Fiance visit to US tips for getting in

[dmck 80]

While we wait an agonizing amount of time to get our K1 approved, we make do with seeing each other. In the beginning, we visited outside of the US, as my schedule permitted because we were a bit leery of testing her tourist visa to enter to see me. As things got busy for me back here, we decided to test a visit to the US with her tourist visa. After looking at countless posts, we realized that you can visit the US on a tourist visa, but there are certainly things to be aware of before you visit to assure your entry.

Realize that CBP takes a guilty until proven innocent kind of approach to the entry process. Knowing this is key to your success in getting in to see your loved one. For your first visit, make it reasonable 1-2 weeks tops. Purchase your roundtrip airfare, and have a copy of your itinerary with you ready to show the CBP officer at passport control. Also, very very important, pack light. For a 2 week stay one normal size suitcase is the max you should bring along with your carry on. Remember, CBP is going to assume you are coming to stay versus just visit, so DON'T give them a reason to think your stay will be for a day more than you planned. They will ask you about how much luggage you are bringing with you and will judge your likelihood of staying based on how much stuff you bring. While it may be tempting to bring stuff to leave with your loved one to save on moving later, don't push it by bringing two large suitcases full of stuff. If you have too much stuff, CBP will assume you are planning on staying and not leaving, entry denied.

The passport control interview will be painful, be patient. While others are flying through passport control on an average of 1-2 minutes each, be ready for 10-15 minutes of questions. These questions will be personal. They are designed to get you upset and to provoke a response that will indicate you plan to stay. Don't try to lie about anything. They have your history at their fingertips, and if they catch something they don't like, your 10-15 minutes could turn into a 1 hour internet backed interview. Be honest, don't twist answers and be prepared to hear the same question asked a couple of different ways. My fiancé was asked about her finances, her luggage, why she entered the US previously (before we filed the K1), where she was staying, when she was leaving (and had to show the ticket), they wanted to know about her job and her vacation policy, as well as the nature of our relationship. While some may find these questions personal, their goal is to determine if you are going to leave when you are supposed to.

Well we hope this helps you get the courage to visit, it is worth it.....

[TBoneTX 44,864]

*** Thread moved from K-1 Process forum to General Immigration Discussion -- topic is not about the K-1 process itself and applies to multiple visa types. ***

[Pitaya 2,577]

Welcome to the forum.

Your comments and experience reiterates the statements and sentiments of the "stickie," Yes You Can Visit, located at the top of the K-1 visa forum. It was for similar rationale that my now-wife refrained from attempting to visit the US during our K-1 visa process. For us, at that time, we had enough inspection and inquisition, of and by, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agencies into our lives. Besides, it was easy enough for me to obtain the necessary travel clearances to visit my then-fiancee in her country.

Unfortunately, it seems that according to current immigration law, policies, and security concerns, DHS agencies are merely performing their mandated duties. Albeit, perhaps sometimes in a too zealous manner. That is the reality of the post 9/11 world that we all live in.

YMMV,

Good luck on your visa journey.