Applying for K1 visa for bf

[Angge 3]

Hello, Im fairly new here and I apologize if this question has been answered already. I have a question regarding petitioning my boyfriend for the K1 visa. Im a usc and planning to visit him soon in the Philippines. My question is, can I petition him now for the K1, then stay with him in the Phil until the visa gets approved for the next step?Then if luckily the visa is approved for the next step, can we both come back to the usa together coming from the philippines? Thank you so much in advance. Take care everyone😊

[Unlockable 7,314]

Sure, you can stay with him through the process. Be advised the current timeline for K1 visas is about 9 - 12 months.

[EandH0904 1,184]

Have you met him? If yes, you can apply now.  If not you have to have proof of meeting him before you do. 

[Angge 3]

Hello, thank you so much for the reply. I haven’t met him in person yet. We met online last Oct via fb. Then we both found out after looking at each other’s profiles that we were batchmates both in high school and college. (The feel of destiny 😂). So now Im planning to come visit him this June and I intend to stay there until I can petition him. I have the notion that I need to come back here to proceed with the visa though, or can I just go to a us embassy there in the philippines and do the filing there?  

Again, thank you so much for the replies. Super appreciated guys if you only know. Take care everyone♥️

[debbiedoo 2,339]

You have to meet and have PROOF of meeting BEFORE you file the I-129. You also have to be engaged to be married and plan to be married within 90 days of him moving here. It is a fiance visa, not a boyfriend visa or a 'maybe one day we'll get married' visa.

 

If I were you, I'd go for several visits (and have him visit you here in the US) before making the decision to marry. But thats me.

[Madeline & Matt 252]

12 minutes ago, debbiedoo said:

You have to meet and have PROOF of meeting BEFORE you file the I-129. You also have to be engaged to be married and plan to be married within 90 days of him moving here. It is a fiance visa, not a boyfriend visa or a 'maybe one day we'll get married' visa.

 

If I were you, I'd go for several visits (and have him visit you here in the US) before making the decision to marry. But thats me.

This is good information.

You cannot file without having met in person. It is necessary to be engaged and have intent to marry. They'll ask in an interview about a wedding date and plans. Proof of planned marriage (such as receipts for wedding bands/engagement rings) is usually necessary to include in your initial K-1 packet. 

It's important to prove that you know this person and have a bona fide relationship. 

[Unlockable 7,314]

26 minutes ago, Angge said:

Hello, thank you so much for the reply. I haven’t met him in person yet. We met online last Oct via fb. Then we both found out after looking at each other’s profiles that we were batchmates both in high school and college. (The feel of destiny 😂). So now Im planning to come visit him this June and I intend to stay there until I can petition him. I have the notion that I need to come back here to proceed with the visa though, or can I just go to a us embassy there in the philippines and do the filing there?  

Again, thank you so much for the replies. Super appreciated guys if you only know. Take care everyone♥️

Hi @Angge

I was under the impression that you have met already. It is a strict requirement that you have to meet first before filing the K1.

 

Good luck on your journey.

[Angge 3]

Thank you all so much for the replies. It truly helps a lot for me in making a decision. We will meet first in person then soon after I will file the K1 visa. I will do as you say on visiting him several times first and vice versa.

 

Again, thank you all and take care 😊

[Sunnyland 639]

First meet this person face to face and get to know him better. You don't want to bring someone in your life just for talking online. People seems different online than in person. This process takes time, money and commitment so you need to be sure when you start the process. Visit him there, meet his family and friends. Maybe he can visit you later on in the US. 

You can check the K1 guide on this website where explains what it's required from you regarding documents, etc. 

 

[<3T&M<3 217]

3 hours ago, madelineshea said:

Proof of planned marriage (such as receipts for wedding bands/engagement rings) is usually necessary to include in your initial K-1 packet.

This is not sound advice. Yes people include the engagement ring recipient but no other proof of plans are necessary by any means.

[Mark_712 126]

4 hours ago, Angge said:

Hello, Im fairly new here and I apologize if this question has been answered already. I have a question regarding petitioning my boyfriend for the K1 visa. Im a usc and planning to visit him soon in the Philippines. My question is, can I petition him now for the K1, then stay with him in the Phil until the visa gets approved for the next step?Then if luckily the visa is approved for the next step, can we both come back to the usa together coming from the philippines? Thank you so much in advance. Take care everyone😊

it’s not overly complicated but I recommend you visit before you send your packet so you can include pictures together, airline boarding passes, itinerary for your visit and chat logs. Do all that before your petition! you don’t need several visits as the USCIS requirement is to have met at least once during the “last” two years.Its on the application read it. Also there are a lot of youtube videos with tutorials on how to organize your petition so check them out. Move your questions to the Philippine forum as you will get specifics for that country that you will need. You don’t need engagement rings or wedding plans included just the affidavit statement of intent to marry from each of you. You have come to a great place for resources, information and moral support here. Good luck and remember to search before you post and if you can’t find your result we are a family here on the road to our love ones so you will never be alone 😃👍

[Naes 12,205]

3 hours ago, Angge said:

Thank you all so much for the replies. It truly helps a lot for me in making a decision. We will meet first in person then soon after I will file the K1 visa. I will do as you say on visiting him several times first and vice versa.

 

Again, thank you all and take care 😊

“Soon after” doesn’t work for k1. Soon before is good though. You should first meet him and have proof of meeting in person in order to get an approval for k1. BEFORE filing.

[Chris Duffy 1,257]

11 hours ago, Angge said:

Hello, Im fairly new here and I apologize if this question has been answered already. I have a question regarding petitioning my boyfriend for the K1 visa. Im a usc and planning to visit him soon in the Philippines. My question is, can I petition him now for the K1, then stay with him in the Phil until the visa gets approved for the next step?Then if luckily the visa is approved for the next step, can we both come back to the usa together coming from the philippines? Thank you so much in advance. Take care everyone😊

Just file DCF.  You need to be in Philippines for 6 months and be married..  You will apply directly at USEM, only takes a few weeks to be approved and get a visa.

[Madeline & Matt 252]

8 hours ago, <3T&M<3 said:

This is not sound advice. Yes people include the engagement ring recipient but no other proof of plans are necessary by any means.

Actually, it is sound advice. No other proof is necessary, but may be helpful, depending on your circumstances. 

There are other ways to show that you are planning a wedding. I listed an option.

[Abdeslam 47]

8 hours ago, <3T&M<3 said:

This is not sound advice. Yes people include the engagement ring recipient but no other proof of plans are necessary by any means.

some people tend to make thing complicated , that why i stick to the official doc and so far it working great for me  , providing them with what they ask , no more no less