So many questions! Texan seeks to join Filipina mate permanently.

[texicandan 0]

Hey everyone. I am new to this site. Thanks for entertaining my questions and for your time. I'm Dan, a 32 year-old Texan who is fed-up with American culture, especially the dating-pool, and have been attracted to women from the Philippines for several years now, due to their typically kind and faithful nature, and obviously due to the exotic beauty that they hold in my eye; but also because I have a deeper appreciation for the culture and values they generally hold than I can express in words here, in a timely fashion. I have been in a long-distance relationship with a Filipina and have fallen in love, via the internet(Skype). I don't want any of you to waste your time warning me of scams or with horror stories, as I am well aware of what CAN happen if not careful or when not taking time to get to know someone, from ANY country, and although I would rather not regress and talk about the specifics of why it didn't work out(because it was my fault), I was in another relationship with a Filipina for almost three-years, ending about a year ago; So needless to say I am aware of much that others from Texas may not be in as much as Pinay-scandal, politics, socio-economic barriers & culture. That being said, I have PLENTY to learn. Salamat in advance.

The questions I have are so numerous, but I will tell you a little about 'our' story, and perhaps you kind people can guide me. I am planning to go to Quezon City in January, and I have no intentions of leaving there without my bride-to-be. I also am entertaining the idea of beginning an international business there, and have the means to do so. In theory, it will be a small company at first, employing 3 to 5 Filipino women and/or men, using computers to 'fix' images associated with documents; answering clerical needs for associates/clientele here in the US.

It's true love for she and I, and I have made promises that she hates for me to make(for fear she will be disappointed), but that I will keep to her, unless they come dragging me away to the flight to LAX... I just can't bring myself to leave her there, especially after we have been together. I am intending on purchasing a one-way ticket -there, and figuring out my return date later, when I know how we must go about making the return trip here, together; even if it turns out that she can't stay in the US with me as my wife, and we must return back there to the Philippines or elsewhere. We intend to have children, soon; if that helps to determine the answer, but our desire to have kids has nothing to do with immigration status for us; we just love each other AND kids, and want our own ASAP. I can't bear the idea of leaving my sweetheart, even if for only a few months, and I just can't see how I would be able to, with the tears I know that would be in both our eyes, if that day comes. Is it even possible for us to remain together for the rest of our lives once we meet face-to-face, and how? I know there is a supposed limit on my tourist visa, but if I have money and can pay-my-way, I have been told that officials will always be willing to extend my visa. In addition, I am wanting to start a very lucrative business in the country, that would feed at-least 3 families of Filipinos, in addition to my own. To me it seems that if I bring commerce to that country and outside money, that they would do all they can to encourage that. What are my options in regard to she and I remaining together? What are the laws regarding staring a small-business there?

I have heard that I can marry my fiance in the Philippines, live there for six-months, with her, and that after such time we are no longer required to obtain K1 Fiance visa. Is this true? How can we return to the US, if we choose, permanently, if we are married?

What should I expect to spend each month, in US Dollars, on an economical yet comfortable, cool, dry and cozy apartment or flat? How much can I expect to spend each month for a work-space for up-to 5 people. It can just be an area the size of a dining area; as long as it has reliable high-speed internet, but must be in QC.

Please, if I am ignorant to additional questions that I should be asking, please offer me all the verifiable advice you can. Salamat and God bless.
-Dan the Texican

[Tosh Love 77]

Best Wishes on your journey. Here are some links that might help and I am sure someone will come by and post some more advice on here.

http://www.visajourney.com/content/dcf

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/forum/129-philippines/

[texicandan 0]

THANK YOU TOSH-LOVE! I will check the links out! CONGRATS on your WEDDING!!!

[clairegie 265]

This is for cebu but will give you an idea on what is needed to start a business:

http://www.cebuexpatservices.com/a-quick-guide-to-starting-a-business-in-the-philippines.php

This is a blog of an expat who has several small businesses in the Philippines. I think the advices he gave are golden:

http://lifebeyondthesea.com/ask-henry-running-a-business-in-the-philippines/

If you want to go back to the States with her, you can check out Tosh's post about Direct Consular Filing

Quezon City is very huge and the apartment rentals vary depending on your location and how many people will live there. If it's just you two, you can rent a very comfortable apartment for about Php 8,000- 15,000, depending on how lavish you want to live and what amenities you are looking for. The higher end of the price is usually with the condos that offer 24 hour security, has a pool, wifi etc. I've lived here all my life and this is the usual price I see.

The business/commercial space rental is about Php 15-25k a month I think, depending on how big the place is, how strategic the location is & the amenities. Good luck!

[wayoutofthebox 3]

I am intending on purchasing a one-way ticket -there,

Nope, not going to happen. Your carrier won't even let you board the plane. You have to show an out bound flight regardless of what your intentions are...new rules that have come down from the Immigration Office in just the last few months. Now you could book a one way over and have a one way back that is at a latter date and is the kind of ticket that is fully refundable should you not use it...wink wink, do you get what I am saying?

when I know how we must go about making the return trip here, together; even if it turns out that she can't stay in the US with me as my wife, and we must return back there to the Philippines or elsewhere.

I have lived here in the RP for most of the last 5 years and until you really immerse yourself in the society it is hard to completely comprehend the difference. There are a number of situations that can not be adequately intellectualized or dismissed until you have had to endure. Before you go lock stock and barrel give it a few months and see how you like it...

We intend to have children

If the child is born in the RP the government will have a few things to say before you can take the child out of the country, and should you unfortunately have an issue with your wife (euphemism for divorce which is not legal in the RP) or should she die at an early age (just to illustrate an example...God forbid anything like this happen) you taking the child out of the country will not be as easy as one might assume.

I know there is a supposed limit on my tourist visa,

You can stay for up to 16 months with extensions every two months. At 16 months you only have to fly out and then fly back the same day to start the 16 mth process all over again.

but if I have money and can pay-my-way, I have been told that officials will always be willing to extend my visa. In addition, I am wanting to start a very lucrative business in the country, that would feed at-least 3 families of Filipinos, in addition to my own.

I believe that if you employ 10 or more on a full time basis you qualify for a visa that allows you to stay without extensions and without the 16mth limit, the number might be higher than 10

What are the laws regarding staring a small-business there?

You usually don't own anything and you can expect hurdles far beyond anything in the first world...get a lawyer...I can recommend a very powerful firm in Manila.

What should I expect to spend each month

Dan, now you are getting into the very tall weeds...send me a pm and I can try to tell you what I know...just remember, everything is going to be a whole lot different than what you are use to...good luck.

Edited December 11, 2013 by wayoutofthebox

[Hank_ 9,174]

I have heard that I can marry my fiance in the Philippines, live there for six-months, with her, and that after such time we are no longer required to obtain K1 Fiance visa. Is this true? How can we return to the US, if we choose, permanently, if we are married?

Please, if I am ignorant to additional questions that I should be asking, please offer me all the verifiable advice you can. Salamat and God bless.

-Dan the Texican

You got some good answers to most all your questions, I will try to touch on the marriage/visa process you are talking about.

Once you have lived in the Phils 6 months or more, and are married), you can do a DCF (Direct Consulate Filing) for the IR/CR-1 visa (spousal visa), the DCF process is extremely quick compared to the conventional IR/CR-1 or K-1 process. Friends of ours completed the DCF process and are now here and it took no time at all. If you get serious about this I can get you in contact with him for some guidance (I don't know too much about that process, but I know who to ask )

You can PM me for more info.

[texicandan 0]

Wow. Salamat po Thank you all so much. You've been so helpful, y'all! Looking forward to posting updates & pics. Please pray I don't screw this up! God bless.

[aaron2020 11,651]

You got some good answers to most all your questions, I will try to touch on the marriage/visa process you are talking about.

Once you have lived in the Phils 6 months or more, and are married), you can do a DCF (Direct Consulate Filing) for the IR/CR-1 visa (spousal visa), the DCF process is extremely quick compared to the conventional IR/CR-1 or K-1 process. Friends of ours completed the DCF process and are now here and it took no time at all. If you get serious about this I can get you in contact with him for some guidance (I don't know too much about that process, but I know who to ask )

You can PM me for more info.

Does a visitor meet the residency rule for DCF in the PI?

[Hank_ 9,174]

http://www.uscis.gov/about-us/find-uscis-office/international-offices/philippines-manila-field-office

[Teripid 5]

The questions I have are so numerous, but I will tell you a little about 'our' story, and perhaps you kind people can guide me. I am planning to go to Quezon City in January, and I have no intentions of leaving there without my bride-to-be. I also am entertaining the idea of beginning an international business there, and have the means to do so. In theory, it will be a small company at first, employing 3 to 5 Filipino women and/or men, using computers to 'fix' images associated with documents; answering clerical needs for associates/clientele here in the US.

-Dan the Texican

Some great advice here, especially the ticket cancellation thing. I did the same while following all applicable laws and it worked out fine since I wasn't sure when my departure would be, only the timetable. . I'd recommend potentially applying for a 6 month visa from the US before heading over too to save yourself those first couple of extension hassles if you are planning to stay that long in a single block of time.

On the business side.. there's a lot more behind this and you're planning 10 steps farther than what you should be looking at currently and you're also trying to continue a relationship during this. Based on your business model try and get some projects and then hire a person for a specific project and see how it goes before diving in.

Hiring, compensation packages, recruitment and a number of other items is extremely different. Boil down night diff, rice allowance, transportation allowance, overtime rates, hazard pay (we were in IT but some people had that one pop up randomly at previous jobs) each of which are taxed or not at different rates and a few other random categories plus contributions and 13th month pay and I longed for a simple salary range during negotiations like in the US.. If you're hiring a housekeeper or assistant on your own you'll be fine. 5+ people you need some outside assistance and may find hiring decent skill sets at a reasonable wage difficult.

I'm assuming QC is where she currently lives which is kinda nice, QC is one of the cheaper areas of Manila proper for rent and other elements. Internet is available on a number of sources and you can get a DSL style connection fairly cheaply which may or may not cause you to rip your hair out. Nothing wrong with QC but there's a lot of area out there depending on what you're looking for. Your statement is kinda like saying "I'm moving to NYC and must absolutely stay and setup a business in the Bronx".

Good luck and try to take it one step at a time.