Best way to go about...

[cornseed 0]

So, I am the US citizen and my girlfriend is the foreigner. She is from the Philippines but is currently residing and working in Saudi Arabia. I just got back from visiting her for the first time in Saudi Arabia and now we are planning on me visiting her and her family in the Philippines early next year.

 

After that, we will be working on her coming here. She has already tried to visit here, but her b2 visa was denied. We were not given a reason. She pretty much waited in line at the US embassy in SA and when she got to the front the visa officer denied her right away. We believe it was due to her applying in a country other than her home country. She had also at the time only been in SA for 6 months. 

 

Should we try for a b2 visa, again? Or go straight to k-1? We are both also concerned about the part of the k-1 where we have to agree to marry while she is here. Obviously this is the end goal, but, we have only met each other in person once for a week at this point. 

 

I'm new to all of this and any advice or tips would help a lot. Forms and applications are confusing and mixing it with relationships makes things even more complicated.

 

Thank you!

[Crazy Cat 41,682]

10 minutes ago, cornseed said:

We are both also concerned about the part of the k-1 where we have to agree to marry while she is here. Obviously this is the end goal, but, we have only met each other in person once for a week at this point. 

A K-1 is intended for those who intend to marry.  It seems more visits and time together would be the best route.  She can certainly apply for another B2, but the consulate officer will evaluate her merits.  By law, all B2 applicants are already assumed to have the immigrant intent.  It is her responsibility to overcome that obstacle and convince the consulate officer that she intends to return to home country after her authorized visit. That might be difficult.  Good luck.

[EmilyW 1,423]

She can try again but, unless there is a material shift in her circumstances, she will likely be denied again.  It sounds like you both need more face time together: if she can't come to the US, maybe meet in other countries where she can travel?

[SalishSea 17,771]

1 hour ago, cornseed said:

So, I am the US citizen and my girlfriend is the foreigner. She is from the Philippines but is currently residing and working in Saudi Arabia. I just got back from visiting her for the first time in Saudi Arabia and now we are planning on me visiting her and her family in the Philippines early next year.

 

After that, we will be working on her coming here. She has already tried to visit here, but her b2 visa was denied. We were not given a reason. She pretty much waited in line at the US embassy in SA and when she got to the front the visa officer denied her right away. We believe it was due to her applying in a country other than her home country. She had also at the time only been in SA for 6 months. 

 

Should we try for a b2 visa, again? Or go straight to k-1? We are both also concerned about the part of the k-1 where we have to agree to marry while she is here. Obviously this is the end goal, but, we have only met each other in person once for a week at this point. 

 

I'm new to all of this and any advice or tips would help a lot. Forms and applications are confusing and mixing it with relationships makes things even more complicated.

 

Thank you!

Her B2 denial had nothing to do with applying from a country where she is residing.   It was because they rightly suspect immigrant intent.

 

Petition her properly for a visa and it will not be an issue.

[Dashinka 24,438]

I agree, more facetime together is probably warranted here.  A K1 is not for maybe getting married, there was a story of somebody attempting to enter on a K1 getting turned away when they appeared to be flippant with their answer to the question from CBP about actually getting married.

 

So sort out your budding relationship, visit a few more times if able, and do the route that is best for the both of you.  Btw, a spousal visa is far superior to a K1 and now quite a bit less expensive.

 

Also, applying for another B2 is probably a waste regardless of if she applies back in the Philippines.  My now wife tried twice and was denied both time, but assuming there was no material misrepresentation in those applications, it should have no bearing on any subsequent K1 or CR1/IR1 (spousal visa).

 

Good Luck!