STOP Listening to the advice/opinions of people

[Deputy Purple 1,294]

Lately I seem to be reading more and more posts where someone is upset because something didn't go the way their family and friends told them it will.

Whenever I hear a Filipino say "That's what I know" I just want to ask them how they obtained such first-hand knowledge of a process they never experienced.

There seem to be a lot of myths about Visas to the US:

--> My young, unemployed GF/Fiancée who has no money can easily get a tourist (visitors) visa to the US.

--> Everyone gets approved for K-1 Visas, they are easier & cheaper than CR/IR Visas. K Visas are also quicker.

--> If you're having trouble getting the documents you need there's always a fixer to do it for you and the Embassy will never know if the documents are "sketchy".

--> The Visa process is a breeze, just fill-up some papers, pay a little money and wait a few months.

--> Jobs are easy to come by in the US so it doesn't matter if my Fiancé/Husband doesn't meet the income guidelines.

Here are the truths:

--> My elderly mother-in-law who has all of her family (except my wife) in the PH, owns a house and has money in the bank might get a visitors Visa but my Wife didn't stand a snowball's chance in hell of getting one.

--> From reading the interview experiences on VJ I'd say that K-1 beneficiaries are asked a lot more questions compared to CR\IR beneficiaries. The K fees may be less to get you to the US but Adjusting Status is a large lump sum that more than covers any savings you see going the K route. CR/IR Visa may take an additional month but you are issued a greencard (production ordered) upon entry and can apply for SSN and work immediately whereas K Visas require additional documents and several months of waiting.

--> The USEM in Manila is aware of the fixers and probably don't really trust NSO documents until they've confirmed them. I've heard rumors that they're connected to NSO computer systems and I wouldn't doubt it. Using a fixer is fraud, get caught and it's a lifetime entry ban!

--> Sure on paper the process isn't difficult, that's why we don't need lawyers or Visa services. What you can't account for on paper is the human factor though. Spending months apart, waiting for a stupid piece of paper from a faceless government agency will wear on your nerves. You'll find yourself wishing that there was some way to find-out exactly where your case is and why you haven't heard from them yet. Even the best of relationships are tried by the process.

--> And finally, we really are in a Recession over here. Yes there are jobs but with double digit unemployment there are a lot of people competing for those jobs. Do you really think employers are going to pick a fresh off the boat immigrant with little or no practical job experience to an over qualified citizen who is willing to work well below their former pay grade? If your USC SO can't afford to support both of you then you will have financial problems. It makes a lot of sense that the USEM is looking harder at co-sponsors. A college student with their parents co-sponsoring will have a better chance than a High School grad (or drop-out) working the deep fryer at McDonalds. Why? Well because the college student has a better chance to earn a real salary in a few years whereas the McDonalds Fry Cook is more likely to still be working the fryer!

and THAT"S WHAT I KNOW!

[Angel and Gendy 1]

Sounds like Filipino advice is no different from the advice I get from Americans that haven't been through the process....

[Deputy Purple 1,294]

The biggest difference between PH advice & US advice is that most USC think that once you're married then your foreign spouse can just hop on a plane and come home with you. At least in the PH they understand that the Visa process exists!

[Zen Den 18]

Lately I seem to be reading more and more posts where someone is upset because something didn't go the way their family and friends told them it will.

Whenever I hear a Filipino say "That's what I know" I just want to ask them how they obtained such first-hand knowledge of a process they never experienced.

There seem to be a lot of myths about Visas to the US:

--> My young, unemployed GF/Fiancée who has no money can easily get a tourist (visitors) visa to the US.

--> Everyone gets approved for K-1 Visas, they are easier & cheaper than CR/IR Visas. K Visas are also quicker.

--> If you're having trouble getting the documents you need there's always a fixer to do it for you and the Embassy will never know if the documents are "sketchy".

--> The Visa process is a breeze, just fill-up some papers, pay a little money and wait a few months.

--> Jobs are easy to come by in the US so it doesn't matter if my Fiancé/Husband doesn't meet the income guidelines.

Here are the truths:

--> My elderly mother-in-law who has all of her family (except my wife) in the PH, owns a house and has money in the bank might get a visitors Visa but my Wife didn't stand a snowball's chance in hell of getting one.

--> From reading the interview experiences on VJ I'd say that K-1 beneficiaries are asked a lot more questions compared to CR\IR beneficiaries. The K fees may be less to get you to the US but Adjusting Status is a large lump sum that more than covers any savings you see going the K route. CR/IR Visa may take an additional month but you are issued a greencard (production ordered) upon entry and can apply for SSN and work immediately whereas K Visas require additional documents and several months of waiting.

--> The USEM in Manila is aware of the fixers and probably don't really trust NSO documents until they've confirmed them. I've heard rumors that they're connected to NSO computer systems and I wouldn't doubt it. Using a fixer is fraud, get caught and it's a lifetime entry ban!

--> Sure on paper the process isn't difficult, that's why we don't need lawyers or Visa services. What you can't account for on paper is the human factor though. Spending months apart, waiting for a stupid piece of paper from a faceless government agency will wear on your nerves. You'll find yourself wishing that there was some way to find-out exactly where your case is and why you haven't heard from them yet. Even the best of relationships are tried by the process.

--> And finally, we really are in a Recession over here. Yes there are jobs but with double digit unemployment there are a lot of people competing for those jobs. Do you really think employers are going to pick a fresh off the boat immigrant with little or no practical job experience to an over qualified citizen who is willing to work well below their former pay grade? If your USC SO can't afford to support both of you then you will have financial problems. It makes a lot of sense that the USEM is looking harder at co-sponsors. A college student with their parents co-sponsoring will have a better chance than a High School grad (or drop-out) working the deep fryer at McDonalds. Why? Well because the college student has a better chance to earn a real salary in a few years whereas the McDonalds Fry Cook is more likely to still be working the fryer!

and THAT"S WHAT I KNOW!

hmmm... the above looks like info a lawyer would give a prospective visa applicant...

[rheanick 42]

Lately I seem to be reading more and more posts where someone is upset because something didn't go the way their family and friends told them it will.

Whenever I hear a Filipino say "That's what I know" I just want to ask them how they obtained such first-hand knowledge of a process they never experienced.

There seem to be a lot of myths about Visas to the US:

--> My young, unemployed GF/Fiancée who has no money can easily get a tourist (visitors) visa to the US.

--> Everyone gets approved for K-1 Visas, they are easier & cheaper than CR/IR Visas. K Visas are also quicker.

--> If you're having trouble getting the documents you need there's always a fixer to do it for you and the Embassy will never know if the documents are "sketchy".

--> The Visa process is a breeze, just fill-up some papers, pay a little money and wait a few months.

--> Jobs are easy to come by in the US so it doesn't matter if my Fiancé/Husband doesn't meet the income guidelines.

Here are the truths:

--> My elderly mother-in-law who has all of her family (except my wife) in the PH, owns a house and has money in the bank might get a visitors Visa but my Wife didn't stand a snowball's chance in hell of getting one.

--> From reading the interview experiences on VJ I'd say that K-1 beneficiaries are asked a lot more questions compared to CR\IR beneficiaries. The K fees may be less to get you to the US but Adjusting Status is a large lump sum that more than covers any savings you see going the K route. CR/IR Visa may take an additional month but you are issued a greencard (production ordered) upon entry and can apply for SSN and work immediately whereas K Visas require additional documents and several months of waiting.

--> The USEM in Manila is aware of the fixers and probably don't really trust NSO documents until they've confirmed them. I've heard rumors that they're connected to NSO computer systems and I wouldn't doubt it. Using a fixer is fraud, get caught and it's a lifetime entry ban!

--> Sure on paper the process isn't difficult, that's why we don't need lawyers or Visa services. What you can't account for on paper is the human factor though. Spending months apart, waiting for a stupid piece of paper from a faceless government agency will wear on your nerves. You'll find yourself wishing that there was some way to find-out exactly where your case is and why you haven't heard from them yet. Even the best of relationships are tried by the process.

--> And finally, we really are in a Recession over here. Yes there are jobs but with double digit unemployment there are a lot of people competing for those jobs. Do you really think employers are going to pick a fresh off the boat immigrant with little or no practical job experience to an over qualified citizen who is willing to work well below their former pay grade? If your USC SO can't afford to support both of you then you will have financial problems. It makes a lot of sense that the USEM is looking harder at co-sponsors. A college student with their parents co-sponsoring will have a better chance than a High School grad (or drop-out) working the deep fryer at McDonalds. Why? Well because the college student has a better chance to earn a real salary in a few years whereas the McDonalds Fry Cook is more likely to still be working the fryer!

and THAT"S WHAT I KNOW!

straight to the point and very well said...

Edited December 18, 2009 by rheanick

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Friends and family are always generous about giving advice. Now whether that advice is helpful or not is another matter. Anyone going through immigration should take it seriously - to do the research or hire an immigration lawyer. If you're acting on just hearsay then you're setting yourself up to fail if by chance that advice was bad.

[chinese_mutt 11]

Lately I seem to be reading more and more posts where someone is upset because something didn't go the way their family and friends told them it will.

Whenever I hear a Filipino say "That's what I know" I just want to ask them how they obtained such first-hand knowledge of a process they never experienced.

There seem to be a lot of myths about Visas to the US:

--> My young, unemployed GF/Fiancée who has no money can easily get a tourist (visitors) visa to the US.

--> Everyone gets approved for K-1 Visas, they are easier & cheaper than CR/IR Visas. K Visas are also quicker.

--> If you're having trouble getting the documents you need there's always a fixer to do it for you and the Embassy will never know if the documents are "sketchy".

--> The Visa process is a breeze, just fill-up some papers, pay a little money and wait a few months.

--> Jobs are easy to come by in the US so it doesn't matter if my Fiancé/Husband doesn't meet the income guidelines.

Here are the truths:

--> My elderly mother-in-law who has all of her family (except my wife) in the PH, owns a house and has money in the bank might get a visitors Visa but my Wife didn't stand a snowball's chance in hell of getting one.

--> From reading the interview experiences on VJ I'd say that K-1 beneficiaries are asked a lot more questions compared to CR\IR beneficiaries. The K fees may be less to get you to the US but Adjusting Status is a large lump sum that more than covers any savings you see going the K route. CR/IR Visa may take an additional month but you are issued a greencard (production ordered) upon entry and can apply for SSN and work immediately whereas K Visas require additional documents and several months of waiting.

--> The USEM in Manila is aware of the fixers and probably don't really trust NSO documents until they've confirmed them. I've heard rumors that they're connected to NSO computer systems and I wouldn't doubt it. Using a fixer is fraud, get caught and it's a lifetime entry ban!

--> Sure on paper the process isn't difficult, that's why we don't need lawyers or Visa services. What you can't account for on paper is the human factor though. Spending months apart, waiting for a stupid piece of paper from a faceless government agency will wear on your nerves. You'll find yourself wishing that there was some way to find-out exactly where your case is and why you haven't heard from them yet. Even the best of relationships are tried by the process.

--> And finally, we really are in a Recession over here. Yes there are jobs but with double digit unemployment there are a lot of people competing for those jobs. Do you really think employers are going to pick a fresh off the boat immigrant with little or no practical job experience to an over qualified citizen who is willing to work well below their former pay grade? If your USC SO can't afford to support both of you then you will have financial problems. It makes a lot of sense that the USEM is looking harder at co-sponsors. A college student with their parents co-sponsoring will have a better chance than a High School grad (or drop-out) working the deep fryer at McDonalds. Why? Well because the college student has a better chance to earn a real salary in a few years whereas the McDonalds Fry Cook is more likely to still be working the fryer!

and THAT"S WHAT I KNOW!

I agree about the employment thing!! Really, some people there think we pick money out of our backyard trees!!! If only they know that during winter the trees don't even have real leaves! Hahah.

People who are going through immigration should research by themselves or hire a lawyer. If they are stupid enough to rely on 'hear say' then they deserve what's coming to them!

[SuperDuper! 230]

I know there are strong opinions on K1 v CR1, etc. I think the monetary cost should not even be a factor in deciding which route to go. Getting married in a foreign land can be scary. And if you only met your girl in the past 3 months, and then get married??

It pays to get to know your girl better, and have 90 days to decide living your life together whether getting married is really a good idea. There are too many stories here on VJ of the foreign bride either freaking out or terminally homesick and in culture shock, and the marriage fails. THen annulments are needed and more Phils Bureaucracy in your life.

If a man is counting pennies trying to decide if he can afford a foreign bride, then he is NOT ready.

A good rule of thumb is to have about $10K CASH in the bank on the day your Bride glides off the 747 and into your arms.

By the time your 90 days and then AOS rolls around, after showing her around town, taking a vacation or honeymoon or two, buying her warm clothes, and kitchen items, furniture for her and maybe her kid, well, your $10K will easily be depleted.

"Every middle-aged (divorced) American man wishes he could have a young, petite, sexy Mail Order Bride. But not every man can afford the postage."

[Ladylethal 12]

I know there are strong opinions on K1 v CR1, etc. I think the monetary cost should not even be a factor in deciding which route to go. Getting married in a foreign land can be scary. And if you only met your girl in the past 3 months, and then get married??

It pays to get to know your girl better, and have 90 days to decide living your life together whether getting married is really a good idea.

Except the K1 is not intended or made for people to "try out" before deciding to get married, the 90 day rule is just to give the couple enough time to plan the last things for the wedding. If you're going the K1 route the idea is the relationship is set in stone and the couple knows each other enough to know they're headed the right way.

People who jump on the K1 wagon to "try out" and then find out their partners are wackos, liars, etc. would be fooled even if the person is from the same country.

[SuperDuper! 230]

Except the K1 is not intended or made for people to "try out" before deciding to get married, the 90 day rule is just to give the couple enough time to plan the last things for the wedding. If you're going the K1 route the idea is the relationship is set in stone and the couple knows each other enough to know they're headed the right way.

People who jump on the K1 wagon to "try out" and then find out their partners are wackos, liars, etc. would be fooled even if the person is from the same country.

Well, just go and try to sell this to Mox, and let me know how THAT works out for you.

Peace.

[LOSTGURL--SOPHIA 2]

I HOPE THEY JUST CLOSE THIS THREAD FORWARD THIS TO OFF TOPIC

[chinese_mutt 11]

I HOPE THEY JUST CLOSE THIS THREAD FORWARD THIS TO OFF TOPIC

why?

[Tito Jorge 0]

The biggest difference between PH advice & US advice is that most USC think that once you're married then your foreign spouse can just hop on a plane and come home with you. At least in the PH they understand that the Visa process exists!

This is the truth!

I have met so many Americans that were quite surprised to learn that my wife did not automatically become a U.S. citizen when we got married ...

A whole lot of people here in the U.S. just dont have any clue to the reality of our Fil/Am lives ...

-- George

[Pinay Wife 47]

That's because some Americans who hooked up with Pinays or other foreign gals ** deleted ** are below par on the intelligence quotient!

Señorita Linda, por favor mire la lengua.

Esposa de Pinay

Equipo de Moderación de VJ

(http://translation2.paralink.com/) - gracias

Please tell us again, in other words, what you are attempting to communicate?

Reposted.

Pinay Wife

VJ Mod Team

Edited December 20, 2009 by Pinay Wife

[Sinergy 3]

It is easier to look up the information for yourself than you rely on family and friends or anyone else who has never gone through the process. anyone who listens to someone who hasnt gone through the process is asking for doom.