Travel prior to K-1 approval

[Bobby+Umit 161]

Hi all - Just wanted to share some information about our experience with K-1/Travel by my Foreign bride to be...

Umit came into the US via ORD POE. (Chicago).

She was prepared to show a letter from her boss stating she was on paid vacation and was expected to come back in two weeks, and she also had a hard copy of our NOA1, and she had her return flight info.

She has a valid B2 visa. She also has been to the US twice before.

The immigration officer asked her about the purpose of her visit and if she had a return ticket, and Umit responded with "To visit my Fiancee for two weeks, and we have all ready applied for the K-1 visa", also showed her the return info.

The officer asked "when did you apply?", and Umit gave that answer, then the officer said "congratulations, and when do you plan on marrying?"

Which Umit responded with "We hope in six months...",

The officer asked where we would live after marriage, then passed her through.

No problem. She was prepared to deal with anything, and now we are having a pre-K-1 approval vacation.

[Gage 2]

This is good to know, as my fiancee' is coming here in less than two weeks for her second visit on her B2. We recently received NOA2. At first I was a bit nervous that they might refuse her if they knew we had applied for a K-1, but I've been told here before that Immigration officers cannot see on their computer that you've simply applied for a K-1. Thus I've instructed my fiancee' not to volunteer anything about being in the K-1 process or visiting her fiance', only that she's visiting her boyfriend and other friends for a vacation. If they ask about a K-1, then I told her of course she should not lie to them.

When she came through LAX last summer, all they asked her if her visit was pleasure or business. She told them she was on vacation and they stamped it and off she went.

[TimandJoyce 1]

That's great. I'm glad for you both. Can she come back and go with me in April???? LOL Sounds like she knows what she's doing!

I'm planning two trips later. One to Greece at the end of March. Not worried about that even though I fly out of JFK. It's on my return. I'd like to go to SC for the month of April so that we can get lots of things accomplished for the wedding. Have my dress sewn, do a little painting in Tim's house, etc. I'm so afraid because I know a month is a long time. Gotta get that confidence look on.

Not entirely sure how all that will work either. I'll have a POE to travel to JFK...( I may not fly out of Canada, but Seattle, WA.) and then returning from Athens to JFK..I'll have two POE's to deal with!!!

[Avalar 0]

That's really good news. Thanks for sharing your experience.