In person meeting exemption

[cycswan 2]

Apparently they don’t make much exceptions for the in person meeting, but would they make one if one person in the relationship had severe anxiety and couldn’t fly due to it? Also, flying would be the only option of transportation for meeting. Has the in person meeting ever been exempt due to anxiety or related issues?

Edited July 22, 2018 by cycswan

[JFH 12,189]

I have never heard of an exception being made due to fear of flying. Only one party needs to travel. And there are treatments for anxiety (pills, hypnotherapy, etc). The only medical exception I have heard of was where the USC was bed-bound and the foreign fiancé had tried repeatedly to obtain a visit visa but was repeatedly denied. 

[Alabamak1 688]

4 minutes ago, cycswan said:

Apparently they don’t make much exceptions for the in person meeting, but would they make one if one person in the relationship had severe anxiety and couldn’t fly due to it? Also, flying would be the only option of transportation for meeting. Has the in person meeting ever been exempt due to anxiety or related issues?

Unlikely...from what i have read here in VJ. Couples who have not met in the past 2 years, like the k-1 requires, wont even go further than NOA-1 and will probably have a denial.

[Crazy Cat 40,640]

It has been discussed in the past, but I'm not sure the person was successful in an exemption.....seems the person had severe physical conditions.

[Crazy Cat 40,640]

Air travel is the safest mode of transportation on earth.....I would advise the person to see a doctor about some anti-anxiety meds for the trip.  For most people, the immigration causes a great deal of anxiety.....not related to air travel.......so I would prepare myself.

[Illiria 980]

In reading the denials of k1 on the USCIS website I have seen this come up, they tell them to have the foreign beneficiary try for a tourist visa either to the US or a country the US citizen can get to via land or they tell the US citizen to use other means to get to the foreign beneficiary such as a cruise. 

[cycswan 2]

Okay, so it appears no exemption would be made. My gf is from Peru and I’m in the US, and we need to meet in person. Unless of course there’s a different kind of visa that would allow her here, but I can’t find anything. Seems overly complicated and stupid just for her to come to the US.

Edited July 22, 2018 by cycswan

[Crazy Cat 40,640]

One more thing......life is short.......don't limit yourself due to anxiety.

[Going through 5,669]

She could try for a tourist visa to meet you in the US, then return to Peru, and you file for the K1.

[cycswan 2]

I know. Wish my mind wasn’t such a curse at times. You think ambien would reliably knock me out for a flight, including one with at least one stop?

 

Yeah, only problem is that people in Peru apparently get turned down regularly for tourist visas, especially when they feel that the person won’t come back.

Edited July 22, 2018 by cycswan

[Going through 5,669]

Just now, cycswan said:

I know. Wish my mind wasn’t such a curse at times. You think ambien would reliably knock me out for a flight, including one with at least one stop?

Is there any way a friend could travel with you, if that would help?

[cycswan 2]

1 minute ago, Going through said:

Is there any way a friend could travel with you, if that would help?

Yes. And yes, it would be helpful, but I’d basically have to be knocked out for a few hours then wake up and switch planes, then get knocked out again. I worry that I’d wake up and suffer severe anxiety.

[Oliversmom 250]

Take it from me - you can do this.   I have SEVERE fear of flying and anxiety.  I looked for every way under the sun to get out of it.  But finally realized if I wanted this to move forward I would have to just do it.  I did get anti-anxiety medicine and I made three trips to Morocco.  Was it fun for me?   Not at all.  But I made it.  My husband is here and we have been married for five years.  I would hate to think this would never have happened if I hadn't got on that plane.  I am not downplaying what you are going through.  Those three trips were not fun at all.  But I made it and you can too.  

[Roel 7,191]

27 minutes ago, cycswan said:

Apparently they don’t make much exceptions for the in person meeting, but would they make one if one person in the relationship had severe anxiety and couldn’t fly due to it? Also, flying would be the only option of transportation for meeting. Has the in person meeting ever been exempt due to anxiety or related issues?

Nope. No chance. Honestly? Everyone would be claiming they are afraid to fly if it was that easy.

 

Besides. If that one person can't visit, the other one should fly then. Unless both of you have that fear. Unlucky. Just because your fiance is unlikely to receive a tourist visa, it doesn't mean it's a base for waiver.

 

Sorry. But those waivers are given to people with absolutely severe medical conditions (ex. someone is so physically ill they cannot get out of  bed) or due to religious reasons.

Edited July 22, 2018 by Roel

[Oliversmom 250]

One more thing I forgot to mention.  If you don't travel to her country you will miss out on so much.  You won't get to see her in her home environment.  You won't get to meet her friends and family.  You won't get to learn about her culture.  Even though getting on those planes was hard it was the BEST thing I ever did.  I treasure the time I spent there and I love his family so much.  I would have missed out on so much if I hadn't gone.  Not to mention I wouldn't be happily married now.  Get some medicine and just do it.  You don't have to get medicine to knock you out.  My medicine just helped me relax.  I got through it by thinking about the wonderful experiences waiting for me when I got to Morocco.  Over my life I will make many more trips back to see his family.  It gets a bit easier every time.  Don't lose out on this experience.  You absolutely can do it.