k1 visa help i have some questions

[Mikhail 1]

Hi I'm new here I came hoping maybe I could get some help/advice etc. I am an American guy with a girlfriend in the Philippines, everything is great weve known eachother about 10 months. She is getting her passport in the next few weeks and with that we plan on meeting for the first time in person in another country. At first we were planning on getting married but we soon realized it would be faster if we went through with the fiancee k1 visa process, so we plan on getting engaged and we will marry in the U.S. The problem is that the Philippine Embassy does not allow co sponsors, that is what messed me up, I am unemployed. Is there anything I can do? If I was lucky enough to get a job do I need to have had the job a certain period of time? And is a job in my case necessary before we can file the visa? Also I have heard that at the time of the filing of the k1 visa we must have evidence of atleast a year long relationship, is this crucial? do we need to have seen eachother on multiple trips or is one fine? Adding to the complication I am 20 and my girlfriend is 27, alot of marriages are to guys that are 10,20, 30years older then the woman,the woman is usually not the older one, would this be a problem during the visa process? I appreciate it if anybody can respond if they had similar situations or can offer me any advice, Thanks...

[Deputy Purple 1,294]

FWIW, the CR/IR generally only takes about 1 month longer than the K Visas do.

Save the money of flying her to "another country", go to the PH and marry her there with her family in attendance.

File for CR-1 and use the co-sponsor(s).

If you read enough on VJ you'll see that generally the K Visas are looked at harder by the USEM.

[Scott and Mhay 57]

I agree with bob, go to the philippines and marry there. the K-1 will cost you more in the long run and doesnt take much longer...you also dont have to adust status and apply for work authorization. The only upside to the fiancee visa is you can live together for up to 90 days before getting married.

[Mikhail 1]

FWIW, the CR/IR generally only takes about 1 month longer than the K Visas do.

Save the money of flying her to "another country", go to the PH and marry her there with her family in attendance.

File for CR-1 and use the co-sponsor(s).

If you read enough on VJ you'll see that generally the K Visas are looked at harder by the USEM.

It looks like i will do the cr1 visa, we orginally wanted the marriage visa but it didnt allow co sponsors, so we should be able to get married now

[Scott and Mhay 57]

Just be aware of the extra steps you have to take to get married in the philippines. You will need to get an affidavit at the US embassy stating you are single to get the marriage license. Also, if you do a catholic wedding there are more things you need to do. If you have any questions about it, I just got married there in august this year.

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

Why not postpone filing for K-1 until after you've secured a job? You two haven't even met in person yet, and you're only 20 yrs. old. Why the rush? Some couples here have waiting for 3 or more years. I know it's tough, but if you two are serious about your relationship, you can manage to wait at least until you are employed again before filing.

Edited December 18, 2009 by Galt's gallstones