Is having met each other "must" for proof of Engagement?

[Foster 0]

I haven't met my future wife in person yet, but have conversed with her and her family online. Would letter of intent to get married from both parties be suffice or having met each other in 2 years a must requirement?

Thanks!

[Morganalmonshid94 84]

Must requirement .

[j&ana 363]

you need both. You must have met with in two years before filing of the petition and you must have a sign letter intent to married from both petitioner and beneficiary

[D.Ba 85]

Not a must if you can prove that religion and/or custom in your country are against meeting in person.

But I suspect you will have a very hard time to prove the relationship is real and there is actual intent to marry and spend your lives together.

c.f.http://www.hg.org/article.asp?id=20494

U.S. Immigration law states that “if it is established that compliance would result in extreme hardship to the petitioner or that compliance would violate strict and long-established customs of the K-1 beneficiary’s foreign culture or social practice, as where marriages are traditionally arranged by the parents of the contracting parties and the prospective bride and groom are prohibited from meeting subsequent to the arrangement and prior to the wedding day.” INA § 214.2(k)(2). Waivers such as these are rarely granted by the USCIS because so few couples have been able to meet the stringent requirement of extreme hardship. For instance, being incarcerated or an inability to travel due to parole or a court order does not necessarily reaches the level of extreme hardship for the petitioner. Nonetheless, each case is evaluated on a case by case basis.

Due to the fact that extreme hardship is generally interpreted by the USCIS to mean something very close to “physically impossible,” it is generally available only to people who are so disabled that they can’t fly at all. As for the latter waiver, very few people qualify for this exception and those that do often have a difficult time proving it to the government’s satisfaction that meeting would violate a cultural norm or societal custom. In light of the advent of online technology, social media and dating websites, meeting the two year meeting requirement may be more and more difficult to fulfill.

Edited April 30, 2015 by D.Ba

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

Also most cultures with pre marital co mingling issues allow meeting under the eyes of elders so no waiver would be available unless you can show NO meeting is allowd.

[yuna628 9,677]

I haven't met my future wife in person yet, but have conversed with her and her family online. Would letter of intent to get married from both parties be suffice or having met each other in 2 years a must requirement?

Thanks!

You must have met in person, unless you can prove some hardship or religious/cultural reason prevents your meeting. This is difficult to prove.

I would suggest you two meet each other, and provide a lot of evidence of that meeting.

[clairegie 265]

No. It is required that you met in person within 2 years of filing unless you can prove hardship or because your culture doesn't allow it. And from the time I joined VJ, I have only seen 1 person get approved for that. Any reason why you can't meet?

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

From the I-129F form instructions: http://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/files/form/i-129finstr.pdf >

Who May File Form I-129F?

You may file this petition if you are a U.S. citizen and:

1. You and your fiancé(e):

a. Intend to marry within 90 days of your fiancé's admission to United States and you are both free to marry;

b. Have met in person within 2 years before filing this petition, unless you establish that either:

(1) The requirement to meet your fiancé(e) in person would violate strict and long-established customs of your or
your fiancé(e)'s foreign culture or social practice; or
(2) The requirement to meet your fiancé(e) in person would result in extreme hardship to you.

[CowBoE 429]

I haven't met my future wife in person yet, but have conversed with her and her family online. Would letter of intent to get married from both parties be suffice or having met each other in 2 years a must requirement?

Thanks!

While there may be some exception situations to waive the physical meeting requirement,

but just realize that it is one of the strongest evidence that you can provide for K1 visa.

Even aside from the visa requirement, don't you want to see her in person

and spend some quality time together before officially committing to marriage?

[Sunnyland 639]

I will suggest that you meet this person FIRST and see if a marriage could be in the cards. Will you want to marry someone you never met in person? Like others said, unless you can not meet her for religious reasons, etc. When you meet her and her family, get to know them better and take as many photos you can.

[Shenzhen 34]

Go meet her period save all receipts airline tickets, hotels, emails everything you do save the receipt. You will need them for her interview when and if she does decide to come here.

[Mike-eeh and Odie 193]

I haven't met my future wife in person yet, but have conversed with her and her family online. Would letter of intent to get married from both parties be suffice or having met each other in 2 years a must requirement?

Thanks!

Actually, you need a letter of intent to marry from both parties and to have met at least once in the past 2 years.

[TheJollyRajah 14]

My opinion is if you can't meet them in person, you don't have the financial stability to care for them here in the states. So go out and try to save money for a trip. You know, it took me seven months to save up to see my fiance. I skipped lunch at work, and most luxuries in life... like treats and movies and video games.... every time i thought about spending money, I asked myself if this would help my trip.

[YouAndMeForever 1,022]

I haven't met my future wife in person yet, but have conversed with her and her family online. Would letter of intent to get married from both parties be suffice or having met each other in 2 years a must requirement?

Thanks!

No. Having met in person within 2 years before filing the I-129F petition is a must.

[muhkoo 12]

My opinion is if you can't meet them in person, you don't have the financial stability to care for them here in the states. So go out and try to save money for a trip. You know, it took me seven months to save up to see my fiance. I skipped lunch at work, and most luxuries in life... like treats and movies and video games.... every time i thought about spending money, I asked myself if this would help my trip.

This was a little judgmental and unnecessary. Also, I don't think the majority of people plan on "taking care" of their spouses when they get to the US if by that you mean supporting them financially 100%. As difficult as it must have been, I also don't think the situation you just described about yourself could be considered financial stability in the way you meant it anyways.

And the OP never said s/he couldn't visit her.

Edited May 2, 2015 by muhkoo