To help save money, U.S. citizens who have been dating online will often want to skip the in-person meeting requirement for a Fiancee Visa. However, this rule cannot be avoided unless the couple is unable to meet.
Here is an example where the couple has not yet met, and the foreigner has little chance of visiting the U.S.
Question
I want to bring my g/f from the Philippines to the USA for marriage. We have not met in person, however we talk everyday on the phone and as often as possible online. What must I do to bring her here without me going there first? She has a college degree already in Finance. Thank You
Answer
Donald, thank you for your inquiry. Each visa has its own purpose. If you want to bring your girlfriend to the U.S. for the purpose of marriage, she needs a Fiance Visa / K1 Visa. In order to qualify for a Fiancee Visa, you must first meet in person. Since you have not met you do not qualify.
In order to qualify for a waiver of the in-person meeting requirement you must be physically prevented from travel due to a serious and permanent medical condition.
There is the possibility of having her come to the U.S. as a visitor, spending time together, then returning her home to the Philippines once her visit has come to an end. However, please do not have her apply for a visitor’s visa to the U.S. In all likelihood she will not be able to obtain one. If she applies and is denied it will only make our work more difficult in obtaining a Fiancee Visa for her.
In order to qualify for a visitor’s visa to the U.S., she must essentially prove that her life overseas is better than it would be in the U.S. The U.S. wants foreigner visitors who are wealthy and will spend money in the U.S., and especially who will return home after the visit. The U.S. Consulate does not want single, females of childbearing years to stay in the U.S. illegally after the visitor’s visa expires.
If interested, you are welcome to call to discuss once you have made your travel reservations to meet your girlfriend in person. If the meeting goes well, you should be able to obtain a Fiancee Visa for her.
Kind regards,
Allan
You are welcome to contact me if you like to discuss further.
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My Son is in the U.S Military (Army) and currently deployed. My son met (not in person) his Philippine Fiancee (he sent her an engagement ring) through Facebook through.They met about 5 months ago and are currently Corresponding on Face Book, Facebook live Cam Chat, Yahoo messenger, Yahoo live cam chat, Telephone and US mail. I also correspond with her the same way. Is there any way that we can start the Fiancee visa While he’s deployed or do we have to wait until he comes back and gos to Philippines to meet her.
Jackie, Great question. Thank you. One of the requirements for K fiancee visa processing is that the couple must have met in person within 2 years prior to making initial submission to immigration services. Unfortunately, it is not possible to first file the case and the meet in person while the case is in process. It can be possible to waive the in-person meeting requirement if the U.S. citizen is unable to travel outside the U.S., typically due to a serious and permanent medical condition which would prevent all travel. Military deployment poses a temporary problem. At some point your son will be allowed to go on leave or perhaps PCS back to the U.S. There will be a chance for them to meet in person within a reasonable time. If the Philippines is far from where he is deployed, then it can be possible to bring her closer to where he is located so they can spend time together. There is no requirement that he must meet her in the Philippines. There is a requirement that they must meet in person prior to filing the K visa petition. I hope this helps. Kind regards, Allan
Thank you for your Reply Allan. It was more than helpful. My following question is in regards to No requirement for them to meet in Philippines/ bringing her closer so that they can first meet. My son is Puerto Rican. He was born, raised and lives in New York. Would it be possible for him to vacation in Dominican Republic and have his Philippines Fiancee Visit/Vacation in Dominican republic so that they can meet in person (after he comes back from deployment of course). If so, would this meeting in D.Republic present a problem for future fiancee Visa? If D.Republic is out of the question then what place is close enough for them to meet? My apologies for the bombardment of questions but your helpful reply not only enlighten me (No requirement first meeting had to be in the Philippines) but also caused new questions to arise. Thank you Allan
Jackie, My pleasure. Often, Filipinas are not easily able to travel to places like the Dominican Republic because it is off the beaten path for a Filipina. More importantly, all countries have the same interest when deciding whether to grant a visitor visa. All want tourist money. If the Dominican Republic were to issue her a visitor visa, is there a reasonable assurance the Dominican Republic will derive revenues?
What your son can do is book refundable plane tickets and hotel reservations. He can write a letter of invitation to meet his fiancee in the Dominican Republic. Show his deployment. Allow her to use these documents to apply for a visitor visa to the Dominican Republic and the immigration authorities will see that the couple is spending money. This should increase her chances of success. There are many places she may be able to visit throughout the Caribbean or Central America. Please have her check with a travel agent to see what sort of travel routing can make sense for both of them.
So long as they can meet in person and spend time together, she will meet the requirements for a fiancee visa. Meeting on vacation while he is on leave sounds great and makes sense. They are a couple. Kind regards, Allan
Thanks For ur Good work, my fiancee is in the US and i am in Nigeria my plan is To go and be with her after my graduation from the uni. We have not met in person, So what you suggest can she apply For a fiance visa?
Chris, You must first meet in person in order to immigrate to the U.S. on a fiance visa. Since you very likely cannot visit the U.S., she must meet you outside the U.S. You can meet together in Nigeria or in another country. The more time you spend together in person, the better are your chances in obtaining a fiance visa to the U.S. For more information about fiance visa requirements, please go here: Fiance Visa / K1 Visa Requirements.
Kind regards,
Allan
I met a girl online that lives in the philopines and we have fallen in love. I want to bring her here to live and marry me. I have not met her in person and me being a fellon i can not leave the contry to visit her. How can I get her here?
Ron
Ron, I receive this type of query from time to time and it always becomes a lengthy discussion. Allow me to set out some guide posts here and then we can have a phone call if you like.
An inability to meet your fiancee due to a criminal conviction is valid, but it is not the sort of thing an immigration officer will view kindly. We could process the case, go on appeal and even perhaps win the appeal. When your case goes to the U.S. consulate abroad for an interview, there is a good chance the visa would be refused for lack of a genuine relationship. Essentially, once you have been convicted of a crime you should try and do the maximum possible to comply with the rules and remove as many barriers to visa issuance as possible. You should try and meet if at all possible.
You should discuss matters with your parole or probation officer. See when your restriction from travel abroad ends. In one case, the couple was able to meet in person at the border fence between the U.S. and Mexico. The girl was from the Philippines and the guy was unable to leave the U.S., so they met at the border. She remained in Mexico legally while we processed her on a fiancee visa to the U.S.
I can pursue a waiver of the requirement if you like, but I suspect you will run into problems. Kind regards, Allan
I’ve met a girl online from the Philippines and she and I would like t o get married. In order for us to meet I would have to quit my job as I am not allowed vacation time. Would my finding a new job on my return to the USA delay our visa application process?
Carl, You will need to show current and stable U.S. earnings. It will help if you can obtain a new job quickly when you return from meeting your fiancee in person. Also, it will help if your new job was along the same career path as your previous job to help show stable earnings. Low income and changing jobs or being unemployed for long stretches undermines stability. Here is a good blog post on income requirements: Fiance Visa Income Requirements
I hope this helps. Please call if interested in working together. My number is 1-888-483-0311 (toll free from the U.S.). Kind regards, Allan
I met a nice girl online almost 1 1/2 yrs ago from the Philippines. I am severely disabled, in a wheelchair and on a ventilator. I can longer make the trip to the Philippines. My health is stable, but the long flight would be brutal. Is there a chance for me to get my girl here by using a physical disability waiver for me, and fiancee visa for her?
Hi allan your post and comments have been helpful and assisted me in understanding this process more however i have one more question i do hope u can help me with and thank u in advance.
My fiance is in florida i am in guyana south america. I am 17 years 6 months can my fiance file a k-1 visa for me now without parental consent?
Lisa, Unfortunately, you must be eligible to marry at the time the K1 petition is filed. If you do not have the permission of one parent, then you need to wait until you are 18 years old before your U.S. citizen fiance makes initial submissions to the USCIS. I hope this helps. Kind regards, Allan
Charles, Yes, it is possible to obtain a waiver of the in person meeting requirement in your case. Would you like to have a phone discussion? You are severely disabled. Even so, the USCIS will want to know your range of travel. I do not know your location in the U.S. and whether you can travel anywhere outside the U.S. If travel is dangerous, then do not attempt it. However, if you can go outside the U.S. then it may be possible to meet in person with her. There is no requirement that you must go to the Philippines to meet. Some immigration officers can be unreasonably strict. When pursuing waivers, I generally will assume we need to go on appeal, so I want to cover all bases and set up the case to win. You will generally get better results by doing things right at the outset. Can you please call me to discuss further at 1-888-483-0311 (toll free from the U.S.)? My email address is allan@asl-lawfirm.com. Kind regards, Allan
Hi allan, My Fiance lives in St. louis missouri Usa and he wants me to come there we met each other online and we almost a year now we haven’t yet met in person but we seek to get married soon in the US, and also i read that the meeting in person requirement can be skip if the person has a serious medical condition and my Fiance has a terrible depression asthma attacks heart problem and he can’t tolerate a tropical climate in the philippines my question is is his condiscion can be considerable?
Cathy, There is no need for him to meet you in the Philippines or anywhere in the tropics. There is a general requirement that you must have met within the past 2 years. You could meet in Mexico, for example. Here is some information regarding those who are unable to meet in person:
https://asl-lawfirm.com/blog/unable-satisfy-person-meeting-requirement-fiance-spouse-visa-processing/
I handle bar waivers for those who truly are unable to travel outside the U.S. due to a serious and permanent medical condition or other equivalent hardship. You are welcome to contact me further as needed. Kind regards, Allan
I have someone very special in the Philippines and i want to get her here without no problem, i was wondering if anyone knows i could get her here without no marriage…i mean she is special to me but i want her to come here…
Edelvise, A fiancee visa is for the purpose of bringing a foreigner to the U.S. with the intent to marry within 90 days after arrival. If she cannot adjust to life with you in the U.S. and you do not marry, she can depart the U.S. on time and there will be no penalties. She should normally be able to return to the U.S. on another K1 fiancee visa with you or another U.S. citizen petitioner. If you have no romantic interest, then she needs to find some other basis to enter the U.S. Here is some helpful information regarding different ways to immigrate to the U.S.:
https://asl-lawfirm.com/blog/what-are-the-different-ways-to-come-to-the-us/
I hope this helps. Kind regards, Allan
Hey allan. thank u for ur great work. please I need get answers about my situations. I met my bf online.hes American. We really in love and not want end our relationship someday for a visa. is there any way to get him in the usa as he can’t get passport due to some criminal records in the past. waiting for a favorable answer. god bless you xoxo
Chera, Can you please use the Contact Us form to explain the reason he is unable to travel to meet you in person? If he is currently incarcerated, normally this is not a good excuse not to meet. If he falls under the Adam Walsh Act, a discussion is required to figure out how best to handle the situation. Kindly, Allan
Good day Sir,
My boyfriend and I had planned to meet in person but due to his criminal charge about 22or27 years ago he can’t travel outside USA he can’t even get a passport.
Hope for your quick respond..
Griselda, You are likely referring to an Adam Walsh Act case. I assist with them. Can you please have your fiance call me at 1-888-483-0311 to discuss?
In the meantime, here is some helpful information: https://asl-lawfirm.com/adam-walsh-act/
Allan
Greetings from Philippines.
Thank you sir for your quick respond.
However is it possible we can obtain a waiver even tho he did tried it before with his ex girlfriend from Nicaragua? He wanted to try it again but kinda confused if he is allowed to do it again .
Thank you.
Hi my name is Lyn I’m planning to pitition my fiace in the Philippines and my question is can i go and visit him during his Interview?
Griselda, His prior application can have an effect on his current application. I don’t know the details. A phone call is needed. Short written exchanges simply are not enough unfortunately. I have to have a good understanding of the situation and then can advise. Kindly, Allan
Lyn, Yes, it is a good idea to visit him at the time he must attend his consulate interview. More time together is always better than less time. Allan
Hi,sir I been apply a tourist visa to go visit my bf and see in person but I get denied,now my bf want to get passport to be able to go down here in Philippines, so can meet in person and file K1 visa ,but he been denied to get or renew because ,of long years ago he not support fully with her daughter, ex… Now what to do to get fiancée visa?
Bitong, It is unlikely he will qualify for a waiver of the in person meeting requirement simply because he owes child support. This is not a matter beyond his control. At least, that is how the immigration agencies will view it. It is still possible for you to meet together, but just not in the Philippines or the U.S. There should be some alternatives. Does he have an interest in working with an attorney on case processing? If so, can you please have him contact me to discuss? Kindly, Allan
Hi i have a fiance in US for alm0st 1 1/2 yr and he wants me to get there to get married but we didn’t meet yet in person.He has kids and work. What should i process here a visiting visa or a fiancee visa?
Clair, If you’ve not yet met in person, then you should first meet together outside the U.S. He very likely cannot obtain a visitor visa and a fiance visa requires that you first meet in person before processing it. The only exception is when you are unable to meet in person. In all likelihood you would not qualify for a waiver of the in-person meeting requirement. If you are willing to travel outside the U.S. to spend time with him, you are welcome to call to discuss case processing. Kindly, Allan
hello Sir,
how many weeks or months needs my fiance to stay here in philippines if he want me to bring in the USA?
Have a good day Sir,
I have a question to u? My bf his planning to visit me here in Philippines to meet me. and after that he was planning to bring me in the United States for a tourist visa but the problem im not annulled yet for my ex husband separated for 6 yrs.Is there possible that i can go with him to visit his place for a Tourist Visa? Thank u Sir.
Thonette, As long as possible. Each extra day you spend together helps. Also, each situation is different. For some people, a short trip makes sense, but in other cases it is important to spend more time together. If your fiance has an interest in working with me, can you please have him call me at 1-888-483-0311 to discuss? Very kindly, Allan
Rowena, I believe you would not qualify for a visitor visa:
https://asl-lawfirm.com/b-visa-for-visitors/
There is a risk you might not depart the U.S. at the end of your stay as a visitor.
If the annulment takes too long, I may have suggestions. Can you please have your fiance call me to discuss if he has an interest in working with an attorney on your case? Often, people want tourist visas for foreigners to try and save money. However, the likelihood may not be realistic and it puts the foreigner in a dangerous position. If you tell the truth about your intentions on the visitor visa application, there is essentially no chance the visa will issue. It would be a very rare occurrence. At the same time, sometimes there is no convincing someone about what they want to do. In this case, I would rather wait until he tries what he wants and then call me when ready. I want to make sure I’m not just talking if no one’s listening. I hope that makes sense. Please try what you think is right and let me know. Kindly, Allan
Allan, I hve this online bf frm us, and im wrkng presently as of know in hongkong, we had alrdy met up in person nd evn now he is in philippines visitng my family,and we are planning to hve a marriage here in hk so that he could bring me in us, and while im wrkng here in hk my status in my documents are all single, and im separated in phil fr almost 4-yrs but hvnt annuled yet, is there a possibilities that he could bring me in us, if he could marry me here in hk? bcoz all my documents here, is shown as single, or it can cause us more problm if we do that, I hope u could gve us an idea, hope to hear an advice to u soon
Chona, You cannot marry your fiance yet because you are still married. Talk to a Hong Kong divorce lawyer. If you can file for divorce in Hong Kong, this will be fine, even if your husband is Filipino. The Philippines government will not accept a Hong Kong divorce, but it will be valid for U.S. purposes so long as you have valid temporary immigration status in Hong Kong. I imagine you must be working there and have a work visa. After divorce, you can marry your U.S. citizen fiancee. So long as you obtain a divorce, it does not matter to me that you misrepresented on your work visa to Hong Kong. If interested, you are welcome to contact me off-post to discuss further. Kindly, Allan
Hello sir, I have some questions, my bf from va US plan to visit me here in Philippines for a month to meet my family and to know each other, but he really want to bring me to US with him. is it possible to happen? he is Muslim and I’m a catholic.
Hi good evening what will we do my boyfriend wsnt me to come in texas he can apply me a fiancee visa we never meet in person yet but he is welling me to come im a pilipina 50yrs old and he is 43yrs ,old
Mary, He very likely could not bring you back together with him. You need to apply for a visa to the U.S. and it takes time, depending on which visa you apply. It seems that your boyfriend is not familiar with immigration rules or he has additional information. You are welcome to have him contact me to discuss if he has an interest in working with an attorney on case processing. I hope to hear from you. Very kindly, Allan
Rachel, Generally, you must first meet in person outside the U.S. before immigrating on a fiancee visa. Sometimes, it is possible to obtain a waiver of the in-person meeting requirement, but most waivers are denied: Unable to Satisfy the In-Person Meeting Requirement
Can you please have your fiance call me at 1-888-483-0311 to discuss if he has an interest in working with me on case processing? Very kindly, Allan
Hi Alllen, my name is Joshua and I met a girl in the philippines and we habe been talking for about a month we want to get married. We have never met. But I’m not sure I can visit her. I pay child support and I cannpt take the Time off. Is there any possible way I can bring her here so that we can get married with out me having to find a way to get to her?
Hello sir, I have a boyfriend from Hawaii, and now he is now in Washington to visit her daughter. He want to go back in Hawaii to renew his passport and after that he is visit me here in the Philippines. But sad to say that his in the plane his cannot breath his urgent landing in California rush in the hospital. Now he is in Washington and he call me to visit me in Washington. But cannot meet in person. thank you so much.
Maggie, There is not enough information to tell, but sometimes it can be possible to obtain a waiver of the requirement that you must meet in person. Waivers are for unusual circumstances, so I would need to know more about the situation. Can you please have your fiance call me to discuss? In the meantime, here is a link to waivers:
https://asl-lawfirm.com/blog/unable-satisfy-person-meeting-requirement-fiance-spouse-visa-processing/
Very kindly, Allan
Good day sir,
My boyfriend want me to visit here in Philippines but he is ex sex offender level 1. Hope you will help me in this case. Thank you
Josue, It is unlikely you can obtain a waiver due to child support obligations. Successful waivers for meeting in person are typically the result of problems beyond your control, such as a medical problem. There may be ways you can meet, but the cheapest would be to meet in the Philippines. You can meet in Mexico perhaps, but that depends on how to obtain a visa for her to meet there. You should be able to cross border into Mexico and back without a U.S. passport. Kindly, Allan
Jen, Can you please have him contact me off-post to discuss? Kindly, Allan
Please i need a solid info about this, i have my finacee in u.s. but shes physically challenged having a brain disorder and she’s on welfare, but we have been chatting for some time now and we intend to get married soon.
How can we go about it, since she physically challenged.
Isaac, If she is unable to travel to marry you in the Philippines, then your only choice would be a fiance visa. However, she must qualify financially on her own for a fiance visa in your situation as far as I know. The U.S. consulate in Manila has not accepted a financial joint sponsor on a fiance visa for many years. If you are to proceed on a fiance visa in the Philippines with a waiver, then she must meet income guidelines without a joint sponsor. If you want to use a joint sponsor for a fiance visa with waiver, then you must relocate to a country other than the Philippines to immigrate you to the U.S. Often, people in the Philippines work in Hong Kong, Singapore, Canada, or other countries. If you are willing to relocate to another country, please contact me off-post to discuss. Very kindly, Allan
Hi sir good day..
I hav a bf at US we will meet this coming
June at the phil.im married with 2kids and not annuld
We plan to get visitor visa
Then file a divorce in the US to my phil.husband so we can get married
Go back home.and apply for a fiancee visa to re enter the US is that posible?
Thank you sir.
Hi allan i just want to know that , my fiance and i have plan to marry in Philippine when we get meet but this the first time we meet..do u think this is the one easiest way to get me out of here in philippines to go there in us?do we need to get.marry again there in us after we marry in Philippine?
A marriage in the Philippines is valid in the U.S. Allan
Rochelle, It’s possible, but it does not sound as if you will qualify for a visitor visa:
https://asl-lawfirm.com/b-visa-for-visitors/
Without the visitor visa, the plan fails. Kindly, Allan
Hello am a citizen of Nigeria and my fiance want to file me up from the USA, we have been talking for the past 3years now and we haven’t met in person due to her health condition she has a disease she hardly breathe on her own that stop her from traveling that far or getting on a plane,, what can she do to get me file up we really need to get married am single and she’s divorce.. Thanks
Yusuf, Thank you for writing. Can your fiancee please call me to discuss case processing and the possibility of a waiver? Cases out of Nigeria can be tricky because applicants have a reputation for entering into fake marriages. It will be important to show the love connection as much as possible in addition to obtaining a waiver. I hope to hear from her. Very kindly, Allan
I have a u.s boyfriend for 2 years. Until now we did not yet meet in person. How can I get a fiancee visa from the Philippines to go there to meet him? What are the guidelines/steps to secure a fiancee visa. thank you
MP, If you are a U.S. citizen then you should not need a visa to enter the Philippines and visit your fiance. When you book your plane ticket or hotel reservation for the Philippines, you should ask how to clear border inspection. I believe the border agent in the Philippines will give approval for you to stay for a certain length of time. I’m available to help immigrate him to the U.S. if interested. You are welcome to call me to discuss. Very kindly, Allan
Hello Allan,
I just want to know what visa should I get, tourist visa or K-1 visa? Here’s the situation, our relationship started last 2019. He planned to visit me the year after but he’s been diagnosed with cancer and at the same time the virus was at its peak (2020 – 2021). He’s still having doc’s appointment until now (MRI, blood works and such). So the idea of him travelling to see me will be difficult. Is he eligible for the waiver, if we choose K1 visa? Or should I be the one go there to meet him under tourist visa instead? Please help, thank you so much and more power.
Madel
Hello Allan,
I just want to know what visa should I get, tourist visa or K-1 visa? Here’s the situation, our relationship started last 2019. He planned to visit me the year after but he’s been diagnosed with cancer and at the same time the virus was at its peak (2020 – 2021). He’s still having doc’s appointment until now (MRI, blood works and such). So the idea of him travelling to see me will be difficult. Is he eligible for the waiver, if we choose K1 visa? Or should I be the one go there to meet him under tourist visa instead? Please help, thank you so much and more power.
Madel
Madel, You can meet him in the US on any visa you are able to obtain. Your intentions must be for the purpose the visa was granted. For example, the purpose of a visitor visa is to visit the US and go home at the end of the visit. You can visit your fiancee, return home to the Philippines, and reenter the US on a fiancee visa. Most foreigners from the Philippines are not approved for visitor visas for fear they may overstay their welcome. It is especially problematic to apply for a visitor visa so that you can visit a boyfriend in the US for fear that you may want to marry and remain in the US. Also, you must always tell the truth when speaking with an immigration officer. You can receive a permanent bar from the US if a US immigration officer believes you did not answer questions truthfully at any time, married or not. Typically, a phone call to us in advance of travel can help sort out a strategy for those who can obtain various visas such as the visitor visa. Given the medical condition, the question is whether it is reasonably possible to meet somewhere outside the US, perhaps closer to the US such as in Mexico. It may be that your boyfriend’s condition will approve in the near future so that he may travel somewhere outside the US. He should consult with his doctor. A waiver is possible only if there is no reasonable way you can meet in person. Consider calling me to discuss options if you have an interest in working with me on case processing. I can typically figure out a workable strategy in a single phone call.
Madel, The in-person meeting requirement for the K1 does not require that you meet outside the US. You can meet inside the US on a B1/B2 visitor visa and this will qualify you for the K1. The waiver of the in-person meeting requirement is for those foreigners who are unable to visit the US and the US citizen is unable to travel anywhere outside the US to meet you. In order to qualify for a B visitor visa, you must prove convincingly that you have the funds to visit the US and support our tourist industry. Most importantly, you must demonstrate a compelling interest in returning home once the visit has ended. Visiting a fiance suggests there is a strong risk that you may not depart the US as a visitor on time. It’s a reason not to approve a visitor visa to the US. Of course, if you already have a visitor visa to the US, you can use it to visit. You will be asked the reason for the visit and will have a lot of explaining to do in order to convince a CBP officer that you will not overstay your welcome. If you have a visitor visa already, I recommend that you email us using the Contact Us form on this page so that we might address issues more thoroughly. I’m sorry to hear that your fiance has these troubles. Let me see what I can do to help. Kind regards, Allan