Tourist Visa Before (And After, Sort Of) K1

[turveydrop 4]

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/348478-potential-fiancee-coming-to-ny-on-tourist-visa-first/page__gopid__5116174#entry5116174

I've already posted there, and this is technically about a tourist visa, but I need to hear from people who have experience within the context of the K1 process. We have decided that it is absolutely not worth trying to hide the previous K1 petition. She's just going to go in and lay it all out on the table.

There have to be some people on this site who've done this. Just to sum up, we canceled a K1 petition last year because she was unprepared to take that step after such a short time. Now she wants to visit New York to see how she feels here. She will absolutely go back to Uzbekistan, whatever she decides. She has a lot of beloved family and needs to deliberate. She's an open person and would not be able to pull off a lie anyway, and I think any interviewer with half a brain will see that.

Still, has anyone done this? Have you gone in for the tourist visa and said, "Yes, I'm thinking of emigrating, but not yet. I have a love interest in the U.S. and we even started a K1 petition before, but really, I'm not going to overstay. I want to check it out first, but I will be back to say goodbye to my family and begin the K1 process and wait my turn." What are the chances of getting a tourist visa this way? Someone in the other thread mentioned that it may work in her favor that she didn't want to rush things last time. Thanks!

Edited January 24, 2012 by turveydrop

[skiptex 225]

don't complicate it..

she wants a tourist visa to visit USA>.. thats all..

there is no k1.. she is going to visit friends..

THEN!!!!!!!!!!!! after.. ya'll decide next step

use the KISS Method.. Keep It Simple .......

[My_Wife_and_I 1]

Dear Turveydrop,

Since no one with a K1 has answered, I'll just let you know that my wife was able to get a B1/B2 visa while we are going through the

CR1 process. I don't know if a K1 would have been any different. She did assemble evidence of strong ties to China for her application and interview. Her interview went very quickly with few questions asked. We were anxious about POE but that also went smoothly. At POE they asked her who she was visiting and she said her husband. All of the threads I have read on this topic say the same thing, you must demonstrate strong ties to your country.

Wishing you the very best,

David

[Boiler 45,404]

You have not mentioned any positive aspects, not that it matters.

The only way to find out is if she applies.

[turveydrop 4]

Dear Turveydrop,

Since no one with a K1 has answered, I'll just let you know that my wife was able to get a B1/B2 visa while we are going through the

CR1 process. I don't know if a K1 would have been any different. She did assemble evidence of strong ties to China for her application and interview. Her interview went very quickly with few questions asked. We were anxious about POE but that also went smoothly. At POE they asked her who she was visiting and she said her husband. All of the threads I have read on this topic say the same thing, you must demonstrate strong ties to your country.

Wishing you the very best,

David

Thanks very much. What sort of strong ties did she demonstrate? On my end, she has the aforementioned family members and, currently, a good job in Tashkent.

don't complicate it..

she wants a tourist visa to visit USA>.. thats all..

there is no k1.. she is going to visit friends..

THEN!!!!!!!!!!!! after.. ya'll decide next step

use the KISS Method.. Keep It Simple .......

That's what she thought initially, but it's not worth the risk of being caught trying to get away with a lie or just a bit of a fudge and then getting blacklisted.

You have not mentioned any positive aspects, not that it matters.

The only way to find out is if she applies.

Positive aspects of what? Any yes, we won't know for our specific situation until she applies, but we're trying to extrapolate based on similar experiences other have had.

[skiptex 225]

i did not say lie..

maybe you will understand this..

ONLY answer questions you are asked....

hows that?

[turveydrop 4]

i did not say lie..

maybe you will understand this..

ONLY answer questions you are asked....

hows that?

I'm pretty sure those questions will include who she's going to see and why.

[Boiler 45,404]

Why she would need to return to her country for a start.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

We can't know the outcome. There are too many factors, some classified, that go into issuing a tourist visa. The COs will look at the totality of the situation. As I said, they will know about the previous K-1, even if it was withdrawn. Uzbek has a high tourist visa refusal rate, however. It's 50% refusal.

http://www.travel.state.gov/pdf/FY11.pdf

But, if she has strong ties to home, etc, then she can be issued a tourist visa. If she is refused, then it will not harm any later K-1 process you undergo. If she is refused, I also suggest a back-up plan. Maybe you can take a trip to a third country and meet there. I know the point is for her to see NY, but maybe just general traveling (you said she has only been to a few countries) will better prepare her, indirectly, for living in the US.

The best way to know is to apply. Good luck.

[sabi 148]

i did not say lie..

maybe you will understand this..

ONLY answer questions you are asked....

hows that?

I agree here... saying "I am visiting a friend" isn't completely untrue, my fiance is my best friend, so when I say I am visiting a friend I am technically not lying. I just don't have to tell them I have a romantic relationship with my "friend" if I am not being asked simple

[Boiler 45,404]

You would also have to assume they are stupid.

[turveydrop 4]

Dear Turveydrop,

Since no one with a K1 has answered, I'll just let you know that my wife was able to get a B1/B2 visa while we are going through the

CR1 process. I don't know if a K1 would have been any different. She did assemble evidence of strong ties to China for her application and interview. Her interview went very quickly with few questions asked. We were anxious about POE but that also went smoothly. At POE they asked her who she was visiting and she said her husband. All of the threads I have read on this topic say the same thing, you must demonstrate strong ties to your country.

Wishing you the very best,

David

Thanks very much. This is helpful. What kind of ties did she demonstrate, specifically?

Why she would need to return to her country for a start.

My understanding is that the tourist visa is for a year, so she could, technically, stay throughout the K1 process. However, she will want to go back to take care of some things and say goodbye properly. I will probably go back too, for a proper celebration/going away party/wedding shower.

Edited January 24, 2012 by turveydrop

[turveydrop 4]

I agree here... saying "I am visiting a friend" isn't completely untrue, my fiance is my best friend, so when I say I am visiting a friend I am technically not lying. I just don't have to tell them I have a romantic relationship with my "friend" if I am not being asked simple

Sorry, I think this is bad advice, for anyone else reading. If you say "I'm going to visit a friend," the next question will be "Just a friend?" from anyone who isn't sleepwalking through their job. And they should have on file the previous petition.

I work with people who lie on a regular basis. It's amazing what people think you haven't heard before. They will wonder what else you're holding back, not to mention their feeling disrespected.

[sabi 148]

Sorry, I think this is bad advice, for anyone else reading. If you say "I'm going to visit a friend," the next question will be "Just a friend?" from anyone who isn't sleepwalking through their job. And they should have on file the previous petition.

I work with people who lie on a regular basis. It's amazing what people think you haven't heard before. They will wonder what else you're holding back, not to mention their feeling disrespected.

well this wasn't really an advise, I've been traveling to states a lot and never been asked who am I going to , just the address. Once I said I am meeting my friend to do the road trip with and I am sure if I said it was my boyfriend back then they would get suspicious and ask more questions and maybe wouldn't let me through at all... Probably now since we applied for a fiance visa I would mention my fiance, it really depends on a situation... All I really meant was: don't give more information that you are asked for.

[skiptex 225]

Sorry, I think this is bad advice, for anyone else reading. If you say "I'm going to visit a friend," the next question will be "Just a friend?" from anyone who isn't sleepwalking through their job. And they should have on file the previous petition.

I work with people who lie on a regular basis. It's amazing what people think you haven't heard before. They will wonder what else you're holding back, not to mention their feeling disrespected.

its not lying.. and if the officer asks a question, and u answer it, if he/she asks another, then answer it..

BUT IMHO, its not wise to answer simple question (what is your purpose in USA?) with a 20 min soliloquy of things you think they may want or need to hear..

as they say on the Court Tv shows.. "JUST THE FACTS".. you shouldn't try to give up answers to questions that he did not ask..

i am not a Border Agent but i did sleep at a holiday inn express