PHILIPPINE TRAVELERS'

FOURTEEN EASY STEPS THAT WILL HELP

YOU TO PREPARE IN ADVANCE FOR & EXPEDITE YOUR

FIANCÉE OR SPOUSAL PETITION

Even though we assist in preparation of the petitions and gathering of documents, photos, etc. in the Philippines, we would like to provide you with a few basic steps that will assist you in filing your petition, should you decide to do so after you have met your lady in the Philippines.

Of course we would first strongly suggest that you have someone verify that the lady you are writing and preparing to engage or marry, is who she claims to be! You also need to know that you are the ONLY one she is serious to! We can arrange for someone to do that for you. (You are talking about a lady you are planning to bring to USA at great time and expense, why would a prudent man pay a mechanic a hundred bucks to check out a car he is intending to purchase for THOUSANDS, but not take the same precautions when not only his future, happiness and everything he has worked so hard all his life is at stake? (Divorce laws usually favor the lady.)

Many petitions are denied just because the Petitioner (that's you) for one reason or another, fails to obtain or maintain certain records both before and during his travels to the Philippines. Sometimes it's just because the who petition process is so overwhelming, for others it's just so confusing and/or ignorance as to what is going to be needed, and for many it's simply that they are so in love and excited that they forget that both they and their fiancé will soon be dealing with various government agencies. Remember also that in addition to YOUR dealing with various government agencies here in the states, SHE will have to face both the embassy staff and ALSO the Homeland Security Investigators at the embassy!

Also remember that if the petition is not properly prepared and you fail to adequately provide proper answers, or if you inadvertently leave a blank or fail to date, or fail to provide sufficient information, that your petition may be delayed and/or even denied completely!

PLAN AHEAD! BEFORE YOU TRAVEL TO PHILIPPINES:

1.    Begin with preparing a box, file folder and large envelope dedicated specifically for documents and evidence for any future petition you may file.

2.    If you met her on an Internet website or club, be sure to print a copy of her complete profile!

3.    Keep and print copies of any and all e-mails that you both send and receive to her.  This shows and dates your communications with your Filipina, Pinay friend or fiancé. It is VERY IMPORTANT that you can prove an "ongoing relationship"! You can also save your chat and instant messenger logs. (Warning: although these are also great evidence, when you print them out you may be shocked to learn how long and lengthy they are!)

4.    Keep copies of any and all letters and postcards received from her, and advise her to also keep everything you send to her. (They WILL as to see these things at the interviews!)

5.    Keep copies of your phone bills, and also your phone cards. The USCIS, embassy and Homeland Security will not accept accept the phone cards alone as proof of calls, they just support the actual phone bills you have from your telephone and/or cellular company. The phone bills serve to show the dates, times and both of your phone numbers for each call.

6.    If you have sent her any cash or boxes, be sure to keep copies of any and all receipts, including the shipping and postal receipts.

7.    Make copies of your airline tickets and especially your Boarding Passes.

8.    Tell your lady that BEFORE you arrive, she should have 2 Original NSO Birth Certificates, and her Local Tax Registration Certificate. There are other documents which will be needed, but police and NBI clearances must be dated and will not comply with requirements if not obtained within the allotted time frame.

ONCE YOU ARRIVE IN PHILIPPINES

9.    Make sure you keep copies of any and all Hotel Receipts and Credit Card receipts.

10.    PHOTOS, PHOTOS, PHOTOS!! Be sure to take lots and lots of photos! You should take photos of you and your fiancée both in public places, in and outside the family house, on your travels with her, in front of the local municipal building, in front of their church, if you happen to be in a capital city, take a couple with the Capital behind you, ask her to take you to the family cemetery plot and take photos of the two of you and her family with the resting places of loved ones, and take MANY photos with her and her family members! I also suggest before you leave you buy her an inexpensive camera and a half dozen rolls of film. Give it to her on the day of your arrival and tell her to take as many photos as she wants and remind her she will need photos of your meeting for her embassy and homeland security interviews. When developing the film, be sure to have TWO SETS made! (You will need photos for the petition and she will need photos for the interviews).

11.    Be sure to take blank copies of her Biographic Information Form with you, or even better, if you can get all the information in advance from her, you can complete the form here and have it ready for her to sign when you arrive.

12.    Before you leave, in the case of a fiancée petition, you could also prepare letters of intent for both you and your intended fiancée. This is a simple letter that states that you intend to marry her within 90 days of her arrival to USA, with a similar letter of intent for her to sign. It would also be a good idea if you can prepare a letter of approval from the parents for their daughter to marry you. (NOTE: Reason for suggesting you prepare Numbers 11 and 12 at home is because computers with printers, and typewriters are often hard to find in Philippines).

13.    Many petitions are denied because the lady cannot provide sufficient and/or satisfactory answers at the time of the interviews. This is a very stressful time and often a simple Filipina lady are scared or confused and cannot give proper responses, or sometimes their statements may be conflicting due to nervousness. If, due to work or other reasons, you cannot be there to help prepare her and provide moral support, feel free to contact us to fly there and help her prepare her documentation and truthful answers.

14.    Also remember that any criminal and/or medical problems in your ladies background may be grounds for denial by the embassy or Homeland Security. In some cases the gentleman petitions a lady only to have the petition denied because someone else has already petitioned her and that petition was never withdrawn!

For Your Information:

The Fiancée Petition (Form I-129F)is also referred to as K-1 (Currently Filing Fee is $455.00*). There is no fee for petitions for K-3 status based on an immigrant petition filed by the same U.S. citizen or wife.) Purpose of Form is To petition to bring your fiancé(e) and that person's children to the United States for marriage to you or to bring your spouse and that person's children (K-3 and K-4 visas, respectively) to the United States to complete processing for permanent resident status (under the LIFE Act and Amendments of 2000);

The Spousal Petition (Form I-130) (if you marry in Philippines) is also referred to as K3 (Currently the filing fee  is $355.00*) For citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United States to establish the relationship to certain alien relatives who wish to immigrate to the United States. A separate form must be filed for each eligible relative. Please note: USCIS processes Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, as a visa number becomes available. Filing and approval of an I-130 is only the first step in helping a relative immigrate to the United States. Eligible family members must wait until there is a visa number available before they can apply for an immigrant visa or adjustment of status to a lawful permanent resident.

You can obtain these forms at: http://www.uscis.gov/

G-325A Biographic Information Forms are required for BOTH of you! (No charge for filing.)

* Fee amounts subject to changes by USCIS.

Be advised that there are also subsequent forms and procedures and evidences following the approval of your petition, including but not limited to the Affidavits of Support.

I hope this simple page has assisted you. in the preparation of your anticipated petition for fiancée or wife. I am sure that some of the Internet Clubs may hate the fact that this information has been provided to you for FREE, but then, this website is NOT in competition with the pen-pal or matrimonial sites. Once you have already found the lady you think is perfect for you, we are here to help YOU!  Should you have any questions and or need our services, please feel free to send us an e-mail.

    Email us at: philippine_traveler@yahoo.com

Before filing any petition or traveling to the Philippines, be sure to read all the information contained in this web sight! KNOW BEFORE YOU GO!!

This page is provided as information only with the hopes of educating and assisting those who may be considering the filing of an immigration petition for their fiancée or wife.

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