Sucessfully visited the US while my K1 Visa is pending

[pushbrk 12,883]

My fiance has come over 3 times since November and once was for a month and the last time was for 3 weeks. We were worried after having read the horror stories but he didn't have any problems. They asked him who he was visiting and he said his fiancee. The officer asked how a relationship works being in different countries and he said he was working on his visa. And that was about it. I was asked more when I went over there. But having said that, it is better to be prepared. It really does depend on who is working that day and what mood they are in and what they area looking for.

And a BIG what country you're coming from. They don't worry much about VWP countries and Canada.

[truffles 2]

"And a BIG what country you're coming from "

Not sure what your trying to say....perhaps you meant just to say VWP countries are not scrutinized so closely?

On a forum like this we can only share our experiences .... sorry if it the experiences dont fit in with a point your trying to make....we can only tell it as it happened to us personally.

Actually I have had a varying set of experiences ranging from very relaxed to having to answer a lot of questions - no two visits were ever the same ( I had visited 2 times per year over a 5 year period)

[pushbrk 12,883]

"And a BIG what country you're coming from "

Not sure what your trying to say....perhaps you meant just to say VWP countries are not scrutinized so closely?

On a forum like this we can only share our experiences .... sorry if it the experiences dont fit in with a point your trying to make....we can only tell it as it happened to us personally.

Actually I have had a varying set of experiences ranging from very relaxed to having to answer a lot of questions - no two visits were ever the same ( I had visited 2 times per year over a 5 year period)

Responding directly to this statement...

It really does depend on who is working that day and what mood they are in and what they area looking for.

...I added

"And a BIG what country you're coming from "

I'm adding to the list of factors one's experience will depend on. Those of us who have benefited from studying the experience of others can add perspective from a knowledge base more broad than our own personal experience. My wife or a Chinese fiance(e) visiting during the visa process is so unlikely an experience, I don't know of anybody who has experienced it.

[Big Papa Zone 93]

My two penneth, for what it's worth: in no problem, same old questions (where you sataying, why, how long) followed by the bio stuff, straight in, no bother.

[truffles 2]

Hey Damien....where you from....missing "my twopenneth"..... ( I am a Tyke myself)

[KimandRuss 0]

Grrrrr Dublin!

Of course you can do it... Russ got through 5 times without any proof of ties to NZ....before being sent home on the last attempt. It really does depend on the POE officer.

One of those things isn't really like the other. "You can do it! Unless you get caught!"

Perhaps not the wisest thing to advocate. From then on, you realize that he has to say "Yes" to that question on pretty much any country in the world's visa process, that horribly awkward "Have you ever been refused or denied entry to a country?", which is going to make immigration queues at airports far more fun.

Not exactly sure what you're trying to say here. My "Of course you can do it" was directed at the OP for saying 'hey, you can visit'. Which, of course, you can. I'm not advocating anything. Simply pointing out that most of the time it's fine to visit. One would assume it's to be encouraged for people wanting to spend the rest of thier lives together. We took advantage of it... yes.. we were in a position where we kinda had to in order to spend time together. Again, not advocating anything, but pointing out what is fact.

Russell was 'allowed to withdraw' his petition to enter the U.S. and can no longer use the VWP to enter the U.S, that's it, .... which, once he is here, will not be a problem. Even the officers who sent him home told him it's not a big deal at all and that it happens all the time. So he checks a different box and maybe answers a couple more questions when we travel internationally... so what? It was ...and always will be... well worth the year we got to spend together.

What it comes down to is that usually it's just fine to visit your fiance..even whilst the K1 is in process. Bring ties, tell the truth and hope for the best. The rest is out of your hands.

[Big Papa Zone 93]

Hey Damien....where you from....missing "my twopenneth"..... ( I am a Tyke myself)

Hi, truffles. I'm actually a Southerner, mate (Southampton, to be precise, about as South as it gets) but I guess some lingo trancends the North/South divide, eh?

[Bubble3 0]

My partner and i have filed for out k1, we are waiting waiting, like so many others.

He has just applied and recieved an up-to one year working/study holiday visa to come and stay with me in Australia (while we wait for our k1 to be processed).

Am I correct in assuming that we should be hasseled as he is coming to AUSTRALIA not visa-versa?

cheers>

[RonnieKris 26]

Hi there!

I just wanted to share my experience of visiting the U.S. when we are still waiting for the K1 Visa. We had filed the K1 application on March 3rd. and got an NOA1 from USCIS on March 6th, 2008. After that...nothing happens yet!

I went back to Taiwan on April 16th, 2008. Stayed in my country for two and half months. The K1 process is painfully slow and it's taking longer than we thought. So I decided to come back to the U.S. while the K1 is pending. I have done lots of research on visajourney.com. I got scared that I might be trun away at the airport and waste $1,300 bucks. I tried it anyway and I made it!!

Here is how I did it:

First of all, I went to the American Institute in Taiwan to applied for a B1 Visa( Tourist Visa). The AIT officer did not have any records about my K1 Visa so I got it easily. And then I purchased a round-trip flight ticket from Taiwan to San Francisco. I did not have a letter from a company since I didn't work, I did not have a lease or mortgage in Taiwan, I did not have any strong ties to Taiwan excepted the return flight ticket.

When I arrived at the SFO Int'l airport. I stayed calm and confident. The POE officer only asked me 3 questions with smile:

1. Are you a student? No, I am a visitor.

2. Who are you visiting on this trip? My boyfriend.

3. How long are you going to stay in the U.S.? 2 months.

The POE officer did not know anything about my K1 visa. He looked at my passport, asked me questions and said have a fun trip!

So for those who are wondering if you can visit the U.S. while waiting for the K1 approval. My experience might be able to cheer you up a little bit! It's okay if you don't have strong ties to your own country. Just don't be panic and be polite when going through the customs. They won't eat you.

Good Luck!!

Lavinia

Glad you get to visit...hope your stay is as easy as your trip.

[KimandRuss 0]

My partner and i have filed for out k1, we are waiting waiting, like so many others.

He has just applied and recieved an up-to one year working/study holiday visa to come and stay with me in Australia (while we wait for our k1 to be processed).

Am I correct in assuming that we should be hasseled as he is coming to AUSTRALIA not visa-versa?

cheers>

No, you should not be hassled with him coming into Australia. I suppose every border crossing has it's own 'issues' but we're talking about entering the U.S. here. You are very lucky to be able to spend time together as you wait. Just be sure he has US residency and a co-sponsor (if needed) for the interview stage.