POE advice

[melbell54 0]

My fiance is planning to visit in 2 weeks, and he will be staying for 88 days. I just recently had a moment of extreme panic, thinking about what could happen if he is denied entry, as it would severely alter all of our carefully laid plans.

Obviously we don't want to think about that, but would rather try to plan as well as possible so that he is allowed entry as smoothly as possible. He has visited one other time so this is only his second visit. His first visit was for 6 weeks in October of '08. As far as ties to home, he can prove that he is a registered carer looking after his father, and get a letter from his employer stating when he is expected back. In addition, we have a trip to Orlando, FL planned, and he has that itinerary he can show as well, if it would be in his best interest. He also has relatives in Texas that we may try to visit.

Any advice on what is the best thing to say to the customs official? How much information should he reveal? Any advice is greatly appreciated!

[English Muffin 59]

He will need to tell the truth, however he should only answer the questions asked of him and not volunteer any other information. Tell him not to show any of his 'proof of ties' unless they ask for it. If he hasn't been over since Oct 08 he should be ok because he is spending more time out of the US than in it.

[Stinky Monkey 1]

Dont forget to go on Esta and register

I have been over to Texas many times I have always had a letter from my employer showing that I was expected back and proof of other ties to the UK, I have never been asked to show any of these all I have ever been asked for is to show my return ticket.

When I went over at Christmas I just said that I am coming to visit my boy, I did not say fiance it is only terminology so not a lie.

I would only give them the information that they ask for, and would not volunteer anything

Might be an idea to take a copy of your visa paper work to show that you are going through the process legally but dont show it unless you have to

Good luck, it is always stressfull going through POE just smile and be polite

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

A long stay like that would more likely be questioned that a couple of weeks. So he should prepare an answer of why he's staying so long if he has a job and needs to care for his dad. Most people with "ties" are too tied down to go on holiday for 3 months.

[Furious Biscuit 0]

Things I always take with me, 'just in case' at Point of Entry:

*Flight itinerary/return tickets (to show I'm going back)

*Any hotel itineraries or details to show where I'm staying/what I'm doing

*Printed bank statement to show sufficient funds for trip

*Printed reciept of temporary travel insurance

*Address book, just in case they ask to contact who I'm staying with/a family member/etc

and I've never had a problem getting in the US, I hope this helps somehow. I heard the UK has pretty similar immigration officers/questions, but don't quote me on that

[colinjess 0]

proof of financial support! and i would send him a letter inviting him over! thats what i done and got through poe easy in dallas

[melbell54 0]

Thank you for all the helpful advice. Just 2 quick questions...

Has it been confirmed one way or another whether or not they have record of him having applied for a K-1 Visa? I have seen only conflicting information about this.

What I am most worried about is the length of his stay raising concern. If we change his ticket and shorten the stay to a more reasonable period of time, but he decides later he wants to stay longer, is there any problem with that?

Thanks again!

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Thank you for all the helpful advice. Just 2 quick questions...

Has it been confirmed one way or another whether or not they have record of him having applied for a K-1 Visa? I have seen only conflicting information about this.

What I am most worried about is the length of his stay raising concern. If we change his ticket and shorten the stay to a more reasonable period of time, but he decides later he wants to stay longer, is there any problem with that?

Thanks again!

I personally with my mouth (this wasn't read somewhere) talked to Customs and Border Patrol at their 800 number and asked that question. He said NO they don't know K1 petitions. Also when returning from the UK (I'm USC) I always quizzed the guys at immigrations in Houston while they were doing my passport. "So what's on that computer of yours? What are you looking up on me? Can you tell if I've filed a petition with USCIS for my British fiance?" NO.

Both told me they have terrorists, overstay records, previous denied entries, things like that but no K1 petitions.

To your second question. The problem is getting in and convincing the CPB that he is going home again. It has nothing to do with changing your tickets while here. It costs money to change your ticket at this point. And it will cost money again to switch back.

Oh, I just remembered, I also posed an online question at the CBP website. I think it was about was it possible to enter the US on a visit (VWP)without activating the visa if he wasn't planning to immigrate for several more months. It took months to get a response, and she didn't even answer the question I posed, but it applies to your situation so here it is. They cut off my question in the response.

Subject

Can a K1 visa holder, who does not plan to immigrate for a few more months be...

Discussion Thread

Response (Andrea) 12/18/2008 08:23 AM

In order to enter the U.S. while a K-1 Visa is being processed, you will have to convince the admitting U.S. CBP Officer that you are simply visiting the U.S. rather than attempting to enter for immigration purposes before your visa is granted. In order to do this, you will need to provide documents to verify that you have very strong ties to your home country. All of the following documents should be used to accomplish this:

Deed, Mortgage Statement, or Rental Lease Agreement in your name

Utility Statements in your name

Bank Statements in your name

Employment Records in your name

Letter from employer stating that you are expected back to work on a certain date

It is also advised that you have a roundtrip ticket and pack very lightly for a short trip to the U.S. The purpose of this is to prove that you have strong ties to your home country and are not willing to sever those ties by staying in the U.S. past your departure date as mandated on your I-94W Departure Record, or by circumventing immigration regulations.

Additionally, you should be aware that even with all of appropriate documents to verify strong ties to your home country, the U.S. CBP Officer has the final say on whether or not you will be allowed entry.

Edited February 11, 2009 by Nich-Nick

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

If you want to read the details of my conversation with the CBP customer service person, this is the post.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...p;#entry1948785

[melbell54 0]

Thanks so much Nich, that is very useful information. Of course we always plan to be completely honest, but it is still useful to know what they're seeing on their end of things.

Changing his ticket is relatively inexpensive, we have done that in the past when he's decided to stay longer, and we didn't even think twice about it since he was still well under the 90 day limit. But I have read about officer's limiting people's entry to under the 90 days depending on their reasons for visiting. How common of an occurrence is this? Does anyone have any experience with this happening?

[wifetobe 2]

Thanks so much Nich, that is very useful information. Of course we always plan to be completely honest, but it is still useful to know what they're seeing on their end of things.

Changing his ticket is relatively inexpensive, we have done that in the past when he's decided to stay longer, and we didn't even think twice about it since he was still well under the 90 day limit. But I have read about officer's limiting people's entry to under the 90 days depending on their reasons for visiting. How common of an occurrence is this? Does anyone have any experience with this happening?

In my experience IOs have 'passport controlled' me for turning up more than once within 6 months. My 4 out of 5 visits over a span of 22 months between 2007-2008, I was grilled in passport control. Had documents to prove I was intending to return back to my home country etc but half the time they never asked to see the information. For me personally they were worried about the amount of times I was going but you just got to keep it truthful and don't worry about what or how it may seem. IMO Nich Nick has given you plenty of information regarding your questions and don't think it gets more explanatory than that..

[Big Papa Zone 93]

My 4 out of 5 visits over a span of 22 months between 2007-2008, I was grilled in passport control.

Yeah, but some people just look dodgy though..................