Never "met in person" - disabled

[eslake 0]

Hello, I hope that someone among you has some information to help me on my way.

My fiance and I have been pen-pals for about 3 years, and didn't see it as a romantic thing until about a year ago. We can provide emails and chats as evidence of our connection, but there is a problem.

It specifically asks that I prove we have met in the past 2 years, but I am physically disabled and unable to fly overseas. The Fiance Visa is the alternative - a method to allow Her to come Here for us to meet. So how do I go about an exemption for this? We have plenty of time face-to-face in video chat but I somehow doubt they will accept that as "in person."

Also, as a disabled person, my income is a bit below the 125% margin for the I-134, and I will have a family member joint-sponsor.

I know it requires the I-864, but does anyone know the filing process for this? Do I file that Before the I-129f is approved? After? And does it require other additions?

[amykathleen2005 441]

The fiance visa as entitled is not a visa to visit to see if things might work out. It is for people who are seriously planning a wedding. Please do not waste the time of USCIS for such a purpose. Is it possible that your fiance could get a tourist visa? As I have heard if is very difficult to get a waiver for the 2 year rule , almost impossible.

You will need your co sponsor's information at the interview which is at the last stage before receiving the visa.

[villaspurs 65]

Actually, my understanding is that this is the kind of case where the "meet in person" requirement could be lifted. If he can't get to her, and she can't get a tourist visa (which might be difficult to do), there is a chance they could get this lifted. OP, I don't want to get your hopes up (since the waiver IS really hard to come by), but this might be a case when it would.

[Mithmeoi 29]

You must meet in person before you can apply for a fiancée visa. I also highly recommend doing that too to see how real life interaction goes.

Anyways, you'll have to go through the tourist visa route first. Then after that you can consider going for a K-1.

Good luck to you both!

[eslake 0]

The fiance visa as entitled is not a visa to visit to see if things might work out. It is for people who are seriously planning a wedding. Please do not waste the time of USCIS for such a purpose. Is it possible that your fiance could get a tourist visa? As I have heard if is very difficult to get a waiver for the 2 year rule , almost impossible.

You will need your co sponsor's information at the interview which is at the last stage before receiving the visa.

I didn't word that well. We have no doubts about our wish to be married. It is for the purpose of fulfilling their "have met" that I say the 129 is the -Alternative to my going there.

The problem with a Tourist Visa, Work Visa, or any other form, they all require that she Declare she has No Intent to marry a US citizen. So regardless of the fact that it is not her intent to do so on That Visa, she is still disqualified.

And to commit Fraud on one of those would put it all at risk.

[eslake 0]

You must meet in person before you can apply for a fiancée visa. I also highly recommend doing that too to see how real life interaction goes.

Anyways, you'll have to go through the tourist visa route first. Then after that you can consider going for a K-1.

Good luck to you both!

umm.. To get a Tourist Visa to visit a potential Spouse, is a crime.

[Mithmeoi 29]

umm.. To get a Tourist Visa to visit a potential Spouse, is a crime.

Not if she returns home, but she will need plenty of ties to her own country. If she intends to marry then stay, yes it is.

Though I do know someone who did marry on a tourist visa, he had a lawyer etc, but I don't recommend it.

[Maxx121 14]

You have a valid reason for not being able to meet her, as long as you can prove it then you can possibly get exempted from the meet in person requirement.

Mind you im no expert, but they do have the clause in there on the application.

Check it out.

[Aztec&Taino 144]

Hello, I hope that someone among you has some information to help me on my way.

My fiance and I have been pen-pals for about 3 years, and didn't see it as a romantic thing until about a year ago. We can provide emails and chats as evidence of our connection, but there is a problem.

It specifically asks that I prove we have met in the past 2 years, but I am physically disabled and unable to fly overseas. The Fiance Visa is the alternative - a method to allow Her to come Here for us to meet. So how do I go about an exemption for this? We have plenty of time face-to-face in video chat but I somehow doubt they will accept that as "in person."

Also, as a disabled person, my income is a bit below the 125% margin for the I-134, and I will have a family member joint-sponsor.

I know it requires the I-864, but does anyone know the filing process for this? Do I file that Before the I-129f is approved? After? And does it require other additions?

The requirement is that you meet in person within the two years prior of submitting the petition. The form does list an exception to this rule of hardship and of cultural tradition. However, I have read that this exception is quite difficult to obtain. You cannot travel at all? How about your fiancee getting a tourist visa and coming to the USA to meet you and visit you? (with no intent of marry you here, therefore no fraud), is that possible?

[eslake 0]

After reading the qualificatons for her to come on a tourist visa (she is Not in the wealthy class - no family name) that is not an option, and further evidence that "have met in person" is essentially never exempted...

I will have to risk it. If I end up paralyzed because of the trip, maybe it will bring them to make some circumstantial modifications to this process.

[Mel1990 3]

I physically know someone who did get a waiver because they were disabled and could not fly. They had spoken with their fiance via yahoo email and voice chat for a couple of years. They hired a lawyer however to help with this.(they ended up paying roughly 3k total before AOS).

Their fiance was from the Philippines however, so idk how hard that country is for tourist visas compared with the situation you're facing.

[amykathleen2005 441]

Can you instead drive to Canada and get her a tourist visa for her to go there?

[eslake 0]

The requirement is that you meet in person within the two years prior of submitting the petition. The form does list an exception to this rule of hardship and of cultural tradition. However, I have read that this exception is quite difficult to obtain. You cannot travel at all? How about your fiancee getting a tourist visa and coming to the USA to meet you and visit you? (with no intent of marry you here, therefore no fraud), is that possible?

Yes, I read over the B-2, and it does allow her to visit on the Tourist visa as long as she intends to return home. But the B-2 is rejected if she doesn't own properties or have vested business interests there.

She is in the poorer working class, there is Nothing to bind her there but family, and no chance they will stamp a Tourist visa as they -in their own words- Assume everyone intends to remain unless they prove otherwise.

I appreciate the suggestions tho. I know you are all trying to be helpful. I only wish there was an easier way. We have been "engaged" for almost a year now, and spend a couple of hours each day in video conference (her sister isn't thrilled about losing her computer so often) and have discussed everything that we can think of in regards to life together.. children, religion, everything.

To be two educated, responsible adults, with every intention of being married.. and blocked by something so simple - is frustrating beyond belief.

[thelastpetitioner 218]

do you have any desire to see your fiance before you get married in any way?i mean is it important for you?

[villaspurs 65]

Before risking paralysis by flying to Indonesia, I really think you should consider contacting a lawyer--a good one--to see if you could get the waiver approved. If you have medical evidence of the dangers associated with you flying, you might get it to work. If you don't get the waiver, you could always fly over if you want to take the risk. If you've already been engaged for a year, a bit longer might not be too bad! Good luck--I hope you can find a solution