apply for tourist visa before K-1

[red.ph 0]

My fiance and I are having a dilemma on whether it's safe for her to apply for a tourist visa before we apply for K-1. One lawyer we consulted said that it's best not to apply for any other visa types if we intend to go for the K-1 route. But I would want to know experiences of other people here.

My fiance and I have been together for almost 2 years now and it's always me visiting her in the Philippines.

Before I met her, she has been denied of a tourist visa 2x (because her previous husband was a US LPR - a Filipino) and when she was already annulled, she was again refused a tourist visa (just last November 2009). Total of 3 tourist visa denials in the past 3 years.

She hasn't met my family yet and I want her to see my hometown and spend time with my parents and brothers before she goes here for the 90-day marrying period on K-1. The only way we can do that is if she applies for a tourist visa. But like I said, some people advise against doing that.

To be honest, I want her to go here on vacation first and see where we want to live before she actually goes here for our marriage later on.

I can't always be in the Philippines to visit her during the waiting period for K-1 visa so it would be great for us if she has the capacity to visit me too.

I hope to see others with a similar experience share it with us and others who would benefit with the stories too.

Thanks!

[chinausa 7]

I suggest you DO NOT DO IT.

I assume you send her an invitation for her B1/B2 visa, and immigration will assume her attend to stay and never return to her country, because you're her boyfriend.

[~happyndinlove~ 540]

My fiance and I are having a dilemma on whether it's safe for her to apply for a tourist visa before we apply for K-1. One lawyer we consulted said that it's best not to apply for any other visa types if we intend to go for the K-1 route. But I would want to know experiences of other people here.

My fiance and I have been together for almost 2 years now and it's always me visiting her in the Philippines.

Before I met her, she has been denied of a tourist visa 2x (because her previous husband was a US LPR - a Filipino) and when she was already annulled, she was again refused a tourist visa (just last November 2009). Total of 3 tourist visa denials in the past 3 years.

She hasn't met my family yet and I want her to see my hometown and spend time with my parents and brothers before she goes here for the 90-day marrying period on K-1. The only way we can do that is if she applies for a tourist visa. But like I said, some people advise against doing that.

To be honest, I want her to go here on vacation first and see where we want to live before she actually goes here for our marriage later on.

I can't always be in the Philippines to visit her during the waiting period for K-1 visa so it would be great for us if she has the capacity to visit me too.

I hope to see others with a similar experience share it with us and others who would benefit with the stories too.

Thanks!

why does she want a tourist visa....so bad!?

[red.ph 0]

the last time she applied, she was supposed to go with her mom to the US for christmas vacation and she was denied.

she has a steady, good paying job and proof to show she is returning. she also has a 5-year old son who lives with her.

we were actually considering for her to apply for a tourist visa because her boss wants her to attend a training conference this coming May. Then it would be a good chance for her to visit me too.

but it is indeed very tricky and we don't want to cause any unnecessary difficulty when we apply for K-1 later on.

[red.ph 0]

this is her history:

for the first 2 times she applied in 2006, we didn't know each other yet.

she was married to a Filipino who became a US immigrant and had her on petition but it was taking a long time.

she wanted to have the option of being the one to visit her then husband since he was busy working.

she was denied in both tries.

we met in 2008 in the philippines. she was already annulled then.

i was working in manila but recently i had to go back home and continue my work here.

she applied for the 3rd time last year so she could go with her mom on vacation but again, she was denied.

we want her to have a tourist visa so she could visit me when she has free time from work to see each other.

we know that k-1 visa will take some time processing and we want to have the option of visiting each other.

but we don't want it to affect our K-1 visa application that's why i'm seeking advice from those with experience if it's wise to do it or just forget about trying for a tourist visa.

thanks for your responses!

[~happyndinlove~ 540]

this is her history:

for the first 2 times she applied in 2006, we didn't know each other yet.

she was married to a Filipino who became a US immigrant and had her on petition but it was taking a long time.

she wanted to have the option of being the one to visit her then husband since he was busy working.

she was denied in both tries.

we met in 2008 in the philippines. she was already annulled then.

i was working in manila but recently i had to go back home and continue my work here.

she applied for the 3rd time last year so she could go with her mom on vacation but again, she was denied.

we want her to have a tourist visa so she could visit me when she has free time from work to see each other.

we know that k-1 visa will take some time processing and we want to have the option of visiting each other.

but we don't want it to affect our K-1 visa application that's why i'm seeking advice from those with experience if it's wise to do it or just forget about trying for a tourist visa.

thanks for your responses!

are you saying that most people apply for a tourist visa to attend a work training program?

I think the mutliple tourist visa applications might raise a red flag for the CO.

I'm guessing..the father of her son...the lpr filipino?

[red.ph 0]

the tourist visa (B1/B2) that her boss wants her to apply for is to attend a conference of the training industry which is what her company is all about.

most people in the philippines apply for tourist visa just for leisure visits to the US.

i'm not saying in any way that the tourist visa application is for work training program here.

it's so frustrating when you get a dilemma like this and there's really no definite road map to follow.

anyways, thanks for all the inputs guys!

we are currently arranging the K-1 packet to be sent to CSC.

wish us all the best!

[PeruvyandGringa 25]

I don't think it will do anything to your chances of the K-1. The tourist visa is likely to get denied again (especially with intent to visit boyfriend/fiance). It's up to you if you don't mind losing the money on applying for the tourist visa. We applied for the fiance visa 6 months after his tourist visa denial. There was no problems (other than feeling like schmucks for throwing away the money on the tourist visa)...

[Hamburger Man 3]

My fiance and I are having a dilemma on whether it's safe for her to apply for a tourist visa before we apply for K-1. One lawyer we consulted said that it's best not to apply for any other visa types if we intend to go for the K-1 route. But I would want to know experiences of other people here.

My fiance and I have been together for almost 2 years now and it's always me visiting her in the Philippines.

Before I met her, she has been denied of a tourist visa 2x (because her previous husband was a US LPR - a Filipino) and when she was already annulled, she was again refused a tourist visa (just last November 2009). Total of 3 tourist visa denials in the past 3 years.

She hasn't met my family yet and I want her to see my hometown and spend time with my parents and brothers before she goes here for the 90-day marrying period on K-1. The only way we can do that is if she applies for a tourist visa. But like I said, some people advise against doing that.

To be honest, I want her to go here on vacation first and see where we want to live before she actually goes here for our marriage later on.

I can't always be in the Philippines to visit her during the waiting period for K-1 visa so it would be great for us if she has the capacity to visit me too.

I hope to see others with a similar experience share it with us and others who would benefit with the stories too.

Thanks!

I don't know if this is helpful, but...

My Chinese Fiancee applied for and got approved for B2 at the Beijing US Embassy; She even used the I-129F NOA2 as "proof" to show that she was already in the midst of the K1 process. She argued that I wouldn't have filed for K1 and wasted my money (time, etc...) if she was going to get B2 and try to immigrate illegally anyway.

PS - She was admitted with no problems at Newark Airport (PoE).

Hope that helps.

Good Luck!

Edited March 7, 2010 by Hamburger Man