Spouse B2 Visa, we met in USA

[SAT 9,609]

Hi everyone. I am a USC, I met my wife in NYC, she was traveling on a B2 Visa from Malaysia. Being somewhat of an educated person in the field of Law, I thought I'd tackle the whole immigration process on my own.

Here are some keys facts about our situation,

1. Tiff came here as a B2 visitor. Soon, she ran out of $$ and had to work (without permission).

2. Her I-94 expires so she stayed beyond her authorized period of stay.

3. It was NOT her intent to come here to find a husband.

4. It's a pain in my butt marrying a foreign visitor (a little humor)

After months of research prior to marrying, I now realize how simple (only in principle) this immigration process is. But when I go to apply this principle, the complexity reveals itself...

So heres our story, and I will try to make it interesting. And please feel free to put in your 2 cents, We'd love to hear from you. Especially if you were in the same situation, I could definately use some guidance.

2002- I meet Tiffany in a coffee shop in NYC (In manhattan)

2003- We started dating (yes she was still in the US on an expired I-94)

2004- We date some more

2005 Still going

2006 ......

2007 me procrastinating, poor Tiffany waits patiently

2008 OK, Tiff earned her place in my life, I buy her a big diamond ring( I mean BIG)

2008 I begin my research on USCIS, Social Security, IRS, DMV, etc

2008- November we get married in Staten Island NY (No lines at the city clerks office)

2008 Decmber, I begin to assemble the best package I can to send to Chicago Lockbox.

2009 -January 2 I mail the package priority mail.

2009- January 5, the package arrives

2009- Now we'll see how good it is............

This is a listing of the forms that I included.......

I-130

I-485

I-864

G-325A for me

G-325A for Tiffany

I- 693

I-765

and the supporting documents.......

Passports from both of us

Birth certificates from both of us

Financial ties evidence

Supporting affidavits from friends

Certificate of marriage

My Tax returns

Insurance policies

Now I have try to be as detailed as I could in as few words as I could. If you can provide any pointers, tips, and/ or share your experience, we would greatly appreciate it. I have also read through many publications in regards to Immigration, IRS, and the Social Security Administration. I'd be happy to share with you what I know.

I will visit this site daily until Tiffany gets her greencard.

We hope to hear from you, and goodluck.

Steve And Tiff

[pushbrk 12,898]

Hi everyone. I am a USC, I met my wife in NYC, she was traveling on a B2 Visa from Malaysia. Being somewhat of an educated person in the field of Law, I thought I'd tackle the whole immigration process on my own.

Here are some keys facts about our situation,

1. Tiff came here as a B2 visitor. Soon, she ran out of $$ and had to work (without permission).

2. Her I-94 expires so she stayed beyond her authorized period of stay.

3. It was NOT her intent to come here to find a husband.

4. It's a pain in my butt marrying a foreign visitor (a little humor)

After months of research prior to marrying, I now realize how simple (only in principle) this immigration process is. But when I go to apply this principle, the complexity reveals itself...

So heres our story, and I will try to make it interesting. And please feel free to put in your 2 cents, We'd love to hear from you. Especially if you were in the same situation, I could definately use some guidance.

2002- I meet Tiffany in a coffee shop in NYC (In manhattan)

2003- We started dating (yes she was still in the US on an expired I-94)

2004- We date some more

2005 Still going

2006 ......

2007 me procrastinating, poor Tiffany waits patiently

2008 OK, Tiff earned her place in my life, I buy her a big diamond ring( I mean BIG)

2008 I begin my research on USCIS, Social Security, IRS, DMV, etc

2008- November we get married in Staten Island NY (No lines at the city clerks office)

2008 Decmber, I begin to assemble the best package I can to send to Chicago Lockbox.

2009 -January 2 I mail the package priority mail.

2009- January 5, the package arrives

2009- Now we'll see how good it is............

This is a listing of the forms that I included.......

I-130

I-485

I-864

G-325A for me

G-325A for Tiffany

I- 693

I-765

and the supporting documents.......

Passports from both of us

Birth certificates from both of us

Financial ties evidence

Supporting affidavits from friends

Certificate of marriage

My Tax returns

Insurance policies

Now I have try to be as detailed as I could in as few words as I could. If you can provide any pointers, tips, and/ or share your experience, we would greatly appreciate it. I have also read through many publications in regards to Immigration, IRS, and the Social Security Administration. I'd be happy to share with you what I know.

I will visit this site daily until Tiffany gets her greencard.

We hope to hear from you, and goodluck.

Steve And Tiff

Sounds like you handled it perfectly to me. Her overstay and unauthorized work would normally be forgiven as a convenience to her US Citizen spouse. Party on.

[KimandRuss 0]

I agree with pushbrk. Well done and welcome to VJ. Good luck with your process.

moving from K-1 to ajusting from other visa

[Zee Bee 61]

Welcome to VJ and good luck

[SAT 9,609]

Thank you everyone.

[Beantownbabe 1]

I have just one question...How BIG was the diamond?!!!

Just kidding - Congratulations and Welcome!

[Canadianmade 1]

Everything you said sounds good to me and you should be fine in your process. Welcome to VJ and good luck in your process. Dont be afraid to ask questions in here everyone in here are so cool and knowledgable.

[SAT 9,609]

It's me, Steve. Notice I changed my display name.

Once again, thanks for all the warm welcomes.

I thought I'd let you know that our checks have been cashed (1 week from the date of mailing). They sure waste no time in collecting their $$......

[SAT 9,609]

Quick question guys..........

Being that my wife came here on a B2 visa and remained beyond her period of authorized stay, will I eventually have to file a Form I-601? And/or pay a penalty?

[faryan 4]

Hi Steve & Tiff!

Have no input on your situation, but want to say welcome to VJ! Im malaysian as well, so im pretty excited to see one.. not many malaysian-USC couples on here all the best on your visa journey!

[SAT 9,609]

Hi Steve & Tiff!

Have no input on your situation, but want to say welcome to VJ! Im malaysian as well, so im pretty excited to see one.. not many malaysian-USC couples on here all the best on your visa journey!

Hi Faryan and thank you. I have noticed that there aren't many Malaysians here as well. And I actually met my wife here in the US. I've never set foot in Malaysia but hear many good things about it. Thanks again and keep in touch. By the way, Tiff is from N. sembilan.

Edited January 13, 2009 by SteveAndTiff

[NArocks 13]

AS far as a penatly and the I-601 NO, my husband also overstayed his Visa by about 6 years and we did not have to file any type of wavier or pay any penatly. Welcome

Also remember even though you filed in your package for Advance Parole do not leave the US until she has her GC in hand

Edited January 13, 2009 by NArocks

[Cécy 44]

Also remember even though you filed in your package for Advance Parole do not leave the US until she has her GC in hand

So true!

That's the only thing to really be careful about because of her overstay. USCIS usually forgives overstay when it comes to marriage with a USC, but the immigration control does not see things the same way.

Oh and welcome, you look on the good way.

I came here with a B2 as well (no overstay though), you can check my timeline and interview review if you want (my process took longer than average because there was a backlog in 07 ).

[faryan 4]

Hi Steve & Tiff!

Have no input on your situation, but want to say welcome to VJ! Im malaysian as well, so im pretty excited to see one.. not many malaysian-USC couples on here all the best on your visa journey!

Hi Faryan and thank you. I have noticed that there aren't many Malaysians here as well. And I actually met my wife here in the US. I've never set foot in Malaysia but hear many good things about it. Thanks again and keep in touch. By the way, Tiff is from N. sembilan.

Hi Steve! You definitely should come over here after Tiff's papers sorted out.. hehehe.. Ryan was just here with me and family for the Christmas-New Year break (its his 3rd visit) and we had family day event in Port Dickson (in N. Sembilan) day after Christmas.. he had a great time im sure, and definitely love the food!

keep in touch ya...

Far

[SAT 9,609]

Thanks again everyone.

BTW, we received our NOA 1 yesterday. 3 pieces, for I-130, I-485, and I-765