I remember the day I asked my partner to marry me. It was the happiest day of my life; finally after years of search and countless nights of porn hub I finally found someone to hold my hand as we walk down the path of life together. I still remember he said ‘yes’ and I nearly jumped through the ceiling. I had finally found a beautiful young man who loved me for me!
But then the reality set in. How do I get him to the US? The Philippines doesn’t have same-sex marriage. Luckily the k-1 was an option and same-sex couples can get a co-sponsor if we don’t meet the income requirement.
The Step-by-Step Process K-1 process for a same sex couple:
1. Prove your relationship is legit: First, it’s crucial to establish your relationship’s legitimacy. Gather evidence like photos together, communication logs (emails, chat messages), and affidavits from friends and family. This documentation will be essential when you file the necessary visa applications.
2. Choose the Right Visa There are two primary visa options for bringing your Filipino partner to the US:
- K-1 Fiancé(e) Visa: If you plan to marry within 90 days of their arrival. Since the Philippines is still ignorant and doesn’t recognize same sex marriage gay couples can only use the K-1 Visa
K-1 Fiancé(e) Visa Process
3. File Form I-129F Start by filing Form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé(e), with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Include all required evidence of your relationship and supporting documents.
4. USCIS Approval and NVC Processing Once approved, the petition is sent to the National Visa Center (NVC) and then to the US Embassy in Manila.
5. Apply for the Visa Your fiancé(e) will receive instructions to apply for the visa, which includes:
- Form DS-160: Complete the online visa application form.
- Medical Examination: Schedule and undergo a medical exam at a designated clinic.
- Visa Interview: Attend an interview at the US Embassy in Manila with all required documents.
6. Enter the US and Marry Upon receiving the K-1 Visa, your fiancé(e) can enter the US. You must marry within 90 days of their arrival. After marriage, apply for an Adjustment of Status to get a Green Card.
My Journey to Get My Boyfriend from The Philippines to the US
When I first met Alex, my Filipino boyfriend, during a vacation in the Philippines, I knew our relationship was something special. Unfortunately, though the Philippines is still behind the times when it comes to recognizing same-sex relationships so there were some extra steps we had to go through to get our visa.
Filling out the 129F form
Unfortunately, there’s a lot of fraud when it comes to same-sex marriage — guys claiming to be gay just to get their buddy a green card. As a result, the USCIS scrutinizes same-sex applications harder than breeder ones. that being said it wasn’t so difficult. I had to gather all the evidence we could to prove the legitimacy of our relationship. We collected photos from our time together, saved chat logs, and obtained affidavits from friends and family who supported us. I even sent a copy of the letter Alex’s father wrote to him saying that same sex marriage was a sin. So fun…
Really it wasn’t difficult so much as it was tedious work. It took me about 3 weeks to get everything together. You really need to be careful because every mistake could cause a three-month delay in your application being processed.
USCIS Approval and NVC Processing
After a few months of anxiously waiting and Alex asking me almost every week; we finally received the USCIS approval which meant our case would be forwarded to the National Visa Center (NVC) and transferred to the US Embassy in Manila. This stage took another about three more months.
So after about 6 months Alex got the instructions to proceed with his visa application, including scheduling his medical examination and preparing for the interview.
3. Completing Form DS-160 & Scheduling the Interview
Alex filled out the online Form DS-160, which is the standard visa application form. I came to Manila and took him to St Luke’s Extension Clinic to do the medical exam. It was really freakin expensive; about $300 for a simple physical! They charge that much because they’re a monopoly since they’re the only hospital that the US embassy will accept.
It was also a pain in the ass to schedule the interview on the US embassy’s website since all their slots were full. I was constantly refreshing the screen until finally at 4:15 am we got an interview for 6am on Monday the following week.
4. The Visa Interview
The day of the interview at the US Embassy in Manila was nerve-wracking. We had rehearsed all possible questions and made sure Alex had all the required documents, including our photos, chat logs, and affidavits.
On the day of the interview, Alex arrived at the embassy at 6 AM to ensure he was early in line. The interview went smoothly, and the consular officer was respectful and understanding of our relationship. However, the nerves and anticipation were palpable throughout the day.
The Waiting Game
After the interview, we faced another waiting period of around two weeks. Every day felt like an eternity, but finally, Alex’s visa was approved! We booked his flight to the US, and we prepared for him to finally arrive so we could live as a family.
Marriage and Adjustment of Status
When Alex arrived in the US, we had 90 days to get married. Our wedding was a small, intimate ceremony surrounded by close friends and family who supported us ie not my mother! Immediately after, we filed for an Adjustment of Status to get Alex a Green Card. The process was lengthy, taking about six months, but we were prepared for it.
Final Thoughts
Bringing Alex to the US was a challenging journey filled with paperwork, long waits, and occasional moments of doubt. However, our love and determination saw us through. Today, we are happily married and living our lives together in the US.
For anyone in a similar situation, my advice is to stay patient, organized, and prepared. The journey may be tough, but the reward of being together with your loved one makes it all worth it.