Tips for not getting turned away for a visit?

[Kristy S 13]

I was told by our lawyer back in june that my fiance wouldn't be able to visit at all until the visa was issued, now thanks to all you wonderful people (who probably all know more about this than my lawyer or any random uscis employee i'm fairly certain of) I've found out this is not true.

When we filed in june the lawyer told us he would be able to be here by Christmas no problem...so not gonna happen, but we promised the kids he'd be here by then. At least now we know he can visit, we are planning on buying him a ticket for the 14th dec-3rd of jan.

I've seen a few people mentioning going through dublin as a pre-entry point, but try as we might, we can't make that work for under 1400$, and as money is tight and we can get a ticket as cheap as 720$, we really need to go with that.

What I'm looking for here is as many tips as possible to get him through without being turned away, because with our luck, it's bound to happen.

Would it help if he called LHR and I called the airport he will enter at? He's planning on bringing utility bills, paycheck stubs, a letter from his employer saying when he's returning to work, and mortgage receipts...anything else we can do to insure this will go seamlessly? He will only have a 2.5 hour layover between flights in Michigan.

Thank you all for helping me stay sane through this. (I spent months lurking the boards before actually joining.)

Edited November 4, 2010 by Kristy S

[Gemmie 142]

My tips for him:

- Relax, don't panic or it will show through your body language.

- Make sure you have your return ticket out to show him if he asks for it, or seems suspicious that you won't return.

- Yes to all of those things to bring, but don't offer them unless the officer asks you to, or you think it will help.

- Short answers, only respond to questions asked in brief replies (as you have nothing to hide and don't need to ramble).

- Be polite, smile, maybe make some small-talk such as weather or tiredness.

- Personally I wouldn't call the airport as they give conflicting advice. We once called the landing airport and they just said generic things, but they won't remember who you are when coming in anyway.

You'll be fine

[scotchland5206 5]

You'll be fine, your fiance seems to have more than enough evidence of strong ties to the UK :-)

Like Gemmie said, he shouldn't supply the evidence unless asked for it. Have heard other people on here say that the Immigration Officer didn't mention the visa at all, so I guess it all depends on who you get.

And stay calm, although that can be easier said than done!

Unfortunately I'm self-employed and living at home at the mo so I'm not even going to try to visit!

[Kristy S 13]

thank you guys so much, that is great advice, if it were me i would so ramble and look nervous, lol

my fiance is so much better at keeping his cool than i am.

I greatly appreciate this all <3

[Nik+Heather 121]

Looks like you've already done a lot of research into what he should bring etc.

I think especially over the holidays there are a lot of people visiting (return ticket dates reflect this!) so I'd expect it to be quite easy.

When Nik visited me, he was taken into secondary inspection - If you're expecting this, at least it won't be a shock. He found that the receipt notice for the petition was actually quite useful. It shows that you're already invested in immigrating legally instead of trying to get around it. Just a copy will be fine, - don't trust the original to the mail!

[Krikit 1,165]

Here's a good link for you: Visitation FAQ's

As Heather says, it's good to carry a copy of the NOA(s) to show you are going through the process legitimately. Welcome to VJ!

[Kristy S 13]

that's a great idea too, i can scan and email for him to print out, thank you

[BlueBonnet 84]

When I went for a visit, I took:

3 months worth of direct withdrawls showing that I paid my morgage

3 months worth of house bills showing they were still current

A letter from my employer saying that they knew I was going to the USA and when I would be expected back

A court order showing my ex has rights to the childrens holidays ( 1/2 )

Emails between my ex and I showing that he had the children and when they would be returned to me

Medical insurance showing the dates entering the USA and coverage ending date

Return tickets

The Customs agent asked me if I worked, I showed him the letter .. I offered it up, he didnt actualy ask to see it.

The Customs agent asked if I had a return ticket. I showed him my itinery showing that I had one purchased.

I was definetly over prepaired, but I felt better safe than sorry. I proved my ties were strong with the house, job and kiddies .. but they didnt really ask for anything.

[Amy and Michael 21]

Like PP's have said it sounds like you have done your research and are prepared. Everything I would suggest to bring is already covered.

I am the USC and when I went to visit my now husband the first time and landed in Cardiff, Wales we were both interviewed. The only thing that finally stopped the questioning was when it came up that I had an already paid for trip to Walt Disney World in approximately a month. I didn't have any evidence of strong ties on me. That was definitely before finding this website.

Every other trip, they didn't even ask. I made 4 trips to the UK, he made 3 trips to the US before we filed for the K1.

I just want to say I think you will be fine. You are fully prepared and put his fears to rest - it sounds like you have plenty of evidence of ties to home for if any questions do come up.

Have a great Christmas visit and hope your K1 gets approved quickly!

[En&Em 1]

Here's a good link for you: Visitation FAQ's

As Heather says, it's good to carry a copy of the NOA(s) to show you are going through the process legitimately. Welcome to VJ!

It's interesting to me that for those with fiance(e)s from countries in the visa waiver program, the POE officers seem to consider the K-1 process as an indication that a visit while the K-1 is pending will not be abused/overstayed.

Based on information from Embassy staff and people on VJ is that the analysis of the pending K-1 is the opposite for those from countries that actually need a tourist visa (such as Russia). In these cases, it seems that the K-1 process is viewed by the embassy staff as a disadvantage. Apparently they think that someone who is an "impending immigrant" is supposedly more likely to overstay on a tourist visa.

I agree much more with the POE analysis than the Embassy analysis. Why would we put the K-1 process in jeopardy by overstaying a tourist visa? But what I think apparently does not necessarily matter.

I sure wish my fiancee could visit during the holidays...

Edited November 9, 2010 by En&Em

[JoannaV 174]

It's interesting to me that for those with fiance(e)s from countries in the visa waiver program, the POE officers seem to consider the K-1 process as an indication that a visit while the K-1 is pending will not be abused/overstayed.

Based on information from Embassy staff and people on VJ is that the analysis of the pending K-1 is the opposite for those from countries that actually need a tourist visa (such as Russia). In these cases, it seems that the K-1 process is viewed by the embassy staff as a disadvantage. Apparently they think that someone who is an "impending immigrant" is supposedly more likely to overstay on a tourist visa.

I agree much more with the POE analysis than the Embassy analysis. Why would we put the K-1 process in jeopardy by overstaying a tourist visa? But what I think apparently does not necessarily matter.

I sure wish my fiancee could visit during the holidays...

I wouldn't be surprised if it is some kind of economic racism. VWP countries tend to be relatively rich. POE officials think that everyone in the world wants to live in America, but they are a bit more welcoming to the richer immigrants. It's horrible, but I think it factors into this.

I agree with you, that I always thought my visa process was sure proof that I wouldn't be overstaying illegally. However, I've read enough stories about people, whether through ignorance or malice, overstaying and doing all kinds of other things that I guess it's not such sure proof after all. I don't understand how so many people have no worries about being out of status!