Visiting UK after NOA1

[MelissaJulian 30]

I know this is a stupid question, but is there anything stopping me from going to visit my fiance in London before the process is complete? We have our NOA1 and I don't think it should be a problem because I am going there, but should I bring my NOA1 with me just in case? I don't know what shows up on their computers!!!

[JulianMelissa 52]

I know this is a stupid question, but is there anything stopping me from going to visit my fiance in London before the process is complete? We have our NOA1 and I don't think it should be a problem because I am going there, but should I bring my NOA1 with me just in case? I don't know what shows up on their computers!!!

Your not stupid honey!!!

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

You can visit.

I don't know what shows up on UK computers, but I asked US Customs and Border Protection what was on their computers and if they knew that I had a fiance visa in process and he said, "NO."

[MelissaJulian 30]

Your not stupid honey!!!

Hush you.

You can visit.

I don't know what shows up on UK computers, but I asked US Customs and Border Protection what was on their computers and if they knew that I had a fiance visa in process and he said, "NO."

Thank you! I'm not sure if I will be able to go but if I can make it it's good to know the NOA1 won't stop me!

[JulianMelissa 52]

Are you quite sure about this? I wonder if our countries might exchange this sort of information and she would be delayed in customs, perhaps even turned away? Or could it expose us to further scrutiny? Could it delay our interview perhaps? I do so want to see my little budgie this summer, especially since I'll be so bloody nervous for the interview! But if it means even an extra day apart I'm not sure I can bear it. Maybe we shouldn't chance it?

Edited April 28, 2010 by JulianMelissa

[Ricky+Vanessa 43]

I second what Nich-Nick said. Ricky visited me after the NOA1 and it wasn't an issue. I went there when I was awaiting my interview and that was a problem either.

[MelissaJulian 30]

Thank you Vanessa!

Now I will go die in shame for Julian making fun of me freaking out and then calling me his budgie.

[Amy and Michael 21]

Michael & I received our NOA1 in January. I visited him in February, flying to and from Heathrow. It was the easiest trip through customs/border patrol.

I would recommend during any travelling for either of you, to prove that you have no intention of immigrating when you are simply visiting, to carry with you paperwork showing ties to your home country. Bring a letter or paperwork from your employer showing how many vacation days you have, and/or when you plan to return. Bring some copies of bills. Bring any lease or mortgage paperwork. You may never be asked for it, but if every questioned, you can prove your intentions.

The only time this came up was my very first trip to Michael and it absolutely horrified me that they could send me back without even seeing him if they believed I had intentions of marrying him without the proper paperwork, or immigrating, etc. The only thing that finally stopped the questioning was that I had a paid trip to DisneyWorld coming up a month after I intended to return to the US.

[*Snowdrop* 604]

Because of the 2007 USCIS backlog our CR1 visa process took about 14 months from start to finish. During that time I visited my husband 4 times in the US and he visited the UK 4 times. (So almost at every stage of the process through NOA1 / NOA2 / NVC and the embassy stage) We would have gone crazy if we'd had to spend the whole first year of our marriage apart without any visits.

Neither of us had any major problems.

I was the most worried (going to the US) I always took lots of documents showing my ties to the UK - including a signed letter from my boss - but I was never asked for any more proof. I always said I was staying with my husband when asked but even that didn't seem to raise an eyebrow.

My husband had one slight scare when coming to the UK on one trip as for about 5 minutes at the counter he couldn't find his return ticket information and the border control officer started to get a little serious but as soon as he found the ticket (scrunched up in his bag) he was fine.

[Minya's wife 24]

Wait, you're the USC wishing to visit your UK fiance while you have an I-129 petition pending for him to emigrate to the US, and you're asking if its OK for you to visit the UK? There is nothing stopping you from visiting. It is your fiance who is emigrating not you. There is a chance for extra scrutiny at POE if he were to come visit you (though many foreign fiance(s) especially those benefiting from the VWP who have visited their USC SO's without incident).

Many USC's who file immigrant petitions for their foreign fiances or spouses go and visit them while their respective petitions are pending, especially if those fiances/spouses are in countries where the consulates place strong emphasis on personal visits. The travel of the USC petitioner is a non-issue w/ regards to the immigration of the foreign SO. Enjoy your trip.

[Justine+David 218]

Wait, you're the USC wishing to visit your UK fiance while you have an I-129 petition pending for him to emigrate to the US, and you're asking if its OK for you to visit the UK? There is nothing stopping you from visiting. It is your fiance who is emigrating not you. There is a chance for extra scrutiny at POE if he were to come visit you (though many foreign fiance(s) especially those benefiting from the VWP who have visited their USC SO's without incident).

Many USC's who file immigrant petitions for their foreign fiances or spouses go and visit them while their respective petitions are pending, especially if those fiances/spouses are in countries where the consulates place strong emphasis on personal visits. The travel of the USC petitioner is a non-issue w/ regards to the immigration of the foreign SO. Enjoy your trip.

Yes there is something that can stop you--the UK border, lol!

OP, usually it's a very big non-issue, but I visited my fiance 3 times in the UK during this process (and a few before we started the K1) and I was asked to provide proof of my ticket going back home. The UK border guard doesn't have access to your petition information, only the U.S. does. There have been some incidents reported on this board about people having trouble getting through, but the main thing to keep in mind is to tell. the. truth about everything, including your relationship.

On the other hand, I wouldn't volunteer a lot of information without being asked. That is, don't start up a big conversation about your significant other and how you love him and miss him and he has brown hair and green eyes...that's over the top and can make them suspicious. I made that mistake myself and though I was put through without any problems, it was quite scary during the time! Just answer their questions truthfully, yet succinctly.

The last time I went, the conversation went like this:

"What is your purpose here?"

"I'm visiting my fiance."

"Is he a British citizen?"

"Yes."

"Where does he live and work?"

"He works at HSBC and lives in Sheffield." STAMP and then I was through.

If you visit multiple times you can sign up for IRIS which allows you to go through without any questions and a computer scans your retina to make sure that you're you and gives you a ticket allowing you to stay for 6 months (at least U.S. citizens). Only open in the major London airports, I believe, like Heathrow and Gatwick.

Good luck! I would just bring your NOA1, your return ticket (or receipt if bought online), and you can add in your lease to an apartment or a copy of your work schedule if you want.

[camerons 0]

If your going to be a reasonably frequent visitor to the UK, you could register with IRIS the retenal scan entry process, then you will have no contact with an immigration official!