I129F denied due to 2 year meeting requirement, next steps for person with flying phobia? (merged)

[devusr 40]

I have severe flying phobia and even with medical evidence and the financial support I had given (30K+ USD), they denied my I-129F application. The beneficiary's family are long time friends of us and lives in Sri Lanka. Now I will file a CR1 but I cannot fly, especially since going to Sri Lanka from USA requires minimum 16+ hours and 3 flight changes. Only a person with flying phobia can understand.

 

I looked up somewhere where we can both meet. It looks like Montserrat (Caribbean islands) and Bahamas doesn't have any VISA requirements for Sri Lankans and I can also go there through a Cruise/Ferry. It looks like to marry you have to wait 24 hours of landing in the Bahamas.

 

Is this a good route? Will USCIS accept the marriage in Bahamas?

[Just Paul 4,591]

2 minutes ago, devusr said:

Will USCIS accept the marriage in Bahamas?

Yes  USCIS will.   But expect that the Department of State may have questions due to meeting just once.  Make sure you front load and side load the petition as much as possible.

[devusr 40]

I just checked the flights from Sri Lanka to Nassau and most of them go through the US airport.

 

Does that mean they will need a US VISA???

[Just Paul 4,591]

26 minutes ago, devusr said:

Does that mean they will need a US VISA???

Yes - at least a transit visa.

[JFH 12,189]

Can the beneficiary get to Canada? You could drive there once this “pandemic” is over. You won’t be going on a cruise before October anyway due to CDC shutting down all cruises in US waters till at least October 1. So why not keep Canada as an option too?

[milimelo 4,202]

What sort of financial support did you give and to whom? 30k? Could've chartered a yacht to get you there and back for that amount of money. 

[devusr 40]

I sent it to her bank through western union over a period of 1 year. It was to be used for things like to pay rent, utilities, food etc.

 

Where can I get a yatch for 30k?

[Just Paul 4,591]

Cargo ship voyages are another way to go.  Been there, done that!

[devusr 40]

1) How many times do we need to meet? Can I just fly to Sri Lanka (very very difficult for me) just once, marry immediately and fly back?

 

[Just Paul 4,591]

4 minutes ago, devusr said:

1) How many times do we need to meet?

You only need to be legally married to meet the USCIS requirement to file.  That needs to be in person.  Proxy marriages are not accepted. You do need to submit bonafide proof of the marriage, etc.  You only needed to meet once in person to satisfy the meeting requirement of the K1.

 

Getting a visa issued in either case with the consulate can be problematic if there has only been one visit.

 

Plan on staying a while with your wife if you do go to Sri Lanka to get married.

[Lemonslice 4,554]

As others have said, air is not the only way to go. You can drive, take the train, sail, to Sri Lanka, or to a third country. Alternatively, you can also get medication and/or therapy to help with your phobia. Best of luck.

[Lemonslice 4,554]

1 hour ago, devusr said:

I sent it to her bank through western union over a period of 1 year. It was to be used for things like to pay rent, utilities, food etc.

 

Where can I get a yatch for 30k?

Do you mean 30K USD? That is a lot in Sri Lanka... Have you ever been there, the cost of living is much different than in the US. 

[devusr 40]

Yes, if one has unlimited money or a rich uncle , we can go to Sri Lanka by spaceship. No amount of medication can help this type of phobia, all it does is calm a person down a bit by reducing blood pressure....the anxiety is still there. Only a person with this condition can understand.

 

If I'm going to Sri Lanka, will a 3 week stay just once be enough?

[yuna628 9,528]

Bahamas aren't allowing US citizens and other international travelers (few country exceptions) in at this time due to the pandemic.

[SalishSea 16,771]

12 minutes ago, devusr said:

If I'm going to Sri Lanka, will a 3 week stay just once be enough?

No one here can know that, but I would think you'd have some problems there.  Time spent together in person is a heavily weighted factor for spousal visa approval.