Am I filing too early? Please guide me

[<3T&M<3 217]

Hello! I've been lurking for months and I finally broke down: I need your advice!

i met my fiancé via Facebook early November, 2017. I am American and he is Turkish. We fell in love, of course

I just returned from meeting him in person this week. I flew to him and stayed 4 nights with him and just got back Monday the 19th of February. 

I have my next ticket purchased (March 30th - April 7th) and even my next flight as well (June 22nd - July 23rd (I think?)).

I filled out the petition and for certified copies of things I would need PRIOR to going to see him this month. So after he officially proposed (the how and when was what was the surprise not the act itself of course) we now would like to file.

i have adequate proof of meeting but I'm concerned about our short relationship. Every week that we wait is another week he won't be here.

My packet is ready and I think it is sound. I have included a log of all the video chats (we video chat every Saturday and Sunday and on any days I have off), I've showed the number of texts between us - complete printout available upon request, intent of marriage which I had him sign while I was there. He has never been married and has no children and no trouble with law.

 

Please advice me... can I file now? I don't want to wait, but if I must I can endure.

 

T & M

[car0593 42]

you qulialify to apply for him since you guys did meet in person and it hasn't been more then 2 years... just be prepared for a lot of questions down the line.

[Crazy Cat 41,983]

Technically, you only have to have met once within 2 years prior to filing for K-1.  However, from a practical standpoint, you benefit from more time spent together. Short relationships with only a single meeting will receive extra scrutiny in some consulates.

[usmsbow 802]

Legally, you are eligible to apply and probably won't have any problems (I'm not at all familiar with the US Embassy in Turkey though). 

 

Why not wait and submit after your next trip, which is just 1 month away?

 

 

[Ben&Zian 4,398]

Process is slow right now, so by time it got to the interview stage you would have been dating a year about, and had maybe 2-3 total visits, that looks good.

 

Naturally main thing they may question is the "quick" proposal after only 4 months basically. Quick escalations in relationships always can draw some questions.

 

Any other "flags"? Large age difference? Religion?

Edited February 23, 2018 by Ben&Zian

[<3T&M<3 217]

Thank you, as I said the reason for wanting to file now is just the 2 months difference. Between now and mid April when I return. 

 

Some red flags:

Age difference - I'm 4 yrs older

He was born Muslim family and me Christian but neither of us are practicing. We have the same views and our families are supportive. I will be meeting his mother in April.

 

I just don't want to harm our case. But 2 months IS 2 months...

<3

Edited February 23, 2018 by TinaMah

[Ben&Zian 4,398]

2 minutes ago, TinaMah said:

Thank you, as I said the reason for wanting to file now is just the 2 months difference. Between now and mid April when I return. 

 

Some red flags:

Age difference - I'm 4 yrs older

He was born Muslim family and me Christian but neither of us are practicing. We have the same views and our families are supportive. I will be meeting his mother in April.

 

I just don't want to harm our case. But 2 months IS 2 months...

<3

 

4 years isn't much so not a flag. Was just asking as if it was a large age gap it could be seen as one by the embassy.

 

You again can file now technically since you have met the criteria required. And also again by time interview comes along you probably would be dating a year or more depending how long it takes to process the petition. 

 

One or two, or even more visits obviously is very helpful for yourself and proving bonafide relationship later on. As for USCIS, again all you need to do is have met within the last 2 years(you have), both free and able to marry. As long as you meet those then you 'qualify'. So again by all means, go for it if you so choose to.

[<3T&M<3 217]

Thank you.... really the only reason to file now is to begin the process. (Maybe he will be with me by the holidays if we start now - who knows!)

Yes, by the time of the interview, I will have visited three times.

I think most of us know when it is love that we have. And my fiancé and I know  

 

I actually have my cashiers check made out and 2x2 passport photos ready. It is signed and sealed.

 

Im just nervous about the quick filing time.

I hope others will also post their opinions and share their experiences with us here!

Thanks so much.

Really, thank you 

[DaveAndAnastasia 2,093]

I'm figuring on filing after our third in-person meeting (where I'll meet some of her family) in May (probably); proposed during our second (earlier this month), have been communicating regularly for almost 8 months now. It sounds like we'd probably have been okay even after our first meeting, but not taking chances on US & Russia right now ...

[<3T&M<3 217]

16 minutes ago, DaveAndAnastasia said:

I'm figuring on filing after our third in-person meeting (where I'll meet some of her family) in May (probably); proposed during our second (earlier this month), have been communicating regularly for almost 8 months now. It sounds like we'd probably have been okay even after our first meeting, but not taking chances on US & Russia right now ...

Yes, I could wait to file as well. If I didn't miss him so much I would wait until after July. I went to see him for 4 nights last week. I'll be there for the first week in April and also for 5 weeks in July. But after that, my money is very tight and I do not know when I could visit again. If I could visit every few months I could wait much longer without such difficulty or heartache.

I'm happy you feel strong enough to wait. I'm sure it will help somewhat

 

[Jeff_9802 121]

3 hours ago, DaveAndAnastasia said:

I'm figuring on filing after our third in-person meeting (where I'll meet some of her family) in May (probably); proposed during our second (earlier this month), have been communicating regularly for almost 8 months now. It sounds like we'd probably have been okay even after our first meeting, but not taking chances on US & Russia right now ...

I am also engaged to a Russian woman, although she lives in Greece now.  We got engaged after our second visit and applied for the K1 Visa after our third visit.  In fact, we signed all the paperwork during our third visit.  Our case just arrived at the US embassy in Greece this past week.  She is waiting on her Russian documents to be translated into English, so that she can submit them and schedule her medical and interview.

 

Any way, good luck to you and your fiance.

[pajobra 1,395]

On 2/23/2018 at 10:55 AM, TinaMah said:

Thank you, as I said the reason for wanting to file now is just the 2 months difference. Between now and mid April when I return. 

 

Some red flags:

Age difference - I'm 4 yrs older

He was born Muslim family and me Christian but neither of us are practicing. We have the same views and our families are supportive. I will be meeting his mother in April.

 

I just don't want to harm our case. But 2 months IS 2 months...

<3

My husband and I met in December 2016 for the first time, he proposed January 2017 when I went down to visit him, he came up end of February 2017 to meet my parents, March 2017 we filed our case. Lots would say that was fast too.

[<3T&M<3 217]

2 hours ago, pajobra said:

My husband and I met in December 2016 for the first time, he proposed January 2017 when I went down to visit him, he came up end of February 2017 to meet my parents, March 2017 we filed our case. Lots would say that was fast too.

But it turned out okay for you I'm very happy for you!
I have decided to send it Tuesday afternoon.
I will just hope for the best.

Thanks everyone!

[<3T&M<3 217]

4 hours ago, Jeff_9802 said:

I am also engaged to a Russian woman, although she lives in Greece now.  We got engaged after our second visit and applied for the K1 Visa after our third visit.  In fact, we signed all the paperwork during our third visit.  Our case just arrived at the US embassy in Greece this past week.  She is waiting on her Russian documents to be translated into English, so that she can submit them and schedule her medical and interview.

 

Any way, good luck to you and your fiance.

It seems to have taken a while for you to get your NOA 2... did you have any RFEs? Sorry you are still waiting, but it won't be long now it seems

[Jeff_9802 121]

25 minutes ago, TinaMah said:

It seems to have taken a while for you to get your NOA 2... did you have any RFEs? Sorry you are still waiting, but it won't be long now it seems

No, we did not get any RFE's.  It was a long time to get the NOA2 (almost 200 days), but I cannot complain too much, because there are some people waiting 230+ days for their NOA2.