In love with a girl in the Philippines.

[jmc92 0]

Long story short...I'm in love.

My girl is trying to come over to Arizona in the US first to visit, and then after as a permanent citizen of the us once we're married. She's living in Cebu City

For the step of the travel passport/visa, what is required, and how long does it take to get one for her, and I would like to know the cost of getting one?

I have heard that Americans stick out like a sore thumb, and are targeted daily for kidnappings and ransom and murdered over there...If I go over for a visit in the philippines myself, should I be worried for me life?

Also, She has a little 2 year old girl, that she would be bringing as well ^^

Edited September 18, 2014 by jmc92

[clairegie 265]

Well, what kind of visa were you thinking of going for?

[Hank_ 9,174]

Long story short...I'm in love.

My girl is trying to come over to Arizona in the US first to visit, and then after as a permanent citizen of the us once we're married. She's living in Cebu City

For the step of the travel passport/visa, what is required, and how long does it take to get one for her, and I would like to know the cost of getting one?

I have heard that Americans stick out like a sore thumb, and are targeted daily for kidnappings and ransom and murdered over there...If I go over for a visit in the philippines myself, should I be worried for me life?

Also, She has a little 2 year old girl, that she would be bringing as well ^^

congrats!

The odds of your girlfriend getting a tourist visa are very slim at best. Here is a link to the process: http://manila.usembassy.gov/b1-b2.html

It would be much easier/simpler if you flew there for a visit. Americans do stick out in the Phils ... they are usually taller .... and you will spot many expats around Cebu, they are usually easy spot, they are the tall guys with gray hair Only a very small part of the Philippines is really dangerous for expats and that area in on Mindanao. You will be fine in Cebu.

There are two visa processes you will want to consider; 1) K-1 fiancee visa, 2) CR-1 spousal visa. The fastest for getting your lovely lady (and her daughter) to the USA is the K-1. There is info in the GUIDES above (blue bar) for each process. The daughter would be listed on the petition for each process.

http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1guide

http://www.visajourney.com/content/i130guide1

[B_J 2,752]

Long story short...I'm in love.

My girl is trying to come over to Arizona in the US first to visit, and then after as a permanent citizen of the us once we're married. She's living in Cebu City

For the step of the travel passport/visa, what is required, and how long does it take to get one for her, and I would like to know the cost of getting one?

I have heard that Americans stick out like a sore thumb, and are targeted daily for kidnappings and ransom and murdered over there...If I go over for a visit in the philippines myself, should I be worried for me life?

Also, She has a little 2 year old girl, that she would be bringing as well ^^

As for the visa, you can check the guides at the top of the page for some help. I think she will want a tourist visa if she's just coming to visit. The chances of her getting the visa aren't great but it does happen sometimes. After that, if you're planning to get married, you have two options: 1. K-1 (fiance) visa, she comes here and you get married in the states. 2. Cr-1 (spouse) visa, you marry in the Philippines and then she comes here.

Is the Philippines dangerous? Yes, but every place in the world is dangerous. Whenever I hear of tourists in the Philippines getting kidnapped and held for ransom, I can almost always point out on a map exactly where they were - and it's not Cebu. Of course, no matter where you go, especially in a major city like Cebu, you should always be cautious but that doesn't mean you're not safe. Definitely, you should always listen to your girlfriend while you're there. She'll know what places are safe and what places aren't.

As an American, you'll stick out. But if you're polite and friendly then that will help a lot. Just don't be the ugly American, acting like you're better than everybody else.

[VOL 425]

In Cebu go to Mango street many bikini bars there, Good times

I have noticed there are many Australian guys in Cebu, Not so many Americans.

Just watch out for kids trying to pickpocket you in Cebu Proper, Other than that it safe

Cebu is by far the cheapest city compared to Davao or Manila, You can get a nice hotel with aircon/ hot water for 800 peso, and full body massages run about 110 peso per hour.

Edited September 18, 2014 by VOL

[Al422 221]

I go with Hank's advice. Don't even try to get her a tourist visa. Her chance of getting it is remote at best. My former fiance (from Russia) got one, but she owned two apartments in Ekaterinburg, one of which was her residence and the other was a rent producing investment. She had a good job there. And her asserted reason for coming here was immersion in an English speaking environment (her profession was Russian-English interpreter). AND she was able to call in favors with the US consulate because the marriage agency she worked for as an interpreter knew people there.

Despite all of this, she still had substantial odds to beat to get the visa, but she gambled and won.

Does your girlfriend have any of these factors going for her? You get my point. If you try it and fail, that will be a visa denial, which is not a good thing when one applies for the K-1 or CR-1 as the case may be.

Do it the right way. Go there and meet her. You don't even need a visa as long as you leave within 21 days. Then file for the K-1 or CR-1 for her when you get home.

Is it dangerous? Well, I am from New York, and I was in Manila, so I can tell you that it is not much different than New York in that department. Just like New York, it has its nice areas and its not so nice areas. Your gf should know where to not go, and that is where you don't go, just like I can tell you what areas of New York you don't want to go to.

Good luck to you, and have a nice trip.

[VOL 425]

Long story short...I'm in love.

Go over there spend about 3 days with her, Then go to another city, example Davao and spend 3 days there, and then go to GenSen and spend 3 days there, and then another city and another.

When you get to each city open a Filipino cupid account, and look for girls in that city, Tell them you are in there city and meet about 3 girls per day during the day. Then have a couple of dates at night. Date many and keep your options.

Be the Playboy for a couple of weeks, and then whittle it down to a few girls.

Keep your options open....

[Hank_ 9,174]

I go with Hank's advice. Don't even try to get her a tourist visa. Her chance of getting it is remote at best. My former fiance (from Russia) got one, but she owned two apartments in Ekaterinburg, one of which was her residence and the other was a rent producing investment. She had a good job there. And her asserted reason for coming here was immersion in an English speaking environment (her profession was Russian-English interpreter). AND she was able to call in favors with the US consulate because the marriage agency she worked for as an interpreter knew people there.

Despite all of this, she still had substantial odds to beat to get the visa, but she gambled and won.

Does your girlfriend have any of these factors going for her? You get my point. If you try it and fail, that will be a visa denial, which is not a good thing when one applies for the K-1 or CR-1 as the case may be.

Do it the right way. Go there and meet her. You don't even need a visa as long as you leave within 21 30 days. Then file for the K-1 or CR-1 for her when you get home.

Is it dangerous? Well, I am from New York, and I was in Manila, so I can tell you that it is not much different than New York in that department. Just like New York, it has its nice areas and its not so nice areas. Your gf should know where to not go, and that is where you don't go, just like I can tell you what areas of New York you don't want to go to.

Good luck to you, and have a nice trip.

Being denied for a tourist visa has zero negative effect regarding being approved for a K-1 or CR-1.

30 not 21 days

[jmc92 0]

She does speak fairly good english, but she doesn't have much of an excuse to come over except for me.

I initially was planning on going over there myself until I read the travel warnings, but if it's the only way I will go.

I think I will have saved up enough money to go and see her within 8 months.

Once I have seen her, and have photoproof and all I need carefully gathered up, will the K1 actually work?

I mainly asked about the danger also because my mom's philippine friend thinks that if I go there, I would be killed or mugged for sure

[_Paul&Jesica_ 70]

She does speak fairly good english, but she doesn't have much of an excuse to come over except for me.

I initially was planning on going over there myself until I read the travel warnings, but if it's the only way I will go.

I think I will have saved up enough money to go and see her within 8 months.

Once I have seen her, and have photoproof and all I need carefully gathered up, will the K1 actually work?

I mainly asked about the danger also because my mom's philippine friend thinks that if I go there, I would be killed or mugged for sure

I spent a month in total time over 3 trips this past May, June and July and I never felt worried at all. My wife (then fiancee) was with me all the time and I wasn't wandering around alone and more than a week of that was in Manila too.

Just be smart and you will be ok.

[AR and BA 5]

My fiance is from Arizona too. He went here last year and he did not feel unsafe at all. We even went to Bohol remote areas to have charity for earthquake victims. Nothing to be scared really. For the tourist visa? It is really a gamble, just try to apply but don't expect too much to be approved. Would difficult to convince during interview she is coming back though cos she is briging her child. I did apply for tourist visa and luckily was approved. Able to visit him in AZ last Mar-May and he proposed there.

[Hank_ 9,174]

She does speak fairly good english, but she doesn't have much of an excuse to come over except for me.

I initially was planning on going over there myself until I read the travel warnings, but if it's the only way I will go.

I think I will have saved up enough money to go and see her within 8 months.

Once I have seen her, and have photoproof and all I need carefully gathered up, will the K1 actually work?

I mainly asked about the danger also because my mom's philippine friend thinks that if I go there, I would be killed or mugged for sure

Yes the K-1 will "work" once you have met in person (requirement is having met in person within the past two years), have pictures, passport stamps and such as evidence then you can file the K-1 petition.

I have been to the Phils twice, stayed for months, not too far down the road we will be flying back again and staying for a few months. I have friends (expat) that lived there for years. There is more danger of being mugged or killed going to New York in my opinion.

[Zedayn 485]

I mainly asked about the danger also because my mom's philippine friend thinks that if I go there, I would be killed or mugged for sure

You could be killed or mugged anywhere in the world you go, even in the US. There is no more risk in the Philippines. The last time I went I spent all my time in Manila, and absolutely no worries. Enjoy life and don't let worry get in the way of love.

There is more danger of being mugged or killed going to New York in my opinion.

I was thinking the same thing!

[Greenbaum 12,259]

I go with Hank's advice. Don't even try to get her a tourist visa. Her chance of getting it is remote at best. My former fiance (from Russia) got one, but she owned two apartments in Ekaterinburg, one of which was her residence and the other was a rent producing investment. She had a good job there. And her asserted reason for coming here was immersion in an English speaking environment (her profession was Russian-English interpreter). AND she was able to call in favors with the US consulate because the marriage agency she worked for as an interpreter knew people there.

Despite all of this, she still had substantial odds to beat to get the visa, but she gambled and won.

Does your girlfriend have any of these factors going for her? You get my point. If you try it and fail, that will be a visa denial, which is not a good thing when one applies for the K-1 or CR-1 as the case may be.

Do it the right way. Go there and meet her. You don't even need a visa as long as you leave within 21 days. Then file for the K-1 or CR-1 for her when you get home.

Is it dangerous? Well, I am from New York, and I was in Manila, so I can tell you that it is not much different than New York in that department. Just like New York, it has its nice areas and its not so nice areas. Your gf should know where to not go, and that is where you don't go, just like I can tell you what areas of New York you don't want to go to.

Good luck to you, and have a nice trip.

About a year ago they changed the visa stay from 21 days to 30 days, and of course that can be extended if the OP request an extension.

[Hank_ 9,174]

You could be killed or mugged anywhere in the world you go, even in the US. There is no more risk in the Philippines. The last time I went I spent all my time in Manila, and absolutely no worries. Enjoy life and don't let worry get in the way of love.

I was thinking the same thing!

Ya New York is in my "no fly zone" ... can't get me to go there.