Dangerous Country

[Arena Stone 1]

Hello, I hope you all are well. I'm sure most people are aware of the insecurities in Haiti. I would like to apply for a K1 visa. I am aware that a key factor of the application requires to visit the fiance within 2 years. Haiti is very unsafe, to the point there are no embassies open. I met my partner in 2019 in Haiti. With the assassination of the president in 2021, increase in violence, kidnapping, and gangs taking over the country it is high risk to travel to Haiti. Is there a way to be excluded from visiting a country with such insecurities in the K 1 visa application? The possibility for the Haitian resident to travel to Dominican Republic also poses a threat. The ability to travel to another island such as Jamaica or Bahamas is highly expensive because of no embassies and all travel agencies are ridiculously expensive. Not to mention traveling to an agency is also a risk. On the state department website, Haiti is a level 4, Do Not Travel.

[TBoneTX 46,166]

Welcome to the forum!

52 minutes ago, Arena Stone said:

Is there a way to be excluded from visiting a country with such insecurities in the K 1 visa application?

No.  The "having met in person at least once in 2 years" requirement is firm.

In addition, the term is "I-129F petition."  The visa application comes later, after petition approval.

 

Be aware, too, that the fewer the visits and the shorter the visits, the harder it will be to convince the consular officer (who would grant the visa) that the relationship is bona fide.

 

Best of luck.

[SalishSea 18,154]

You don’t have to visit that country, but you definitely have to meet before filing.

[Cathi 5,794]

You can meet in another country, there is no getting around the meeting in person rule.

If finances are a concern, you're going to have a lot of trouble getting a K-1 because of the cost, plus the requirement of having the ability to support your fiancé once they arrive to the U.S

Edited yesterday at 09:14 AM by Cathi

[Boiler 46,141]

The Consulate in Haiti is closed

[Gary Rich 285]

6 hours ago, Arena Stone said:

Hello, I hope you all are well. I'm sure most people are aware of the insecurities in Haiti. I would like to apply for a K1 visa. I am aware that a key factor of the application requires to visit the fiance within 2 years. Haiti is very unsafe, to the point there are no embassies open. I met my partner in 2019 in Haiti. With the assassination of the president in 2021, increase in violence, kidnapping, and gangs taking over the country it is high risk to travel to Haiti. Is there a way to be excluded from visiting a country with such insecurities in the K 1 visa application? The possibility for the Haitian resident to travel to Dominican Republic also poses a threat. The ability to travel to another island such as Jamaica or Bahamas is highly expensive because of no embassies and all travel agencies are ridiculously expensive. Not to mention traveling to an agency is also a risk. On the state department website, Haiti is a level 4, Do Not Travel.

Gm.. your best and only shot is to get your (fiance, or a family member ) to apply for temporary protection status.They will have to do it here via US Embassy for Hati here in the states

I been to Hati before ( nice country when I was there ) 

[JeanneAdil 6,664]

its a moot point to say he can not meet u in Jamaica or any other country as he will need to interview in one of them which will be asked on the petition 

He can travel to DR,  Jamaica or Mexico to meet u / he should arrive 1st and be at airport when u arrive to protect u in any of these counties

 

The Dominican Republic is generally safe, but precautions are crucial. Stay in well-lit areas, avoid isolated spots, and trust your instincts. Be cautious with valuables and stay informed about local emergency services.

 

If the cost for meeting is an issue ,  u need to check out the TOTAL COST of the K1 and the AOS process after the US marriage as that will stun u

The cost of a K-1 visa for a fiancé(e) in 2025 is at least $2,380. This includes: 

 

• Form I-129F: The K-1 visa petition, which costs $675 
   
• Form DS-160: The U.S. State Department processing fee, which costs $265 
   
• Form I-485: The adjustment of status form, which costs $1,440 
   
• Medical examination: The cost varies by provider and country

Other costs to consider include: 

 

• Travel to the U.S.
• Translating documents if they are not in English
• Additional costs if the fiancé(e) wants to bring a child

• Filing for AP on top of form I 485 (form I 131 is $630)

Also check out the income needed for the support according to poverty guidelines 

100% needed for K1 and may not be enough to satisfy the CO at the embassy interview

125% for the AOS in USA after the marriage

 

 the best to u both

 

 

 

[Arena Stone 1]

Thank you for the responses. Finances are not an issue. It's just traveling TO and IN Haiti that is dangerous 😳 We are planning to meet in Jamaica. Of course the preferred destination for me would be in Haiti 🥰 to meet with family and friends. 

It's harder for my partner to purchase an airfare ticket because there are currently no flights from Haiti to Jamaica 🤦🏾‍♀️ smh.  Thank you

 

 

[OldUser 7,603]

7 minutes ago, Arena Stone said:

Thank you for the responses. Finances are not an issue.

 

13 hours ago, Arena Stone said:

The ability to travel to another island such as Jamaica or Bahamas is highly expensive because of no embassies and all travel agencies are ridiculously expensive. 

If finances is indeed not an issue, meet in a third country.

 

Good luck and stay safe!

[mitzab 297]

I have been reading the K1 forums for a long time, I have never seen anyone getting a waiver for in-person meeting. 
 

[JD2 102]

The I-129F instructions do have a waiver for the 2 year meeting requirement.  I don't know how hard it is to get.  "You must request a waiver and demonstrate that meeting in person would have posed an extreme hardship on you or violated strict and long-established customs of your fiancé(e)’s foreign culture or social practice, and that any and all aspects of the traditional arrangements have been or will be met in accordance with the custom or practice. Include evidence to support your claim. Evidence may include things like medical records, statements from religious leaders, or evidence of immediate danger. "

 

The juice may not be worth the squeeze.  I would probably spend the money to meet in the 3rd country rather than gamble on this waiver.

Edited 14 hours ago by JD2

[Boiler 46,141]

I have only come across one.