What's best, K-1 or K-3 for Philippines?

[Bob&Hydy 0]

Hi All,

My fiancee Hydy and I got engaged a month ago and now we're trying to decide whether to go the K-1 or K-3 route. We don't have really strong preferences about whether to get married in the U.S. or the Philippines. Basically we want to go with whichever option would get Hydy to the U.S. the fastest and with the best chances for approval of the visa. We have heard that the K-1 is no longer a very good option for the Philippines, that it takes longer and has lower rates of approval than the K-3, but we haven't really seen clear evidence showing that one visa is faster or more likely to be approved than the other. Can anyone out there point us to some info or resources that would help? Thank you.

Bob

[Robor007 0]

Hi Bob... You're probably going to have opinions on either side but I think most people will say a K-1 is going to be faster or at least as fast as a K-3 and/or CR-1. As far as which one has 'the best chances of approval' I'm told a spousal visa petition carries more weight. That makes sense to me because (in my opinion) it shows more commitment in the relationship. I know it would've been a lot easier for my wife and I to go K-1.

If you do decide to marry in the Philippines make sure you have all of your ducks in order. By that I mean make sure you've got enough time (it takes at least 2 weeks because of the 10 day waiting period for the marriage license) and make sure both of you have all the necessary documentation and know what to do with it. If I can be of assistance just PM me and I'll try and help.

[Jasman0717 9]

when Claudeth and I started the process the K-1 was going through very quickly but I know it is taking much longer now. You might try the immigration timeline search feature to see what others are currently experiencing. Good luck

[beameup 0]

I would say that the K-1 is a far superior option. Now, that assumes that you have spent time in the Philippines with your fiancé; that you have met her family and have taken a lot of photos together, etc.

Getting married in the Philippines is much more difficult than in the U.S. due to the differences regarding your time involved in the process as well as the "paperwork". Anything involving legal matters of any kind are simply much more "difficult" in the P.I. and more "time consuming" than in the U.S. You will most likely need an attorney at some point.

After getting married in the P.I. you would have to file an I-130 Petition for Immediate Relative visa with USCIS (immigration), then you would have to wait until it has been received and approved as "complete" and you receive the notice: I-797C from USCIS. Then you would be permitted to file an I-129F Petition for a K-3 visa - this is the same process as the K-1 visa except it is used to accelerate a spouse being given a visa to the U.S. (it is a 2 year visa as opposed to 90 days for a fiancé). While in the U.S., the spouse has 2 years to complete the process with USCIS. This method involves the I-130 fee ($190) and then the I-129F fee ($175). All forms are available online in 'fillable' .pdf format.

[Robor007 0]

I would say that the K-1 is a far superior option. Now, that assumes that you have spent time in the Philippines with your fiancé; that you have met her family and have taken a lot of photos together, etc.

Getting married in the Philippines is much more difficult than in the U.S. due to the differences regarding your time involved in the process as well as the "paperwork". Anything involving legal matters of any kind are simply much more "difficult" in the P.I. and more "time consuming" than in the U.S. You will most likely need an attorney at some point.

After getting married in the P.I. you would have to file an I-130 Petition for Immediate Relative visa with USCIS (immigration), then you would have to wait until it has been received and approved as "complete" and you receive the notice: I-797C from USCIS. Then you would be permitted to file an I-129F Petition for a K-3 visa - this is the same process as the K-1 visa except it is used to accelerate a spouse being given a visa to the U.S. (it is a 2 year visa as opposed to 90 days for a fiancé). While in the U.S., the spouse has 2 years to complete the process with USCIS. This method involves the I-130 fee ($190) and then the I-129F fee ($175). All forms are available online in 'fillable' .pdf format.

I was married in the Philippines this past November and it's not that difficult. Yes, it does take some time (10 business days waiting period for the marriage license) but other than that it's fairly simple - especially if you're talking about a civil ceremony. There is absolutely no need for an attorney either. My wife told me I can also get some sort of 'dual citizenship' in the Philippines now as well but I have to check into that.