Hi Everyone I am new here and I am seeking for answers regarding my visa. I have read some answers but its a bit outdated. I am hoping someone will help me.
i was a former J1 Intern from Philippines and I was subject to 2 year rule. When I was a student, 11 years ago I didnt mind the 2YRR. I dont know what my future will be and that I will get married to a US Citizen and have a family. After my Internship, I went home immediately and finished my College Degree and After 1 year, I left the country to work as an Overseas Contract Worker in BAhrain. And I have lived and worked there for 9 years before I met my Military husband . We got married and now currently stationed in JAPAN.
I had an interview last FEB. 13, 2023 at the US Consulate Tokyo for my IR1 Visa, We've been married for 2 years.
She didn't asked me much, she was just very persistent of looking at my old passport and to show her stamps after when I get back from the Philippines. She took my passport and told me I need to send all the pages of my passport via MAIL.
Doing my research, I seemed to know the problem now, I was subject to 2 12 ( e) . I didnt know this will be a big issue until now.
Here are my questions:
1. I have read that it is cumulative, I have stayed for 1 year straight in the Philippines and when I was working abroad I came home for vacation 4 times. I have added all my returns in the Philippines and they totalled to 1 year and 4 months 2 days. But this 4 months and 2 days vacations are of different years ( 2014, 2017, 2019 and 2022). are these vacations accepted to add to my 2 years even if they are far apart?
2. If just in case I get denied, can I still continue the petition and fullfill the remaining 8 months will that help.
My husband and I was thinking of just me travelling to the Philippines every 2 months and come back to Japan to fullfill the 8 months remaining on my 2yrr.
does it matter if I fulfill the 8 months now or its too late?
3. I have looked at applying for a waiver and i saw in the Philippines website that they no longer issue waiver for Filipinos marrying a US Citizen or having a child, Is there people here who did it anyway and was successful?
we are so lost right now, we have waited for 2 years to get to this point only to face this issue.
please hopefully someone will help me.
thanks