Australian to America. Visiting during K-1. Experiences with customs?

[Aps1979 1]

Good Evening,

My Aussie Fiance and I are planning to spend a big part of the summer together to go on vacation and do some wedding planning. As anyone doing the K-1 knows once she gets here after the K-1 we only have 90 days to marry so we want to take some time and plan, scope out locations, etc.

In the US, it is perfectly legal to visit the country while a K-1 is in process using ones visa wavier. However, I have read that there may be some problems with customs once she gets here since she is planning to stay for almost 3 months. Once they run her passport and see the K-1 in process, a 2-3 month trip may cause some serious scrutiny.

We are trying to prepare all backup docs as recommended by this forum, aka, proof of ties to Australia; but since she works retail she was considering quitting her job before the trip then returning and finding a new one. As she rents from her family; the side of the family with the same last name; a lease may be questionable.

Can anyone relate their experiences visiting America during a K-1 in process? Any problems or questions? Anyone do so for a longer trip as we are planning? She will be flying into LAX if that helps.

Thanks in advance,

A.

[Jess&Steven 0]

Hey A,

I flew into LAX last October while waiting on our NOA2 and had no problems at all. I was completely honest with the Customs Officer when asked why I was visiting the US and advised that I was there to stay with my fiancee. She asked how we met and I told her it was online and she laughed and said a lot of Australians go over there for that reason. She was very nice and friendly about it and I didn't have to show ties to Australia or anything.

That was only for a two week trip but as long as she's planning on leaving within the 3 months, I can't see why it would be an issue.

[Lainie B 465]

I echo the above. Plenty here visited while waiting, many for nearly 90 days, and had no problems. I had even less ties to Australia than your fiance and had absolutely no problem visiting for 6 weeks. Just make sure her return date is less than 90 days out (some people have made the mistake of calculating 3 months instead of 90 days).

[AdamAndDana 8]

Just stay away from Detroit, Michigan.

They took a statement from me and refused entry; banned me from using the visa waiver program and sent me back to Hong Kong at my own expense after fingerprinting and sitting me in their office for 10 hours.

I was flying standby via staff travel (ID90) and wasn't able to provide evidence of a return ticket or ties back home. It was Monday and the rookie who conducted my second interview was excited to deport her first "illegal". All these factors seemed to make matters worse. Also, my choice of wardrobe could have been better ...a t-shirt with Antoine Dodson reading: "Hide your kids, hide your wife" doesn't win you any friends at CBP.

- Adam