Jump to content
alicekitty

Entering US with ESTA while possessing a K1 visa?

 Share

15 posts in this topic

Recommended Posts

Filed: K-1 Visa Country: United Kingdom
Timeline

Can one enter the US on ESTA (visa waiver program) while already holding the K1 visa?

My fiancé may have to visit the US (as a tourist) to prepare for his permanent move before he resigns from his job in London and move to the US (under the K1).

Is this possible? Has anyone done it before? Thanks

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Austria
Timeline

It is possible BUT must have his return ticket and proof of life back home.

Paramount is not to over stay, apply for jobs and stay low on the radar in case some "fool" takes a dislike to partner and files a report. No family or friends circle are exempt from having one potential spoiler.

I know of 3 people who travelled whilst in process with USCIS.

2 went to meetup.com events to network locally and to check out locals and ex-pats, 1 met with local realtor and had a pre-planned list of people to share coffee, a meal, time with via Linkedin.

All were clear that they were moving in the future, in exploration mode and had no real idea as yet where in the area / State they were going to live when they spoke to people, a vague and semi-true story easy to remember :whistle:

On entry:

2 were asked the usual immigration questions and acted normal and no nerves

1 got nervous so had all his bags checked and a grilling - we think he was considered a drugs mule, not calm even normally! :bonk:

All were on a 2-3 week holiday, all still had a job, apartment and the rest back home,

2 - All information about the trip was electronic, no paper except car hire and airline tickets.

1 - Paper records carried by one was a binder - apartment lease, copy employment contract, last salary slip, bank statement and letter from his mum,,,, he is an engineer and was not asked anything.

Coming from Austria, I think it is not a "hot country" for checking so may be a factor.

Have fun together, it is a long process :clock:

Edited by hateadminforms
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: India
Timeline

Can one enter the US on ESTA (visa waiver program) while already holding the K1 visa?

My fiancé may have to visit the US (as a tourist) to prepare for his permanent move before he resigns from his job in London and move to the US (under the K1).

Is this possible? Has anyone done it before? Thanks

Is your K1 already approved?

Timeline Info below:

Spoiler

04/21/16 -- Marriage

----- CR1 Process -----

USCIS Stage [222 days from NOA1]

06/08/16 -- Sent I-130

01/31/17 -- I-130 petition sent to NVC [Received Email notification and MyUscis status update]

NVC Stage [105 days from NOA2]

Embassy/Consulate (Interview) Stage [43 days from Case Complete to Visa in Hand]

05/18/17 -- Consulate Received. CEAC Case status changed to "Ready"

06/01/17 -- Medical Examination [Complete. It took around 2 hours. Total Cost INR 11650 for Surat City Apollo Clinic]

06/12/17 -- Biometric (OFC) Appointment

06/13/17 -- Interview [7:30 AM at Mumbai, India]. Visa Approved

06/15/17 -- Visa in hand

06/21/17 -- POE at DFW (Dallas, Texas)

----- Removal of Condition -----

Removal of Condition (I-751) [Approved]

06/18/2019 -- Sent the package (3 Days before GC expires, cutting it close). Sent to Lewisville, TX via FedEx Ground

06/19/2019 -- Package received at around 9:30 AM (Hoping I don't get rejected for missing deadline)

06/24/2019 -- Card was charged with $680 fees. Text Message received confirming Receipt. Case routed to NBC (Case Number starts with 'MSC')

06/28/2019 -- NOA Hard Copy & 18 Months Extension Letter Received in Mail with NOA Date as 06/19/2019

07/12/2019 -- Biomentrics Appointment Letter received. The Letter is Dated 7/5/2019. Appointment is on 7/22/2019

07/22/2019 -- Biometrics Appointment Complete

02/01/2022 -- Interview Scheduled for 3/3/2022 (combo interview)

03/03/2022 -- Interview Complete. No new Green Card will be produced as my Naturalization was also approved.

03/04/2022 -- USCIS status changed to approved.

----- Naturalization -----

Naturalization (N-400) [Approved]

03/26/2022 -- N-400 online application complete. NOA Date.

01/15/2021 -- Biometric Complete.

02/28/2022 -- Interview scheduled for 3/3/2022 (combo interview)

03/03/2022 -- Interview Passed. Status changed to 'we recommended that your application be approved...' and then to 'Oath Ceremony Will Be Scheduled'.

03/09/2022 -- Oath Ceremony was scheduled for 3/25/2022.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

No not yet approved. I'm asking the question hypothetically because we are trying to decide when to go for the interview.

I travelled for Thanksgiving whilst our case was with the US Embassy in London and it was fine, CBP didn't even ask me about it

"Let us not seek the Republican answer or the Democratic answer, but the right answer. Let us not seek to fix the blame for the past. Let us accept our own responsibility for the future." - John F. Kennedy

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Traveling during the process is fine, just make sure he has the usual proof of ties to the UK

However once the K1 is issued then he can no longer use VWP to travel, the K1 cancels all other entry visas so it would be best if he wraps up his affairs in the U.K. before traveling to the US.

if he was to enter & then leave before getting AP you would have to file for a CR1 (assuming you had married) and spend another year going through the process.

Everything crossed for a smooth and stress free journey

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: AOS (apr) Country: Norway
Timeline

While the ESTA actually does not get cancelled upon K1 approval (unlike a tourist visa), the CBP are extremely unlikely to allow him to enter without activating the K1. It's against their protocol. There are stories that Canadians using a land crossing have been able to do that, but airports are stricter (and you don't have the option of just turning back if they deny you).

Visit before the K1 interview, and be ready to move once the K1 is printed.

If it isn't difficult, it isn't worth it.

 

K1 process

9/24/15: I129f sent

9/30/15: NOA1

11/2/15: NOA2

Delayed processing due to work

3/15/16: Medical

4/28/16: Interview (approved)

Delayed entry due to work

8/12/16: POE Detroit

 

9/4/16: Wedding!

 

AOS process:

9/9/16: I485/I131/I765 sent

9/14/16: Received 3xNOAs by text/e-mail (day 2)

9/14-18/16: Received 3xpaper NOAs 

9/23/16: Received biometrics appointment letter (day 11)

10/3/16: Biometrics appointment (day 19)

11/4/16: EAD+AP approved (day 53)

11/16/16: EAD status changed to card shipped (day 65)

11/17/16: EAD/AP combo card received (day 66)

12/30/16: Notice of interview scheduled (day 109)

2/1/17: AOS interview (day 142) - APPROVED

2/8/17: GC received (day 150)

 

ROC process:

11/3/2018: ROC window opens

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Saudi Arabia
Timeline

Can one enter the US on ESTA (visa waiver program) while already holding the K1 visa?

My fiancé may have to visit the US (as a tourist) to prepare for his permanent move before he resigns from his job in London and move to the US (under the K1).

Is this possible? Has anyone done it before? Thanks

I just did that last summer, I went to the US while my k1 visa was in process. All I can tell you it's based on the officer, in my case he just asked me how long you are going to stay and how Dubai is beautiful :rofl: he was so cool. He didn't mention anything regarding our k1 visa. then he said welcome to the US :)

beside that, I had my return ticket and a support letter from work, statement bank and emails from the business stores i'm going to visit.

in case, of any it's better to bring strong ties to your home to convince the officer he asked and further questions regarding your visit.

good luck!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Ireland
Timeline

As the others said, travelling during the process is fine, but once the K1 is in the passport, the beneficiary will almost certainly be made to use it next time they enter the USA. I have not seen any exceptions other than for Canadians using land bridges, and even then it is not certain.

Bye: Penguin

Me: Irish/ Swiss citizen, and now naturalised US citizen. Husband: USC; twin babies born Feb 08 in Ireland and a daughter in Feb 2010 in Arkansas who are all joint Irish/ USC. Did DCF (IR1) in 6 weeks via the Dublin, Ireland embassy and now living in Arkansas.

mod penguin.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: K-1 Visa Country: United Kingdom
Timeline

Is your K1 already approved?

Not yet. At the interview stage. I am just posting a hypothetical scenario because we travel back and forth (while applying for K-1)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

How much we can say yes and no and advice to these questions, we can not look into the CBP officer's thoughts. While many have succeeded traveling back and forth while their K1's are in USCIS pending mode/Embassy-Consulate stage, there have also been a handful of people who were denied entry because after all, a pending K-1 shows immigrant-intent. We can't guarantee your access, that all depends on the officer that day if they will. Make sure you are traveling prepared and be honest if they ask. Flight itinerary, showing your flight back, your K-1 approval notice, letter from work stating you are granted days off and they expect you back on -date- (at least, that's what I did) etc.

01/13/2016: I-129F filed  07/15/2016: K-1 visa in hand
10/13/2016: Filed AOS + EAD/AP.   07/07/2017: Permanent resident (Conditional)
04/16/2019: Filed ROC  11/17/2020: Approved. (10 yr GC)

 

Naturalization                                                        
09/02/2020: Filed (Online)    09/08/2020: NOA1: (NBC
10/22/2020: Biometrics Reuse Notice.  12/22/2020: Online Status Changed to Interview Was Scheduled.  
01/29/2021: N-400 Interview - PASSED! 01/29/2021: Same-day oath ceremony.  

'Merica. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Japan
Timeline

I just traveled last month for Halloween.

I was on my K-1 processing and scheduled for an interview when i go back.

No issues at all. I was asked the common questions and nothing about my K-1. I didnt rven need to mention it.

Goodluck!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 years later...
Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Italy
Timeline

Ok, my girlfriend will be entering the U.S. with the fiance' visa. Her ESTA expired though and she is wondering if she should renew it before entering on the fiance' visa. She just wants to have all her ducks in a row when entering the country. Thanks.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 hours ago, Magician50 said:

Ok, my girlfriend will be entering the U.S. with the fiance' visa. Her ESTA expired though and she is wondering if she should renew it before entering on the fiance' visa. She just wants to have all her ducks in a row when entering the country. Thanks.

You have exhumed a 3 year old thread.  Best bet is to start your own thread.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Canada
Timeline

~~Zombie thread locked to further replies.~~

Spoiler

Met Playing Everquest in 2005
Engaged 9-15-2006
K-1 & 4 K-2'S
Filed 05-09-07
Interview 03-12-08
Visa received 04-21-08
Entry 05-06-08
Married 06-21-08
AOS X5
Filed 07-08-08
Cards Received01-22-09
Roc X5
Filed 10-17-10
Cards Received02-22-11
Citizenship
Filed 10-17-11
Interview 01-12-12
Oath 06-29-12

Citizenship for older 2 boys

Filed 03/08/2014

NOA/fee waiver 03/19/2014

Biometrics 04/15/14

Interview 05/29/14

In line for Oath 06/20/14

Oath 09/19/2014 We are all done! All USC no more USCIS

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 
Didn't find the answer you were looking for? Ask our VJ Immigration Lawyers.
Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.
- Back to Top -

Important Disclaimer: Please read carefully the Visajourney.com Terms of Service. If you do not agree to the Terms of Service you should not access or view any page (including this page) on VisaJourney.com. Answers and comments provided on Visajourney.com Forums are general information, and are not intended to substitute for informed professional medical, psychiatric, psychological, tax, legal, investment, accounting, or other professional advice. Visajourney.com does not endorse, and expressly disclaims liability for any product, manufacturer, distributor, service or service provider mentioned or any opinion expressed in answers or comments. VisaJourney.com does not condone immigration fraud in any way, shape or manner. VisaJourney.com recommends that if any member or user knows directly of someone involved in fraudulent or illegal activity, that they report such activity directly to the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement. You can contact ICE via email at Immigration.Reply@dhs.gov or you can telephone ICE at 1-866-347-2423. All reported threads/posts containing reference to immigration fraud or illegal activities will be removed from this board. If you feel that you have found inappropriate content, please let us know by contacting us here with a url link to that content. Thank you.
×
×
  • Create New...