Hi folks. Odd question here. Just want to know if anyone has actually had an interview at the London Embassy when they were previously married to a US citizen? Reason i'm asking is cause i was married to one but now divorced. I am in the process of filing the K1. If i get passed the NOA2 i am expecting a grilling from the IO at the Embassy. I'm just trying to get some feelers out here if anyone has experienced this before. I know it's going to raise a red flag as the marriage only lasted a few months. A mistake in which i made but thats life.

Thanks

Normally the issue won't come up until your interview. Shouldn't be problem unless you were denied a immigration visa.
People make mistakes and divorces happen all the time.

London IO's are not known for their 'grilling', in fact because of nerves I was positively belligerent at my interview. Happily the IO's were very kind and sweet and approved me anyway

It's reported all the time in some of the other regional forums.

You might want to be prepared to answer a few questions some of the rest of us weren't asked. But honesty is of course the best policy and life happens. I doubt it will be a huge issue.

A few questions i certainly will be expecting. I know i will have a raised flag as a the marriage didnt last. How it will be asked and how i will answer them will be interesting to say the least. I have written a letter explaining about the marriage etc. I dont want to hide anything. Better saying it now rather than not explaining it.

It shouldn't be a problem at all... unless you overstayed in the US which you haven't or have been formerly denied an immigration visa, you should be absolutely fine. Just bring your decree with you! Good luck

Well as for the overstaying part i am not too sure if i did or not. We married while i went over on the VWP. She filed the I-130 well within my 90 days. I left the US approx 30 days after my 90 days lapsed. I get different answers whether i overstayed or not.

If I was you I would get some legal advice on that. Or even get in contact with the embassy themselves, they should be able to tell you if you have a ban. Overstaying on VWP is a big no no and results in an automatic ban, I can't remember how long for. But London have denied K1 visas because of the VPW overstay in the past.

Then of course you would have to prove you didn't go over on a VWP with the intention of getting married.

Goodluck

You didn't have a significant overstay - not one that will trigger a ban. If you had stayed 180 days past your 90 days you would be looking at a 3 year ban and a waiver request. Since you did not plan on marrying when you arrived, got married and had intended to file to adjust status, then the marriage didn't work out and you left, I would say you will be asked some questions about it but don't expect you will be hassled. I think it was a good idea to include the information in a letter - it will address some of the red flag issues before they become serious. Good luck.

Your overstay has not yet triggered the bar.

It did however cost you use of the VWP. It appears from your timeline you have not attempted to re-enter the US on the VWP, correct?

I'm actually not sure about you submitting a letter with the I129F which details all your 'transgressions'. I'd have to look more closely at the I129F ....................

Nope. I havent attempted to enter the US on the VWP. I left the US on March 23rd 2006

William -

I've had a bit more time this evening than earlier when I posted. I've looked at the I129F and given the questions about when you were last in the US and prior marriages, it's probably not a bad idea to add an attachment explaining what happened.

Definitely though stick to just facts, such as your VWP entry; specific dates including that entry and your departure date; the date your I130 was filed and the date of your divorce. Include any proof you have of those dates.

I don't think it's necessary to greatly expound on your prior journey. A brief honest explanation will work best.

Thanks for that rebeccajo. I have written up a letter explaining all the above without going into too much detail. Just hope this is enough for the USCIS. Just have to be ready to answer more questions when it gets to the Embassy.