New to the board

[scribbles 0]

Like I said I am new here and I am sure I am posting this in the wrong section (seems like I always do). I met my wife 2 years ago on a trip I took to the Philippines. After keeping in contact and going back a couple of times we finally got married on Sept 1st 2009. She lives in Western Samar by Calbayog City on a small Island Santo Nino. I havent submitted the I-130 just yet because I have been pretty busy here. I am active duty Army and have been for the past 14 years. I read there was a way to expidite the whole process since I was in the military. Is this true? Has anyone had experiance with this? I plan on getting the packet done soon and getting it filed, wow is it lot of paper. I hate to re-invent the wheel so I figured I would ask for some advice from here. Also, is it possible for her to come vist and stay with me on a visitor visa while this is in the process? I believe its a B-2?? Could be wrong though. Thanks in advance for any advice and nice to meet everyone. Salamat.

[payxibka 10,047]

Your wife can apply for a B/2 visa but it is up to the consulate to apporve it... Approval rates in Manila are fairly low for similar situations... however it is a $131 investment (and time & travel) so if you are willing to risk the investment.

Edited November 17, 2009 by payxibka

[Scott and Mhay 57]

the only way it can be expedited is if you are going on a deployment or if it is putting undue stress on you due to the process. I was just reading this...do a search on expedited visa. there is a whole thread to it. I too am military and I am waiting on my case number now so i can call the military line to see if i can get expedited because i am deployed.

[Scott and Mhay 57]

Here is the link to the thread http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...edite+Tips'

[pushbrk 13,181]

Like I said I am new here and I am sure I am posting this in the wrong section (seems like I always do). I met my wife 2 years ago on a trip I took to the Philippines. After keeping in contact and going back a couple of times we finally got married on Sept 1st 2009. She lives in Western Samar by Calbayog City on a small Island Santo Nino. I havent submitted the I-130 just yet because I have been pretty busy here. I am active duty Army and have been for the past 14 years. I read there was a way to expidite the whole process since I was in the military. Is this true? Has anyone had experiance with this? I plan on getting the packet done soon and getting it filed, wow is it lot of paper. I hate to re-invent the wheel so I figured I would ask for some advice from here. Also, is it possible for her to come vist and stay with me on a visitor visa while this is in the process? I believe its a B-2?? Could be wrong though. Thanks in advance for any advice and nice to meet everyone. Salamat.

By law, people with immigrant intent are ineligible for a B2 visa. Your wife has obvious immigrant intent. I've seen this waived even during the process for the US Citizen's medical emergency though.

Unless you have an imminent deployment order far enough in advance for the expedite to get her here before you deploy, I wouldn't expect an expedite request to be granted. I've not seen them granted when somebody is already deployed, since the expedite won't reunite the couple any sooner. There could always be a first time but I wouldn't count on it.

You ARE posting in the correct section for a K3 spouse visa, but I strongly recommend you skip the K3, just file the I-130 and take the CR1 visa route.

[nowhereman 1]

I successfully expedited our K1 visa petition based on military reasons/ national interest. Here is the Reader's Digest version of the process:

1. Submit your application normally.

2. Once you get your case # call the USCIS Military hotline (1-877-247-4645) and request an expedite based on "military reasons/national interest".

3. Get a letter from your commanding officer (with military letterhead) stating your situation (either imminent deployment or other extenuating circumstances pertinent to your military duties). Submit orders if you have them.

4. Mail (and fax for good measure) the proof back to USCIS. My expedite took 45 days from submission to petition approved.

Here is a link that has some useful info as well: USCIS Military Info

Good luck!

Edited November 17, 2009 by nowhereman

[scribbles 0]

Thanks for all the good info guys. Seems like a couple different avenues to go down. Guess I just need to get the forms done and go from there. Thanks again.