Potential fiance is already married

[Ammurphy612 0]

I am an American living in the US. I was introduced to a Filipina from Cebu that was married but unhappy and looking to divorce her Filipino husband. Some half assed research has led me to believe that there's no way I could ever petition for her to come to the US on a K1 visa because Philippines does not allow divorces. Am I correct in my assumption? I read something about paying almost $3000 and waiting 2 years to get a divorce recognized in Philippines. Long story short, what can I do, if anything, to petition for her to come to US and marry me if she's already married in Philippines?

[Pitaya 2,577]

One of the first requirements of the K1 visa is that both parties are free to marry.

http://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/files/form/i-129finstr.pdf

She is not eligible if that is not the case. period.

[belinda63 3,038]

She will have to obtain an annulment. You have the cost and wait time about right from what I understand.

[Girl from Celebes 588]

I would suggest you have also better posted on the Philippines sub regional forum to get correct responses.

[aaron2020 11,651]

Hi,

There is nothing you can do to bring her to the US as long as she is married. The US will not give her a K-1 fiancee visa to enter the US to marry you and commit bigamy.

Divorce is not an option in the Philippines.

She needs an annulment completed and be single before you can do anything to bring her to the US.

Best of luck.

[Boiler 45,488]

The brutal but more logical option is to keep looking.

[Elleanor 10]

I am a filipina ..

and from what i know

you can't marry her on any grounds,

annulment first and that'll take time and lots of money ..

it wasn't easy but then again that's the only way for her to be single again..

goodluck .

[POA 178]

I am an American living in the US. I was introduced to a Filipina from Cebu that was married but unhappy and looking to divorce her Filipino husband. Some half assed research has led me to believe that there's no way I could ever petition for her to come to the US on a K1 visa because Philippines does not allow divorces. Am I correct in my assumption? I read something about paying almost $3000 and waiting 2 years to get a divorce recognized in Philippines. Long story short, what can I do, if anything, to petition for her to come to US and marry me if she's already married in Philippines?

She needs to be annulled. Being unhappy with her husband isn't even grounds for annulment. Philippines is strict with that. Not even adultery will be ground for annulment plus the fact that it cost a lot and takes so long.

If she still lives with him, I kinda suggest think well. I am not trying to generalize Filipinos but asses her well,

[islandgirl80 28]

She has to file annulment first and that will take long and it is expensive. She can't marry you unless she is annul. If you are willing to wait then that is true love...

[jerod_gavel 16]

The only way to go about it is to get the marriage annulled in the Philippines. While it is costly (even bribes in some cases) it does work. The second problem will be getting her CENOMAR updated with the DFA correctly. The "Certificate of No Marriage" or CENOMAR will be the only way to get married again from the Philippines point of view. They will not sign off on your marriage being legal unless you have that document with a red ribbon from DFA.

On a side note, there are a large number of reasons they can do an annullment in the Philippines. If they see her with you though, be ready to pay. It would be better if she hired a reputable lawyer, then a reputable private investigator to assess your case. You may want to approach another investigator to validate everything as well from your side.

One thing to check is the dates of the marriage and the dates from the BRGY for the birth of the woman. If she was 18 or under, look and see if she had parental consent. If not, it is an easy case to annull. I point you in that direction because this happens quite often, and is usually overlooked.

[UnaMexicana 153]

sound advice.

The only way to go about it is to get the marriage annulled in the Philippines. While it is costly (even bribes in some cases) it does work. The second problem will be getting her CENOMAR updated with the DFA correctly. The "Certificate of No Marriage" or CENOMAR will be the only way to get married again from the Philippines point of view. They will not sign off on your marriage being legal unless you have that document with a red ribbon from DFA.

On a side note, there are a large number of reasons they can do an annullment in the Philippines. If they see her with you though, be ready to pay. It would be better if she hired a reputable lawyer, then a reputable private investigator to assess your case. You may want to approach another investigator to validate everything as well from your side.

One thing to check is the dates of the marriage and the dates from the BRGY for the birth of the woman. If she was 18 or under, look and see if she had parental consent. If not, it is an easy case to annull. I point you in that direction because this happens quite often, and is usually overlooked.

[Ryan H 3,812]

I would suggest you have also better posted on the Philippines sub regional forum to get correct responses.

I put a link to this thread in that forum so there is no need to repost this there now.

[daviddelen 34]

Was she introduced to you by a trusted source? I'd be very leery of this kind of situation.

[2ndMessiah 184]

Has the OP tried "shopping" in the domestic market.

Plenty of new and nearly new models available without contractual issues.

[Ammurphy612 0]

What's the domestic market? I'm new to this forum.