What do I need to do to prepare myself for a move and extended stay in the Philippines?

Question

Hi, as of now, I am studying to become a chemical engineer, and I will have my degree in 3 years. Recently, I met a wonderful Filipina (in the States) and things are going great. However, when she moved back to the Philippines, she triggered a 10-year bar from the USA. We have overturned every stone to find a way for her to come back, but that route is closed for now. Rules are rules I suppose. So the only option for us, is for me to come to her and wait out the 10 years together. Once we finish the 10 years, we plan to move back to the United States. I am currently 24 years old, so by the time I get there, I will be 27 or 28.

I am in deeply in love with her, but I still plan to finish my schooling. I have done a decent amount of research and have come to realize that; it is hard enough for Filipinos there to get a job, much less an immigrant, and worse than that - an uneducated immigrant. I need my degree. That much I am well aware. I plan to visit the Philippines on an extended stay (3 - 4 months) to get a feel for the culture, atmosphere, and general way of life. What should be my goals for my extended stay? What do I need to do there to understand what life will be like? As well as making my transition there easier?

I intend to move in the province of Pampanga, or at least close to that area. I am wondering, what do I need to do to prepare myself and find a means of supporting me and her. She is a nurse - one of many, many nurses. In fact, there are so many nurses at the moment, that some of them are having to volunteer long before they actually get paid for doing the job. And this ties back into me getting my degree... again.

I appreciate all the advice I can get from you guys. But I need some thought-provoking advice. I am looking for advice concerning how to quickly land a job. What should I look out for when finding a place for me and her to live? I know the southern area of the Philippines do not take kindly to anyone, but where else there is unsafe for an American. Better yet, where is the best place for my and her safety? I know her information and experience in the country will be priceless, but I need to have a fundamental understanding of what I am walking into.

Also, is it likely, or even possible, to find a company here that will send me there? For example, getting hired by an electronic company here and the US, and stationing myself at one of their manufacturing plants there. If there is such a possibility, what do I need to do to find it? I plan to get internships during my summer semesters to the Philippines, if it is possible.

Like I said, I love the girl more than anything, but I am trying to stay as level headed as possible. I still need to be a great provider, and not go into this blind. We are spending 3 years or each others lives doing this, so I don’t need to show up at the airport as an idiot, lol. Any wisdom and words of foresight will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Answer 1

I must commend you on the tremendous amountof insight you have into the Filipino condition and realities. However, if you've never been to a third world country, no amount of research and knowledge as you have done will prepare you for what you will feel and think when you get off that plane;  you may love it as a few do and you may not be able to wait to get the h**l out of there.

Yes, it is impossible to find decent paying work there for an "uneducated" foreigner. It may be ever so slightly easier to find work in the USA that would have you stationed in the Philippines, but those are always management positions that require tangible experience to boot.  

As another has said, the biggest detriment to your situation is the "10 year bar" that presumedly USCIS has imposed on your GF, presumedly again for some sort of immigration problem such as overstaying et al.  I have to let you know that the US embassy considers the 10 year period as a matter of "guidance" only for determining if she would become re-eligible for another visa to the US--and not a guarantee by any means. In all practical terms, a bar of any sort is permanent.  I know of no one barred from entry to the US who regained the right to revisit the country.

At this point and to reinforce one of your ideas, it would be best for you two to seek a life in a third country such as NZ as you mentioned or perhaps Australia, Singapore etc.  Canada and the UK may be good candidates as well but unfortunately for you, I believe they closely share immigration data with the US and her bar may show during a visa application check.

Regardless, good luck and I hope you two find an acceptable solution.

Answer 2

hmmm,looks like your in a jam,have you thought about both of you going to another country,canada etc,hmmm maybe she could get a visa to there and you could move close to the border ,where theres a will theres a way,good luck.......i feel for you,wish i knew the answer,keep the faith ,i'm sure something will turn up

Answer 3

Try to understand how ridiculously hot it is there... every... day.  I know you won't believe me if I just tell you it's hot (even though I've been there), so just look at the stats.  The dew point is over 75 just about every day.  The all-time record low for Manila (day and night, any season) is like 57 degrees.  Or 54... I forget.  

And I haven't mentioned the typhoons, earthquakes, and volcanos.

Honestly, I think you're lying to us.  I know what's in Pampanga.  And I know you would move in with this girl, so why tell us "or at least close to that area"?

Have a nice vacation.