K-1 Fiancé Visa Philippines My Story

I went through the K1 visa process back in 1997 and have now been married to my filipino wife for 20 years. I have helped a family member and several other friends apply and get through the K-1 process. The process is not for the faint of heart. It will take time, money and patience to see it through. The stereotype of mail order brides still exists to this day. You may during your courtship have to deal with the nay sayers among your family, friends, and others.

My story starts out 20 years ago. Bob, a close friend of mine, was going through rough time in his life. Bob's wife had unexpectedly become ill and passed away, leaving him heart broken. They had a very good marriage for 24 years and losing her left him devastated. Four years had now passed since her death and he still was not actively looking for a new relationship. One day Bob went to work, at lunch he sat down at the table with some friends, one of them brought out an asian dating magazine. After he looked it over he asks to borrow it, the friend said to just take it. That evening he calls me and asks if we could get together for lunch, he said I want show you something very interesting. The next day at the restaurant I looked it over, he asked me what I thought. My advice was, why not give it a try to see what comes of it. I was just glad to see him interested. The process seemed simple enough, once you bought a subscription you had access to all the pictures and addresses to contact the ladies.This is before most people had computers, e-mail, Skype, etc.

I was single at the time so I told him that I would also like to give it a try. We both sent out about a dozen letters and in some cases we wrote to the same women. It was interesting what we got back. The first letters we got back were introduction mass form letters that the dating company must have given the girls to give to their prospects. The letters all started out with the same greeting, "Dear Mister Tom or Bob. Thank you for writing me." All the letters basically said, " I am kind, loving, loyal. I am looking for a good dependable loving man. Someone who wants to settle down have a family and live happily ever after." Bob got identical written letters.

After a month of reading letters. It became very clear to me there were two kinds of girls writing back. First were the girls that seemed to complain and ask for money because they can't pay rent, have no food, can't pay for school, need medicine, writing paper and stamps to send letters back to me, and all the other guys too, I'm sure. Things started to move quickly with the girls after only 3 or 4 letters. One girl wrote and said, I have talked things over with my family and because of the burden I am to them. It was decided she was mine come and get me. She was probably telling me the sad truth but I wrote her back a short very nice letter saying thanks but no thanks.

The girl who caught my attention, was a 26-year-old filipina gal that had been an overseas contract worker for the last ten years. She was working as a nanny for a chinese family in Hong Kong. I found out, she had been sent their to work for her family and faithfully sent most of her money back to her parents the Philippines. I courted her for the next 12 months writing and talking to her on the phone. The one big difference I noticed right away during our communication was, she never once asked me for money. That, however, did not stop me from sending money to her because I knew she was spending her own money, calling me from Hong Kong, plus sending cards and letters. Now, I'm not talking about huge amounts of money but it was definitely adequate to cover all her expenses. I looked at it like this, no matter how things turned out, I didn't want to be a burden to her because they don't make much money. She would always scold me nicely after I sent money because, she was proud that she had always worked hard for her own money.

I finally begin to move the process forward by flying her back to the Philippines. To do this thought we had to break her work contract and pay a penalty fee to her employment agency. Which, I was told, helped to fly in a replacement nanny from the Philippines. Whether or not this was completely legitimate or not my, fiancé was comfortable with this negotiation and outcome. She wanted to leave in good standing. Once I was in the Philippines the whole family turned out for my big arrival. Aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews were all there to greet me. They were waiting at my apartment in the common area of the compound. We all went inside the apartment together, her family then lined up like a church choir on one side of my kitchen. My fiancé sat me down at the kitchen table across from them. The room was quite as they all looked at me waiting for me to speak. I carefully introduced myself, then proceeded to tell them of my love for their daughter and that I would always take good care of her. I don't think the whole speech took more than 3 mins. I had no idea if things were going well as their faces remained completely solemn. The room was quite and still, then the father looked side to side at his wife and brothers, he then looked back at me and broke out with a big smile followed by the rest of room. Boy, was I relieved.

I ended up, living there for the next 6 months talking care of the K-1 Visa paper work myself. I did make one mistake on paperwork which delayed things an extra 3 weeks. While at immigration office, I met and talk to many Americans, Some had spent years trying to get their wives or fiancé back to the states because of paper work mistakes buy themselves or their fiancé. Many said, they were only able to get away a couple of days or weeks from work every year making it difficult for them to handle all the paper work themselves. The question is, why didn't they hire someone to help "Penny wise pound foolish" .After a little over 5 months of waiting we finally received her Visa and could go back to the States.

Falling in love and getting married to my Filipino wife turned out to be the best thing I ever did. After our marriage she went to college and got a job. We started our family. We have a good life together, but it does come with a great deal of sacrifice especially for my wife. She misses all her family and friends back in the philippines. The worst part for her was when her mother and father got ill and passed, not being able to be their buy their side was disheartening. Anyone, considering having a filipino wife had better fully understand the sense of responsibilities that most filipino's have for their parents. A word to the wise, there is very little in the way of a safety net in the Philippines so be surprised if your wife needs to send things like food, medicine, or money to help her parents, Just remember the golden rule "a happy wife gives you a happy life". Does this mean she gets to clean out your life's savings? (no). But to be sure, you will have to find a balance if you want your marriage to work.

• Only a US citizens and can sponsor a Fiancé Visa.
• You must both be legally free to marry.
• You must have met your fiancé in person face-to-face within the last two years before filing.
• You must confirm that you both intend to marry during your fiancé's 90 day visa in the USA.
• You must be able to prove immigration that you have a romantic genuine relationship.
• You must be able to prove an annual income of $15,730 20 years ago. It is much more now.
• Cash assets can be used as income.
• You can use a financial joint sponsor if your income or assets are not enough for eligibility. The sponsor can ask a relative or friend to help as long as they have proof of their income.

If you enjoyed this piece. Please check out my other Philippine related articles. K-1 Visa scam etc. Thank you.