Astrid M

My partner (US) and I (UK) have been together for a while but met during covid. We are trying our hardest to be patient, but we struggle. We know we want to marry - so we could wait until this is all over, marry, and file for spousal.
But we were also thinking we could file for the K1. The issue being that we have not met so haven't seen each other in the last 2 years per the requirements.
However, it does state that this can be waived due to cultural customs or extreme hardship. My question is, could we explain that it is covid keeping us from meeting and therefore filing under extreme hardship? 
 
I would appreciate any advice you could give. Thank you.

My partner (US) and I (UK) have been together for a while but met during covid. We are trying our hardest to be patient, but we struggle. We know we want to marry - so we could wait until this is all over, marry, and file for spousal.
But we were also thinking we could file for the K1. The issue being that we have not met so haven't seen each other in the last 2 years per the requirements.
However, it does state that this can be waived due to cultural customs or extreme hardship. My question is, could we explain that it is covid keeping us from meeting and therefore filing under extreme hardship? 
 
I would appreciate any advice you could give. Thank you.

My partner (US) and I (UK) have been together for a while but met during covid. We are trying our hardest to be patient, but we struggle. We know we want to marry - so we could wait until this is all over, marry, and file for spousal.
But we were also thinking we could file for the K1. The issue being that we have not met so haven't seen each other in the last 2 years per the requirements.
However, it does state that this can be waived due to cultural customs or extreme hardship. My question is, could we explain that it is covid keeping us from meeting and therefore filing under extreme hardship? 
 
I would appreciate any advice you could give. Thank you.

My partner (US) and I (UK) have been together for a while but met during covid. We are trying our hardest to be patient, but we struggle. We know we want to marry - so we could wait until this is all over, marry, and file for spousal.
But we were also thinking we could file for the K1. The issue being that we have not met so haven't seen each other in the last 2 years per the requirements.
However, it does state that this can be waived due to cultural customs or extreme hardship. My question is, could we explain that it is covid keeping us from meeting and therefore filing under extreme hardship? 
 
I would appreciate any advice you could give. Thank you.

My partner (US) and I (UK) have been together for a while but met during covid. We are trying our hardest to be patient, but we struggle. We know we want to marry - so we could wait until this is all over, marry, and file for spousal.
But we were also thinking we could file for the K1. The issue being that we have not met so haven't seen each other in the last 2 years per the requirements.
However, it does state that this can be waived due to cultural customs or extreme hardship. My question is, could we explain that it is covid keeping us from meeting and therefore filing under extreme hardship? 
 
I would appreciate any advice you could give. Thank you.

My partner (US) and I (UK) have been together for a while but met during covid. We are trying our hardest to be patient, but we struggle. We know we want to marry - so we could wait until this is all over, marry, and file for spousal.
But we were also thinking we could file for the K1. The issue being that we have not met so haven't seen each other in the last 2 years per the requirements.
However, it does state that this can be waived due to cultural customs or extreme hardship. My question is, could we explain that it is covid keeping us from meeting and therefore filing under extreme hardship? 
 
I would appreciate any advice you could give. Thank you.

I have heard of only one (maybe) 2 year meeting waiver approved in the past 5 years here.  They are extremely difficult to get.  Using Covid as a reason will not work.  Covid will not prevent meeting....but it is delaying your meeting.  If given a choice for most people, the CR-1 is superior.  I suggest you meet, spend some time together....then decide upon your future.  Below is my personal comparison.  Good Luck.
 
Every couple has their own priorities, and each couple must decide which visa is better for their situation.
K-1      
    More expensive than CR-1    
    Requires Adjustment of Status after marriage (expensive and requires a lot of paperwork)    
    Spouse can not leave the US until she/he receives approved Advance Parole (approx 5-6 months)    
    Spouse can not work until she/he receives EAD (approx 5-6 months)    
    Some people have had problems with driver licenses, Social Security cards, leases, bank account during this period    
    Spouse will not receive Green Card for many months after Adjustment of Status is filed.
    A denied K-1 is sent back to USCIS to expire
  
CR-1    
    Less expensive than K-1    
    No Adjustment of Status(I-485, I-131, I-765) required.    
    Spouse can immediately travel outside the US    
    Spouse is authorized to work immediately upon arrival.    
    Spouse receives Social Security Card and Green Card within 2 or 3 weeks after entering the US    
    Opening a bank account, getting a driver's license, etc. are very easily accomplished with GC, SS card, and passport.
    Spouse has legal permanent Resident status IMMEDIATELY upon entry to US.
  �

 

Thank you for letting me know. I wasn't sure if it would qualify. We were just brainstorming. We'll wait to marry until after covid, in this case.
Back to being patient!

Thank you so much for the detailed info! Could I use my tenancy agreement with a letter from my landlord perhaps, as well as my employment contract and a letter from my employer, too, do you think?
With any other ties, what could you suggest?

**Thread now locked from further comment and not to be restarted. OP is allowed to enter on ESTA, marry and return to home country for visa processing. This is legal and allowed and as they have received answers to their inital question, the thread is now closed.**
 
VJ Moderation

Thanks! This was for sure the plan!
I didnt know this was a different option! How does it differ from filing back home, please?

Can also file I-130 during the ESTA visit to start consular processing path:

If you want to come on a ESTA and go home and file for a spousal visa, this is legal. But I would not marry and stay in the US, you may have issues here. You will need to go home and then file. 

Absolutely!

Regardless of what has been stated in threads, the US government has clearly stated that it's legal to marry in the US with ESTA or tourist visa: https://uk.usembassy.gov/visas/immigrant-visa-faqs/
We are traveling to the United States to marry and will return to the United Kingdom after marriage. Do I still need a fiancé(e) visa?
If you will return to your permanent residence you may apply for a tourist B-2 visa, or if eligible, travel visa free under the Visa Waiver Program.  At the time you apply for the visa and/or travel to the United States you will be required to show that you have a residence outside the United States that you do not intend to abandon. There is no set form that this evidence takes as it varies with each person’s circumstances.

As I understand it, I can enter on an ESTA for marriage as long as I return home. This would be the case for anybody doing destination weddings. As long as I don't enter with the intention to stay/AOS

Correct.

Okay, could be, that is just what I had read on other threads but perhaps I wasn't paying attention to the staying or leaving part. I would still think that you have to prove you are leaving and will be questioned more. 

As I understand it, I can enter on an ESTA for marriage as long as I return home. This would be the case for anybody doing destination weddings. As long as I don't enter with the intention to stay/AOS

Oh wow! Small world haha. That is an insanely cheap ticket, too! 
Thank you kindly for your generous offer, I think its absolutely wonderful of you! 
I will certainly discuss this with my partner and will surely be in touch.

I am originally from Ohio. I'll actually be there this weekend. If you want to do a destination wedding like Las Vegas, NV, I will be happy to help you out. You can fly round trip out of Cleveland really cheap ( See My ticket for this weekend below, 24.20 round trip is a good deal. I'm just flying in for 12 Hours to meet some friends for lunch, my lunch will cost more than the flight...LOL), and we can get you all married with certificate in hand in less than an hour. Message me and I can send you my contact information. And I don't charge anything for members on Visa Journey. We could get you round trip flights, married, and certificates in hand for around 150-160 dollars.... Vegas Baby!!!

Sounds like you already know that patience is the key in immigration since nothing is fast.......Good luck....

Thank you! I have filed for a CR1 previously but the marriage broke down (right on the cusp of approval, too) so I have some experience with what is needed. I attended interview and medical examination and received all vaccinations needed, so this will be a process I'm at least somewhat familiar with. I have all of the prior paperwork so will follow that as a guideline (with the addition of the divorce papers and checking to see if the payments have changed).