Never "met in person" - disabled

[eslake 0]

the waiver is a possibility,but in the end,all of this makes you wonder,does he even wanna see who he is marrying before he does?i mean coming to the states on a tourist visa and getting married might be a fraud,but coming to the states with a tourist visa just to visit him wont be,correct?if i were you OP,i would be careful,NOT because your fiance could be a scamer,heavens no,but because of the special circumstances surrounding your case.

I have no concerns about scams. We were friends for more than a year before the concept of romance between us even came up, and her initial hope was that I would/could emigrate to Indonesia. (she knew from the beginning I was disabled and at a low income)

She thought that coming here would mean never seeing her family there again. It wasn't until I got her the information on visiting there as a US citizen (can even get VOA) that she realized we would be able to visit them as often as we wanted-and could afford.

Video chats are great, sometimes feeling like we are sitting next to one another when we talk, but I certainly would prefer to meet in person.

I am going to look into the possibility of sea travel. If such is possible, I don't care how many hoops I have to jump through to do it, I'll visit her there.

Thanks again for everyone's offers of advice.

[SimplyMacy 4]

I have tried a waiver on this case before when I first applied for K1 visa and IT FAILED! I provided medical reports and a letter from my physician that I couldnt fly but it didn't work! I have a heart disease (almost the worst case in US history) and I am a survivor. I never travelled outside the states before so everyone is conccerned. But I did anyway after the first K1 visa was denied. I risked my life flying to the other side of the world. What the Love can do huh? I am not suggesting you to do the same just do what you think is good and possible for both of you.

According to USCIS decision, they does not mandate that the petitioner must travel to meet the beneficiary. The requirement simply states that the parties "shall establish" that they have personally met in person during the requirement period. The petitioner, who applies for benefits on the behalf of the befeciary, must meet the requirements under the section 214(d) of the Immigration and National Act.

I suggest that you should meet anywhere like Canada but I understand it will be costly too. I hope everything will work out soon. Goodluck and Godbless!

[SuperDuper! 230]

I have no concerns about scams. We were friends for more than a year before the concept of romance between us even came up, and her initial hope was that I would/could emigrate to Indonesia. (she knew from the beginning I was disabled and at a low income)

She thought that coming here would mean never seeing her family there again. It wasn't until I got her the information on visiting there as a US citizen (can even get VOA) that she realized we would be able to visit them as often as we wanted-and could afford.

Video chats are great, sometimes feeling like we are sitting next to one another when we talk, but I certainly would prefer to meet in person.

I am going to look into the possibility of sea travel. If such is possible, I don't care how many hoops I have to jump through to do it, I'll visit her there.

Thanks again for everyone's offers of advice.

Sounds like a SMASHING idea! Love on a boat can't be beat! They can even make TV shows about it!

Why not arrange for her to get on the ship in a port, and begin your new life adventure from there!

Good Luck.

%^>

Edited November 7, 2010 by Hopp

[Utha 10]

(I am going to look into the possibility of sea travel. )

Great ideal. See, how love could find a way?. Good luck.

Edited November 7, 2010 by Utha

[Mark Mc 0]

Welcome Eslake! And best wishes on your endeavor to bring your fiancee here. I am new to this whole thing, am preparing to bring my wife here from South Africa and have been referred to this site for counsel and support. Not knowing an aweful lot about the process, allow me to simply think out loud...

1. Rather than simply gambling on the possibility of the exception, is there no way to contact USCIS to verify? If that is not an option (as my cousin who just brought her new husband here from Australia told me she was never able to actually get to a person when calling USCIS), what about contacting your senator or congressman for assistance? Especially if your disability is in any way service related!

2. I have already been on the phone to actual people at the US State Department as well as U.S. Customs and Border Protection regarding the whole travelling on a tourist visa with intent to immigrate issue. Once I file my I-130 for her and each of the children, it is true that they may not grant her entry on her tourist visa (hers is current and valid until September 2011). The State Department wasn't that helpful - the agent sounded to be reading of a teleprompter, not actually directly answering my questions, and listing disclaimer after disclaimer, but Customs and Border Protection was VERY HELPFUL! (1-646-733-3100) They have explained to me the whole "stronger ties" to her native country thing, so if she comes again while waiting for the I-130 process (an ACTUAL declaration of her intent to immigrate), we will need to overcome that hurtle. But it CAN be done.

3. While the clause that the applicant and beneficiary declare that they have met in person within the past two years is maybe a bit onerous in your situation, generally speaking it is a small thing to ask. Unfortunately for us, for generations and generations people have abused the immigration law and have perpretrated numerous frauds to enter the country... some even with malicious intent. So while it may be difficult, I respect the system, and trust that in its whole, it is designed to better protect our country and our way of life. So with that said, with toungue in cheek, perhaps she can just make it to Mexico and walk accross. It works for so many others! Just do it soon, the lame-duck congress may just push through amnesty before the new year.

4. It is not a crime to get a tourist visa to visit a potential spouse, any more than it is a crime to travel on that visa to visit a potential spouse. My wife and I travelled back and forth many times to visit each other - before our engagement and during. All non-citizens must convince Customs officers each time they enter the country that they have no intent of immigrating. If we were able to do that while we both entered the country together during our engagement, it is obvious that it is possible to do so. And I assure you, we have never been anything less than completely honest.

I would immagine that you two having met in person before you file your papers would really benefit you both in many many ways. Besides the application, remember, she will still have to go through the interview process overseas, and it may pose an obsticle for her there as well. I agree, if it is possible for you both to plan a vacation to Canada for the purpose of meeting in person, you could overcome that obsticle. Perhaps if that trip doubles as a wedding and honeymoon trip, you can jump right to the I-130 application and save yourself the later cost of converting her fiancee visa to IR-1 or CR-1.

Again, best of luck. Cheers!

[jrmejia 31]

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

[chuckandmalou 0]

i can tell you from my past experience on this same problem as i am disabled also ..they will not accept a waiver no matter what unless your half dead ..fly there meet her i have six busted disks in my neck and even my 2 doctors submitted evidence to uscis that me flying that long flyte would only make my condition worse but they still wouldn't accept.. all they will do is ask her to meet you in another country or her come to you to make it more convenient for you ..which she most likely don't have the money to do so.. your options are suffer through it fly there like i did and meet her or file her a tourist visa to come visit you hope it gets approved wich is not likely ..or fly there and meet her ..i have flew there twice in last year and its best you meet her anyways like the other say here in the post this is your soon to be wife you need to know her.. take my advise its much easier to just fly there and meet her or prepare for a lot of headaches.. this is a requirement and the don't bend at all for it.. hope this advise helps

[Fandango 1,440]

3. While the clause that the applicant and beneficiary declare that they have met in person within the past two years is maybe a bit onerous in your situation, generally speaking it is a small thing to ask. Unfortunately for us, for generations and generations people have abused the immigration law and have perpretrated numerous frauds to enter the country... some even with malicious intent. So while it may be difficult, I respect the system, and trust that in its whole, it is designed to better protect our country and our way of life. So with that said, with toungue in cheek, perhaps she can just make it to Mexico and walk accross. It works for so many others! Just do it soon, the lame-duck congress may just push through amnesty before the new year.

I know you prefaced this with 'with tongue in cheek' but considering we have members who have limited English skills, it's not wise for any member of this site to even half suggest breaking the law as means of procuring residency in the US. Please be more mindful of the community as a whole before making this suggestion again.

OP, I'll echo everyone else...get on a boat, meet your woman. Then file, and mya you two live a happy life together!

[Mark Mc 0]

I know you prefaced this with 'with tongue in cheek' but considering we have members who have limited English skills, it's not wise for any member of this site to even half suggest breaking the law as means of procuring residency in the US. Please be more mindful of the community as a whole before making this suggestion again.

OP, I'll echo everyone else...get on a boat, meet your woman. Then file, and mya you two live a happy life together!

I apologise if I even half suggested such, I truly do believe what I stated immediately before that comment; that is to respect the system. My statement was in fact tongue-in-cheek, but I definitely understand your concern, and I have taken it to heart. Thank you for your quick correction.

[Channah&Aaron 51]

; If you can't fly over, why can't she? You're the one who is disabled, but you shouldn't use the I-129f just to meet each other for the first time. This Visa is for whom who are seriously planning to get married.

Just let her fly over to come see you and see if there is a real connection in real life, since you are unable to fly and see her there.

Good luck!

[crazybanana 1]

If Steven Hawking can do this. you can fly.

[Anh map 2,098]

; If you can't fly over, why can't she? You're the one who is disabled, but you shouldn't use the I-129f just to meet each other for the first time. This Visa is for whom who are seriously planning to get married.

Just let her fly over to come see you and see if there is a real connection in real life, since you are unable to fly and see her there.

Good luck!

Unfortunately, single women and men from several non VWP countries (such as Philippines) have a lot of trouble getting a visa to visit the US.

[pushbrk 13,413]

Unfortunately, single women and men from several non VWP countries (such as Philippines) have a lot of trouble getting a visa to visit the US.

Yes, the OP would be wise to (if not already) simply ignore all advice about the single Indonesian woman obtaining a visa to visit the US or even Canada. It's just not going to happen. I like the idea of trying for a visa to visit Bermuda or somewhere similar where he can take a boat.

The kicker is likely to be the expense.

Beyond the meeting requirement will be the unfortunate issue of passing the visa interview itself. We don't know the details of the case but many such cases where the US Citizen is below the poverty level (even with a cosponsor) and disabled, have a hard time overcoming the assumption the relationship is entered into, not for a legitimate spouse scenario but rather for a "caretaker". Not saying that's the case, just that it's an issue they'll need to be prepared to overcome.

[PAPA MIO 2]

My advice if you really want to marry this woman and be with her do what you have to do. A lawyer may help but then it will question how you were able to afford it when the income you claim is close to the sponsor limit.

You can find many ways to have her come here legally with sponsorship.

To me the government is a fraud just make sure whatever you do is legal and if you commit fraud do not make it so obvious.

Edited November 7, 2010 by PAPA MIO

[hgdfjdfghgfr 0]

I tried to get my wife the tourist visa before we married, but they rejected her because, not even joking, she is "too pretty, speaks english too well, and doesn't have enough reasons to come back home." The goal was for her to see what it was like in the USA before deciding to get married. We met twice before in Brazil and we were kind of forced going through the k-1 route just for her to come here(I say kind of, because we were eventually going to get married anyways). So my advice is, if your fiancee goes the tourist route, tell her not to be pretty and speak very bad English! But actually I am serious, because the main thing the officers look for is reasons that you will stay in your country.