Philippines related, seeking referral for a visa agency in Cebu City and/or the online agents

[Edward and Jaycel 927]

10 minutes ago, W199 said:

just be ready for the whole Barangay to stop by to take out some food. 

 

HAHAHA when I first went to the Philippines to meet Jaycel, her family threw me a big welcome party and I do believe the entire Barangay stopped by for some Lechon   

[Larry.in.HCMC 2]

Wow, I had read it was 2 to 3 months, 6 to 9 is QUITE a while.  May be one of those deals where they can speed it up with a special motivating factor.  We may have to consider that, assuming they make that offer.  Seems like they offer that "special process" on most everything over here.

 

I appreciate your help very much!

 

Larry and Jesa

[W199 376]

1 hour ago, Larry.in.HCMC said:

Wow, I had read it was 2 to 3 months, 6 to 9 is QUITE a while.  May be one of those deals where they can speed it up with a special motivating factor.  We may have to consider that, assuming they make that offer.  Seems like they offer that "special process" on most everything over here.

 

I appreciate your help very much!

 

Larry and Jesa

Maybe if you get a letter from the Embassy saying you need the PSA urgently for a VISA, they might accelerate it.

 

Because for a PSA birth certificate (for a previosly unregisterd birth), the PSA said the same thing, to get a letter from the Philippines passport agency to speed it up, but the DFA passport agency said they don't issue letters ... still waiting 5+ months ... 

 

[spicynujac 45]

On 3/11/2025 at 10:27 AM, W199 said:

 

Just keep in mind if you get married in the Philippines, you will need the PSA marriage certificate to file for the CR1 spousal visa, and that can take upto 6-9 months to get after you get married.  If you do something like a Utah online wedding, that will be very fast. But it may come with other headaches down the line. But other people have not had a issue with it. 

 

If you are not in any rush, as in years, then a nice Phililppines weddings sounds like a good choice .. just be ready for the whole Barangay to stop by to take out some food. 

The Utah online marriage seems like the best option.  You can apply within a day or two of the marriage, as they email you a copy of the marriage certificate.  It's a legal marriage just as if two Americans marry each other in any American state.  I haven't heard of any difficulties with it, other than some brief confusion years ago when it was first announced, which was quickly clarified.

 

Even if you already are planning a PH wedding as your post hints at, I would probably do the Utah civil marriage, followed by a PH religious ceremony.  That's what we did, and it allows you to apply immediately, bypass some marriage regulations (Utah only wants your name and $50, much easier than my state or the PH), and lets you pass the time by planning a nice ceremony and celebration there.  Then you end up with the superior (and much cheaper) IR-1 visa (not to mention the peace of mind holding an immigrant visa over a non-immigrant K-1 visa with all the uncertainty in the US now).

 

The only thing out of the ordinary / more difficult than a "standard" visa if there is such a thing, is your past divorces.  You need additional documentation for each of them.  But otherwise, it shouldn't be hard to do on your own.  Most people here are DIYers.  I actually think a lawyer can slightly slow down the process, as they will not do things like file forms within 24 hours of eligibility as we did, as they have a backlog of clients and a review process, but it may give you peace of mind if you don't mind the additional expense.