W199

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 ...

Hi Sorry, I misread what you wrote. Yes, since you are applying for a spousal visa, CR1, the waiver for the K-1 does not apply. But as I said, it should also be pretty easy to get the waiver. It was for me and others from what I heard. But that is always a small risk of wasting time if it is not approved. 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.

My history is surprisingly similar to yours. Important, there are new K-1 rules now that didn't exist when you did this 20 years ago. Now that you have 2 or more prior fiance visas (K-1), you are NOT eligible to for another K-1 one without getting waiver. But there are no restrictions on CR-1 vias. That will add a lot of time if you marry in the Philippines since it takes many months to get a PSA marriage certificate, let alone several weeks to get married. With your I-129F, you will need to submit a waiver. I didn't, and got an RFE, but it only took about 4 days for them to approve my K-1 after getting the request for the waiver. All your waiver needs to do is prove you are not abusing the K-1 system, and you are marriages were legit, etc. This is just to prevent harm to girls from men that do serial K-1s for harming, absuing, human trafficing, etc ...

Larry, You also mentioned you had previous foreign wives, including filing at least one K-1 fiance visa. How many total did you ever file for K-1 fiance visa and were approved despite getting married or not? If it was 2 or more than you will need to apply for a waiver. By the way, I agree with you, if that expert agency had no idea what IMBRA is, and they are charging $1350 then it is ultimately totally incompetant if not a scam. If it was 1350 PHP, then it would be another thing. Another example of why you should use a USA agency when it comes to US law. Message me and I can give you the contact of a very professionl Philippines speciliast agency in the USA ,,, It may be perfect based on what you said you need help with.

Hi Larry, I agree with you about getting an agency to help. I had some similar if not more complications, and a ton of questions, but the agency did it all perfectly, processionally, and had a very deep understanding the nuaces and subtlies that come in complex cases. They were even better than the immigration lawyer that I consulted with. But unlike a lawyer, you still need to do the leg work, but they can check it and advise what you should or shouldn't do in your case. The agency I used was run by a Filam couple, and specializes in Philippines visa and has done thousands of them. It cost only $600 for unlimited supported all the way to Embassy and interview level. Oh, the agency was in USA, you don't need on local to the Philippines. That doesn't even sound like a good idea since you are the USA petitioner. I'm not hear to give them free advertising, but if you message me, I'll be glad to give you their contact.

I believe the household size refers to the parents, e.g. the sponsor. Their income needs to be enough to support both you, themselves, and any other dependent of theirs, and anyone else that lives with them and they support. Hence it would be at least 4.

The document requirements that I posted are the reciprocity requirements published by the Dept of State and which USCIS will use. This is what immigration layers refer to as well. It doesn't specify who is authorized to provide the certified translation that it specifies. Probably check the US embassy's webpage for suggested agencies or google. Agreed, since this is so important to you, and you can't afford to mess it up and risk your last chance to reply to the RFE, it makes sense to consult a couple of lawyers. Most offer free initial consultations.

Did her Chinese birth certificate document comply with the reciprocity requirements for China, see below. Document Name: Notarial certificate (Gong Zheng Shu) Issuing Authority: Local Notary Public Office (Gong Zheng Chu) Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: A notarial birth certificate normally contains a watermark, seal, and red stamp. It indicates the applicant’s name, sex, date of birth, ID number, place of birth, and both parents’ names. NOTE: Notarial birth certificates issued prior to 2012 may not list the ID number. All notarial documents must have an English translation, and be attached with a certificate stating that the English translation is in conformity with the Chinese original. Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Notary Public (Gong Zheng Yuan)

Was her birth certificate one of these? Full version of family register (Koseki Tohon/Zenbu jiko shomeisho); Short version of family register (Koseki Shohon/Kojin jiko shomeisho) or Certificate of Acceptance of Notification of Birth (Shussei juri shomeisho). Did you verify that the scan included 100% of the full document, both sides, and nothing is cut-off or clipped? Is the translation and the scan 100% complete? Might be worth it to get an agency to provide the a certified translation. When I did it, the embassy had a list of acceptable agencies to do "certified translations". And double checked you followed the scan requirements for sizes, resolution, max file size, etc..

I would also recommend making sure the policy is active ASAP. Just after my fiancee arrived and we got married, she had over $30K in medical expenses from a reaction to the flu vaccine which my employer health insurance covered.

In case she tries to get her family a tourist visa to "attend the wedding" or to "visit", I would notify the US Embassy, If she is from Laos, here is the contact, https://la.usembassy.gov/contact/#embassy In case she tries to file for adjustment of status with a fake marriage certificate and so forth, notify the USCIS and be sure to provide her A-number and so forth. Notify ICE as other's have also mentioned.

Ahh, thanks. that makes a lot of sense. Doing the aka as you describe would prevent any issues when doing a ROM and PSA in the future which is needed to avail of the Philippines permanent residence visa option. I highly doubt I’d be doing that, visiting a few nonths a year is more than enough. Nonetheless, it is comforting to know I would not be burning any bridges. Again, it was also interesting that I had no issues getting the 1 year Balkbayan visa using only my foreign (USA) marriage certificate. I don’t know if the Apostile made a difference or not, but I noticed him examining its seal.

No, for a Filipino it appears to be allowed and legal to regain their citizenship using their maiden name. There are a number of advantages and conveniences right now that are unique to out circumstances. She now has global entry registered with her Filipino passport in her maiden name despite that and her GE card is her married name. TSA prechecked worked fine. International Bank in the Philippines accepted our Apostile marriage certificate and opened an account in her maiden name. Philippines immigration gave me the Balikbayan 1 year visa after showing our foreign (USA) marriage certificate, I didn’t need the ROM and PSA certificate. They were just shocked I knew about it and asked me and my Wife how do I know. If I want to get a Philippines permanent residency card based on my marriage, then we would need the PSA marriage certificate. In that scenario, when doing the ROM, I would imagine we’d need to use her married name since that is what we’d use here. So for now, I don’t see any issues, its all good and working smoothly But ai agree someday it may prove too much of a headache. But now it is much better and convenient for us this way. And it all seems legal and acceptable on both Countries laws. I’m not a lawyer so this is not advice, and yoi should consult yours to see whats right. oh, and other members in this forum has fone the same thing for many years after getting dual citizenship without an issue Lets see

Changing the name on a Filipino passport is a multi -step process and takes incredibly long. Its not worth the hassle if their passport will not expire before getting their USA passport. It would have also delayed our trip by a year since we get the tickets long in advance. Refer to a lot it discussion on this topic for Filipino passports, ROM, etc

Just to let me you know, we just got tsa pre-check with my Wife’s GE. She has her passport in her maiden name but her GC is in her married name. Prior to this we emailed GE and asked them to change her GE name to her passport name instead of her GC. Confirmed, it worked!

You did explain already that it is a crime in your Country. And for sure, especially in your Country. there is no law that says "2-3 puffs is legal, but more is not". Can you just imagine what would happen if they did? That being said, USCIS is the one that will make the decision whether or not that would disqualify you, its not your decision to make at this point. As everyone already said, its highly unlikely it will be a problem. I wouldn't worry about it especially if you are honest and do not lie. It is honesty that they are looking for.

Why should the answer be based upon "since you admitted in the past"? Its as if you are asking if you should lie but are afraid that you might get caught since you already admitted it? Shouldn't you be asking if you legally must answer "yes", regardless if whether you had admitted it in the past or not? Whether or not it will be a problem or not on your N-400 is a totally different question. The question is very clear. It says "have you EVER" .... And you have clearly stated that you illegally used in your home country which is a crime, not to mention confessed in your GC interview. As other have stated, its probably not an issue, but lieing is. But you really have no choice but to answer yes, and explain the story. Don't ask people here how to commit fraud.

If it is your priority is to have your dream wedding in CZ, then that's your answer. Do that and apply for the CR-1. It will delay coming to the USA by 1-2 years since you need to do a lot of planning for your dream wedding, etc... While a 1-2 years delay seems like "forever" at this point time, after you arrive in USA, it will soon be long forgotten and a drop in the bucket as time goes. If your priority is to come to the USA 1-2 years sooner, then do the K-1, with the caveat that there is no guarantee that things won't go wrong and have it take longer than expected. It will be very far from a dream wedding to come to usa first on a k-1, get married "on paper", live together for a couple of years, and then go back for a "fake" wedding, possibly even while pregnant after already being married. And trying to save up is going to be harder than you think, when you have more expenses than you can imagine starting your new life and family .. and spending a huge amount on a huge weddding after the fact probably won't happen or cause a huge fight to say the least ...

In 2023, my now Wife did the online CFO, then went to the CFO office to get the CFO sticker for the passport. When she exited the Philippines with the CFO sticker in her passport and with the printed CFO certificate in hand as well, the immigration officer asked to see her receipt for the CFO. She showed him the paper receipt we had ready. He said "No, I want to see the email receipt". Then she had to find it on her phone. He then went to the backroom by himself, and came back a few minutes later an let her proceed. I wonder what he did in the backroom and what would have happened if she couldn't dig up the email.

LOL, Amex does even make travelor checks anymore. https://www.americanexpress.com/us/travel/travelers-cheques/ ATM cards and electronic means have long since replaced them. Oh, ask your lawyer, "how about a floppy disk with her bank account info too"?

Great points. Sorry, I misinterpreted his post as he had lots of evidence of marriage fraud. Yeah, the OP will need to do more sleuthing to gather evidence that it was simply not a marriage gone sour. Probably the only way would be to cleverly and legally get ahold of her phone, check her messenger, etc and obtain indisputable proof that she was scheming to marry only for a GC. Otherwise, as I said, USCIS and the embassy get emails all the times like this and ignore them if there is no sign of proof of fraud. They know that it is quite common for an enraged ex to try to get revenge and so they will ignore it.

If she doesn't have the CFO certificate, then no amount of money in her bank account will be enough. It just doesn't work like that. They are 100% strict about needing a CFO certificate to leave. One you have it, there are no other requirements because all the requirements were already met to acquire the CFO. Just make sure she keeps the email receipt, sometimes the immigration officer will ask to see it. They did for my fiance.

To naturalize, I believe you have to show good moral character, etc .. and certainly not obtained a GC by fraud. Therefore, personally, this is what I would do if she has her GC. If she doesn't have her GC . . then maybe invite her back to China for a "reconcilliation meeting'with her parents" and offer to buy them a car when they arrive if all goes well ... then ... 1) Notify USCIS, and send proof, and suggest that doesn't get naturalized, and if possible start proceedings to recoke her GC (probably impossibe, but why not). 2) Notify the USA embassy in China, to inform them in case any of her family members try to come fraudulently and mention claim she just had a abusive husband. Many embassies have a special email to report fraud. Of course, the embassies get these kinds of the emails often, and ignore them, etc .. But why not, ... you might be helping future fraud. 3) I strongly doubt your congressman would also FAX UCSIS to make the same requests, but you could try to show the evidence and try. With all the anti-immigration, maybe they will try to score brown points. Again, before anyone says this is very unlikely able to be effective, I agree, but you could just do it, then move on ... It might also even help you when you explain why you did a new K-1 in a few years. And just to be super clear, I am only saying to report the facts and truth. Don't exagerate or make up any stories. be totally factual so others can make a decision. and send proof .. must have proof

I think he has it covered because he I think he said he is submitting an evidence list that includes - Deed to his house showing it is owned by the trust - A copy of the trust highlighting the fact his Wife is the beneficiary and trustee. If the USCIS officer sees that all the other evidence is strong and compelling, then he will probably think "Oh nice, he has a good estate plan to save his Wife taxes and avoid probate when you die, and think this shows he has long term marriage plans for his Wife." But on the other hand, if the USCIS officier sees what looks like fake or contrived photos and other evidence that doesn't feel or look right, and then he see's this trust and if he is well trained, he could think "Hmm, this is a a living trust, which is just a revocable trust. It means almost nothing, its no stronger than adding a beneficiary to a bank account or just adding her in his Will. At any time, he could revoke the trust without his Wifes's permission, fire her as the trustee, or change the beneficiary at any time, just like you can with a Will. Its very different than having her as co-owner on the deed and a revocable living trust is very different from a irrevocable trust with her as the beneficiary. So it will be the totality of all the evidence and how well trained and savvy the officer is in Trust law (which is likely to be very littie which will benefit you). By the way, at least in my State .. it doesn't matter what your Will says. Your Wife has a right to inherit your property unless she signed over that right in a pre-nup or post-nup. It won't matter what your Will says or what a revocable trust says (an irrevocable trust would be a different story).

Last year, we, and everyone else in our K-1 group was getting their GC in about 3 months without interviews, some even faster after filing the AOS. However, with the new Presidency, it will very likely go back to taking much longer. Despite that, getting married in the Philippines takes at least 3 weeks to get a marriage license after arriving in the Philippines, and then another 3-9 months to get the marriage certificate to enable you to file for a CR1, let alone the traveling and wedding planning needed on top of that. I would bet getting a GC with a K-1 will have a much higher probability of getting a GC far faster than doing a CR1 this way. But I think this is all a moot point for most people. Because it is a drop in the bucket as far as time goes. It will all be long forgotten and insignificant in a long-term marriage. The important thing is to have the kind of wedding that you want. Do you want to have a local wedding with all your spouse's family and cousins, etc etc... or in the USA with your own family and friends? Or do you don't care and just want to do a online marriage to get the paperwork and skip all the wedding rituals? I wouldn't put the wedding, family, and friends and what is suppose to be the most important day based on saving a few months or some convenient feature of a kind of VISA. But of course, everyone has their own priorities to say the least.