Started K1 Process... Now trying to visit him in the UK for 6 months. Need advice!

[Dani89 0]

I'd like to know if anyone can give me a little bit of advice. My fiance (British citizen) and I (US citizen) are currently in the USA. We filed our petition and received the NOA1 in April. In July my fiance has to go back to the UK and I would like to join him for 6 months to 1. help him with the visa process, 2. be with him of course! 3. plan our wedding together.
I'm also hoping with a bit of luck we will have our visa in hand before my 6 months would be up.

I'm a little worried about getting past immigration though! Staying for 6 months looks pretty dodgy. I have an extensive history of going in and out of the UK as I used to live there for 5 years between 2006-2011. Yet I have never done anything illegal. When I have stayed for long stretches I was there on valid visas and when I was a tourist I never overstayed. For 6 months I will also be living with my fiance and his mom, rent free and food provided.

I guess I'm just paranoid that they could refuse me for going to the UK a lot. And I'm also worried about the amount of money I will need to satisfy them. How much do you reckon would be a good amount? I would be provided for in rent and in food so I shouldn't need too much? (hopefully) Do you think I should be okay?

I was wondering if I should buy a return ticket and say I would leave in about 3 months and just extend my flight to the 6 months I should be entitled to. I know that's bending the rules a little though. Would they hold that against me even though I wouldn't overstay 6 months? Or should I just be completely honest and say why I want to stay for 6 months?

Visas and immigration can be such a pain when all you want to do is be with the one you love. :/

[UK-USA-K1 128]

6 months is most definitely a long time, and may be given some extra scrutiny. I can't really speak to that because I only go over for a few weeks at a time. My only real advice would be to make sure to have your return flight booked when you go over and print up the e-ticket for the return to show as evidence. Also, it might be a good idea to bring your NOA1 with you. If they push the issue of thinking you are trying to immigrate there, that might help them to see that you actually plan to have him immigrate here and could be your "ace in the hole" to get you past their passport control. One other thing, and I'm not looking for you to share the details, but I just want to say to make sure that with you spending the 6 months over there, that you will have a co-sponsor or some other way to be able to prove your Affidavit of Support. Best of luck to you

[Dani89 0]

6 months is most definitely a long time, and may be given some extra scrutiny. I can't really speak to that because I only go over for a few weeks at a time. My only real advice would be to make sure to have your return flight booked when you go over and print up the e-ticket for the return to show as evidence. Also, it might be a good idea to bring your NOA1 with you. If they push the issue of thinking you are trying to immigrate there, that might help them to see that you actually plan to have him immigrate here and could be your "ace in the hole" to get you past their passport control. One other thing, and I'm not looking for you to share the details, but I just want to say to make sure that with you spending the 6 months over there, that you will have a co-sponsor or some other way to be able to prove your Affidavit of Support. Best of luck to you

Thanks, yeah my parents will be co-sponsoring us for this whole thing. My nerves are just wracked over the whole thing even though in the end I'm really not doing anything wrong. That's why I was wondering if I should book a return flight for 3 months instead of 6 and then just change my flight once I'm in the country.

[suenpaul 4]

I don't know if this of any help or not. The first time I went to England before we were even engaged, I was held at the Manchester airport by immigration. They happened to be training a new customs official and I have a feeling I was an "example". I had my return ticket and such so there was nothing shady other than meeting my boyfriend. They ended up running a security check and whatever they do behind the mirrored wall, and two hours later they stamped my passport with a six month visa! Would have been nice but I only stayed a week!

I would contact the British embassy and see what they recommend so you don't have to go through what I did...best wishes!!!!

[Azsara 110]

I agree with the above posters on make sure you have your return ticket ready to present to them, and a copy of your NOA1 to show your doing things the legal (and expensive) way which would be pointless if u were going to invalidate that by getting married in the uk. Common sense will tell them theyd be no point in you breaking the law.

[Dani89 0]

Thanks for the advice. I keep telling myself there shouldn't be any need to worry as I have support both in USA and UK, and I will have the return ticket as well as the NOA1, so really there shouldn't be any need to turn me away.

[B&L 19]

My fiance and I are planning this very same thing for June. I asked recently in the UK forum and got a few replies basically saying to have a return ticket for six months, your NOA1 so you can[ prove you're not planning to live, and a bank statement from your British fiance to prove they can support you. If your fiance is going back with you, that will help a lot too, apparently.

Our plan is to have the NOA1 and some other K1 related paperwork, a bank statement, and a valid 6 month return ticket. I'll also give my US fiance my contact details in case the immigration officer can/wants to call me to confirm. I'll also suggest that I'll be in the airport at the time of her arrival if they really want to pull me aside to ask me questions.

Hopefully this goes well for us and for you too! Good luck.