Can I travel to and from the US during Visa Application Process

[Dave and Jess 0]

Hi,

My fiance and I are just begning our Journey and I was wondering if I will still be able to go and visit her in the US at will or will my access be blocked during the process.

Scary.. months without being able to visit.

Thanks,

Dave.

[GauraD 0]

Im unclear on this myself and was JUST going to post this question when I saw you'd done it already

What confuses me- if you are from the UK and have one of the new passports with a chip, you should be able to travel to the USA without a visa for 3 months as a tourist....can you still do this.....or do you need approval from an embassy and do they make the time of ur visitation smaller?? I just want to pop over for 10 days for my mans B-day!

[L & P 0]

I started K1 in October last year and went to the States over Christmas and New Year with no problems.

[Dave and Jess 0]

Im unclear on this myself and was JUST going to post this question when I saw you'd done it already

What confuses me- if you are from the UK and have one of the new passports with a chip, you should be able to travel to the USA without a visa for 3 months as a tourist....can you still do this.....or do you need approval from an embassy and do they make the time of ur visitation smaller?? I just want to pop over for 10 days for my mans B-day!

Exactley !! My Finace turns 30 in july and I really want to be there to celebrate with her.. I have had two different answers from two lawyers in the same office.. One said " No problem" the other was not quite so positive. He indicated trvalling to the US and the filing my petition the day after i arrive. This would delay my application by a month we would really like to be married and living together before Christmas!!

[paothao 0]

Im unclear on this myself and was JUST going to post this question when I saw you'd done it already

What confuses me- if you are from the UK and have one of the new passports with a chip, you should be able to travel to the USA without a visa for 3 months as a tourist....can you still do this.....or do you need approval from an embassy and do they make the time of ur visitation smaller?? I just want to pop over for 10 days for my mans B-day!

Exactley !! My Finace turns 30 in july and I really want to be there to celebrate with her.. I have had two different answers from two lawyers in the same office.. One said " No problem" the other was not quite so positive. He indicated trvalling to the US and the filing my petition the day after i arrive. This would delay my application by a month we would really like to be married and living together before Christmas!!

My understanding is this, the more you visited your fiance(e), the better... If you hadn't visited your fiance(e) at all in the past 2 yrs, or after your first met her and during the time of your petition, US Embassy CO will ask you why? I was asked this question during my fiancee interview. He asked me why two years w/o visiting!!! BUT I have my reason... Visa in hand 4 days. We were told to pick up her visa the next day, but then due to short staff, holidays on the Friday and Monday, we were able to get it in 4 days, excluding weekend.

[Carlawarla 1]

Everytime you come to the US to visit, whether it be after you've applied for a K-1 or not, you can be denied entry if the border officials believe you're trying to immigrate here. The best advice I can give you, and what's worked for tons of people here on VJ is to be sure to bring plenty of proof of your ties to your home country.

Rent receipts, letter from employer stating when you're expected back to work, utility statements, mortage papers or deeds...things that prove that you are expected back to your country, and have no intention of absconding to the US!

Some people have also brought their NOA1 or NOA2 paper as well, and explain that they are going about the process in a legal way. Having the above information will help ensure that they understand you're prepared to show that you are returning to your country after your visit.

[GauraD 0]

Ive been reading around....and it seems people just go over and bring copies of evidence tying them to the Uk- ie letter of employment, rent bills, etc...and say they are visiting their 'friends' ...dont say 'fiance' unless asked! The one thing Im wondering though is - is your name is some kinda database so as you go through customes it might come up with 'fiance visa pending etc'?? And does that matter??

Good luck though- and if you DO decide to go you shouldnt tell her and just show up with a bunch of flowers - will be the suprise of her life hehe!

Edited June 20, 2008 by GauraD

[KimandRuss 0]

is your name is some kinda database so as you go through customes it might come up with 'fiance visa pending etc'?? And does that matter??

Not unless you told them and no, it does not matter.

Most people get over just fine. If you are from a VWP country, you can visit anytime you like. The trick is spending more time in your own country than in the U.S. and, as Carla suggested, bringing enough ties to your home country to show you are returning. Some people will tell the border official that they are in the K1 process, some will not. It is at your own discretion. You may not even be asked but if you are, tell the truth. Going to see a 'friend' is the truth.

As a side note, you may notice our timeline and that my SO was denied entry last September. Don't let that deter you. You must understand that he was basically living in the US and leaving for a weekend or so every 90 days for over a year as I waited our my divorce. We played with fire and he was turned away because he showed intent to immigrate. It will not effect the K1.