meeting waiver

[aqi5013 1]

Hi, I am really thankful to this forum. I wanted to know if anyone knows of someone who applied for K-1 meeting waiver based on a religious custom but was denied. Then, the petitioner visited their fiance to fulfill the meeting requirement and was approved?

[Ebunoluwa 6,136]

Sure, it has happened.

[aqi5013 1]

@ Ebunoluwa

Do you know what information did they provide to support their request for a waiver? Such as any letter from religious authority?

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

Are you on the first go round or have you already been denied ? There was a couple a couple of years ago that were approved on religious grounds. Normally there must be a bar on meeting at all , even in chaperoned settings.

[teeak 224]

It is very hard to get this waiver.

Are you requesting it on the basis that in Islam it's not allowed for two people to meet alone before marriage?

You are allowed to meet in person together as long as there is a chaperone present.

[Ebunoluwa 6,136]

I have only seen 1 or 2 successful approvals of not meeting for religious meeting. They almost never happen.
But you asked if the petition was denied the first time due to not meeting and then you re filed after having met the meeting requirements, correct ?

Yes, letters and affidavits from religious authority. Most of the time a short meeting with Chaperons is allowed though according to the customs.

[aqi5013 1]

I applied for a waiver on the basis of Islamic tradition of not meeting in person prior to marriage. I attached a letter from religious authority stating that it is a common practice that Muslims often do not meet prior to their marriage. The petition was denied and stated that I was unable to prove that meeting will violate long-standing cultural or religious customs. I am wondering whether I should now meet him in person to fulfill the requirement or whether I should marry him and apply for a spouse visa instead?

[baron555 934]

I applied for a waiver on the basis of Islamic tradition of not meeting in person prior to marriage. I attached a letter from religious authority stating that it is a common practice that Muslims often do not meet prior to their marriage. The petition was denied and stated that I was unable to prove that meeting will violate long-standing cultural or religious customs. I am wondering whether I should now meet him in person to fulfill the requirement or whether I should marry him and apply for a spouse visa instead?

If you are saying that you can go and meet this person face to face, then how could you have thought that they would have accepted your waiver request?

You an do either one of the options you have listed.

[Ebunoluwa 6,136]

I applied for a waiver on the basis of Islamic tradition of not meeting in person prior to marriage. I attached a letter from religious authority stating that it is a common practice that Muslims often do not meet prior to their marriage. The petition was denied and stated that I was unable to prove that meeting will violate long-standing cultural or religious customs. I am wondering whether I should now meet him in person to fulfill the requirement or whether I should marry him and apply for a spouse visa instead?

Either one. What will be your explanation that you now are allowed to meet ?

[Cathi 5,769]

I applied for a waiver on the basis of Islamic tradition of not meeting in person prior to marriage. I attached a letter from religious authority stating that it is a common practice that Muslims often do not meet prior to their marriage. The petition was denied and stated that I was unable to prove that meeting will violate long-standing cultural or religious customs. I am wondering whether I should now meet him in person to fulfill the requirement or whether I should marry him and apply for a spouse visa instead?

I am married to a Muslim and I can tell you it it very UNCOMMON for couples not to meet before married, quite contrary to what you claim. Not sure who is feeding you that information,

[Kastrs 723]

I applied for a waiver on the basis of Islamic tradition of not meeting in person prior to marriage. I attached a letter from religious authority stating that it is a common practice that Muslims often do not meet prior to their marriage. The petition was denied and stated that I was unable to prove that meeting will violate long-standing cultural or religious customs. I am wondering whether I should now meet him in person to fulfill the requirement or whether I should marry him and apply for a spouse visa instead?

Yup, I am Muslim, so is my husband. There is NO reason why you cannot have a supervised meeting prior to marriage. Fly over and visit your fiance in a supervised meeting and then problem solved. Or yes if you prefer, go get married (in person not by proxy) and file for a spousal visa.

I am not saying that some Muslims do not meet prior to marriage, I know of many marriages that have taken place in this fashion, but there is nothing prohibiting meeting before marriage.

Edited February 3, 2016 by Kastrs

[Boiler 45,651]

I applied for a waiver on the basis of Islamic tradition of not meeting in person prior to marriage. I attached a letter from religious authority stating that it is a common practice that Muslims often do not meet prior to their marriage. The petition was denied and stated that I was unable to prove that meeting will violate long-standing cultural or religious customs. I am wondering whether I should now meet him in person to fulfill the requirement or whether I should marry him and apply for a spouse visa instead?

Even I know that this is not the case, so why do you think USCIS would not as well?

I would expect that this will add to your credibility issue with any filing, best overcome by plenty of face time.

[aqi5013 1]

Thank you guys for your input. Marriages among Muslims are often arranged and some Muslims do not meet prior to wedding when they reside in different countries but due to filing requirements it has become more common that they meet. I am still thinking whether I should meet him in-person and re-apply fiance visa. Would that raise any red flags?

[baron555 934]

Thank you guys for your input. Marriages among Muslims are often arranged and some Muslims do not meet prior to wedding when they reside in different countries but due to filing requirements it has become more common that they meet. I am still thinking whether I should meet him in-person and re-apply fiance visa. Would that raise any red flags?

No, you were denied because you didn't meet this meeting in person requirement. Go meet in person, document that with photos and other evidence and submit again.

Edited February 3, 2016 by baron555

[zulsab 1]

Thank you guys for your input. Marriages among Muslims are often arranged and some Muslims do not meet prior to wedding when they reside in different countries but due to filing requirements it has become more common that they meet. I am still thinking whether I should meet him in-person and re-apply fiance visa. Would that raise any red flags?

what reference do you have? Please don't mix your personal beliefs with religion.