Visiting fiancee numerous times

[MochiKamo 93]

It's almost 3 months since we filed the 129F petition. Thankfully I have been able to visit Japan numerous times and my fiancee visited California three times.

However, I have been getting more and more questions regarding the purpose of my trips to Japan. I always state that I am visiting friends which is true since I have a number of friends there and I do visit them while in the country. However, last time the immigration person made me write a name of a friend in the immigration form and I put my fiancee's name. She asked if she was my girlfriend and I didn't want a long process so I said "not really" Well, what I said was true since she is my fiancee.

Anyhow what makes my visits suspicious is that I already have 8 consecutive Japan visa stamps in my passport. For my next visit, should I take copies of my 129F and/or NOA1 just in case? I also plan to go to the interview so hopefully I can tell them that I am visiting for the interview and provide some documentation about it. I will also visit after the interview and will tell them that my purpose is to get my fiancee.

But until those 2 last visits, should I be taking copies of my 129F forms to be in the safe side?

Edited January 18, 2011 by Yagisama

[Aztec&Taino 144]

It's almost 3 months since we filed the 129F petition. Thankfully I have been able to visit Japan numerous times and my fiancee visited California three times.

However, I have been getting more and more questions regarding the purpose of my trips to Japan. I always state that I am visiting friends which is true since I have a number of friends there and I do visit them while in the country. However, last time the immigration person made me write a name of a friend in the immigration form and I put my fiancee's name. She asked if she was my girlfriend and I didn't want a long process so I said "not really" Well, what I said was true since she is my fiancee.

Anyhow what makes my visits suspicious is that I already have 8 consecutive Japan visa stamps in my passport. For my next visit, should I take copies of my 129F and/or NOA1 just in case? I also plan to go to the interview so hopefully I can tell them that I am visiting for the interview and provide some documentation about it. I will also visit after the interview and will tell them that my purpose is to get my fiancee.

But until those 2 last visits, should I be taking copies of my 129F forms to be in the safe side?

You should have always been honest and should have said that the purpose of your trip to Japan was to visit your fiancee. I just came back from visiting my fiance and I was asked more questions than usual, too. I was honest and said that the purpose of my trip was to visit my fiance. I do believe the officer typed something on the computer after I said this. It will be important for me to demonstrate at my fiance's interview (when it happens) that we have a bona fide relationship and I would not be surprised if the records kept by point of entry official prove helpful. It is good that you visit your fiancee and that she visits you. Your passport stamps, boarding passes, and pictures will be evidence that you should collect and bring with you to the interview. You are not breaking the law for visiting your fiancee, so why lie?

[MochiKamo 93]

You are right, I should have been honest about it. But after a 12 hour flight I didn't want any complications. Additionally, Japan is a country where US citizens try to find ways to permanently move to, so I didn't want to take any chances.

Well, next time I'll tell them that the purpose of my trip is to visit my fiancee. I'll take a copy of my 129F and NOA1 just in case. Anyhow, I'm interested if anyone ever encountered a situation where they had to show these kinds of forms to immigration upon entry.

[iampatricias 17]

Your repeat visits might draw more attention and questions if you are just "visiting friends" than if you were actually visiting your honest-to-goodness fiancee with whom you've applied for a visa with in order to live together in the States. If you're caught in a lie at the border, you'll be much, much worse off than if you get questioned for an hour while they decide if you're an immigration risk.

When I travel to my fiance's country, I always carry my work contract (showing that I'm expected to complete these responsibilities until mm/yy or whatever), and pay stubs, because those can contribute to "proof I won't overstay". Other helpful documents are things like rental/lease agreements or a return ticket/itinerary, or anything else showing your obligations at home. I don't have a copy of our I129f paperwork, or our NOA1 (probably unwise) and they've never asked to see any documentation after asking a few questions about my fiance and the purpose of my visit, though I have been told by a border agent that it is *my* responsibility to carry such proof on every visit.

Anyway, don't be afraid to tell the truth! You're just a visitor after all!

[TracyTN 237]

You mean you've been getting questions when you enter Japan, or when you return to the US?

[MochiKamo 93]

I should have been more clear. When entering Japan.

[iampatricias 17]

I've never flown to Japan, but if you're worried they will deny you entry into Japan because there is a risk you'll overstay your tourist visa, I think the same process (bringing proof of ties to home) could apply?

Edited January 18, 2011 by iampatricias

[TRanger 2]

I should have been more clear. When entering Japan.

I've been to Japan nine time in the last 1-1/2 years, most trips have been work related. I noticed that if I indicated that I was staying with my girlfriend that more questions were asked. So, I've been giving the name and phone number of the hotel that I usually stay in for business and there have been no questions since. I still indicate "visiting friends" or whatever the form states. I suppose I'm misleading them, but it sure makes me less nervous at the airport. The hotel is just a few km from her place. I suppose if I were to be discovered, I would tell a white lie and say that my gf offered for me to stay with her to save some money and I agreed.