Visa Process Questions

[iamjonah 0]

I am a Filipino working now in Saudi, My husband also a Filipino is a green card holder from a family visa and he wants to petition me, what do we have to do or any ideas on how I will join him in the US? Do I have to go home to the Philippines (where we got married) to process my visa or I can do it in the US Embassy here in Saudi Arabia?  Thank you! 

 

[Ben&Zian 4,398]

https://www.uscis.gov/family/family-green-card-holders-permanent-residents

 

Probably about 2 years for process.

 

As far as I know as long as you are legally still working in Saudi then, you could go through the embassy there. Otherwise have to go through Philippines or where ever it is that you have a legal presence at that time.

[iamjonah 0]

I am really confused if I can process my papers here because I need to decide whether to go home or not. 

[iamjonah 0]

To whom it may concern,

 

I just would like to ask for clarification/advice on my situation, I hope you can shed light on this matter.

 

To give you a little background, I married my then long-time boyfriend last October 10,2014 in the Philippines. We are both Filipino Citizens. My husband is a green card holder and is currently living and working in Florida USA. I on the other hand, am working in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia as a nurse. We are now in the process of filing application for Spousal Visa (to petition me), so I can join my husband and start a new chapter in our lives. 

 

We have all the legal documents that would be required for the application, although we are concerned with the fact that me being a worker in Jeddah, a muslim country, would somehow affect my application. This concern was founded from the executive orders of President Trump stating travel ban for people from Muslim countries.

 

What I want to find out:

 

1. Would it affect my Visa-issuance process, knowing that I am working in Jeddah, a Muslim country?

2. Would it be necessary for me to go back home to the Philippines to receive correspondence for the Visa application? Or can I just receive correspondence to my work address in Jeddah submitted with my application?

3. Where would it be more appropriate for me to process my application, in my home country the Philippines or in my workplace in Jeddah? This is considering visa processing time, interviews and correspondence. 

 

Thank you!

[Ryan H 3,821]

***Similar topics merged; please do not start multiple threads on the same issue.  Merged thread moved from Progress Reports to Process & Procedures.***

 

**Moderator hat off**

 

6 hours ago, iamjonah said:

What I want to find out:

 

1. Would it affect my Visa-issuance process, knowing that I am working in Jeddah, a Muslim country?

2. Would it be necessary for me to go back home to the Philippines to receive correspondence for the Visa application? Or can I just receive correspondence to my work address in Jeddah submitted with my application?

3. Where would it be more appropriate for me to process my application, in my home country the Philippines or in my workplace in Jeddah? This is considering visa processing time, interviews and correspondence. 

 

Thank you!

 

Answers:

1. No
2. Your don't have to go home.
3. The more appropriate place is where you currently reside.

 

 

[iamjonah 0]

Hello everyone!I have this concern right now. I am a Filipino working now in Saudi, My husband also a Filipino is a green card holder from a family visa and he wants to petition me, what do we have to do or any ideas on how I will join him in the US? Do I have to go home to the Philippines (where we got married) to process my visa or I can do it in the US Embassy here in Saudi Arabia?  Thank you! 

[Ben&Zian 4,398]

The answer really was here in your last past about this......

 

 

Also check USCIS.gov.

 

https://www.uscis.gov/i-130

 

 

You and your spouse must do the leg work, people here can only really point you in the right direction......

[geowrian 22,338]

Hello!

 

My fiancee is a Filipino working in Saudi. She will be interviewing for a K-1 visa in Manila, though (easier embassy!). You can do the medical + interview at either one (I'm assuming he has legal status at both).

 

He would need to file the I-130 for you. That said, it will likely take about 24 months from filing to visa since he is an LPR, not a USC.

 

Edit: Another thing to note...police clearances in Saudi are a little difficult to obtain. They can only be requested from the US embassy in Saudi - you can't obtain them from abroad.

Edited April 4, 2017 by geowrian

[KierenHby 899]

11 minutes ago, iamjonah said:

Hello everyone!I have this concern right now. I am a Filipino working now in Saudi, My husband also a Filipino is a green card holder from a family visa and he wants to petition me, what do we have to do or any ideas on how I will join him in the US? Do I have to go home to the Philippines (where we got married) to process my visa or I can do it in the US Embassy here in Saudi Arabia?  Thank you! 

In KSA if you plan to be legally working in Saudi two years from now. 

[iamjonah 0]

Thank you @Ben&Zian! I am really confused right now, so many things running in my mind. I just to make things clear ao everything will be perfect. 

[iamjonah 0]

@geowrian why in manila and not here in saudi? So she needs to fly to manila for an interview and come in saudi after or will just stay in philippines until its done? Are u a citizen or a greencard holder?

[iamjonah 0]

@KierenHby I am

willing to stay here in KSA until everything gets done. How about the nbi clearance needed? Can i obtain it here?

[geowrian 22,338]

3 minutes ago, iamjonah said:

@geowrian why in manila and not here in saudi? So she needs to fly to manila for an interview and come in saudi after or will just stay in philippines until its done? Are u a citizen or a greencard holder?

Manila is a pretty easy embassy for fiance and family-based visas. MENA countries tend to be more difficult. She will be leaving KSA (without renewing her work contract) prior to the Manila interview, and stay in PH from then onward. I am a USC (which is required for a fiance visa).

 

1 minute ago, iamjonah said:

How about the nbi clearance needed? Can i obtain it here?

Yes, you can request the NBI from abroad. It is needed (assuming you lived there at least 6 months).

Edited April 4, 2017 by geowrian

[iamjonah 0]

@geowrian when did you file your K-1? So that means that you filed while your fiancee is still working in saudi? Is it ok if i do the same? My husband will start filing this month and will addres it to the philippines even if im not physically present

[geowrian 22,338]

Just now, iamjonah said:

@geowrian when did you file your K-1? So that means that you filed while your fiancee is still working in saudi? Is it ok if i do the same? My husband will start filing this month and will addres it to the philippines even if im not physically present

I filed the I-129F on Dec. 1st, 2016. A K-1 is taking about 6-8 months total. However, I want to make sure I'm clear that your timeline is approximately 2 years from I-130 filing to visa in hand as the spouse of an LPR.

 

Yes, my fiancee is still working in KSA right now. She will be filing for exit in a few weeks and then she will stay in the Philippines until she has the visa and comes to the US. Sure, you can do the same if that works best for your situation. For us, the exit timing worked out pretty well so it was a pretty simple decision we both made. Others' circumstances may be better suited to stay in KSA.

 

On the I-130, your husband will list the desired embassy/consulate. This can be changed while at NVC if necessary...i.e. if circumstances change later. Once it leaves NVC to go to the embassy, changing is more difficult and takes a good chunk of time, though (I've seen it take ~3 months on VJ).