Visiting Other Half while I-129F being processed...

[thatbritishlass 2]

Hi folks,

In just under one month I'll be off to the States again to see the boy and I'm very very excited

However I'm also a little nervous about how to deal with Immigration when I get there, as this is the first time I'll be visiting since we filed our I-129F in November. I'm planning on travelling under the VWP and I'm also going to be taking extra evidence that I'm going to be returning to the UK - namely, a letter from my landlord proving tenancy, a reference letter from my employer saying I'm still employed, return ticket and credit card bill.

Should I take anything else?

I'm not intending to lie or hide the fact that we're applying for a K1, obviously, I'm just wondering how to bring the subject up?! Immigration, although they've got a lot better in recent years, still manage to make me nervous/angry every time I go through (and that was before our I-129F was filed!!) so I'm just wanting to be as prepared as possible

J

[frenzyheart 2]

Make sure you have PLENTY of ties back to UK - letter from your employer stating that you're expected to return on a certain date, rental agreement, etc. Then when you go through, just remember to never supply more than they ask of you. Just say that you're visiting your significant other (my fiance actually told him he was visiting his fiance this past time) and answer their questions. If you can, get your fiance to email a copy of NOA1 and print it off, and then you can show if they ask. Your only job when you enter the States is to help them to see that you have no intentions on staying permanently; that you're going through the process.

With all of that, you should be fine. When my fiance flew in last month, they didn't ask him about the pending visa at all, and all he took with him was a letter from his boss stating he had to be back to work on a certain date.

Try to relax; you'll be okay!

[jkminney 30]

Make sure you have PLENTY of ties back to UK - letter from your employer stating that you're expected to return on a certain date, rental agreement, etc. Then when you go through, just remember to never supply more than they ask of you. Just say that you're visiting your significant other (my fiance actually told him he was visiting his fiance this past time) and answer their questions. If you can, get your fiance to email a copy of NOA1 and print it off, and then you can show if they ask. Your only job when you enter the States is to help them to see that you have no intentions on staying permanently; that you're going through the process.

With all of that, you should be fine. When my fiance flew in last month, they didn't ask him about the pending visa at all, and all he took with him was a letter from his boss stating he had to be back to work on a certain date.

Try to relax; you'll be okay!

My fiance came in from the UK on Halloween and didn't have much to show as far as evidence because he's been laid off. He actually said it was the easiest time he had coming in. The gentleman didn't question him at all. Just asked how long he was staying and looked at his itinerary and that was it....It's nothing to worry about!

[Ellie-and-David 38]

You'll be fine.

My I-129F was being processed when I came in March 09 and I encountered no problems. I had with me a copy of my lease and a self compiled letter that I had my boss sign saying "you are on leave from .... to .... have a lovely trip, yours sincerely...."

I never volunteered more information than was required and always said I was on vacation.....because.....I WAS on vacation...anytime away from work was a holiday.

[Nik+Heather 121]

Nik also visited during the processing. He had the employer letter just like Ellie's, return ticket, NOA1.

I think they key to going through immigration is to not be too shifty - Yeah, you're excited to be seeing your guy really soon, but don't make them feel like you're being evasive. Especially as you'll have your NOA1, I wouldn't be shy about saying that you're visiting your "fiance" when they ask what you'll be doing in the US.

good luck, and relax!

[SunDrop 59]

When VWPers have problems, it's usually because they've got a 3 month return ticket, have spent a lot of time in the US over the past 12 months and not a lot to tie them back home. And agreed, never proffer more than you're asked. I think it was Nick-Nich who actually asked them once if they could see that they had a K1 pending and was told no.

I don't usually carry any evidence other than my travel itinerary, but will be taking a letter confirming a new job appointment with the starting date the Monday after we get back and a medical appointment letter for my daughter for the end of January. I might take my rent hike notice letter and I'm considering also taking my court notice of their listing my decree Nisi on Dec 16th, so they can see that I'll want to return to pick up my Decree Absolute on Jan 28th lol..

The only reason I'm taking all the above is because it's nearly a 5 week trip and I've already spent 67 days in the States over 3 trips between January and now. This trip will be my fourth entry into the country this calendar year, totaling 100 days altogether... I'm hoping that my 'good behaviour' of never have extended my stay or overstayed in the 10 years that I've been traveling regularly back and forth to the US will stand me in good stead too!

And of all of those trips, I've only once had any grief at POE. I had just taken redundancy from work, and had split from my husband earlier that year. I was going to spend 4 weeks in TN with my best friend. was renting my flat from my folks who were living in NYC but wasn't going to see them at all over the Christmas holiday. The IO summarized it all making it sound like I had walked up to him with 'illegal immigrant' stamped on my forehead, looked me straight in the eyes, stamped our passports like he was trying to crack a coconut, handed them to me and then pulled them back saying 'i'm letting you in because it's Christmas and you sound like you had a bad year. Make sure you leave, you hear me?'... lol. Needless to say, I'm NEVER POEing through Minneapolis/ St. Paul again...

Edited December 8, 2009 by SunDrop

[Gemmie 142]

I also visited during the K1 process, about 3 or 4 times.

I always told them that truth, that I was visiting my fiancee and brought something with me like a university letter and apartment contract back in the UK. I only had problems once and that was because I had been in the US for 4 weeks, and was trying to enter again 7 weeks later for another 4 weeks. He let me through after a grilling, and I never let my nerves show, even when I was actually shaking. The way I thought about it, he knows that I visit often because he can see all of the stamps in my passport, so if I act like this is just another routine visit (which it was), he'll believe me.

Good luck, just relax and you'll be fine. Act like something should be wrong, and it might be.

Edited December 8, 2009 by Gemmie

[ajbe1986 0]

No worries my fiance came for a visit after we applied. Just like any other time it was normal, they didn't ask for anything. Don't stress about it!

[thatbritishlass 2]

Thanks for all the advice guys think the general consensus is - smile, keep your cards to your chest, but be prepared if they ask!!

J

[philabride 0]

You need to bring whatever that might help you, BUT, better not to say anything about the K-1 visa until you are asked. When I did the same things as you did, I just said I am visiting someone. No further question was asked.

[Abby62 23]

To enter the U.S. I now have to provide.

• Proof of citizenship
• Current bank statements
• Current bills, credit card statements etc.
• Letter from employer, stating that I will return on x-date for work.
• Notarized letter from lawyer of my lease agreement.

And this was ALL because I said I had a boyfriend in the USA. Good luck and I always think more information as to proof of ties to my country, the better chances you have of not being denied entry.

[brightskte 18]

Heck, I went to visit Canada last month to see Mathew and the border guard gave ME problems. But of course I had all my paperwork and everything so he let me pass, but it was weird for a few seconds.

Take lots of ties to the UK with you. You should be fine.

[N M 96]

No worries my fiance came for a visit after we applied. Just like any other time it was normal, they didn't ask for anything. Don't stress about it!

I echo this. I came over a few times during the K1 application process and never had any problems. I always had my HMRC identification and badge with me in case they wanted proof that I still had a job in the UK, but they never asked.

What's wrong with -

Purpose of visit? - "Visiting friends".

That's what I always said. They would then ask the duration of my trip and I would tell them when my return flight was. Simple as that.

[Gemmie 142]

What's wrong with -

Purpose of visit? - "Visiting friends".

That's what I always said. They would then ask the duration of my trip and I would tell them when my return flight was. Simple as that.

That doesn't fly so well if you're making very frequent trips. I was in the US for a month about 3/4 times a year, so saying I was visiting friends over there the moment I was on university holidays = wouldn't quite cut it.

[beantown79 0]

How are they going to know you applied you don't give them your passport # until you send in packet 3. All they have is your SIN, which i don't think is associated with your passport information when they swipe it. I went thru a 2 weeks ago and we filed Nov 5 and they never mentioned anything to me about the visa.