list somewhere else and it didn't list the UAE, thats a big help. So in my case it would be OK to do a fiance visa so I wouldn't have to go back again? She would just petition there and if approved come here under the fiance visa? That would probably be the best way to go? The only reason I was thinking of the Direct Consular was if it would have prevented her from having to go home. Is there anything else I should be doing at this early stage in our relationship? More documentation etc, I already have photos, plane tickets hotel receipts, emails etc.

  Karin und Otto said:

Foreign beneficiary does not have to return to his/her home country to apply for a petition.

According to VJ's Embassy Section (HERE) DCF is accepted there.

[Laura+Tom 2]

Yes she can have her interview done at the embassy in Dubai.

[paxton25 0]

oh I just noticed on the embassy list you do have to be a resident of the UAE to get the DCF. That leaves me out so I guess it is the fiance visa for us if we decide to move forward.

[Old Dominion 26]

  paxton25 said:

Had trouble finding a straight forward answer anywhere. I am a US citizen my GF, (probably soon to be fiance) is living legally under a work visa in Dubai, she is a citizen of the philipines. We have met and have photos, communications documentation etc. There is nothing that would make either of us ineligible, If I did a fiance visa would she have to enter from the philipines or could she enter through Dubai? Would it be easier for me to go back to dubai and get married then bring her over? What about the direct consular? I didn't see the embassy in UAE on the list of ones accepting that. We have plenty of time and haven't comitted to this yet and I may hire an attorney to do this for me but want to be prepared so if things do go along right the process will be as smooth as possible. Any other tips are greatly appreciated.

As you will observe in various comments here, hiring an attorney is probably a waste of money and time. You'll get very little attention for your fee, you'll get no inside track to getting the visa, and your application will be submitted by a clerical-level employee in that attorney's office. The petition you submit to the USCIS is quite easy for both of you to complete on your own, once you are engaged. Once USCIS approves the petition (it takes 3 months or so to get their answer). The file is sent in about a month to the Embassy in UAE, which sends her the application for the visa and clearly explains what she must do to be interviewed.

[paxton25 0]

Thanks, I wish I had found this site earlier, I have been looking at all of the guides and flow charts and there is way more info than I could find in days elsewhere. The only reason I would hire an attorney is because my dad is an attorney and he can get one of his immigration law friends to help, so "hire" might not have been the right word since I wouldn't really be doing anything other than getting advice and having him reviewing the docs. If I do it I want to make sure everything is square.

  Old Dominion said:

  paxton25 said:

Had trouble finding a straight forward answer anywhere. I am a US citizen my GF, (probably soon to be fiance) is living legally under a work visa in Dubai, she is a citizen of the philipines. We have met and have photos, communications documentation etc. There is nothing that would make either of us ineligible, If I did a fiance visa would she have to enter from the philipines or could she enter through Dubai? Would it be easier for me to go back to dubai and get married then bring her over? What about the direct consular? I didn't see the embassy in UAE on the list of ones accepting that. We have plenty of time and haven't comitted to this yet and I may hire an attorney to do this for me but want to be prepared so if things do go along right the process will be as smooth as possible. Any other tips are greatly appreciated.

As you will observe in various comments here, hiring an attorney is probably a waste of money and time. You'll get very little attention for your fee, you'll get no inside track to getting the visa, and your application will be submitted by a clerical-level employee in that attorney's office. The petition you submit to the USCIS is quite easy for both of you to complete on your own, once you are engaged. Once USCIS approves the petition (it takes 3 months or so to get their answer). The file is sent in about a month to the Embassy in UAE, which sends her the application for the visa and clearly explains what she must do to be interviewed.

[PingLocalHostess 1]

  paxton25 said:

Thanks! I saw a list somewhere else and it didn't list the UAE, thats a big help. So in my case it would be OK to do a fiance visa so I wouldn't have to go back again? She would just petition there and if approved come here under the fiance visa? That would probably be the best way to go? The only reason I was thinking of the Direct Consular was if it would have prevented her from having to go home. Is there anything else I should be doing at this early stage in our relationship? More documentation etc, I already have photos, plane tickets hotel receipts, emails etc.

Its true, you dont need a lawyer to go thru the whole process. If you do it yourselves, you get to see, check and double check the docs firsthand.

Now you just have to find a way on how to get her requirements without her going home. She needs to acquire an Authenticated Birth Certificate and CENOMAR (Certificate of no Marraige) from NSO, NBI clearance (1 year validity from date filed) and Police Clearance (6 months validity from date filed).

Hmmm embassies ask for different requirements... is she gonna follow the list of requirements from US embassy in Manila?

[beejay 125]

  Laura+Tom said:

Yes she can have her interview done at the embassy in Dubai.

Just a small correction, they have a consulate in Dubai but the embassy is in Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi is where she will have her interview.

[Laura+Tom 2]

  beejay said:

  Laura+Tom said:

Yes she can have her interview done at the embassy in Dubai.

Just a small correction, they have a consulate in Dubai but the embassy is in Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi is where she will have her interview.

I am very sorry my knowledge of the UAE is not quite up to scratch.

[Completely 3]

  paxton25 said:

Had trouble finding a straight forward answer anywhere. I am a US citizen my GF, (probably soon to be fiance) is living legally under a work visa in Dubai, she is a citizen of the philipines. We have met and have photos, communications documentation etc. There is nothing that would make either of us ineligible, If I did a fiance visa would she have to enter from the philipines or could she enter through Dubai? Would it be easier for me to go back to dubai and get married then bring her over? What about the direct consular? I didn't see the embassy in UAE on the list of ones accepting that. We have plenty of time and haven't comitted to this yet and I may hire an attorney to do this for me but want to be prepared so if things do go along right the process will be as smooth as possible. Any other tips are greatly appreciated.

Hi Paxton,

You may want to check first US Embassy in UAE if they process FIANCE VISA APPLICATION.. I went to their website, and notice that they only process petition for Spouse and children,

http://abudhabi.usembassy.gov/filing_a_petition.html

My advise will be, you may want to just get married in Dubai or UAE, if you and your girlfriend is catholic. Once you and her got married, you need to get the marriage certificate authenticated by the Philippine Embassy and Department of Foreign Affairs in UAE.

http://www.indexuae.com/Top/Religion/Christianity/2

It will be easier to apply petition if you are already married, this application is called CR1 VISA.. more easy and direct than Fiance visa.. Check guideline on K1 and CR1 and check the process she have to take..

You and your fiance does not have to go back to your own country to file the Petition, she can just give one of her relative an authorization letter to acquire birth certificate and certificate of singleness in the Philippines.. Tell her to check the requirements of getting married in the Philippine Embassy in UAE.

Edited October 19, 2008 by Completely

[beejay 125]

  Completely said:

Hi Paxton,

You may want to check first US Embassy in UAE if they process FIANCE VISA APPLICATION.. I went to their website, and notice that they only process petition for Spouse and children,

The embassy is Abu Dhabi does process fiance visa petitions.

http://abudhabi.usembassy.gov/filing_a_petition.html

My advise will be, you may want to just get married in Dubai or UAE, if you and your girlfriend is catholic. Once you and her got married, you need to get the marriage certificate authenticated by the Philippine Embassy and Department of Foreign Affairs in UAE.

To get married at St. Mary's Catholic church in Dubai there is a mandatory 3 month waiting period then the intended couple must take a weekend class together before the priest will perform the marriage. (Both are not required to be catholic but the non-catholic must promise to raise children catholic). Things change so it wouldn't hurt to double check. I believe there is another catholic church out near jebel ali but I am unaware of their requirements.

http://www.indexuae.com/Top/Religion/Christianity/2

It will be easier to apply petition if you are already married, this application is called CR1 VISA.. more easy and direct than Fiance visa.. Check guideline on K1 and CR1 and check the process she have to take..

You and your fiance does not have to go back to your own country to file the Petition, she can just give one of her relative an authorization letter to acquire birth certificate and certificate of singleness in the Philippines.. Tell her to check the requirements of getting married in the Philippine Embassy in UAE.

When I talked to the Philippine embassy in the UAE they told us they only performed the marriage if both partners were filipino. Again it wouldn't hurt to double check.

[HaPPyFeEt 0]

  paxton25 said:

Had trouble finding a straight forward answer anywhere. I am a US citizen my GF, (probably soon to be fiance) is living legally under a work visa in Dubai, she is a citizen of the philipines. We have met and have photos, communications documentation etc. There is nothing that would make either of us ineligible, If I did a fiance visa would she have to enter from the philipines or could she enter through Dubai? Would it be easier for me to go back to dubai and get married then bring her over? What about the direct consular? I didn't see the embassy in UAE on the list of ones accepting that. We have plenty of time and haven't comitted to this yet and I may hire an attorney to do this for me but want to be prepared so if things do go along right the process will be as smooth as possible. Any other tips are greatly appreciated.

I am a Filipina/Lebanese with working permit in Kuwait. I just had my interview at the US embassy here in Kuwait. Hiring a lawyer is unnecessary. Just follow the guides and if you have ANY queries.......just ask....we are all here to help each other. =)

[Pineapple 0]

  paxton25 said:

Had trouble finding a straight forward answer anywhere. I am a US citizen my GF, (probably soon to be fiance) is living legally under a work visa in Dubai, she is a citizen of the philipines. We have met and have photos, communications documentation etc. There is nothing that would make either of us ineligible, If I did a fiance visa would she have to enter from the philipines or could she enter through Dubai? Would it be easier for me to go back to dubai and get married then bring her over? What about the direct consular? I didn't see the embassy in UAE on the list of ones accepting that. We have plenty of time and haven't comitted to this yet and I may hire an attorney to do this for me but want to be prepared so if things do go along right the process will be as smooth as possible. Any other tips are greatly appreciated.

If the the application form I-129 for fiance visa is submitted already to which USCIS state were you belong you have to get the address were you forwarded the application together with that is your bonafide evidence since the bigining of the relationship .Like your visit in the Philippines plane tickets , hotels,resorts.Immigration stamp from the airport philippines that your in and out in the country ,And family picutures with friends,cards,letters e-mails , engagement ring reciept,telephone bills your both birth certificate , you need to show of prove that you are supporting your fiance financially like remittances if you are sending her save the receipt , Waiting time for fiance visa to be approved is about 5 months or more it depends if you have references that is the caused of longer wait to avoid those delays read more and research more if your documents is prove enough . The fastest way process so that your fiance she's not going to wait for more than a year waiting FILE THE K-1 FIANCE VISA if you dont have any references your waitng time it takes 8 months .But if you get married using another visa its more longer wait before the visa come out and approve maybe more than a year , As soon you heard form the USCIS that your application is been approved already that was the time you need the updated from NBI,BIRTH CERTIFICATE,POLICE CLEARANCE FROM DUBAI if you are going to process the application in US EMBASSY ABU-DHABI,CENOMAR .And of course your personal checks payment for the application .Hiring an immigration lawyer it cost you $3,ooo thousand US Dollar ...

good luck ,

pineapple

[paxton25 0]

Thanks again for all the advice, she was rasied catholic but she isn't hard core to where I would have to convert and she would have to have a marriage in the catholic church. I haven't even proposed but we have discussed this in a "what if" discussion about the future. I just want to make sure I have everything in order if we go ahead and get engaged, I think it will happen but we are taking it slow for now. I never went to the philippines, and I don't think I would have to, I met her in dubai, I have saved everything from the trip, tickets, receipts, etc, we have been emailing for years now, do they accept emails at face value or would it be better to send her letters by post? I sent a package to her once. so the police background certificate would have to be within 6 months of me filing right? And she would need to get some sort of record from the dubai police too right? She's going home early next year so Im sure she can get the rest of the stuff she needs when she goes home or from family members. And she needs to send those to me so I can include them in the application right? What references were you refering to?

I would prefer it if I could avoid going there just for the marriage, I would also like to get her here for a few weeks for a visit to make sure she will be happy here but from what I see that's next to impossible. anyone that has done something like that let me know about that. I know enough not to marry her if she does come on a visit. Thanks again, I have been doing a lot of reading and want to be as prepared as possible if we decide to go ahead.