Opinions on Travel Please

[PalmTrees 34]

Hello,

I know we can visit and have had a read through the pinned topic at the top of the board but would like a couple of opinions on my situation...

We are sending off the K-1 today/ tomorrow (yippee!) and are bracing ourselves for the long wait. The plan at the moment is for me to visit him in the US in November but I have two possible options.

1) I take two unpaid (I have used all my holiday allowance for the year) weeks off from work and come over to see him for his birthday and thanksgiving. I will take with me a letter from my boss saying my time off is approved and am expected back at work on this date. The past two visits I have taken this letter with me but I've never been asked for proof or sent to the interview room at customs.

2) I quit my job (I don't like it anymore) and visit for around seven weeks and return just before Christmas. I know this is risky as I wouldn't have a job, I live with my parents so no rent agreement and I don't really have any bills. I'm hoping if I did this then the previous five visits in two years would support me as I left when I said I would each time. I also didn't overstay my J1 so I hope they like that! I would have enough money to support myself over those weeks and I hope that if I did have to go to the interview area then my K1-in-progress would show I know how to legally move to the US and wouldn't risk overstaying as I am already applying legally for future residency.

Last year I was taken to an interview room because I spent all of April over there, had 6 weeks back in the UK (where I finished my degree) and then went back over for 3 weeks. I understand that it was a quite a quick turnaround to go back and probably having no more university and no job raised their suspicions. I did tell them I knew how to apply for a visa but we weren't at that stage yet which they seemed happy with...

Anyway, my question is am I completely crazy for wanting to do option 2? My fiance and friends are encouraging me to do option 2 but I'd like some outside input on how you all view this and what you would do in my situation?

Thanks in advance!!

[Penguin_ie 5,994]

Not completely crazy, and chances are you will just be waived through, especially as you are not staying for close to the 90 days allowed on the VWP. But, with having been pulled into secondary on your last visit, and having an immigrant visa pending, and no job, it COULD be risky.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Consider if having a job to occupy your mind until next Spring/Summer or so will be helpful, as well as provide some money for the costs coming your way.

Costs

K1 route = $1680 + £280

$340 (USCIS) I-129F petition

$240 (Embassy) Visa fee

£45 ACPO Police certificate

£235 (Knightsbridge Doctors) medical exam

$30 Courier fee

$1070 (USCIS) Adjustment of Status/Work Authorization/Advance Parole

??? Two trips to London, maybe overnight in hotel

??? Plane fare for birthday,Tthanksgiving, immigration

??? Cost of getting your stuff shipped