Hi Peter Lee, Why not U

[greg]

bring your Mahal to America on a 90 day fiancee visa..that should at least give you an idea if your marriage to her may work. Instead of paying lots of $$$$$$ to marry her in RP, then paying additional dollars to get her to America..only to find out after her short stay that you made a huge miscalculation. Or If things work out for you both then you can marry her before the 90 day expire, then later take her back to RP for a nice wedding in front of her family and friends. From reading your continue updates, fears, blab blab..You need to tread with caution. Guys must remind themselves that they should seek a Woman abroad that is better than what's available to him here, not the same or worst.

[outwest77]

... in response to Hi Peter Lee, Why not U, posted by greg on May 22, 2003

doesnt a spousal visa take like a year, as opposed to 6 months for a fiancee visa

[Peter Lee]

... in response to Re: Hi Peter Lee, Why not U, posted by outwest77 on May 23, 2003

Hi dare!!

Well I thought it did, but what the information I get now is that it is really faster now.   Don't know why, maybe the fiancée visa is bogged down with a lot of applications.   We should ask Ray that question he seems to have a grip on the time lines for either one.

I am starting to like the marrying her in Cebu idea.   If I bring her here to the US with a Fiancée visa I only have less than 90 days to see if she is the one for sure.  90 days is not really enough time with the stress of commitment hanging over you?   But if I marry her there in the Philippines I could keep her there as long as it takes for me to be sure of the marriage.  Or I could make it as fast as I want and process the paper work as soon as possible.   I like the idea that when she finally gets here she can go on my sailboat and go to the Bahamas with me as she will have her 2 year visa passport.  
A Fiancée visa in “my opinion” has no advantage for me at all.  
If my information is wrong and it does take a year to get her here that’s ok.  I will use that time to visit her a few times if necessary while I am waiting.   If the unthinkable happens I am still able to divorce her here in the US without going back.  You may think of marrying your gf there also.  I am gaining more experience every day.  Yesterday I looked up floridadivorce.com and it was a good “if things go wrong” reading.  I was shocked to read so many getting divorced.  Most questions were about how the property is split up, alimony, child support and what happens when the ex wife leaves for another state with the kids.
These pinays get a seminar they need a stamp on their passports for that what I hear lectures them on the dangers of marrying the wrong man.   We should have a seminar requirement dealing with the dangers of marrying the wrong pinay LOL.  Any way one can only do so much to get prepared for marriage to a Filipina.  Have you read "It's a long way to go for a date"? Yet.  Good reading.  A lesson for all us unmarried guys to read.  But I am enjoying this board's posts and it doesn’t stay dull to long.   Everyone has been very civil and helpful to me.  I have done what most have not and that is tell the whole story and not hide anything in my relationship even if it is embarrassing.  That way I get better advice and new comers see that they are not the only ones that it happens too.  I have to say that if I was married and my wife was in the US with me I would be very careful and guarded what I would say.   The risk of a little personal details getting out that may make her upset and the least punishment could be weeks of not talking as punishment LOL.   But I am grateful to be able to tell my story as it unfolds without hiding anything.   The paper process is still very confusing to me and I have not studied it in depth yet.  But I am advised to go seek an attorney anyway before I get married.  The same attorney could do all the paperwork for the INS too right?   If I was in a hurry that is what I would do but I am not in too much of a hurry.   I have managed to stay single for almost 60 years a few more months here or there won’t make that much difference.   I would like to see you in the PI but you will be in Manila and I will be in Cebu.   I hope you will still be in contact with us while your gone, maybe I will be able to meet you there.   Till then

[Mita]

... in response to Re: Re: Hi Peter Lee, Why not U, posted by Peter Lee on May 24, 2003

You have the option of petitioning your spouse via the K3 visa which is pretty much like the K1 visa and will take about the same time to process.  Once your spouse gets to the US, she will go through the whole process of getting a temporary green card unlike the old I129 visa which qualifies her for a permanent green card once she arrives here.  That process of qualifying for a permanent green card was already done while she was still in the country of origin with the old I129 visa.  But with the K3, you have to do that once she gets to the US.  They must've come up with this K3 option to get couples together sooner.  It's been almost 2 years now since they implemented this.

[Ray]

... in response to K3 visa, posted by Mita on May 24, 2003

You are very much correct Mita, but that should be I-(129 + 1) or I-130, which is actually the petition leading to a CR-1 or IR-1 immigrant visa for a spouse.

Ray

[Mita]

... in response to Slight correction..., posted by Ray on May 24, 2003

Not even 2 years and I have forgotten!!! LOL!  It's a blessing to forget.
Thank you for reminding me that we are well over that @#@#@#%& INS step, Ray.  And onto the  next step which is about 18 months away....sigh....

[Peter Lee]

... in response to K3 visa, posted by Mita on May 24, 2003

Thanks Mita i didn't know the differance between the old and new.  Haven't been around that long LOL.   I ask her and she would rather just be a house wife like her mom.  I said I would not be in her way if she wants to work.  At least the K3 gives us options.  We are getting along very well right now and look forward to seeing each other in July.   I am sure I will like to marry her when I see her in Cebu.  But I have left options open including going home with out marriage and applying for a fiancee visa in case there is any doubts.  I feel she is a little worried that she could be stranded in a strange country and no family to help if things go wrong.  I think that goes through everyone's mind if even for a moment.  We chat on yahoo every other day using the web cam, emails are made when we can't chat.  I call her on the phone 3 times per week now.  My goal is to know her at least 8 months before getting married.  Thanks and talk to you later

[Mita]

... in response to Re: K3 visa, posted by Peter Lee on May 24, 2003

Tell her she can come to me "if things go wrong" - but ONLY if she was true to you.

[Peter Lee]

... in response to Re: Re: K3 visa, posted by Mita on May 25, 2003

Your always so nice, thanks for the offer.  I sure hope we won't need your help. LOL  
Things are looking up and I got the love bug.
The spark was there and now I am building a fire.