I had a client and I told him it wasn't a good idea to file for a K-1 visa since his fiance was a model and the International Marriage Broker Regulation Act (IMBRA) makes it very difficult for freelance models to get approved for K-1s due to human trafficking concerns. I also explained that embassies have a great deal of discretion and the USE in Manila is extremely strict since the Philippines is a Tier 1 country for human trafficking. Therefore things that may be innocuous in New Delhi will get you tossed out the door in Manila.

This is why I suggested they get a CR-1 marriage visa instead since those aren't scrutinized as heavily as the K-class visas. He didn't listen to me and went with one of those cheap agencies that will tell people whatever they want to hear to get a sale. Long story short a year and $3000 later her visa was denied and he came back to me. My fee of course went up since having an IMBRA denial your record is really bad and takes a lot of skill and paperwork to overcome.

What I don’t understand is why he didn’t listen to me in the first place. If I were only looking out for my financial interest, I would’ve pushed for the K-1 visa since those tend to be easier to process and usually cost more. But I knew the CR-1 was the safer bet for his situation.