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Is having met each other "must" for proof of Engagement?

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you need both. You must have met with in two years before filing of the petition and you must have a sign letter intent to married from both petitioner and beneficiary

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Germany
Timeline

Not a must if you can prove that religion and/or custom in your country are against meeting in person.

But I suspect you will have a very hard time to prove the relationship is real and there is actual intent to marry and spend your lives together.

c.f.http://www.hg.org/article.asp?id=20494

U.S. Immigration law states that “if it is established that compliance would result in extreme hardship to the petitioner or that compliance would violate strict and long-established customs of the K-1 beneficiary’s foreign culture or social practice, as where marriages are traditionally arranged by the parents of the contracting parties and the prospective bride and groom are prohibited from meeting subsequent to the arrangement and prior to the wedding day.” INA § 214.2(k)(2). Waivers such as these are rarely granted by the USCIS because so few couples have been able to meet the stringent requirement of extreme hardship. For instance, being incarcerated or an inability to travel due to parole or a court order does not necessarily reaches the level of extreme hardship for the petitioner. Nonetheless, each case is evaluated on a case by case basis.

Due to the fact that extreme hardship is generally interpreted by the USCIS to mean something very close to “physically impossible,” it is generally available only to people who are so disabled that they can’t fly at all. As for the latter waiver, very few people qualify for this exception and those that do often have a difficult time proving it to the government’s satisfaction that meeting would violate a cultural norm or societal custom. In light of the advent of online technology, social media and dating websites, meeting the two year meeting requirement may be more and more difficult to fulfill.

Edited by D.Ba
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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Nigeria
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Also most cultures with pre marital co mingling issues allow meeting under the eyes of elders so no waiver would be available unless you can show NO meeting is allowd.

This will not be over quickly. You will not enjoy this.

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I haven't met my future wife in person yet, but have conversed with her and her family online. Would letter of intent to get married from both parties be suffice or having met each other in 2 years a must requirement?

Thanks!

You must have met in person, unless you can prove some hardship or religious/cultural reason prevents your meeting. This is difficult to prove.

I would suggest you two meet each other, and provide a lot of evidence of that meeting.

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No. It is required that you met in person within 2 years of filing unless you can prove hardship or because your culture doesn't allow it. And from the time I joined VJ, I have only seen 1 person get approved for that. Any reason why you can't meet?

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Mexico
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From the I-129F form instructions: http://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/files/form/i-129finstr.pdf >

Who May File Form I-129F?

You may file this petition if you are a U.S. citizen and:

1. You and your fiancé(e):

a. Intend to marry within 90 days of your fiancé's admission to United States and you are both free to marry;

b. Have met in person within 2 years before filing this petition, unless you establish that either:

(1) The requirement to meet your fiancé(e) in person would violate strict and long-established customs of your or
your fiancé(e)'s foreign culture or social practice; or
(2) The requirement to meet your fiancé(e) in person would result in extreme hardship to you.

Link to K-1 instructions for Ciudad Juarez, Mexico > https://travel.state.gov/content/dam/visas/K1/CDJ_Ciudad-Juarez-2-22-2021.pdf

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Filed: AOS (pnd) Country: China
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I haven't met my future wife in person yet, but have conversed with her and her family online. Would letter of intent to get married from both parties be suffice or having met each other in 2 years a must requirement?

Thanks!

While there may be some exception situations to waive the physical meeting requirement,

but just realize that it is one of the strongest evidence that you can provide for K1 visa.

Even aside from the visa requirement, don't you want to see her in person

and spend some quality time together before officially committing to marriage?

10-04-2013 We met online
11-21-2013 We met in person in Shanghai for 2 weeks

12-13-2013 I-129F packet sent via express

12-19-2013 USCIS NOA #1 (text and email) received

12-24-2013 USCIS assigns Alien Registration Number
12-31-2013 USCIS NOA #1 hard copy received
06-02-2014 USCIS web site shows NOA #2 approval
06-06-2014 USCIS web site shows case sent to NVC

06-xx-2014 Fiancee acquired birth, marriage, and police certificates from local police station (wrong)

06-16-2014 NVC creates case with GUZ### number

06-19-2014 NVC sends case sent to Guangzhou, China
06-24-2014 Received packet 3 express mail from embassy
06-25-2014 Completed DS-160 and paid K1 visa fee

06-26-2014 Mailed packet 3 response back to Embassy

06-26-2014 Requested police certificate from Russian embassy

07-08-2014 Received packet 4 email from Embassy

07-17-2014 Picked up Russian police certificate

07-25-2014 Fiancee medical exam (received MMR & Varicella, but they missed required TD shot)

07-31-2014 Picked up medical exam reports

08-01-2014 Request (correct) birth, marriage, and police certificates from Notarial Service (GongZhengChu)

08-06-2014 Picked up birth, marriage, and police certificates from Notarial Service

08-14-2014 Passed Interview Guangzhou embassy

09-01-2014 Received passport, visa, & sealed envelope

09-13-2014 POE

09-17-2014 Went to CBP office to get (US entry) I-94 updated correctly

09-18-2014 Applied for Social Security Card
09-19-2014 Applied for Marriage License (via online)
09-25-2014 Received Social Security Card
09-30-2014 Picked up Marriage License
10-09-2014 Marriage by Justice of Peace
10-09-2014 Got Certified Marriage Certificate Copies
10-17-2014 Received a letter from SS office that they need the marriage license
10-09-2014 Applied to change the social security card name
10-24-2014 Went back to SS office to provide the marriage certificate documents again!!!
12-09-2014 Submitted AOS, EAD, and AP
12-16-2014 Received 16 emails and 16 text NOA messages
01-05-2015 Received Biometrics appointment letter for (01-12-2015)
01-12-2015 Had Biometrics (fingerprint & picture) - Required Marriage Certificate!!!
02-17-2015 EAD and AP is approved
02-23-2015 Received AP is approval letter
02-25-2015 Received EAD/AP combo card (expires 02/16/2016)
02-27-2015 Applied for SS card name change (they took her SS card)
02-27-2015 Driver's learner permit test was denied since the SS card was given to SS office for name change
03-17-2015 Received SS card with married name
03-17-2015 Started to change all her accounts to married name
03-23-2015 Received potential interview waiver letter
03-27-2015 DMV rejects learner's permit due to "legal status=pending" and vision test failure
04-05-2015 Vision test for learner's permit
04-06-2015 DPS sent us letter that DHS cleared my wife's status to acquire driver's license.
04-10-2015 Passed Driver Learner's Permit
04-22-2015 Received Driver Learner's Permit ID card (expires 02/16/2016)
08-27-2015 Green Card approved
08-31-2015 Received Green Card "Welcome Notice Was Mailed" letter
09-05-2015 Received Green card
10-26-2015 Passed Driver's License Road Test (on 3rd attempt)
11-03-2015 Received Driver's License (expires 02/16/2022)
11-06-2015 Applied to remove conditional work remark on SS card
11-23-2015 Received updated Social Security Card.
- - - - - - - - - - Pending Future Processing - - - - - - - - - -
05-27-2017 File 10 Year Green Card
08-27-2017 2 Year Green Card Expires
05-27-2018 File USC

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Argentina
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I will suggest that you meet this person FIRST and see if a marriage could be in the cards. Will you want to marry someone you never met in person? Like others said, unless you can not meet her for religious reasons, etc. When you meet her and her family, get to know them better and take as many photos you can.

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Philippines
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I haven't met my future wife in person yet, but have conversed with her and her family online. Would letter of intent to get married from both parties be suffice or having met each other in 2 years a must requirement?

Thanks!

Actually, you need a letter of intent to marry from both parties and to have met at least once in the past 2 years.

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Philippines
Timeline

My opinion is if you can't meet them in person, you don't have the financial stability to care for them here in the states. So go out and try to save money for a trip. You know, it took me seven months to save up to see my fiance. I skipped lunch at work, and most luxuries in life... like treats and movies and video games.... every time i thought about spending money, I asked myself if this would help my trip.

Sent I129f - April 28, 2015

Received I129f - May 1, 2015

NOA1 - May 5, 2015 (Email on 6, Harcopy on 9)

NOA2 - July 9 (Email and text)

NOA2 Hardcopy - July 13

NVC Case # Assigned - July 30

Consulate Received - Aug. 3

Medical - Aug. 12 (We passed! Well, almost. She needs to see a psychiatrist on the 28th, which shouldn't be a big issue. She cut her wrist long ago in her teenage years.)

Interview - ??? (Originally Aug. 26, but since she is now required to see a psychiatrist on the 28th, it will be rescheduled, probably sometime in Sept.)

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Filed: Timeline

I haven't met my future wife in person yet, but have conversed with her and her family online. Would letter of intent to get married from both parties be suffice or having met each other in 2 years a must requirement?

Thanks!

No. Having met in person within 2 years before filing the I-129F petition is a must.

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Cameroon
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My opinion is if you can't meet them in person, you don't have the financial stability to care for them here in the states. So go out and try to save money for a trip. You know, it took me seven months to save up to see my fiance. I skipped lunch at work, and most luxuries in life... like treats and movies and video games.... every time i thought about spending money, I asked myself if this would help my trip.

This was a little judgmental and unnecessary. Also, I don't think the majority of people plan on "taking care" of their spouses when they get to the US if by that you mean supporting them financially 100%. As difficult as it must have been, I also don't think the situation you just described about yourself could be considered financial stability in the way you meant it anyways.

And the OP never said s/he couldn't visit her.

Edited by muhkoo
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