Foreigner allowed to visit before K1 is set up?

[SoCalMan 1]

Hey everyone, thanks again for taking the time to answer our questions.

 

i have a question that has been worrying me. My girlfriend is german and she would like to visit America (me) for 2 or 3 weeks. Will this cause red flags or show suspicious activity when I apply for the I-129F Fiancé visa when she's back in Germany?

 

also, are passport stamps, and boarding passes from her valid when I put them in my I-129 form/packet? I was under the impression they only want passport stamps from the American petitioner?

 

Also must those passport stamps and boarding passes from her in my I-129F be translated by a certified translator? 

 

Edited May 12, 2017 by SoCalMan

[Scandi 4,166]

I visited my now husband several times before we sent in the i-129f. Actually, we sent in the i-129f while I was with him in the US, it's not an issue at all. I suggest you do the same, it's nice to do the package together, that way both of you will know exactly what is in it and what documents the embassy will have once it's time for the interview. You'll also have wet signatures on everything although not a requirement.

 

USCIS wants proof that you have met in person within the last 2 years, her passport stamp will be great as proof for that. Doesn't matter who visited who. She'll receive a stamp once she arrives in the US, for obvious reasons no translation is needed.

Edited May 12, 2017 by Scandi

[A'n'L 735]

Most European/VWP country fiance's have visited the US at least once before the i129f is filed. Perfectly fine.

[SoCalMan 1]

Thanks everyone for answering! That's a relief! My other question is, when she arrives to the US for the first time, and the officer asks "why are you visiting" what would be the best answer for her? "I'm visiting on holiday? "I'm visiting my boyfriend"?

[A'n'L 735]

7 minutes ago, SoCalMan said:

Thanks everyone for answering! That's a relief! My other question is, when she arrives to the US for the first time, and the officer asks "why are you visiting" what would be the best answer for her? "I'm visiting on holiday? "I'm visiting my boyfriend"?

Always the truth. Based on my experience, a girl travelling alone stating vacation as purpose of visit will get a follow-up question about who she is visiting or meeting.

[yuna628 9,676]

Don't ask yourself what the best answer is. Ask yourself, what is the truth?

Ultimately ensure that she has proof of returning home, that's the main thing. She should be prepared to answer any and all questions truthfully.

[Scandi 4,166]

I always answered "boyfriend" and later on "fiancé". Always tell the truth.

[JFH 12,190]

Your job when you send the petition is to convince USCIS that this is a genuine relationship for love and not a green card and that you want to spend the rest of your lives together. To be honest, I would actually find it suspicious if a working person with sufficient means from a VWP country did not visit as much as they could reasonably afford. She doesn't require a visa to visit and you won't be charging her for lodgings at your place so all she needs is a plane ticket. We couldn't bear to be apart so I visited him about 8 times a year. The more visits, the stronger your case. 

Edited May 12, 2017 by JFH

[Natalie_Bart 2]

7 hours ago, SoCalMan said:

Hey everyone, thanks again for taking the time to answer our questions.

 

i have a question that has been worrying me. My girlfriend is german and she would like to visit America (me) for 2 or 3 weeks. Will this cause red flags or show suspicious activity when I apply for the I-129F Fiancé visa when she's back in Germany?

 

also, are passport stamps, and boarding passes from her valid when I put them in my I-129 form/packet? I was under the impression they only want passport stamps from the American petitioner?

 

Also must those passport stamps and boarding passes from her in my I-129F be translated by a certified translator? 

 

 

3

I'm an American citizen with a fiance in the Netherlands. I applied for the K-1 on Jan. 31, and this week received an "RFE" from Homeland Security, which is a document requesting more info before they will continue processing your application. Although I put passport stamps from both us of in the original application packet, the "RFE" asked for further evidence of our engagement--they straight out asked for photos and other evidence that we've together in person. Hopefully this will help you avoid the mistake I made because if I had sent the photos back in January I wouldn't be dealing with this delay.

 

As far as her visiting you here, the best advice is to always be honest with the border people, and definitely make sure she has a 2-way ticket back to Germany because they could send her back if she shows up the airport on a one-way. My fiance was just here for 7 weeks, and I think they can stay on visitors visas up to 6 months. Hope that advice helps you.

 

 

Edited May 12, 2017 by Natalie_Bart

[JFH 12,190]

1 hour ago, Natalie_Bart said:

 

As far as her visiting you here, the best advice is to always be honest with the border people, and definitely make sure she has a 2-way ticket back to Germany because they could send her back if she shows up the airport on a one-way. My fiance was just here for 7 weeks, and I think they can stay on visitors visas up to 6 months. Hope that advice helps you.

 

 

The VWP allows the foreigner to stay in the USA for up to 90 days (note - this is NOT the same as 3 months). A B-2 visa allows the holder to stay for up to 6 months but the duration will be decided by the CBP officer on arrival. It has been known that girlfriends/boyfriends or spouses of USCs have been granted much shorter durations as they are at greatest risk of overstay. A B-2 visa is rarely granted to someone who is eligible for the VWP. One of the conditions of the VWP is that the person MUST have a round-trip ticket. 

Edited May 13, 2017 by JFH

[SoCalMan 1]

Thanks everyone for all the replies! My other question is, we have met already but unfortunately we did not take a selfie pic together. However I probably won't be submitting the form until years from now (we want to visit each other more first) As long as the photos of us together are within the last 2 years is what matters correct?

[Natalie_Bart 2]

27 minutes ago, SoCalMan said:

Thanks everyone for all the replies! My other question is, we have met already but unfortunately we did not take a selfie pic together. However I probably won't be submitting the form until years from now (we want to visit each other more first) As long as the photos of us together are within the last 2 years is what matters correct?

 

Yes, the pics should be during the 2 years preceding your visa application, according to the documents I received from the govt.