129F question 18--"how we met" supplement concern

[twowls 217]

Hi! So I'm writing the supplement description to question 18, circumstances under which we met, and I want to describe how we were together, but the fact is that we were together constantly for so long because he overstayed his VWP. Should I skirt this issue, somehow say "we met at this time, and then we...were together...and then...later we went to Mexico"?

I have the urge to account for all our time together, but should I somehow avoid doing that? Is the whole point of Question 18 about simple proof of meeting, and I shouldn't carry on about the whole relationship journey? On the one hand I want to establish that it was a real sustained togetherness for nine months, but doing that simultaneously proves we flouted the law and thus, hate america.

Advice? Thoughts?

Thanks again!

[Anh map 2,098]

For the meeting just give the info. No need for the story.

The interview is where the entire relationship is discussed. Your SO will account for their time in the US on their DS 230 visa application. So the story will come out.

[twowls 217]

For the meeting just give the info. No need for the story.

The interview is where the entire relationship is discussed. Your SO will account for their time in the US on their DS 230 visa application. So the story will come out.

Right, just the first meeting and maybe a brief explanation of spending time together while he was in the States. One more thing though: the centerpiece, and basically the only piece, of primary documentary proof of meeting is our passport stamps together to Mexico (months after VWP overstay). Does it make sense to leave this out of the story if it is the key evidence in our case? Shouldn't the description corroborate the evidence directly, or vice versa I mean? Is this not an issue?

Thanks for your help.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Your SO will HAVE to mention the fact he was in the US for so long, and depending on the length of his overstay might encounter a ban (how long did he overstay his I-94?) Never EVER lie.

So, "you met your fiance on the Xth of X 200X. You spent time together in the US from then until Xth of X 200X. You travelled to Mexico together from Xth of X 200X to Xth of X 200X."

That's seriously as simple as it needs to be.

You will be providing pictures, photocopy of his passport including page with VWP stamp from his entry. Then your passport with Mexico entry and his showing HIS entry. Any plane tickets (if you flew), travel itineraries etc. The tickets and passport stamps are primary evidence, the photos are secondary.

When he writes where he's been living he must mention the US if it fits the criteria. If any questions asks have you ever overstayed or whatever he must answer in the affirmative.

Hope that helps. Good luck!

Edited January 28, 2010 by Vanessa&Tony

[twowls 217]

Thanks for the response. He stayed a few months over--less than the 180 days that would bring about a ban. We were together that whole time and then left for Mexico together.

We know he'll have to sort that and we have no intention of lying--but you're saying I should go ahead and list all dates and spans of time together? As of right now my draft has me describing the circumstances of our meeting, the fact of spending time together in California without specific mention of length, and then the date we travelled to Mexico together and how long we spent there. Good enough? I don't think it reads like I'm deliberately obscuring things, just hitting key document-able points of togetherness.

Thanks for helping on this. My brain's starting to shrivel.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Thanks for the response. He stayed a few months over--less than the 180 days that would bring about a ban. We were together that whole time and then left for Mexico together.

We know he'll have to sort that and we have no intention of lying--but you're saying I should go ahead and list all dates and spans of time together? As of right now my draft has me describing the circumstances of our meeting, the fact of spending time together in California without specific mention of length, and then the date we travelled to Mexico together and how long we spent there. Good enough? I don't think it reads like I'm deliberately obscuring things, just hitting key document-able points of togetherness.

Thanks for helping on this. My brain's starting to shrivel.

That's fine. Just make sure you have dates (at least somewhere) in there so they know that it fits the "must have met in the last 2 years". Okay so he's lucky for no bad overstay so he shouldn't need a waiver but he'll probably never be able to use the VWP again (I think, someone else can confirm this).

If it helps, this was mine:

"Vanessa and I met in person in October 2008 when Vanessa travelled to the United States and stayed in Houston, Texas with me for sixty-five (65) days before returning to Australia."

Seriously, that was it. Our case didn't have RFE's or anything like that. It was smooth sailing (and I hope it continues to be!). We actually met online in September 2007 (Tony claims August ) which was one of the questions they asked in the interview but it's the "in person" meeting they care about on the form and the evidence I submitted proved that meeting. They don't care if your uncle Tom's great aunt gladys had her 80th bday party and you smiled at each other across the room. They just care you met in person

Edited January 28, 2010 by Vanessa&Tony

[K and L 27]

Seriously, for the I-129F, they don't care about the story. The embassy will for the K1, but the I-129F stage? Pffth, they just want to know if you have met.

Ours was similar to Vanessa & Tony's: "K visited L in xxxxx, Brazil from xx-yy March 2009 (7 days), xx-yy May 2009 (16 days). K and L will be vacationing together in Recife, Brazil from xx Dec 09 - xx Jan 10 (32 days)." Our evidence was my passport stamps (Brazil entrance/exit, US entrance) for the two trips, a photo from each trip, two boarding passes, a random hotel receipt, and the itinerary and apartment lease for the Recife trip (as we had sent our I-129F in October). We were approved without RFEs and will probably get approved at the interview.

[baron555 934]

Hi! So I'm writing the supplement description to question 18, circumstances under which we met, and I want to describe how we were together, but the fact is that we were together constantly for so long because he overstayed his VWP. Should I skirt this issue, somehow say "we met at this time, and then we...were together...and then...later we went to Mexico"?

I have the urge to account for all our time together, but should I somehow avoid doing that? Is the whole point of Question 18 about simple proof of meeting, and I shouldn't carry on about the whole relationship journey? On the one hand I want to establish that it was a real sustained togetherness for nine months, but doing that simultaneously proves we flouted the law and thus, hate america.

Advice? Thoughts?

Thanks again!

the size of the box for Question 18 tells you how long of a response they expect.....about two sentences.

[twowls 217]

Great, thanks everyone!

[Soph 3]

Great, thanks everyone!

Hello !

I read your story and it seems like your fiance and I : have the same background:

Last year I overstay my VWP visa ( 150 days ), I was curious to see your experience and if you are getting through the process easly ?

We are about to send the I 129 F and I am thinking about adding a letter to make sure they know that I am not hiding my prior overstay.

One more question

In his G325A, Did he wrote the adress where he stayed in the US when he overstayed? (Since I wasn't technicaly living as a citizen, I decide not to write anything, Plus I did travel a lot inside the US through that time.) People of this forum told me to not write anything but I thought it would be nice to have your opinion too since we have kind of a similar background

Thank you !