POE trouble on a visit? Advice needed

[krumlovgirl 0]

Okay, so here’s the question and the advice I need. My fiancé and I have applied for the K-1 visa and he comes to visit on the 23rd. Our baby is due in March and he was planning on staying until in the U.S. until he gets his interview letter or until 90 days runs out, whichever happens first. (This should happen sometimes around the end of April for both we are hoping.) In the best case scenario, he goes back to London for his medical exam, goes to his interview, gets his visa, wraps up some things, turns around and comes back, and is only away for a few weeks at the most. The thing is, when he comes to visit in a couple of weeks he only has a one way ticket because it was cheaper for us to buy a one way ticket for him out here and then to turn around and buy him a roundtrip ticket back to the U.S. when he has to go back to London than it was for us to buy him a roundtrip ticket, change the date on the return, and then a separate one-way ticket when he had to come back. My question is, when he comes into the U.S. on the 23rd and he gets questioned at immigration what can he say so as not to get hassled too much and denied entry? He is a full-time student in the U.K., although he is working on his dissertation so he is not in classes at the moment. He also has a bank account and is signed up to work at a job agency. He has no intentions of working in the U.S. while he is here, until he comes in on the legitimate visa. I’ve had some problems with the pregnancy and he wanted to be here while I gave birth as well as the weeks preceding and following it. We’re just afraid that since he only has a one-way ticket and has applied for the visa and will be in the system already that he might get hassled at the POE. So what do you guys think? Or am I overthinking it?

[devblt 0]

I honestly think buying a one-way ticket is a big mistake. That is definately going to set of red flags at immigration. He he get's denied entry because of the one-way ticket, he'll have to make that known, and he'll have to try and explain it away. To minimize the hassel factor, I would recommend getting a return ticket for a two weeks stay, and extending that once he gets here. With a two week return ticket, the fact he is a student etc.. and any other evidence of "ties" back home, he should be o.k.. that said, there is no garatuee that he'll get through POE without hassell. It'll be a lot easier explaining that then a one-way ticket that's for sure.

Good luck

[sophyie 0]

It definately is not the best idea to try enter the US with a one way ticket.

The very first time I visited Seattle I came in on a Visa Waiver (with a round trip ticket). We went on a short trip to Vancouver, and because I didn't know anything and did not want to take my ticket on the trip (I didn't think I'd need it plus did not want to loose it)- and on the way back had a really hard time getting back into the US without my return ticket.

I somehow convinced them that I had mine in the drawer at home- which was true- and told them my return flight etc...

One suggestion:

I guess you'll book your return flight back to the UK soon- maybe if you book it before he comes he could take a printed confirmation or something like that to show them that he in fact does have a ticket...

Good luck

[Yodrak 7]

krumlovgirl,

I don't think that you're overthinking it. Your fiance has a number of potential problem issues, if he gets asked the 'right' questions.

Yodrak

Okay, so here's the question and the advice I need. My fiancé and I have applied for the K-1 visa and he comes to visit on the 23rd. Our baby is due in March and he was planning on staying until in the U.S. until he gets his interview letter or until 90 days runs out, whichever happens first. (This should happen sometimes around the end of April for both we are hoping.) In the best case scenario, he goes back to London for his medical exam, goes to his interview, gets his visa, wraps up some things, turns around and comes back, and is only away for a few weeks at the most. The thing is, when he comes to visit in a couple of weeks he only has a one way ticket because it was cheaper for us to buy a one way ticket for him out here and then to turn around and buy him a roundtrip ticket back to the U.S. when he has to go back to London than it was for us to buy him a roundtrip ticket, change the date on the return, and then a separate one-way ticket when he had to come back. My question is, when he comes into the U.S. on the 23rd and he gets questioned at immigration what can he say so as not to get hassled too much and denied entry? He is a full-time student in the U.K., although he is working on his dissertation so he is not in classes at the moment. He also has a bank account and is signed up to work at a job agency. He has no intentions of working in the U.S. while he is here, until he comes in on the legitimate visa. I've had some problems with the pregnancy and he wanted to be here while I gave birth as well as the weeks preceding and following it. We're just afraid that since he only has a one-way ticket and has applied for the visa and will be in the system already that he might get hassled at the POE. So what do you guys think? Or am I overthinking it?

[DanNNina 5]

The one way ticket may have been cheaper, but most assuredly he will have trouble at the POE.

[krumlovgirl 0]

We didn't want to buy the roundtrip ticket back until we knew the interview date and we got a really really good deal on the one way flight over. Since we are students and money is EXTREMELY tight for us, especially with a baby on the way, it was far cheaper for us to buy the one way ticket to the U.S., and then once he was here to buy the roundtrip from the U.S. back to England when we needed it. I agree that it's a good idea to go ahead and buy the ticket as soon as possible. I will look within the next week and see if I can find a good deal for a ticket in April-May and try to get buy it before he flies out in 2 weeks so that he has a return ticket in hand before he arrives. We are trying to do everything legally. I talked to an immigration attornery and his advice was for Pete to come over on the visa waiver program and marry me once he got here but we thought that would present a whole new set of problems. This looked like the easiest route.

[MPGGPM 0]

Each of the times that my wife came to visit me, she was never asked whether she had a "round trip" ticket or not. As a matter of fact, each of the 4 times she came here, for 1 month each, they hardly ever asked her a thing........no proof of ties......etc........nothing.

So, just wondering why everyone thinks that he has to have a round trip ticket? I might be missing something, but since on neither of the 4 trips that my wife took did they ever ask to see her return ticket, I don't understand why everyone seems to think it's so necessary to have one.

That being said........even on a budget, I'd have to think that the amount of money saved doing things the other way (round trip on the way back)......might not be worth the hassle. I'd think you'd have to consider whether the savings is going to be worth the problems that others feel he may have when he comes with only a one way ticket. If it's going to cause you so much worry etc.....maybe the eventual savings might not be so worth it ...all things considered.

[DanNNina 5]

I travel abroad quite extensively with my job. A common question is how long I am going to stay. And I will admit that in all my travel, I have only been asked for my itinerary only twice. Once in the Netherlands and once in Hong Kong. I realize buying a round trip ticket may be more expensive and you are students, but peace of mind and knowing that you are prepared so that you are not turned away would be worth the price diffence. He may not have any issue at the POE, but it may the one time that they question him extensively. With the K-1 visa, they may have him in the system and ask more questions than normal. That being said, the roundtrip ticket would support his claim of returning home. Ask yourself, would I pay the difference in price to assure he stays here until his interview?

I know you may not like our answers, but we are trying to provide an honest response.

[jennyray 0]

If he is entering and K1 is in process this could present problems. He will be in the system. They may let him in they may not. My fiance (husband now) was turned back at POE when we had the K1 pending. Even though he had a return ticket, strong ties etc.....they are very cautious about entry when a K1 is pending. It will definitely come up in the system when he goes through immigration.

[Caladan 19]

If he is entering and K1 is in process this could present problems. He will be in the system. They may let him in they may not. My fiance (husband now) was turned back at POE when we had the K1 pending. Even though he had a return ticket, strong ties etc.....they are very cautious about entry when a K1 is pending. It will definitely come up in the system when he goes through immigration.

It is possible that this is not always true, or if true, they do not always care. My fiancé visited me just over two weeks ago, and if he was in the system, they didn't see fit to mention it at the POE, nor ask him of proof of ties to Canada.

He has never been asked to show a return ticket or an itinerary, *but* he's always been able to say that he's coming for a short visit. And, of course, be potentially able to back that up.

Question for the OP: how likely is it, in your opinion, that you two will be through the process by the end of April? I know it's hard to predict, but how is your fiancé planning to arrange his medical exam and to pick up his Packet 3? How long does it take to get an interview in London? In my rough, non-scientific estimation, you *might* be ready to interview by mid-April, but chances are he'd have to head home before then in any case.

Were I in your shoes, I'd look around for a round trip ticket for this first trip, and try to move the one-way ticket to a later date. (just because round-trips are generally cheaper.)

Or, perhaps, still use the one-way ticket for entry, but with a second roundtrip ticket already purchased. (Basically, just your original plan, but with the second ticket already purchased.) He'd be able to print that itinerary and take it along with him if questioned.

[Autumnchik 6]

I agree with the posters regarding buying a round trip ticket. My fiance has visited me from Canada many times and has almost always had to produce his round trip ticket. Okay, maybe he just looks suspicious ... you know those Canadians!!!

Seriously, though, I would err on the side of caution and do everything you can to convince the guard that he is returning to the UK.

Good luck!

[wherezdabearz 0]

I would DEFINITELY get a return ticket. I visited John about five times before we got married (via more than one POE) and I was asked to show my return ticket EVERY time.

[Robin28 2]

When i visited my fiance in the US during our K1 process i was asked both of the times i went if they could see my return ticket ..

[salma 0]

its not worth the risk...even travelling from Canada to US i was always asked for my return ticket and i was checked in the system. Also when i travelled back to Canada on Advanced Parole i was asked for my return ticket. So you may as well be prepared just in case.

S

[Devil's_Advocate 0]

One of the conditions of using the VWP is (note the 3rd bullet):

• Traveling for business, pleasure or transit only;

• Staying in the United States for 90 days or less;

Plus

, if entering the United States by air or sea is,

•

Holding a return or onward ticket.

If traveling on an electronic ticket, a copy of the itinerary must be carried for presentation to U.S. immigration at the port of entry. Note: Travelers with onward tickets terminating in Mexico, Canada, Bermuda or the Caribbean Islands must be legal permanent residents of these areas;

Unfortunately, this is not a variable, this is a requirement. It may have seemed far cheaper at the moment, but it will be a costly mistake in the long run if he chooses to risk it and arrive without one.

Since we are students and money is EXTREMELY tight for us, especially with a baby on the way, it was far cheaper for us to buy the one way ticket to the U.S., and then once he was here to buy the roundtrip from the U.S. back to England when we needed it.