U.S. citizens have a number of options to bring their Filipino spouses or fiancé(e)s and their children to the United States to become lawful permanent residents. These options fall under the IR and K visa categories, each having its own set of requirements and procedures.
Marriage to a U.S. citizen does not automatically grant U.S. residence or citizenship to the Filipino spouse. He or she must be petitioned by the American spouse and apply for a visa to enter the United States. The Filipino spouse may enter the United States with either an CR-1, IR-1 immigrant visa or a K-3 non-immigrant visa. The CR, IR and K-3 visas are issued to qualified beneficiaries of American citizens or by lawful permanent residents.
This chart compares the main features of the K-1, K-3 and IR-1 visas.
|
|
K-1 Visa |
K-3 Visa |
IR-1 Visa |
|
Visa type |
Non-immigrant |
Non-immigrant |
Immigrant |
|
Approximate total processing time |
9-12 months |
9-12 months |
12-24 months |
|
Where do I file the petition? |
Only in U.S. |
Only in U.S. |
May file abroad |
|
What petition form do I file? |
I-129F only |
I-129F and I-130 |
I-130 only |
|
Are there any major restrictions I should know about? |
Single entry. Valid for 6 months; to marry petitioner within 90 days of entry to the United States and must adjust status. |
Multiple entry. Valid for two years, but must adjust status within 2 years. |
LPR status. Processing for green card begins on entry. |
|
Can my fiancée/fiancé or spouse take her/his children? |
Yes. Only unmarried children under 21 but must be issued K-2 visa within one year of the K-1 issuance. |
Yes. Only unmarried children under 21. |
Yes, but separate IR-2 petitions must be filed for each child. Stepchild must be younger than 18 years old at time of parent’s marriage. |
|
Is an interview required? |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Which Affidavit of Support do I use? |
I-134 |
I-134 |
I-864 |
|
Does the Embassy need the original petition & documents from USCIS? |
Yes. |
Yes. |
Yes. |
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- We do the Visa paperwork for you! This is what we do and we’re experts at it. Even the slightest mistake can add months to the already excruciating immigration process.
- After we take your information, we complete the Visa paperwork and return it to you for review and submission.
- Our staff is fluent in your spouse or fiancée’s native dialect. We will counsel and coach her through the entire process. We will personally guide her through the government interviews, classes and other Visa requirements as well as her government’s paperwork.
- When you fly in to meet your fiancée or spouse, a member of our staff will meet you at the airport to help you through the process.
- We are the only service located in the Philippines that can provide complete personalized and professional support for you and your fiancée or spouse.
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