Some ways of meeting are frowned upon? Which are okay, then?

[minibadger 1]

I recently read the thread about the man from New York whose K-1 was railroaded seemingly because he stated that he was introduced to his fiancee by a family member, and that people who meet in this fashion are almost universally put into denial situations.

On one of my soon-to-be-fiancee's first tourist visa applications, she was turned down because she said she'd met me on the internet. So it seems a person can be denied, or put to a near-denial status, simply by saying some words that the consulate doesn't like to hear. So here's my question.

Is "we originally met on the internet" another one of these bad situations? I met my fiancee through a game we both mutually played over three years ago, and since fell in love, have traveled to meet each other, and have plenty of proof such as phone bills, expendatures at the same time and place, my plane tickets, pictures, etc. But are we going to be designated some fake couple because we didn't meet however the hell the consulates think are acceptable?

I'm wondering -- what other ways of being introduced or meeting are seemingly frowned upon by the consulates, and which are "the way they want to hear" it was done? Are we only to fall in love while we were students or working abroad, or on retirement or vacation, or what?

So much of the visa processes, no matter which types they've been, has been utterly ridiculous. Here I am asking, "How was I supposed to fall in love with my fiancee?"

=(

[jundp 191]

We met on a forum. Lots of people on VJ met their fiance/fiancee on the internet.

[minibadger 1]

We met on a forum. Lots of people on VJ met their fiance/fiancee on the internet.

That's great to hear. But what, exactly, is the problem with people meeting through relatives? I don't understand at all and hurt for them.

[raymaga 25]

Apparently, a large majority of immigrants these days met on the internet. That's what I was told at my K-1 Visa interview. They did not frown on it at all.

I really don't understand why they would frown on people who meet through relatives or friends, though.

[Jenn! 918]

They can be suspicious of meeting through family members because that's how fraud works sometimes. You know, I'll give you $x if you'll marry my brother so he can come here, etc.

[Zee Bee 61]

We were introduced by my cousin, who happens to be very good friends with my SO.

We had no problems.

[emerce 0]

My husband and I met on the internet, and there really isnt any other way to explain the fact that we saw each other for the first time after a year. I've thought about what you said, but i've always maintained that I would tell them exactly how we met at the interview because its the truth, and I shouldnt have to hide that. As long as you have as much proof as you possibly can I dont see how lying about how you met would make things better, maybe they might make things worse if its found out.

[pushbrk 12,898]

We met on a forum. Lots of people on VJ met their fiance/fiancee on the internet.

That's great to hear. But what, exactly, is the problem with people meeting through relatives? I don't understand at all and hurt for them.

Generalizing can be dangerous. I've never heard of USCIS denying a petition for meeting on the internet or through family. Consular officers are expected to consider the totality of the circumstances before them and local conditions. In high fraud posts, certian kinds of family connections will get additional scrutiny as there are many sham marriages entered into for immigrant benefit only and a lot of those have family connections. This varies widely by country. I have no idea where Croatia fits in that equation.

Each couple needs to truthfully and accurately portray their relationship and manner of meeting whenever asked on a form, in person or other communication.

I think it's more accurate to say that many denials are given to people who met on the internet or through family because much of the fraud does happen with internet or family as common denomenators but far more who meet through family or on the internet are approved than denied.

In other words, it's the fraud/fat that makes you look fat/fraudulent, not the dress/meeting method.

[Ana&D 0]

There should be more to the story of the denial you mention in addition to been introduced by the family member. One couple recently posted a story about visa interview problems due to mismatch in pointing out how the fiance and family member who introduced her to the American citizen were related. I believe one of them said uncle, while other claimed he was a cousin.

Don't over stress about saying the right thing at the interview! Be genuine and describe your meeting exactly how it happened. Sounds like you have plenty of evidence prooving both meeting in person and on-going relationship. I've had four interviews in the past for different visas, and never had a problem just because I tried to be honest and firm in my answers. Best of luck!!!