Filipina Girlfriend process!

[seanmm 0]

Hello everyone, 

 

So I have been dating my Filipina gf for the past couple of years now (I am 32, she is 26) 

I have never been married and have no kids. She has also never been married and has no kids. (but she is pregnant now with our future baby)

 

I have spent about 9 months during past 2 years in The Philippines. 

 

So now I am going to attempt to get the K1 process started, I have many questions....lol

 

Essentially, I am just wondering what would be the best plan of action!

 

I have read one needs to be making at least $25,000 a year to get approved (is this 25k Gross Income before taxes or net income after taxes?). The past 2 years I have made less than that, as I have spent many months in the Philippines not working. I am thinking it is not a good idea to go through the k1 process now as I would probably be rejected because I don't meet that income requirement. 

 

So I just got back to the USA about 2 weeks ago and am trying to figure out the next steps. 

 

It looks like working here in the USA for the next year or year and a half makes the most sense, as I could then make 30k-ish (the past 5 years I have worked some mainly as a Middle School Math Teacher and Substitute Teacher). I don't really want to keep teaching, but I know I can get a job relatively easily as there is a massive shortage and will go back if it means I can complete the K1 process.  

 

I also just had a 1st interview to work at a hotel chain here in Georgia as a Supervisor making $14.50 per hour. I have the second interview next week. If I were to get that job I would be making around 29k gross. 

 

After that year of working I could then fill out the k1 application and then meet the income requirement?

 

Also, my gf is pregnant and the baby will be born in about 3 months :) 

I'm not sure if that affects the k1 process at all

 

If anyone has any advice from those who have been through the process I would truly appreciate it!

Thanks!!

 

 

[payxibka 10,045]

1 minute ago, seanmm said:

Hello everyone, 

 

So I have been dating my Filipina gf for the past couple of years now (I am 32, she is 26) 

I have never been married and have no kids. She has also never been married and has no kids. (but she is pregnant now with our future baby)

 

I have spent about 9 months during past 2 years in The Philippines. 

 

So now I am going to attempt to get the K1 process started, I have many questions....lol

 

Essentially, I am just wondering what would be the best plan of action!

 

I have read one needs to be making at least $25,000 a year to get approved (is this 25k Gross Income before taxes or net income after taxes?). The past 2 years I have made less than that, as I have spent many months in the Philippines not working. I am thinking it is not a good idea to go through the k1 process now as I would probably be rejected because I don't meet that income requirement. 

 

So I just got back to the USA about 2 weeks ago and am trying to figure out the next steps. 

 

It looks like working here in the USA for the next year or year and a half makes the most sense, as I could then make 30k-ish (the past 5 years I have worked some mainly as a Middle School Math Teacher and Substitute Teacher). I don't really want to keep teaching, but I know I can get a job relatively easily as there is a massive shortage and will go back if it means I can complete the K1 process.  

 

I also just had a 1st interview to work at a hotel chain here in Georgia as a Supervisor making $14.50 per hour. I have the second interview next week. If I were to get that job I would be making around 29k gross. 

 

After that year of working I could then fill out the k1 application and then meet the income requirement?

 

Also, my gf is pregnant and the baby will be born in about 3 months :) 

I'm not sure if that affects the k1 process at all

 

If anyone has any advice from those who have been through the process I would truly appreciate it!

Thanks!!

 

 

You need to be currently earning at an annual rate above the threshold.   Manila doesn't always ask for financial evidence. 

 

The child will likely be a USC,  so it doesn't affect the k1 process.   You will file a CRBA in order to get the child a USA passport. 

 

There isn't a real reason to delay if you are confident of securing employment 

[CJO032418 100]

Hi my dad was in the same situation about 12 years ago. So your child will have dual citizenship. But will still need a visa when they do come to the states (which is stupid in my opinion but nevertheless required). My dad had to get one when his newborn was a baby. Which slightly delayed them since he wasn't expecting that. 

 

As far as income, get a joint sponsor here in the states that meets the income requirements so that you won't have to delay thier immigration. 

 

One difference is my dad married her before the baby was conceived. But he still did the K3 visa application as it was faster. 

 

Any other questions i can ask my dad and his wife. 

[CJO032418 100]

Just now, CJO032418 said:

Hi my dad was in the same situation about 12 years ago. So your child will have dual citizenship. But will still need a visa when they do come to the states (which is stupid in my opinion but nevertheless required). My dad had to get one when his newborn was a baby. Which slightly delayed them since he wasn't expecting that. 

 

As far as income, get a joint sponsor here in the states that meets the income requirements so that you won't have to delay thier immigration. 

 

One difference is my dad married her before the baby was conceived. But he still did the K3 visa application as it was faster. 

 

Any other questions i can ask my dad and his wife. 

Forgot to say my father also married a Phillipina... Same country as you and your gf

[seanmm 0]

6 minutes ago, payxibka said:

You need to be currently earning at an annual rate above the threshold.   Manila doesn't always ask for financial evidence. 

 

The child will likely be a USC,  so it doesn't affect the k1 process.   You will file a CRBA in order to get the child a USA passport. 

 

There isn't a real reason to delay if you are confident of securing employment 

 

 

Thanks for the information. That is better news than I expected. 

 

After looking at the CRBA it looks like this:

 

Child born to a U.S. citizen father out of wedlock
Before the birth of the child, the U.S. citizen father must have resided in the U.S. for at least 5 years, at least two of which were after s/he reached age 14 (if the child was born on or after November 14, 1986).  If, however, the child was born between December 24, 1952 and November 13, 1986, the U.S. citizen father must have been physically present in the U.S. for a period of 10 years, at least 5 of which were after s/he reached age 14.  In cases where the Embassy questions the biological relationship between the U.S. citizen father and the child, the Embassy may require evidence of the relationship between the U.S. citizen father and the mother.  If documentary evidence cannot be obtained, a DNA test may be provided as evidence.  Sworn statements of the parents, by themselves, will not suffice to establish the biological relationship.

[seanmm 0]

3 minutes ago, CJO032418 said:

Hi my dad was in the same situation about 12 years ago. So your child will have dual citizenship. But will still need a visa when they do come to the states (which is stupid in my opinion but nevertheless required). My dad had to get one when his newborn was a baby. Which slightly delayed them since he wasn't expecting that. 

 

As far as income, get a joint sponsor here in the states that meets the income requirements so that you won't have to delay thier immigration. 

 

One difference is my dad married her before the baby was conceived. But he still did the K3 visa application as it was faster. 

 

Any other questions i can ask my dad and his wife. 

 

Thanks for the suggestions. 

Would you recommend marrying her in a different country?

 

I read a couple times that the US wont recognize that marriage so it really doesn't help, is that true?

[payxibka 10,045]

Yes, basically if you have sufficient physical presence in the USA when the child is born,  you pass citizenship to him/her.

 

This site also has a very active Philippines regional forum that discusses many topics including the idiosyncrasies of Manila embassy to help you navigate this process 

Just now, seanmm said:

 

Thanks for the suggestions. 

Would you recommend marrying her in a different country?

 

I read a couple times that the US wont recognize that marriage so it really doesn't help, is that true?

USA recognizes Philippines marriage 

[Ben&Zian 4,398]

Indeed, many Philippines members here. I'd put up the country's tourism slogan but I got warned along time ago as someone found it offensive lol

Edited June 14, 2019 by Ben&Zian

[payxibka 10,045]

7 minutes ago, CJO032418 said:

Hi my dad was in the same situation about 12 years ago. So your child will have dual citizenship. But will still need a visa when they do come to the states (which is stupid in my opinion but nevertheless required). My dad had to get one when his newborn was a baby. Which slightly delayed them since he wasn't expecting that. 

 

As far as income, get a joint sponsor here in the states that meets the income requirements so that you won't have to delay thier immigration. 

 

One difference is my dad married her before the baby was conceived. But he still did the K3 visa application as it was faster. 

 

Any other questions i can ask my dad and his wife. 

If the child has a claim to us citizenship,  they are ineligible for a Visa 

 

Be careful recommending co sponsor in Manila,  it is not a guarantee to be accepted 

[seanmm 0]

2 minutes ago, payxibka said:

If the child has a claim to us citizenship,  they are ineligible for a Visa 

 

Be careful recommending co sponsor in Manila,  it is not a guarantee to be accepted 

 

OK thanks. 

 

Yeah, I am not sure I want to go the co-sponsor route. 

I just want to go the route that has the highest success rate (although I understand there is always the chance of being denied)

 

[CJO032418 100]

1 minute ago, seanmm said:

 

Thanks for the suggestions. 

Would you recommend marrying her in a different country?

 

I read a couple times that the US wont recognize that marriage so it really doesn't help, is that true?

That isn't true. Let me talk to my dad and his wife tonight so that I can give you more info.

 

Basically if you have a legal legitimate marriage it is accepted by America. I don't know about corruption in the Philippines but my husband, who is in the immigration process right now, is from Nigeria. And Nigeria had actual courts conducting marriages that they had no authority to do. So all those marriages were made invalid by the Nigerian government. So based on the Nigerian government invalidating them now the US won't accept them. Fortunately for us we choose the right court to get married at. I think it was city or state that was performing illegal marriages to make money. 

 

Other than nonsense like that, you won't have any problems getting married abroad. 

[payxibka 10,045]

Just now, seanmm said:

 

OK thanks. 

 

Yeah, I am not sure I want to go the co-sponsor route. 

I just want to go the route that has the highest success rate (although I understand there is always the chance of being denied)

 

Manila issues 400 to 500 k1s each month.   They are the busiest issuing post for that visa 

[Just Paul 4,595]

9 minutes ago, seanmm said:

 

Would you recommend marrying her in a different country?

 

US and Philippines recognizes foreign marriages.  We married in Hong Kong.  You just need to file a Report of Marriage at the Philippines Consulate for that country.  It was pretty straight forward compared to us getting married in PI.

Edited June 14, 2019 by Paul & Mary

[payxibka 10,045]

1 minute ago, CJO032418 said:

That isn't true. Let me talk to my dad and his wife tonight so that I can give you more info.

 

Basically if you have a legal legitimate marriage it is accepted by America. I don't know about corruption in the Philippines but my husband, who is in the immigration process right now, is from Nigeria. And Nigeria had actual courts conducting marriages that they had no authority to do. So all those marriages were made invalid by the Nigerian government. So based on the Nigerian government invalidating them now the US won't accept them. Fortunately for us we choose the right court to get married at. I think it was city or state that was performing illegal marriages to make money. 

 

Other than nonsense like that, you won't have any problems getting married abroad. 

Philippines is not at the same level as Lagos 

[CJO032418 100]

10 minutes ago, payxibka said:

If the child has a claim to us citizenship,  they are ineligible for a Visa 

 

Be careful recommending co sponsor in Manila,  it is not a guarantee to be accepted 

My father had to get additional travel authority for the baby. Maybe it was a passport and not a visa. Ill confirm tonight when I see him. Thanks for the insight