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A step-by-step overview of the whole immigration process,
For American pen-pals, fiancés, and spouses of Filipinas.
This guide also discusses F1/M1 (Student), H1-B (Work), and B1/B2 (Tourist) Visas
SITE: Disclaimer. The weak points of this document, and the parts of the Visa Process that can change suddenly.
Nothing here is Unimportant...
This is the good stuff you NEED to know!!!
The Table of Contents links are "in-page references" to locations further down on this same page. This page may need some time to load before all the links work. While the links are useful to quickly find a specific subject, you will benefit the most from reading (or skimming) this whole document. Other than some FAQ's and Q/A sections, you should find most of this interesting reading.
Welcome: Read this first! General info about this page & the Author.
Introduction (You are here)
K1: A quick introduction to the K1 Process! This is where K1 Folks Need to start reading
K1: K1 items the Filipino fiance must provide. Don't leave without these!
K1: K1 items the American Petitioner must gather. Items that you'll need for the petition.
K1: K1 items for "Special Cases". Uncommon and Rarely Required Documents.
K1: The K1 Letter of Intent A template that you can use.
K1: The K1 Cover Letter Template - The Blueprint for your K1
K1: The Step-by-Step K1 Instructions to provide your Fiance
K1: Visual K1 Glossary Sample Pictures of a Visa, CFO Stamp, CFO Certificate, and I-94.
ALL: The BCIS ADIT Photo Definition and Specifications
ALL: 25+ Documents Form examples, Documents, Pictures stored in this directory for reference
ALL: The St. Luke's Experience - Tell your girl, "What to expect."
AOS: An AOS (Adjustment of Status) Guide & Checklist
AOS: A Sample AOS Interview Notification Letter and Checklist.
SSN: How to apply for a U.S. Social Security Number (SSN)
SSN: Social Security Administration Memo: RM 00204.450 - Evidence of Nonimmigrant Status for an SSN Card
SSN: Social Security Administration Memo: RM 00203.500 - Employment Authorization for Non-immigrants
ALL: The Total Cost of the Immigration Process From Start to Finish
ALL: The US BCIS General Tips on Assembling Applications for Mailing - How to organize your petition
B1/B2: Why tourist visas are difficult and DANGEROUS to use for marriage - Includes 30/60 Rule.
F1/F2: Why Student F-1/M-1 Visas are not a good immigration method for Fiancés
H1-B: Why H1-B Work Visas are not a good immigration method for Fiancés
FAMILY: Why bringing Mom/Dad/Sister/Brother/Children(18+) from the Philippines is not realistic
RIR: How the RIR (Reduction in Recruitment) Health Visa could get a relative over in 2-4 years
IR-1/K3: How to marry in the Philippines - The IR-1/K3 Visa Process (Step-by-Step, Updated Feb 2004)
INFO: Travel Idea - Packing for your trip!
INFO: Travel Idea - Vaccinations & Inoculations
Introduction. This guide was written by someone who is married to a Filipina. He's been a moderator on the ASAWA discussion board for about 2 years now. He is not an immigration lawyer. The author is, however, detail-oriented immigration enthusiast. When he fell in love and married a Filipina, he gathered and organized all of the immigration information for his own benefit. The author has asked to remain anonymous to avoid liability and the retaliation Immigration attorneys annoyed at loosing business because individuals decide to use this free guide.
The author produced this resource by consolidating every scrap of immigration information (laws, rules, procedures, links, tips, & tricks) with the accumulated knowledge of the other Fiance's and Spouses of the ASAWA Forum. Aside from the "application fees" for the forms (which change without notice), this collective knowledge should address more than 85% of your questions, and help you get through the process on your own!
He's written this in a "down to Earth" style. He refers to groups of people as, "folks" and fiance's as "girls" or "ladies". Much of this was adapted from forum postings that he's made over the years. After Copy-N-Pasting the same bits over and over... He finally decided to cement them here where they are easier to update and reference.
The Guide's author punctuates and writes in a conversational style. If he were to talk with you, he'd use the same words to relay this information. His grammar is probably terrible... use devices (like the three dots) in his sentences. He sometimes starts of sentences with conjunctions. And, the author often use quotes to "warn readers that I'm about to tie a bunch of words together" in a long sentence. He uses abundant parenthesis (to add further explanations, observations, hints, remarks, or side comments) as I'm going along. In essence, The author is verbose. He hopes the style agrees with you!
The ASAWA Forum. For the other 15% of your questions (not covered here) you should join the ASAWA forum Now, or visit ASAWA as a Guest! ASAWA is a friendly, moderated discussion board for folks with Filipino pen-pals, girlfriends, fiancé's and wives. There are hundreds of helpful folks (just like me) who can quickly respond to your questions. We are a true "Online Community" with a great wealth of cross-cultural information. Our members can provide you with a wide range of insights and perspectives into the nuances of a Filipino-Western relationship. The forum isn't just for American's. ASAWA helps folks from all over the world (UK, Australia, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Saudi Arabia, etc...) get through this process on their own.
What's new? Everything is finally spell checked! The IR-3 & K3 Steps were i[dated 2/3/04. And, the link to the "Apples & Oranges" article inside the "Tourist Visa" section is new. The table of contents is also new. St. Luke's and US Embassy Interviews are now by appointment. If this is not updated anywhere, please remember this!
Its all about knowledge, organization, and wisdom -- not presentation!
Disclaimer. The author was not a lawyer. He just want to help folks get started with the immigration process. Always verify forms, fees, and procedures before you file. Use this as a reference so that you know "what to look for" and "how everything fits together". When verifying the process on your own, pay special attention to the procedures regarding "When you can Order a K-Packet, "St.Luke Medical Exam Appointments", and "US Embassy Interview Appointments". These have changed several times in the past months, and will probably change again. And Finally, double check any fee amounts on the day before you submit your paperwork. Fee Amounts can change between your last visit and the day you file!