Point 35A and the necessity of in-person meeting

[Zedayn 486]

Well, I guess I should be a little more blunt as far as our reasoning goes.

I realise that I had used the word "fiancée" in my original post, but the person I'm planning to marry is actually the same sex as me, and I am pretty sure that meeting on Russian territory would be a horrible idea.

And meeting in another country would not be very likely either - it is mostly me who is not economically viable, due to currently not having a good enough job (because of studying in a college) to be able to afford international travel, and the fees, accompanying it. My partner does earn a wage above the poverty line for 2 persons, but still not enough to make seeing each other in person possible.

I will be blunt as well and tell you that you have no basis for a waiver.

If you do not make enough money to travel, then you have to wait until you do have enough money. You say you are in college now, maybe you should wait until you graduate or at least until you are able to earn enough money to afford to travel. If you weren't already in college I would highly suggest a second job to help pay for your travels.

[ChasUno 101]

Well, I guess I should be a little more blunt as far as our reasoning goes.

I realise that I had used the word "fiancée" in my original post, but the person I'm planning to marry is actually the same sex as me, and I am pretty sure that meeting on Russian territory would be a horrible idea.

And meeting in another country would not be very likely either - it is mostly me who is not economically viable, due to currently not having a good enough job (because of studying in a college) to be able to afford international travel, and the fees, accompanying it. My partner does earn a wage above the poverty line for 2 persons, but still not enough to make seeing each other in person possible.

Here's the issue that would put a big question mark over your I-134a (and your I-129F). Neither of you can afford to travel now, so how can either of you travel to meet if you get issued with a K1? This is a long term proposition and needs long term planning. If you are serious about making this work, you (and your US partner), have to make sure that that you do everything you can to meet all the requirements for the I-129F application. That means you both should start saving money so that you are covered for all financial implications that this process will involve, which includes everything from the visa filing and administration fees right up to the cost of travel. AND being able to support yourself if/ when you get your K1 and can be together in the first few months of married life.

It is also understandable, and many would be sympathetic, with regards to your predicament with regards to being in a same sex relationship and living in a country (Russia) that is becoming increasingly homophobic and discriminatory against LGBT people. However, there is nothing to stop your USC partner from traveling to a neighbouring country such as Poland and the two of you meeting there. From past experience, you can easily get a bus or a train to travel across Europe at very affordable prices to meet your partner in such a country. But, if neither of you can even afford to do this now then to me that sounds as if you really need to think through this process more and the long term implications, both financially and emotionally, that it will involve.

Put it this way, me and my partner are both experienced qualified professionals (Education and Healthcare), both of us have savings and assets, we've been a couple since June 2011 and have met 14 times both in the USA and in the UK with proof of travel (itineraries and boarding passes). We have a substantial checkable history together covering phone bills, emails, Yahoo Messenger chats, 1000's of photos, Christmas/ Birthday and Valentines cards etc. and we're STILL anxious that we might not meet the requirements for the I-129F! Now look at your own relationship history and see how that compares.

To be blunt back at you, I suspect that your current application will have a very, very high chance of failing at the first hurdle. You, and your partner, simply do not meet anywhere near the minimum requirements for such a visa to be issued. To increase your chances, I recommend that you do everything you can to meet at least once and THEN consider filing for a K1 visa. After that, both of you need to do everything possible to ensure that you have enough finances to cover all the potential costs involved and to have a financial safety net for any unforseen costs that may arise.

I wish you both well and do hope that your visa journey will eventually be successful.

[baron555 934]

Well, I guess I should be a little more blunt as far as our reasoning goes.

I realise that I had used the word "fiancée" in my original post, but the person I'm planning to marry is actually the same sex as me, and I am pretty sure that meeting on Russian territory would be a horrible idea.

Why? You don't have to hold hands and kiss. Just meet in person.

And meeting in another country would not be very likely either - it is mostly me who is not economically viable, due to currently not having a good enough job (because of studying in a college) to be able to afford international travel, and the fees, accompanying it.

Then....you two have to wait. You MUST meet in person.

My partner does earn a wage above the poverty line for 2 persons, but still not enough to make seeing each other in person possible.

Then you wait.