Can i visit my USC fiance while waiting for the K1?

[JustJanis 2]

I understand that once you get your NOA1 you are entered into the Department of Homeland Security database as they run their initial background check and it would come up in their system when they process you at the POE. So just be honest and cross your fingers that the officer is having a good day. Thankfully he was for me in March. I'm still here and will be until June when I go back for a week and then and hopefully all will be good when I enter again in through Seattle for another visit while I wait for my NOA2 and consulate appointment.

[Dani&Darryn 0]

Hi, everyone,

I'm going to visit my fiance in Los Angeles, flying next Sunday (3rd of June), and I'm not expecting to have problems at the POE, but you never know...

I guess it helps that I've already been to the US, last October, and came back home, so, they'll see that, if I wanted to be there illegally, I would have done that last year, and not had come back home.

What worries me is that maybe they'll get suspicious about me staying for a long time (87 days), less than what's allowed for a tourist, but still, a long time. I've saved money for it, so, I can prove I have the means to be there and come back.

We just applied for the K1- Visa (last Thursday, 24th of May), so, I'm expecting I'll have the NOA1 this week. And I'm traveling with my Spanish passport, which means I don't have to apply for a tourist visa beforehand. Did anyone, with a similar situation (having been there before as a tourist, and now having just applied for the fiance visa, and going as a tourist again), had any problems?

Thank you very much in advance, to anyone who can give me some opinions on it

[devotional 4]

Hi!

I just came back from visiting my fiance in Florida. I went prepared with a copy of my current lease on my apt., as well as my new lease which begins in July 2013, a letter from my employer stating how many vacation days I would be taking and when I would be expected back, as well as some bills that proved that I DO live at the address on the lease.

I flew from Montreal to Orlando. Although i was taken into secondary, the agent there was actually really very nice and was satisfied with only seeing a copy of my itinerary which showed my return flight. They asked the basic questions- " how long are you staying?", " where are you staying?", "purpose of the trip?". he asked for proof of a return flight, I handed him my itinerary- and that was it. I was even a little surprised! And asked if he wanted to see copies of my lease, or letter from employer, and he just said that it wasn't necessary.

[CarolynC 0]

Hi Everyone,

I have a true experience with this and my fiance: We looked everywhere for an answer and we were told there is no law preventing it and its up to the POE officer and if he is having a bad day he won't let you in. We risked it in february and my fiance had no problem coming in. He flew direct from London to LAX and went through customs there. As a precaution he brought information that showed he still had strong ties back home and will be going back home. The customs officer didn't ask him anything. All he was asked was about me. My fiance told him he was coming over to visit his girlfriend for her birthday which was the truth. He is going to try and come over again in April so we hope for good news then too. The only thing my lawyer recommended was not to come over after you have received your NOA2.

Hope this helps. It sure sucks when we can't see our loved ones for long periods of time. Good Luck.

Hi I saw yr above comment abt not to go to US after u receive the NOA2

Well, I already planned n booked for my ticket to LAX n plan to stay there for 2 mths from june.We received our NOA2 on 21st may. Can I still go?I

I do have my return date.

I am not sure when we will receive the interview date but definitely I will come back for the interview.

[C-ma'am 684]

Hi I saw yr above comment abt not to go to US after u receive the NOA2

Well, I already planned n booked for my ticket to LAX n plan to stay there for 2 mths from june.We received our NOA2 on 21st may. Can I still go?I

I do have my return date.

I am not sure when we will receive the interview date but definitely I will come back for the interview.

You can, but you MUST know there's a real chance that you may be sent back home at the POE. The good news is that, if this happens, it will not interfere with your K1 application. You will lose the money paid for the ticket and, most importantly, the chance to be with your other half.. but at least, if they reject you, you'll know it will not play against you.

[Mark + Melissa 49]

Hey all,

I'm planning to visit my fiance, Herb in New Jersey at the end of March. We sent in our K1 application at the end of Jan. I already have a valid tourist visa. I've read on here that those applying for a tourist visa while waiting for a K1 will not get it. But what about this situation? Would it get me into trouble to visit him with my pre-existing tourist visa? Would i get turned back at the POE? I also remember reading about fiancees who visited their USC's while waiting and never had any issues at the interview. Can anyone help me out with this? I just want to be sure i'm doing the right thing.

We had a trip to Florida planned for him to visit me at end of June, but our lawyer and customs both advised against it. Rather than take the chance, we changed venues, and will be meeting in Toronto, which actually works out better because we'll get to be together for nearly 3 weeks =D

[bebero 19]

Hey all,

I'm planning to visit my fiance, Herb in New Jersey at the end of March. We sent in our K1 application at the end of Jan. I already have a valid tourist visa. I've read on here that those applying for a tourist visa while waiting for a K1 will not get it. But what about this situation? Would it get me into trouble to visit him with my pre-existing tourist visa? Would i get turned back at the POE? I also remember reading about fiancees who visited their USC's while waiting and never had any issues at the interview. Can anyone help me out with this? I just want to be sure i'm doing the right thing.

I entered the US two different times (currently visiting for the second time) while having the K1 in process and I haven't had any issues.

[SteelFaithU2 3]

Hi Herb-Mel, I was wondering if you could tell me how did the process go for visitor visa though? My fiance is from the Philippines, and I'm sure Malaysia and the Philippines are both tough countries to get an approved visitor visa. It seems that the only Filipinos who can get approved to visit the US are the wealthy ones. I'd love to bring my fiance here to visit for a couple months too, but she is not wealthy, and I doubt she'll be approved.

Thanks for sharing your experiences though, and I'm happy you made it here for a nice visit!

[jkb11 26]

From CBP Inspector's Field Manual:

(2) Classification: B-2 Visitor for pleasure.

(B) Determining eligibility. If otherwise admissible, admit the following as B-2:

(11) An alien coming to meet the alien’s fiancé(e)’s family (to become engaged; to make arrangements for a wedding; or to renew a relationship with the prospective spouse);

Just make sure to have some proof of ties to your home country when crossing.

Cheers!

[Mark + Melissa 49]

Yes, i am planning to bring a copy of the NOA1 and i guess i'll show them a bank statement also. But I'm not working at the moment so i need to find other reasons to give them for why i will be returning home. Would it help if i showed that i'm qualified as a professional and thus would not try to overstay my visa for just any job. I do have my ID card etc from my recent job. I have no intention of violating the terms of the K1 visa. I just want to visit him for a couple of months, and also visit my family there.

That's the reason there are some many conflicting stories. If you have proof that you have ties in your country, and its not a high fraud country, chances are you can visit US no problem. We were advised by our attorney not to have him visit because my fiance sold his business in anticipation of moving here, and sold his house and is living in apartment. You are allowed to visit, if they are convinced you're not going to stay and get married. Each case is different.

[Stu4Lee 66]

remember that if they dont let you in US you have to have money to get ticket for the next plain heading back to where you came from...

No you don't.

[Canerican 242]

Hi All,

I am awaiting a decision on the K-1 and just travel across the Vermont/Montreal border on July 3rd, 2012 and had no issues. I got asked the usual questions, Why are you coming? Where are you headed? I answered all the questions truthfully telling the guard at the crossing that I was going to visit my fiance. I had all that I needed I-129F, letter from employer, NOA1, letter from fiance saying she was responsible for me while I was down and all the paperwork on my side for the interview. The last question he asked was, is your fiance intending to immigrate you? I told the guard that we were applying for a K-1 visa and that I had the I-129F on me and showed him the envelope it was in and he said, "You realize that you cannot immigrate until the visa is approved?" I said yes and he sent me on my way. I think the key thing is that you are honest with the guards, but I do agree that it depends on their mood. Sidenote: It was July 3rd, the day before Independence Day so I thought I was going to get grilled, but didn't. Hope this helps anyone wanting to visit their USC fiance in the future. Also prayer is good too, God sets all authority into place and we need to respect them.

God Bless