Have not met in-person, does this situation qualify for an exception?

[jaycali 415]

I live in Michigan

I apologize if people were rude in other posts. That is not the purpose of this forum.

If you live in MI, the USCIS would probably ask themselves why you can't meet in Canada for even a day. If he ineligible for a tourist visa to Canada, that should then be shown.

I'm not trying to destroy your hopes. There is hope, absolutely, but difficult situations require careful planning.

[Mela17 36]

I think OP already sent the visa package in though. So now all there is to do is to wait for an approval, or a denial or a possible RFE. I'm not sure one can meet one's fiancee in person after the petition has been sent in. Worst case, you'll get denied and then you'll just have to re file.

[jaycali 415]

I think OP already sent the visa package in though. So now all there is to do is to wait for an approval, or a denial or a possible RFE. I'm not sure one can meet one's fiancee in person after the petition has been sent in. Worst case, you'll get denied and then you'll just have to re file.

Nope, doesn't matter if you meet the day after petition is sent. The requirement is very specific in that it has to be within two years prior to the petition date.

OP: As Mela said, only thing to do is wait for a decision on your petition. If it is denied, either try again with more detailed, stronger evidence of hardship, or find a way to meet. And as I stated, the latter will help you out in the long run at the embassy stage, while the former will only draw into question the legitimacy of the relationship.

Edited October 18, 2013 by jaycali

[AmyWrites 593]

It's very difficult to have that requirement waived. I doubt you will, he can meet you in a closer third country, and YOU are healthy, and friend is in a nursing facility.

But even if you did overcome it...

He's from Ghana. High fraud embassy. Without meeting, him being so much younger than you, it screams visa fraud and will be denied a visa.

[Stephen&Lica 1]

Are you by chance in the US or you could call me and we can talk on the phone? I hope that's reasonable to ask...

[Stephen&Lica 1]

*so you could call...

Jaycali

[AmyWrites 593]

Who?

[Pinkrlion 2,722]

I am not sure, I have only heard about the requirement being waived due to cultural or religious beliefs that do not allow contact prior to marriage. You can try to send it in and hope it works. Otherwise, you will have to wait to make arrangements when you can get off of work, and have a temporary guardian appointed.

[Justine+David 218]

I suggest you read from this forum, which has information about those in Sub-Saharan African area.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/forum/89-africa-sub-saharan/

The countries in the area are known as "high fraud" countries in which a lot of visas are denied because the IO thinks that the relationship is fraudulent (and if you look at the Effects on Major Changes forum, you'll see that a lot of heartbreak and fraud comes from foreign beneficiaries from these types of countries). Add to the fact that you're an older female with a younger male (which is not the cultural norm) and you're fighting a serious uphill battle, even if you had met the meeting in person requirement. I don't care one bit about people's ages, but immigration does when it comes against cultural norms connected with high fraud countries.

I would dare venture to say that with everything going on, there is absolutely no one at the consulate level who will approve the visa. I don't think it will even get through the USCIS petition level that it's at now, but at the consulate level where the IO does the interview, there's just no way if you've never met in person.

It sucks, for sure. But it's how things work. If you spend a few weeks on the Effects on Major Changes forum, you'll understand why. Of course there are so many true couples out there, but the bad apples make everyone from the country look bad. There are some IOs that power trip, which is completely inappropriate, but their job is essentially to find ways to deny you, not to approve you.

Edited October 18, 2013 by Justine+David

[Sarah Elle-Même 660]

Are you by chance in the US or you could call me and we can talk on the phone? I hope that's reasonable to ask...

Our members generally give advice on these forums only. You've got some great advice to start with. If you want to go ahead with attempting to waive the 2 year meeting requirement, by all means let USCIS make their determination on your petition (it seems you already filed). It's only your potentially wasted time and effort. You have to be prepared for it to not work and have a plan B in place if marrying this guy is really what you want to do.

But as others have said, you have a tougher battle ahead of you than just meeting this guy. He's from a country where a young man marrying an older woman (near to or at menopause) is highly irregular and not well accepted. Bearing children is very important in a lot of African cultures. Have you discussed children with him? How would his family feel about him marrying an older woman who is, in a place like Ghana especially, old enough to be his mother? How will you know he is sincere in his intentions and that he is "who he says he is" until you have met him in person? Do you earn enough money from work to meet the requirements of the I-134 form and (later on) I-864 forms for financial sponsorship? Study the Sub-Saharan Africa forum. Read over Embassy reviews. Take some time to review what you are up against, because by no means will this be an easy journey for you.

It's no fun to come to that realization, I know, but knowledge is power. Best of luck.

Edited October 18, 2013 by Sarah and Adnan

[hnubno 9]

have you sent your petition already and have you gotten an rfe for that requirement?

[verysadguy 170]

I just did a new K-1, and I sent in evidence of meeting in person in the last 2 years. USCIS still did an RFE for more evidence including passport visa stamps, pictures, and boarding passes. I don't think you will have much success the way you ask. K-1 applications have too high a rate of fraud.

[madtownguy 164]

I think Ghana is a high fraud country so it will be pretty hard. But you can always try. Of course the passport thing I think will count against you, I wouldn't mention it myself it sounds bad.

[del-2-5-2014 1,339]

I suggest you read from this forum, which has information about those in Sub-Saharan African area.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/forum/89-africa-sub-saharan/

The countries in the area are known as "high fraud" countries in which a lot of visas are denied because the IO thinks that the relationship is fraudulent (and if you look at the Effects on Major Changes forum, you'll see that a lot of heartbreak and fraud comes from foreign beneficiaries from these types of countries). Add to the fact that you're an older female with a younger male (which is not the cultural norm) and you're fighting a serious uphill battle, even if you had met the meeting in person requirement. I don't care one bit about people's ages, but immigration does when it comes against cultural norms connected with high fraud countries.

I would dare venture to say that with everything going on, there is absolutely no one at the consulate level who will approve the visa. I don't think it will even get through the USCIS petition level that it's at now, but at the consulate level where the IO does the interview, there's just no way if you've never met in person.

It sucks, for sure. But it's how things work. If you spend a few weeks on the Effects on Major Changes forum, you'll understand why. Of course there are so many true couples out there, but the bad apples make everyone from the country look bad. There are some IOs that power trip, which is completely inappropriate, but their job is essentially to find ways to deny you, not to approve you.

Is this really true?

I just did a new K-1, and I sent in evidence of meeting in person in the last 2 years. USCIS still did an RFE for more evidence including passport visa stamps, pictures, and boarding passes. I don't think you will have much success the way you ask. K-1 applications have too high a rate of fraud.

Oh really. Nice, very nice.

[Juliet and Steve 93]

The employer/employee situation is not likely going to count for much. It seems hard to imagine that you can’t leave for 10-14 days. An employee is not an indentured servant. This being said perhaps there is some reason why a temp agency could not find a person that has the unique skills that you have—if this is the case be sure to explain and carefully document that.

I also find it very difficult to see the impossibility of taking 10-14 days off from visiting your friend. Your friend is diabetic, has had several strokes of unknown effects and has end stage kidney disease. Your friend is undoubtedly in a skilled nursing facility. You do not appear to be a caregiver; much less a primary caregiver and I would presume that all her needs are met by the LNAs and RNs (+doctors) at the nursing home.

You offer her emotional as well as financial assistance/support but it will be difficult to understand how your friend who appears to still be verbal would have difficulty being without your visits for 10-14 days. I presume that she still has verbal capacity and it seems that you could have another person act as an intermediary and keep in touch via phone or internet each day in case something comes up. If she suffers from anxiety I’m sure a discussion with her doctor would lead to appropriate anxiolytic medication relieving her of anxiety.

You say she is at the end stages of kidney failure yet you do not mention that she’s on dialysis. Even if she were on dialysis, well, that’s fairly routine. Yes diabetics often have feet or partial leg amputation yet you make no mention of an impending operation. Were one pending you could delay travel until a week or two after to help your friend grieve her loss.

I do not understand at all the Court and some sort of debt that you discuss so I cannot comment on that.

A notarized letter from an RN would be inappropriate—I’m surprised that you can get one. Such a letter in effect acts as a form of diagnosis which is outside of the scope of practice allowed by any state board of nursing that I have ever heard of, a note from a doctor would me more appropriate and hold more weight.

Good luck.

Edited October 19, 2013 by Juliet and Steve