Newly engaged and going through the K1 process...have a few questions))

[M@hew 1]

Hello everyone!

My name is Matthew and I've just dropped the question to my GF! She said yes; and now I am excited and terrified all at the same time Now I don't want to clutter this forum with my romance story or details...unless y'all are interested. I surely don't mind talking but it may be painful to read since I've been told that I can be "wordy" and should write novels. Anyhow, my Fiance is from The Republic of Belarus and I am from the USA, both single and able to be married...and all that good stuff. Well we met for the first time over a year ago and I've been to Belarus some 5 times since. This last trip earlier in the month I proposed and she accepted...thusly here I am, or shall I say here we are!

So the first questions that come to mind, and I have been using the "search" and reading the pinned sections....well the questions are:

On the i-129F there is a question "Describe the circumstances under which you first met"... Okay, so the first time I met my girl was just a brief introduction from a mutual friend at a pizza joint. I was dating someone else at the time and so was she... it wasn't until some months later that we actually began our relationship. My question is if I should describe our first date... or the first time we literally met... or what?

Also, about 7 years ago my fiance was in the usa doing a work exchange program. She got a SSN back in the day; but I don't know if it is still valid or if we should put it on the application. It was a long time ago and I am not sure if it has some sort of expiration date or what.

Going back to her stay in the USA, she overstayed her visa by 2 weeks. Back then she was just barely 20 and had no idea of the impact. I wasn't sure if this was a big deal or if this could really hurt our chances of getting married her in the states. Not sure if anyone here has had such an experience, but I'd love to know what's the word on this

Finally, are there a lot of folks here that have married someone from Belarus? I'd love to hear about your stories if you are willing to share!

Thanks all and hope to get to share more of our story as time goes forward.

Cheers and best regards,

Matt

[az110965 252]

Congrats Matthew on your engagement and welcome to VJ!

As far as your questions:

1) Just a very brief description of how you met "At a pizza restaurant on or about (Date)" will sufice. No need to mention that you were dating someone else or she was. A brief 1 or 2 line narrative is all you need.

2)If she was ever issued a SSN number, indicate it where asked. USCIS will have a record of the number being issued under her name.

3)An overstay of 2 weeks will not preclude your visa from being approved. It is overstays by 6 months +1 day which carry a ban of re-entry for a specified period of time.

She WILL be asked about the overstay at the interview stage, but as long as she is honest in answering the questions, and all the other requiremsnts are met for issuance of a K-1, she'll be fine.

Good luck!

[Robert&Karen 264]

I have seen folk who overstay their visa be banned for seven years. Sounds like that much time has gone by anyway, and it did not sound intentional so I think you are okay. BUT... make sure to admit it and explain it, and how she acted accordingly. Don't deny it, they already know.

[A + M 29]

Hello M@hew & Congratulations!

1) In a few sentences describe your first date.

2) Contact the SS office.

3) Her 2 week overstay won't hurt your petition.

Good luck!

Edited September 30, 2011 by A + M

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

I have seen folk who overstay their visa be banned for seven years. Sounds like that much time has gone by anyway, and it did not sound intentional so I think you are okay. BUT... make sure to admit it and explain it, and how she acted accordingly. Don't deny it, they already know.

She overstayed two weeks.

If she had overstayed 180 days she would have earned a three year bar.

It's been more than three years.

I don't think this information needs to go in the OP's explanation of how he and his fiance met.

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

Matthew, the purpose of the explanation of when you met is basically for you to swear to the Service that you have seen your fiance within the last two years.

I also think it is a good idea to tell when you first met. Such as "in a pizza restaurant in Maine in May 2010". If you want to give a brief outline of your relationship, that is fine. Just make sure you dont' write such a "novel" that they are confused about that last time you were face to face.

[M@hew 1]

Thank you everyone for the kind words and thoughtful replies! I am working my way into the next steps and appreciate everything!

More to come after I have some coffee and wake up a bit more

Cheers,

M@

[Robert&Karen 264]

I don't think this information needs to go in the OP's explanation of how he and his fiance met.

Agreed. It has nothing to do with how they met. But if asked about it, I think denying it is the worst one can do.