Visiting the US while K1 is processing

[Andy and Kayla 45]

So, we are still waiting to begin the K1 process (need final divorce decree, but otherwise have most things ready to go, at the moment it's looking like we'll be able to file anywhere between late May and June) and so we probably (unless we're very, very lucky and things speed up a lot by then at VSC as well as Montreal ) won't be getting the visa until early 2011.

We're very fortunate and have flexible schedules that will allow for a lot of visits during this time, which helps the waiting time. We were hoping for some shorter visits early in the year (he'll come up for a week in March and May and I'll come for maybe four weeks or so in June, then he'll be up here for a few weeks in the summertime). What we were hoping though was that I could spend the last bit of the year in the States for the holidays. It would be a longer stay, maybe eight weeks or so, maybe a little more, maybe less. This part of the timeline also depends on where we are in the K1 process as he would like to accompany me to the interview, and so we'd be planning around that too.

I guess my main question is how likely would I be denied at US customs with a long stay like that (~8-12 weeks)? I do not have very strong ties to Canada between having a very basic job and living with my mom (I recently finished post-secondary school) but I was wondering if the fact that we will be going through the K1 process would help me out a little bit in that it would be indicate that yes, I would like to immigrate, we are doing it the legal way.

Thoughts?

[canadian_wife 1,822]

We cannot tell you the likelihood of you being granted entry as that is totally up to the border patrol. The stronger ties to Canada the better your chances are.

However the K-1 visa may (or may not) work against you as it is clear that you have intentions of eventually living in the US as an immigrant. The CBP are trained to suspect that all tourists have immigrant intent until they are proven otherwise.

Good luck

[Bobby+Umit 161]

50/50 % chance of being turned away.

Strong ties is looked upon more in your favor.

Going through the K-1 doesn't give you anymore weight, indeed, it may work against you, since you might be planning on immigrating on this visit!

However, Canadians are given more lee way than others - so just be prepared and answer honestly.

[lilacvioletiris 11]

As long as your passport has validity beyond the length of your stay (I think 6 months passed the end of your stay from something I read somewhere), and you tell the truth to the border guard "I am going to visit my fiance' for x number of weeks/days for a vacation" you should be fine. There are those that say to have a copy of bills/letter from employer, etc that say you are going back to Canada. Just don't take all your belongings with you, just enough for the length of trip you are taking.

[Nik+Heather 121]

50/50 % chance of being turned away.

Strong ties is looked upon more in your favor.

Going through the K-1 doesn't give you anymore weight, indeed, it may work against you, since you might be planning on immigrating on this visit!

However, Canadians are given more lee way than others - so just be prepared and answer honestly.

50-50 is pretty chancey. If it was actually 50-50, especially from Canada, we would see a LOT more "They didn't let me in!!" threads.

I'll be conservative and say it's more 95% get in, 5% don't. (I think it's probably better than that)

An 8-12 week visit isn't that long considering that Canadians are usually stamped in for 6 months.

Check out the visiting FAQ for a list of proof of ties. Nik has been granted entry all 3 times he came over to visit - once for 90 days, and another time during the petition processing. I always advise that the most important thing to bring is a return ticket, but if you don't have one for some reason, the other proofs will do you just as well (we have personal experience - printer ran out of ink!).

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...mp;page=k1visit

[Adrian+Mike 2]

Just from my experience I visited while we had started the K-1 process a few months earlier. Had no problems at the boarder, guy just asked what the purpose of my visit was, told him I was there to see my girlfriend, asked a few more routine questions and that was it, took my fingerprints, photo as standard and went straight on through. He was pretty friendly and we were joking about the diffrences between American football and rugby as I was going to see my soon to be brother-in-laws match while I was there.

Ive no idea if they have access to the databases that hold if we had a K1 visa in process or not, he certainly didn't give any impression that he had any idea that I was. I took alot of paperwork with me though just incase, phone bills, letter from my manager to say I had to be back at work the day after I departed etc. A return ticket from what I gather is usually all they need to show that you won't be staying there, he didn't even look at mine, just my passport and that was that.

Personally I think as long as you take enough evidence with you showing you have strong ties back home, commitments such as bills, a job etc then you should be fine. But as others said theres no guarantee, you can be turned back so be prepared if you do intend to take the risk.

[evilmonkey 2]

So, we are still waiting to begin the K1 process (need final divorce decree, but otherwise have most things ready to go, at the moment it's looking like we'll be able to file anywhere between late May and June) and so we probably (unless we're very, very lucky and things speed up a lot by then at VSC as well as Montreal ) won't be getting the visa until early 2011.

We're very fortunate and have flexible schedules that will allow for a lot of visits during this time, which helps the waiting time. We were hoping for some shorter visits early in the year (he'll come up for a week in March and May and I'll come for maybe four weeks or so in June, then he'll be up here for a few weeks in the summertime). What we were hoping though was that I could spend the last bit of the year in the States for the holidays. It would be a longer stay, maybe eight weeks or so, maybe a little more, maybe less. This part of the timeline also depends on where we are in the K1 process as he would like to accompany me to the interview, and so we'd be planning around that too.

I guess my main question is how likely would I be denied at US customs with a long stay like that (~8-12 weeks)? I do not have very strong ties to Canada between having a very basic job and living with my mom (I recently finished post-secondary school) but I was wondering if the fact that we will be going through the K1 process would help me out a little bit in that it would be indicate that yes, I would like to immigrate, we are doing it the legal way.

Thoughts?

99.99% chance - you will be granted entry

0.01% chance - you will be denied

Answer only what the CBP officer asks you - there is no need to volunteer additional information. For e.g.

Why are you visiting the U.S? to spend my vacation from work - technically you are on vacation to visit u r boyfriend

Have you been to the US before? Yes, mention the dates and say that was also on vacation and that you like to spend your vacation in US

Again you are not doing something illegal - if you are asked explicitly, do you have a bf in US? you have to say YES, you might incur some additional questioning but I dont think you will be denied entry unless you have tons of

(1) money (2) luggage with you and it is obvious that you are moving here.

To guarantee a 100% entry, carry a letter from your employer, I always do that which states you have been employed since xxxx and you earn xxxx and you will be on a vacation from xx/xx to xx/xx. This is not really necessary but is a very solid proof especially if its on the company letter head along with a business card

Enjoy your trip to USA!