Glenda's & John's
Fiancee Visa Experience
These are Glenda's and my experiences in obtaining a fiancee visa. These are only our experiences as we saw them and are not intended to be interpreted as legal advice for anyone. Neither of us are lawyers, our only goal here is to let people know what we went through and hopefully we can help those whom would like to obtain a fiancee visa. Although this visa was obtained for a Filipina woman, by viewing other web pages like this one, we've noticed a strong similarity between the US and all countries (even Canada, which was a big surprise to me). Of course your experiences may vary depending on many things, such as which INS office you deal with, what country your fiancee comes from, etc.
Glenda has now become a U.S. Citizen as of July 7th, 2004. I first proposed to her Easter day, 1998. This web page is a step-by-step procedure of what we went through from the time I proposed until now. Many things have changed since we first started this endevor. 9/11/2001 has had a big impact as to how thngs are done now. Please check the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Web Page at http://uscis.gov for updates. This web page has come a long way and is fairly helpful.
What's next for us? After a person becomes a U.S. Citizen, one of their new rights allows them to petition relatives (more on this SOON in the detailed notes below). Our next step is to figure out how to bring her sister and brother inlaw over to the U.S.
We hope this web page helps someone. That is the primary goal of this web page. We started out not having a clue on which way to start. We thought Glenda had to start the paperwork in the Philippines when in fact it was me in the U.S. that needed to initiate the procedings. Based on the e-mails we've received over the years, it has helped surprisingly a lot of people. Again, this is only our experiences. The BCIS web page has become a lot more informative. Please do your own research. If you follow each stage of the process step-by-step, you shouldn't have any troubles. If you feel you need a lawyer, then by all means hire one. If we hired one, he/she may have saved me a couple months in the process. Also, various links are at the end of this document to help your process.
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Click on the dates below to see the detailed version.
Sunday 4/12/98 - I propose to Glenda.
Tuesday 5/19/98 - I order an I-129 packet from the INS to start the paperwork.
Thursday 5/28/98 - I re-visited INS web site to have them re-send the I-129 packet.
Monday 6/1/98 - I received one I-129 packet from INS.
Wednesday 6/3/98 - I e-mail Glenda and sent her form G-325A to fill out and sign. I received INS photos from Glenda.
Tuesday 6/15/98 - Glenda finally got the e-mail message and called me.
Thursday 7/9/98 - I received form G-325A back from Glenda, she gets her police check and certified birth certificate.
Monday 7/13/98 - I sent my packet to the INS.
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Click on the dates below to see the detailed version.
Monday 7/20/98 - I received a Notice of Action from the INS stating they received the packet (7/15/98).
Tuesday 7/21/98 - I called the INS and reported to them that Glenda's name was misspelled.
Thursday 8/20/98 - I called the INS's automatic phone line. They informed me they needed more information and a letter was being sent to me.
Monday 8/24/98 - I received the INS Request for Evidence letter. They wanted a statement and proof from me stating I've been with her within the past two years.
Tuesday 8/25/98 - I send the INS a simple letter stating I last saw her when she dropped me off at the airport in Manila 1/9/98.
Tuesday 9/1/98 - The INS automated phone system states I will have to wait another 45 days for this case to be processed. I call them and they inform me it should only take 1 - 2 weeks more.
Friday 9/4/98 - I called the INS tonight just on a whim. The message stated they APPROVED our case 9/3/98 and a letter was being sent to me.
Friday 9/4/98 - The process took 52 days from the day I mailed in our paperwork to the INS until approval. The whole process from proposal of marriage until the INS approving our case has been 143 days.
Filipino Cuisine
(By purchasing this book, you'll help support this web page)Click on the dates below to see the detailed version.
Tuesday 9/8/98 - I received the Notice of Approval from the INS.
Friday 9/11/98 - I sent Glenda another (current) I-134 Affidavit of Support.
Saturday 9/12/98 - I received a phone call from Glenda and her newly acquired agent. The agent informed me the I-134 [Affidavit of Support] form I sent expired last December. I should be using the new I-864 Affidavit of Support form.
Saturday 9/12/98 - Glenda hires an agent.
Monday 9/14/98 - Went to Denver to pick up the current I-864 [Affidavit of Support] form. I sent this form to Glenda.
Saturday 10/17/98 - Glenda received a letter from the US Embassy in Manila. She filled out the attached form and sent it back to the Embassy.
Friday 10/23/98 - I received the same letter as Glenda did from the US Embassy in Manila.
Thursday 12/10/98 - Glenda still hasn't heard from the US Embassy in Manila. I visited my congressman.
Friday 12/18/98 - I visit Glenda in PI. I hope to visit the US Embassy and move along the process.
Sunday 1/10/99 - I return home alone.
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Click on the dates below to see the detailed version.
Monday 1/11/99 - I went and visited my congressman and informed them of the situation.
Thursday 1/21/99 - Glenda passes the medical exam.
Monday 2/22/99 - Glenda passes her interview.
Wednesday 2/24/99 - Glenda returns to the US Embassy to pick up her visa.
Thursday 2/25/99 - Glenda attends a seminar.
Thursday 3/04/99 - Glenda departs Manila at 4:00 PM.
Friday 3/12/99 - We're married in Phoenix.
Tuesday 3/16/99 - We went to the INS in Denver to start the green card process.
Wednesday 3/17/99 - This is the day (according to our doctor) that Glenda became pregnant. We're expecting 12/8/99. There's not much else to tell right now. I'll continue this story when the next chapter takes place.
Friday 12/17/99 - It's a girl!
Friday 08/04/00 - Renewed Glenda's passport. Also sent in Child born abroad and Marriage papers to the Philippine Embassy in San Francisco.
Monday 08/07/00 - Received a call from the Philippine Embassy in San Francisco.
Monday 08/14/00 - Glenda received her new passport.
Thursday 09/14/00 - Glenda gets fingerprinted.
Tuesday 10/17/00 - Glenda gets fingerprinted again.
Thursday 10/19/00 - Received a letter from the INS to report next Tuesday for an 'Adjustment of Status' interview.
Tuesday 10/24/00 - Completed the 'Adjustment of Status' interview. Glenda now has a green card!
Wednesday 10/25/00 - You probably won't hear from us for a while until the next step in this process takes place. It will probably be 2 years from now. Please keep the e-mails coming!
Thursday 03/01/01 - Glenda's pregnant with #2. The baby is due this October. Also, Glenda receives her Green Card.
Monday 04/23/01 - We return from a one month visit to the Philippines.
Friday 10/12/01 - Our second child Paul is born.
Tuesday 09/10/02 - Glenda sent her renewal for the Green card application to the Nebraska INS.
Wednesday 09/18/02 - We received the certified receipt back from the Post Office.
Friday 09/27/02 - Glenda received a letter from INS giving her a 12 month extension for her current green card while they review the application for extension.
Tuesday 07/08/03 - I called BCIS to find out status of Glenda's case.
Tuesday 08/26/03 - Glenda received another letter from INS giving her 12 more months extension for her current green card while they review the application for extension.
Friday 09/26/03 - Glenda receives a letter from BCIS stating she is approved for the "removal of the conditional basis of your permanent resident status".
Friday 10/28/03 - We go to Denver to reapply for permanent green card.
Wednesday 11/12/03 - Glenda gets her green card in the mail.
Friday 02/13/04 - We send in paperwork for Glenda to become a US Citizen.
Thursday 02/26/04 - We receive a conformation letter BCIS has received the application for naturalization.
Tuesday 03/02/04 - We get a letter in the mail for Glenda to report to the local Police station to get fingerprints.
Wednesday 04/02/04 - Glenda gets her fingerprints taken.
Friday 04/30/04 - Glenda gets a letter from BCIS. She's to report to Denver for her Naturalization interview.
Wednesday 06/09/04 - Glenda Passes her Naturalization interview.
Wednesday 07/07/04 - GLENDA IS A U.S. CITIZEN!
Friday 07/09/04 - Glenda applies for her voting registration and passport.
Friday 08/06/04 - Glenda gets her passport. She gets her SS card updated.
My INS Checklist:
My US Embassy in Manila Checklist:
My INS Adjustment of Status Checklist:
My INS Green Card Renewal Checklist:
My BCIS Removal of Conditional Basis of your Permanent Resident Checklist:
