Visiting during the K1 process

[marmax 3]

Just thought I'd share my experience yesterday in case it is of some help to others.

I have not been in the US in just over a year. My K1 process is at the interview stage, Oct 26th to be exact.

My fiance's daughter is getting married this weekend in Vegas. I was pretty optimistic that given how far along my application was that I would be allowed in for 4 days for this family event, It was not to be.

I was refused entry and was told that as an intended immigrant I was not allowed in at all until the visa was in hand.

This is a direct contradiction to what the officer escorting out to my car told me when I commented that I had read that visits were allowed. He said that they are but they are strongly discouraged, especially if you have no ties. I sold my house a year ago, my lease has reverted to month to month after a year and I am retired on disability. Despite having print outs of confirmations and receipts, including the interview date, I did not have enough proof to assure them of my return.

I knew the experience could go either way so I was not terribly distraught about being refused, what is irratating is that the information out there is confusing and conflicting.

still optimistic about my interview and at least I was treated with a little more respect than in the past. Although the officer who said he didn't understand what I meant about documentation of my visa process thus far seemed a blatant lie.

[NikLR 13,227]

You have a lack of ties, nothing more. Don't worry about your interview.

Out of curiosity, who brought up the issue you were immigrating?

[JFH 12,190]

Don't worry about the interview. You were turned away at the border to visit for the very same reason that you will be approved at your interview - you are romantically involved with a USC and intend to make the USA your home and you have no ties to your home country.

It's always a gamble when you go to visit. It's at the discretion of the CBP officer whether you will be admitted. A different officer might have said yes. No one is ever guaranteed admission into the country except USCs.

Edited October 8, 2016 by JFH