Travel advice and proof of relationship

[Pandora01 0]

Hi everyone,

We are currently waiting to receive the NOA2 from CSC (K-1 petition filed in January). I was planning to travel to the US to see my fiance at the end of June but now that things have picked up at CSC, I'm not sure if it would be wise or not. I will have moved in with my dad just a few days prior to the trip (didn't want to renew the lease for a full year and have trouble trying to terminate it). That would leave me with basically just a letter from my employer to prove my intent to come back here at the end of my vacation. Do you think it would be enough proof? Are there any other proofs I could bring with me to show my intent to return? I can't think of anything else.

I also read somewhere on this site that once the background check is done, traveling might mean an additional delay as they would have to do some additional checks. Any idea what the additional delay might be? A week? A month? More? Also, at what stage of the whole process is this background check done?

I was hoping for this trip so we could take pictures of ourselves together since we didn't when we saw each other last summer (didn't know about the need for those). We talk on Skype just about everyday and e-mail as well. Can't prove the Skype conversations so would e-mails alone be good enough to prove our relationship at the interview?

I really don't know what to do now and what to think and need some input from you folks. Hope you can help me see more clearly in all this.

[BrownSugarHoney 0]

Hi everyone,

We are currently waiting to receive the NOA2 from CSC (K-1 petition filed in January). I was planning to travel to the US to see my fiance at the end of June but now that things have picked up at CSC, I'm not sure if it would be wise or not. I will have moved in with my dad just a few days prior to the trip (didn't want to renew the lease for a full year and have trouble trying to terminate it). That would leave me with basically just a letter from my employer to prove my intent to come back here at the end of my vacation. Do you think it would be enough proof? Are there any other proofs I could bring with me to show my intent to return? I can't think of anything else.

I also read somewhere on this site that once the background check is done, traveling might mean an additional delay as they would have to do some additional checks. Any idea what the additional delay might be? A week? A month? More? Also, at what stage of the whole process is this background check done?

I was hoping for this trip so we could take pictures of ourselves together since we didn't when we saw each other last summer (didn't know about the need for those). We talk on Skype just about everyday and e-mail as well. Can't prove the Skype conversations so would e-mails alone be good enough to prove our relationship at the interview?

I really don't know what to do now and what to think and need some input from you folks. Hope you can help me see more clearly in all this.

I literally logged on to ask the same question! I will be awaiting the response from other people as well. Just in case, my listed friends are checking my page for posts, I will also initiate a post as well: Threshold of Evidence of relationship...

[fogga4000 0]

Hi everyone,

We are currently waiting to receive the NOA2 from CSC (K-1 petition filed in January). I was planning to travel to the US to see my fiance at the end of June but now that things have picked up at CSC, I'm not sure if it would be wise or not. I will have moved in with my dad just a few days prior to the trip (didn't want to renew the lease for a full year and have trouble trying to terminate it). That would leave me with basically just a letter from my employer to prove my intent to come back here at the end of my vacation. Do you think it would be enough proof? Are there any other proofs I could bring with me to show my intent to return? I can't think of anything else.

I also read somewhere on this site that once the background check is done, traveling might mean an additional delay as they would have to do some additional checks. Any idea what the additional delay might be? A week? A month? More? Also, at what stage of the whole process is this background check done?

I was hoping for this trip so we could take pictures of ourselves together since we didn't when we saw each other last summer (didn't know about the need for those). We talk on Skype just about everyday and e-mail as well. Can't prove the Skype conversations so would e-mails alone be good enough to prove our relationship at the interview?

I really don't know what to do now and what to think and need some input from you folks. Hope you can help me see more clearly in all this.

I literally logged on to ask the same question! I will be awaiting the response from other people as well. Just in case, my listed friends are checking my page for posts, I will also initiate a post as well: Threshold of Evidence of relationship...

[fogga4000 0]

Sorry about that, just to say different people have had different experiences to this question but I'm on the packet 3 stage and I've just been over to NYC to visit my fiancee. All I took was a bank statemnt and a letter from my employer to state when they expected me back at work. As it happened I didnt need either, they never even asked why I was there. I think it all depends on the customs official. Surely the fact that you've already started the process legitimately should work in your favour.

Anyway I would say dont worry about it, I think you'll be fine.

[45495 1]

i agree with fogga4000. i flew in to boston 3 days before i got my NOA 2, it sure didnt delay my case. keep your employer letter with you. and your return ticket. but they didnt ask me anything. if they ask you cant lie ofcourse. just dont say anything unless they ask, and give minimum information.

as for the prove: we use skype aswell and i made printscreens of the whole skypehistory. more people here have done that. that way you can use that too...

good luck.

[Pandora01 0]

Thanks for your replies, it helps me to calm down a little.

fogga4000 - Hadn't thought about bringing a bank statement, good idea. I'll add that to the letter from my employer.

marash - How do you get to the Skype history? I have no clue.

[Zee Bee 61]

Hi everyone,

We are currently waiting to receive the NOA2 from CSC (K-1 petition filed in January). I was planning to travel to the US to see my fiance at the end of June but now that things have picked up at CSC, I'm not sure if it would be wise or not. I will have moved in with my dad just a few days prior to the trip (didn't want to renew the lease for a full year and have trouble trying to terminate it). That would leave me with basically just a letter from my employer to prove my intent to come back here at the end of my vacation. Do you think it would be enough proof? Are there any other proofs I could bring with me to show my intent to return? I can't think of anything else. A lot of people have suggested taking your K1 petiton NOAs and anything else to show the CBP that you have filed. Someone with experience can probbaly elaborate more.

I also read somewhere on this site that once the background check is done, traveling might mean an additional delay as they would have to do some additional checks. Any idea what the additional delay might be? A week? A month? More? Also, at what stage of the whole process is this background check done? Background checks are done at several levels of the process and no one knows how long they are....when they are done they are done. I have no idea what the traveling additional checks are.

I was hoping for this trip so we could take pictures of ourselves together since we didn't when we saw each other last summer (didn't know about the need for those). We talk on Skype just about everyday and e-mail as well. Can't prove the Skype conversations so would e-mails alone be good enough to prove our relationship at the interview? Take anything and everything you can to prove your relationship. You never know what the CO will ask for.

I really don't know what to do now and what to think and need some input from you folks. Hope you can help me see more clearly in all this.

[Pandora01 0]

A lot of people have suggested taking your K1 petiton NOAs and anything else to show the CBP that you have filed. Someone with experience can probbaly elaborate more.

Would a photocopy of the NOA1 be good enough or would it be best to have the original? As for the petition papers, I only have the copies of the ones I filled (I'm the beneficiary). Should I get copies of the ones my fiance filled as well?

Background checks are done at several levels of the process and no one knows how long they are....when they are done they are done. I have no idea what the traveling additional checks are.

Ok. I guess if they do more than one then there's no way of knowing when they're completed or not. So I won't worry about this then.

Take anything and everything you can to prove your relationship. You never know what the CO will ask for.

Guess I'll have to take the chance and travel then so I can also have pictures!

Geez, this is so nerve wracking (?spell?). So many questions keep popping in my head!

Thanks for your reply, ZeeNusah

[SapphireDreams 71]

We haven't filed for a K1 yet, but I just travelled back and forth twice in the past 2 months and didn't have a problem. I also live with my parents and don't have a lease. I do travel with a letter from my employer if I'm going for a week or longer. I also have a Dermatologist card with my next appointment written on it which I go to every month, which is actually kinda lame wouldn't use that unless they were being really harsh on me or something.

I think the return ticket and a letter from your employer will be just fine.

[Pandora01 0]

We haven't filed for a K1 yet, but I just travelled back and forth twice in the past 2 months and didn't have a problem. I also live with my parents and don't have a lease. I do travel with a letter from my employer if I'm going for a week or longer. I also have a Dermatologist card with my next appointment written on it which I go to every month, which is actually kinda lame wouldn't use that unless they were being really harsh on me or something.

I think the return ticket and a letter from your employer will be just fine.

Thanks, SapphireDreams. I never travelled with a letter from my employer before and never had any problems. I learned about the possible need for one here on the forum and since we're in the visa process now, I'll make sure to have it!

[SapphireDreams 71]

^^ Yeah its definitely good to have, but I wouldn't flaunt it out or anything. They usually just always ask me when I'm returning and I give then a firm answer and they are usually good with that. Sometimes they ask me to see the return ticket.

They also asked me who was moving where... but I just said we hadn't decided yet and he was okay with that answer. When I visit after we've filed, I will say myself and I've filed for a K1. Hopefully it won't be too much of a difference. You would even think that would be better since we're all doing it the right way and not just moving there "unintentionally".

Anyways, good luck!

[Pandora01 0]

^^ Yeah its definitely good to have, but I wouldn't flaunt it out or anything. They usually just always ask me when I'm returning and I give then a firm answer and they are usually good with that. Sometimes they ask me to see the return ticket.

They also asked me who was moving where... but I just said we hadn't decided yet and he was okay with that answer. When I visit after we've filed, I will say myself and I've filed for a K1. Hopefully it won't be too much of a difference. You would even think that would be better since we're all doing it the right way and not just moving there "unintentionally".

Anyways, good luck!

I don't know that I'd mention having filed for K1 unless asked. I intend to just say I'm visiting my fiance and take it from there and what they ask me. Maybe somebody with more experience might be able to tell us what's best.

Thanks, and good luck to you too

[Aaron&Brenda 0]

Thanks for starting this thread Pandora! I too am going through the K-1 process, and will be going back and forth in June and September to visit. Its nice to know that other people do have the same questions and thoughts!

I don't anticipate any problems, but I can tell already when I crossed border in April that they have my information linked to my passport already ... the questions the Border Guard had were more intense then before! He was a little frustrated with me because when I said I was going to Portland, he got snipey and said "which one? we have 5 you know!" I kinda cringed at that ... don't need to be upsetting them!

Bren

[Pandora01 0]

Thanks for starting this thread Pandora! I too am going through the K-1 process, and will be going back and forth in June and September to visit. Its nice to know that other people do have the same questions and thoughts!

I don't anticipate any problems, but I can tell already when I crossed border in April that they have my information linked to my passport already ... the questions the Border Guard had were more intense then before! He was a little frustrated with me because when I said I was going to Portland, he got snipey and said "which one? we have 5 you know!" I kinda cringed at that ... don't need to be upsetting them!

Bren

You're welcome, Brenda. I'm still a bit nervous about the trip but then, I'm always nervous when I have to cross the border. I've never done anything wrong so I guess I'm just the nervous type!

Glad you mentioned what happened when saying only Portland. I'll make sure to mention the state, no just the city. And hopefully, this will be my last round trip. If everything goes as planned, the one after will be me entering the States with my visa in hand!

[erintoronto 0]

I don't anticipate any problems, but I can tell already when I crossed border in April that they have my information linked to my passport already ... the questions the Border Guard had were more intense then before! He was a little frustrated with me because when I said I was going to Portland, he got snipey and said "which one? we have 5 you know!" I kinda cringed at that ... don't need to be upsetting them!

i have crossed twice since we filed. the first time wasn't too bad but the second... yowza! as soon as i said 'fiance' they scanned my passport and asked all kinds of questions about the K1, how i met david, and so on. i always enjoy the "how would a woman from toronto meet a man from chicago?" as if it's some totally crazy thing that would never, ever happen. they didn't ask to see any paperwork but it was a bit nerve wracking. it's definitely worth taking as much paperwork as you can to ensure you have lots of documentation on your side.

I'm still a bit nervous about the trip but then, I'm always nervous when I have to cross the border. I've never done anything wrong so I guess I'm just the nervous type!

i'm the same way. i think my parents made me paranoid on all those car trips back and forth across the ambassador bridge in windsor/detroit. i have such vivid memories of being told to "be quiet and don't move!!!" when we crossed the border. heehee.

i'm sure you'll do just fine!

erin