fiance visiting

[gretchen_darren 67]

Wuestion, how do I get my finace a visitor visa from the Philippines while waiting? Is it possible or will she just be denied?

Any answers would be helpful. She would still go back for the medical and embassy interview, but it would be nice to spend some time together.... Right now I am having a hard time securing vacation time to go see her until July or August. Just hard to believe it may be 6 months without seeing her except on webcam.

[Ryan H 3,829]

Wuestion, how do I get my finace a visitor visa from the Philippines while waiting? Is it possible or will she just be denied?

She can apply for one. However, odds are better than 50% she would be refused, especially since an immigration benefit has been filed on her behalf.

[Markieboy 104]

Wuestion, how do I get my finace a visitor visa from the Philippines while waiting? Is it possible or will she just be denied?

Any answers would be helpful. She would still go back for the medical and embassy interview, but it would be nice to spend some time together.... Right now I am having a hard time securing vacation time to go see her until July or August. Just hard to believe it may be 6 months without seeing her except on webcam.

It is not recommended to file for a visitor visa, while an immigrant visa is pending. She will need to show strong ties to the Philippines. Sure, it is possible. However, most cases with this scenario will be denied. IMHO, you will be wasting your money applying for the tourist visa.

I understand that you miss each other tremendously. This is completely normal for the people you love. Believe me, it is worth the wait.

Good luck with whatever you decide! Keep us posted!

[gretchen_darren 67]

That is the BIG problem. She is under 25, and no ties to the Philippines apart from family. She owns no house, no land, no car, nothing and the village is one of the poorest in the Philippines. Rather then ask me for money her family was eating cassava. It broke my heart when I finally found out. I was told through other family members there and here who told me. When I asked her about it, she told me it was true. She does not want me thinking she wants me only for my money. Her parents are more then happy eating cassava instead of asking for money from me. The sad part is, the whole village is eating cassava right now. They are not catching any fish. I have sent money to help supply the village with rice and some food, but I cannot continue to support the whole village while waiting and bring her here. The California Service Center already turned me down for expedite request even though I told them about the plight of the village. Cassava is extremely harmful if not prepared right. I have seen effects of it in her village after knowing what to look for, but I did not say anything. It broke my heart to see it. And they did not know how the steady diet of cassava was affecting them. I know there are rules and laws, there are regulations. I know all of us are waiting. I really feel for those who have been waiting more then 6 months. And my heart goes out to those who lost their loved ones in Japan. the worst part is I know applying for a tourist visa is like throwing a cup of water on a bonfire... useless.

[carl24 3]

I travel to see my fiance all the time to the US and I don't have any issues. They ask me a few questions and I go on my way. If she has a return flight ticket, and a letter from an employer saying she is expected back to work. My cousin, who also married an American, had no troubles traveling back and forwards either while she waited for her K1 Visa.

[Markieboy 104]

That is the BIG problem. She is under 25, and no ties to the Philippines apart from family. She owns no house, no land, no car, nothing and the village is one of the poorest in the Philippines. Rather then ask me for money her family was eating cassava. It broke my heart when I finally found out. I was told through other family members there and here who told me. When I asked her about it, she told me it was true. She does not want me thinking she wants me only for my money. Her parents are more then happy eating cassava instead of asking for money from me. The sad part is, the whole village is eating cassava right now. They are not catching any fish. I have sent money to help supply the village with rice and some food, but I cannot continue to support the whole village while waiting and bring her here. The California Service Center already turned me down for expedite request even though I told them about the plight of the village. Cassava is extremely harmful if not prepared right. I have seen effects of it in her village after knowing what to look for, but I did not say anything. It broke my heart to see it. And they did not know how the steady diet of cassava was affecting them. I know there are rules and laws, there are regulations. I know all of us are waiting. I really feel for those who have been waiting more then 6 months. And my heart goes out to those who lost their loved ones in Japan. the worst part is I know applying for a tourist visa is like throwing a cup of water on a bonfire... useless.

I'm sorry to hear that. Yeah, those are red flags for sure. Most likely she will be denied a tourist visa. The harsh reality is you cannot help everyone. You can only do your best to support you and your family. Anything extra is always a blessing for them. I do understand your feelings and emotions.

Did CSC deny your expedite request having congressional assistance? Or did you request the expedite directly from CSC? If you haven't done so already, I would recommend contacting your congressmen and senators regarding your situation.

I travel to see my fiance all the time to the US and I don't have any issues. They ask me a few questions and I go on my way. If she has a return flight ticket, and a letter from an employer saying she is expected back to work. My cousin, who also married an American, had no troubles traveling back and forwards either while she waited for her K1 Visa.

Tourists visiting the U.S. from Canada and from the Philippines are treated completely different. Philippines is considered, by many, a high fraud and high risk country. Many tourists from the Philippines enter the U.S. and go TNT. Because of this one of many reasons, Filipinos are scrutinized more carefully and must demonstrate overwhelming evidence that they will return to the Philippines.

I cannot speak for Canadian tourists, as I do not know the situation there.

[John+Lourdelie 28]

I travel to see my fiance all the time to the US and I don't have any issues. They ask me a few questions and I go on my way. If she has a return flight ticket, and a letter from an employer saying she is expected back to work. My cousin, who also married an American, had no troubles traveling back and forwards either while she waited for her K1 Visa.

Sorry, but it's a whole different ball of wax and hill of beans for a tourist visa from the Philippines.

John

[gretchen_darren 67]

yes, I understand the TNT. However, she has an aunt here in Phoenix. It is how we met up and we talk DAILY for 3 to 4 hours a day. I try not to eat in front of her, or have food anywhere around. I understand the scrutiny. But when we got together it felt like just something so right. Everyone who knows me and her, just is amazed how we found each other. when I was there we loved every minute of being together. (and we were only apart for bathroom and shower). It was a constant together. I am reaching out to the congressman. the senator, the embassy, the media. I asked nicely, first in the application, then in a phone call. I got a denial in less then 24 hours after the phone call. I have tried to be patient, but when you study the effects of cassava. there is a disease called Konzo. the village has gotten sick in the last couple of weeks. I attribute it to eating a steady diet of cassava not being prepared properly.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cassava

[gretchen_darren 67]

well let see what happens. Contacted the US embassy in Manila, My congressman, Both state senators, and fox news. I am not one to sit on the "john". Do yer business so the rest of us can do ours.

also contacting the catholic parish near my house as well.

[crystal01 29]

Yeah just based on her circumstance I am pretty sure she will be denied a tourist visa. So basically, do you mean to expedite your case because all they eat is cassava? What about other options? Like raise poultry animals or plant other vegetables or fruits? If they live near the sea, what about other types of seafoods aside from fish? I am pretty sure there are a lot more plants that can grow in their area aside from cassava.

How do you communicate with her? What about relocating them to a different place where there are better prospects for work and a better place for living? I honestly think that expediting should be your last option. I don't mean to sound bad but I kind of think you are using her circumstance to try to cross the line. I do understand your concern make no mistake about that.

PS. Cassava is delish. I love cassava cake with loads and loads of cheese!

[gretchen_darren 67]

I wish I could move her somewhere else, but 90% of the family and relatives live in that area. The main income of the village is fishing. the fising in the bay comes and goes. As for other sources of food, there are roosters, chickens, dogs, and a few small pigs, with one really BIG pig. But the area is so poor and so depresed it really gets to you. Think of living in a campsite by a lake about the same as there. I am sending money to stay in touch with her. Basically, I am supporting myself here, and her there. Cassava can be good if prepared right. However, many people in the village got sick recently, and I was told by her cousin her legs were numb My finace has assured me she is fine. However, there is a lot I do not know, and sometimes am just not told about the situation of living there. I have seen them fishing and when they go out and come in. Yes, they do eat vegetables and fruit. But their diet is one of a poor village. Their house is one of the nicer homes in the village. Many have dirt floors, or are bamboo floors suspended. There is no running water, no showers, the bathrooms are a literal outhouse. Cooking is done outside even when it rains. I just do not know how to describe the conditions to you. Imagine trying not to cry. trying to understnad people living in those conditions day after day. Her dad is one of the most successful fishermen in the village, and yet there have been days. weeks, with no food, living on credit from the store while waiting to catch fish again. Imaging going out day after and catching nothing. How would it be if you went out to work, for a month and never got paid? i am sorry if some people think I am making light of her conditions and using it to get her here sooner. But people in Ukraine, Roamnia, Russia, have it 10 times better then her. the home have either cloth, or rugs for window covering, some are wood shutters. There are no "typical windows", the roofs are tin or bamboo with leaves. There is no heat in the houses and no cooling either. And anywehere I could move her to, there is nowhere to have her stay. those who I could have her stay with are leaving. She is a village girl, not a city girl. Sorry to be so long. But please understand I am not trying to exploit her circumstances. I had a hard time sleeping in a hotel while I was there, when the hotel room was as big as her house. Also, she had never been to a mcdonalds or a jollibee. Never been to a restaurant. Never stayed in a hotel. the worst part is they did not even have enough plates, bowls, silverware, or glasses for a family of 7 to eat at once. Food was come and get it. You ate what you could get your hands on and ate just what you needed. The meals for the children the night of the engagement party broke my heart even more. Think of noodles, rice and menudo. A pack that would fit inside a US Marines hand. That was dinner for the children that night, and it was all together in one bag. And there were dozens of bags. Imagine handing that to your child for a meal while you ate ham or fish or chicken or ribs. It was hard for me. Very hard for me. I cold not do that to my own kids. It was hard to watch it happening there. They kept on trying to chase the kids away during the party. I said let the kids be. they are curious, let them be around. I missed my own kids so much. It was nice having the kids around.

[dessndave 3]

i feel for ya. But honestly the reason your trying to expedite is wrong.

Filipino's have survived a long time before us.

If they have pigs and chickens avail why not eat them?

also Fishing is great out there. but biggest issue is most only go out knee deep.

everyone can work together if they wished to help 1 another. Or else pawn there belongings or outright sell them.

My fiance is just waiting her visa from the embassy. her friend that went on monday also Already received her visa.

My time line is long & we have had many issues. reason for my time line being long is I took 3+months to finish taxes etc.

Valid reasons for expedite is parents or grandparents deathly ill.

Or medical reasons.

Those are the top worth expedite.

They could relocate easily buy a small lot for them & they all could live on it.

my fiance also does not have running water the toilet is a outhouse basically. But have concrete floor rats cockroaches.

Try taking a dump & have a rat crawl down the wall down your leg. I Freaked.

i lived that way with them for 3 weeks & honestly I was happier there then here in our expensive home.

I did not support the family they supported me. Cause they also do not wish for me to think there after money which I knew since day 1 they were not.

I truly wish you and your girl Luck & good health.

But hope your expedite requests don't ruin it.

[amykathleen2005 441]

I hate to say it, but she and her family have survived long before she met you. The conditions they are living in are nothing they aren't used to already. But as the situation has not recently changed there is no real reason for an expedite.