Visiting fiance in London

[BaBamSam 239]

Hello everyone!

I have a quick question that I was hoping someone here could answer. I'm off to visit my fiance in London for 15 days, leaving on Monday. I was wondering if I should mention that I'm seeing my fiance, or if I should just say that I'm on holiday, which is also true and which I have done in the past. I was a student in the UK for a year, so I have an old expired visa in my passport still from that.

The last time I went to see him was before the Olympics and border control was a bit stringent. I had copies of my return flight and bank statements, which were asked for, and I'll have those two things again. At that time I was just "on holiday" really. I'm going to have a copy of the I-129F I submitted back in December, but I'm worried about "strong ties to America" as I'm a freelancer and don't have a traditional employer. Should I bring my last invoice from my most recent job, a paycheck from a TV show I worked on recently, and maybe an email or two about my upcoming gigs? I have a job for the day after I am supposed to return, which is verified in email, but would it help?

I tend to just get very paranoid as I go through border control no matter which country - and the whole fiance thing makes me more nervous than usual.

Thanks for any help!

[UK-USA-K1 128]

I traveled over the holidays for 2 weeks to see my fiance in the UK and went through Heathrow airport and had no problems whatsoever. They asked if I had a return ticket and where I was staying while I was there. I said I had the return ticket, but it was an e-ticket and offered to show it to them on my laptop if need be. They declined. I told them I would be staying at her place and not a hotel and that was no problem either. They didn't ask any work information or anything and let me go on my way. Wait, they did ask if she was planning on living in America, and I said that she was at some point in the future. This was before we had filed, so I had no evidence of this other than that statement.

For your case, I'd say to make sure to have your return ticket available to see, and if it makes you feel better, bring your NOA1 showing that he is immigrating to the USA. That should be more than enough to prove you aren't immigrating that way. I doubt you'll even need it, but if it's in your possession it can't hurt.

[lost_at_sea 995]

Hello everyone!

I have a quick question that I was hoping someone here could answer. I'm off to visit my fiance in London for 15 days, leaving on Monday. I was wondering if I should mention that I'm seeing my fiance, or if I should just say that I'm on holiday, which is also true and which I have done in the past. I was a student in the UK for a year, so I have an old expired visa in my passport still from that.

The last time I went to see him was before the Olympics and border control was a bit stringent. I had copies of my return flight and bank statements, which were asked for, and I'll have those two things again. At that time I was just "on holiday" really. I'm going to have a copy of the I-129F I submitted back in December, but I'm worried about "strong ties to America" as I'm a freelancer and don't have a traditional employer. Should I bring my last invoice from my most recent job, a paycheck from a TV show I worked on recently, and maybe an email or two about my upcoming gigs? I have a job for the day after I am supposed to return, which is verified in email, but would it help?

I tend to just get very paranoid as I go through border control no matter which country - and the whole fiance thing makes me more nervous than usual.

Thanks for any help!

It'll be just like when you went through before. The thing with border agency staff is just to be relaxed and only answer the question they ask. They'll say "why are you here?", you'll say "just a holiday", which is true. Then they might say "Who are you staying with?" and then you'll have to say your boyfriend or whatever and then they may follow up with a few more questions. If you're only there for a couple weeks, and you have the return flight itinerary in hand, it'll most likely be fine. If you've got that other evidence, then have it on you. They won't send you back - the very worst I can imagine is they'll take you for further Qs, and you'll just show them all the stuff, and it'll be fine, but my other half was visiting me all the time for a whole 18 months, and not until his visiting time started to reach the 50%-in-the-UK mark did he have any issues (he got a coded landing that time but they still let him in, and the next time returned on a work visa).

Edited March 13, 2013 by lost_at_sea

[orangedesk 27]

It'll be just like when you went through before. The thing with border agency staff is just to be relaxed and only answer the question they ask. They'll say "why are you here?", you'll say "just a holiday", which is true. Then they might say "Who are you staying with?" and then you'll have to say your boyfriend or whatever and then they may follow up with a few more questions. If you're only there for a couple weeks, and you have the return flight itinerary in hand, it'll most likely be fine. If you've got that other evidence, then have it on you. They won't send you back - the very worst I can imagine is they'll take you for further Qs, and you'll just show them all the stuff, and it'll be fine, but my other half was visiting me all the time for a whole 18 months, and not until his visiting time started to reach the 50%-in-the-UK mark did he have any issues (he got a coded landing that time but they still let him in, and the next time returned on a work visa).

I visited my guy about 5 times while the K1 was in process. The first few times I said on holiday, which was of course true, but during the olympics I had a few additional questions. When I said I was staying with my fiance and that he was planning on moving to America soon, they said OK. When I asked, "Do you want to see a copy of our visa paperwork?" the border patrol woman said, "Do you have it on you" and I said, "Yes, would you like to see it" and just gave it to her right away. She just looked at it for about a second and then stamped me in.

I don't think you have anything to worry about, especially when you mention that your fiance will be moving to the US. Just be honest and enjoy your trip

[BaBamSam 239]

Thank you for your responses - has really eased my mind! I really appreciate it

[david'sgirl 134]

I visited my husband back when we were dating, engaged and after we were married and waiting for the interview. I've never had more than a few questions. Be sure to have a return ticket and offer to show it if necessary. I was up front with saying I was here to visit my fiance for a week or here to get married or here for the holidays etc. One agent asked me if I was aware that I could only remain for 6 months after wedding but I told her I had a return ticket and would be going back in a week to file for a visa for him to move to US. I think as long as you have proof that you have no intention to over stay and are honest you should have no problem. Have a great visit!