Larry and Mj in the Philippines

[Pilar Guy 0]

I joined this site for some advice on our situation. I am a American and my wife is a Filipino and we are living in the Philippines. We have been married over 5 years and we have a 15 month old son.  I would like to get my wife a visa for the US but for now have no intention on moving to the US. Is something like this possible?

[Stein 276]

Nope.  Realistically the only options for her are immigration visas.  There is a tourist visa but very difficult to get for SE Asia.  Marriage based visa typically take 14-18 months to get.  I'm halfway through myself.

Edited April 20, 2020 by Stein

[Greenbaum 12,259]

47 minutes ago, Pilar Guy said:

I joined this site for some advice on our situation. I am a American and my wife is a Filipino and we are living in the Philippines. We have been married over 5 years and we have a 15 month old son.  I would like to get my wife a visa for the US but for now have no intention on moving to the US. Is something like this possible?

 

Yes it's possible. Use the DCF method outlined here 

 

 

Edited April 20, 2020 by Greenbaum

[Cyberfx1024 7,980]

Just now, Greenbaum said:

Yes it's possible. Use the DCF method outlined here 

 

 

He is asking about a tourist visa not a spousal visa

[Unlockable 7,314]

*** Topic moved to "Tourist Visa" section of the forum

 

VJ Moderation

[Unlockable 7,314]

54 minutes ago, Pilar Guy said:

I joined this site for some advice on our situation. I am a American and my wife is a Filipino and we are living in the Philippines. We have been married over 5 years and we have a 15 month old son.  I would like to get my wife a visa for the US but for now have no intention on moving to the US. Is something like this possible?

If the two of you are not looking to move (immigrate) to the US yet, then the only option is for her to get a tourist visa. Unfortunately, it can be difficult for many Filipinas to obtain visitor visas. So it is not a guarantee. Only thing she can do is apply and see.

[designguy 1,179]

especially with a USC husband and USC child

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

40 minutes ago, Unlockable said:

If the two of you are not looking to move (immigrate) to the US yet, then the only option is for her to get a tourist visa. Unfortunately, it can be difficult for many Filipinas to obtain visitor visas. So it is not a guarantee. Only thing she can do is apply and see.

This. 
Do you both currently have demonstrably strong ties to the Philippines? That’s your best chance. Unfortunately there will be suspicion of you trying to shortcut the spousal visa process so you will need to overcome that for her to get a tourist visa. 

[Pilar Guy 0]

I already know a tourist visa is almost impossible. I do actually know 2 couples that got one but they had large businesses in the Phil. 

[Pilar Guy 0]

If we were granted a spousal visa how long would me wife have to stay in the US before she could come back to the Philippines?  Guam could be a alternative. 

[Unlockable 7,314]

2 minutes ago, Pilar Guy said:

If we were granted a spousal visa how long would me wife have to stay in the US before she could come back to the Philippines?  Guam could be a alternative. 

Come back to PHL for what? To live?

The point of the permanent residency is for immigrants to live and remain in the US. It is a hard requirement and not to be used as a type of tourist visa. Not only that, you, as a sponsor, have to establish domicile to sponsor her for the spousal visa. Which may mean you have to show residency and employment in the US. So that is a lot that you would be doing just for temporary stay.

 

However, we have seen some instances where an immigrant applies for a spousal visa, comes to the US to establish residency, then later on relinquish the green card so they can obtain a tourist visa. It may not be a guaranteed success but it has happened.

[Pilar Guy 0]

I guess I am confused. I am a American and would like my wife to get a green card then citizenship though marriage to a American. When I go toes up maybe my wife and son will want to go to the US. My son is easy, wife is hard I guess. 

[Unlockable 7,314]

2 minutes ago, Pilar Guy said:

I guess I am confused. I am a American and would like my wife to get a green card then citizenship though marriage to a American. When I go toes up maybe my wife and son will want to go to the US. My son is easy, wife is hard I guess. 

Everything that you want for your wife can be accomplished. But you have to realize that there are strict conditions that need to be met before your wife becomes a citizen. It is not like you can send in the paperwork and your wife becomes a citizen in a few months. It will take years before your wife becomes a citizen. 

 

The steps are as follows:

 

1. You file for a spousal visa for your wife. (About 9 - 12 months process)

2. You wife interviews for the visa.

3. Wife comes to the US and obtains a green card (permanent residency).

4. Wife stays in the US to maintain her permanent residency.

5. In 3 years, she can apply for naturalization. (Process can take 6 - 10 months).

6. Wife takes exam and has interview.

7. Wife swears in to become a citizen.

[Suze1 366]

Moreover, if memory serves, Manila no longer has DCF.  USCIS closed up shop there last year.

(We did DCF there in 2016, and it was great, but that ship has sailed, I think.)

 

https://www.uscis.gov/about-us/find-a-uscis-office/international-offices/philippines-uscis-manila-field-office

"USCIS permanently closed its field office in Manila, Philippines, on July 5, 2019.  The office began redirecting Forms I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, to the USCIS Lockbox on May 14, 2019. "

 

Not only must your wife remain in the US for years to complete the process, so MUST YOU be there during that process (unless you have some more diplomatic or government/military related posting overseas).

Edited April 21, 2020 by Suze1

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

42 minutes ago, Pilar Guy said:

I guess I am confused. I am a American and would like my wife to get a green card then citizenship though marriage to a American. When I go toes up maybe my wife and son will want to go to the US. My son is easy, wife is hard I guess. 

Your first post said 

 

12 hours ago, Pilar Guy said:

I would like to get my wife a visa for the US but for now have no intention on moving to the US. 

A green card is not something she can just get to “have”, it requires the holder to meet certain residence requirements which she won’t be able to if she is living elsewhere. There is no “insurance visa” of the type you seem to want.