Can you travel to the US while K1 is processing?

[L_n_O 3]

Unless you seemed suspicious, I don't think they'd deny a random person at the border... You'd have to be acting strangely or said something odd or they found something in your stuff...

[Flames9_RN 358]

When one is goin gto the USA to see thier spouse or fiance, or even girlfriend, I'm sure it sets off alarms to the POE officer, as there may be a chance you wil stay and reside in the USA. And just having a return plane ticket is NOT sufficient evidence, as most know a return ticket is cheaper than a 1 way ticket.

[AndreaK 1]

Here's my 2 cents - we got engaged last July 2006 and only started the K-1 process in Jan 2007

I travelled after getting engaged both by plane and driving and I answer truthfully that I am visiting my fiance, they ask when I'm returning or when I'm returning to work - I have nothing to hide anyway! You don't need to provide letters from your employer if you're visiting for a week or 2 - they honestly might be more suspicious if you're providing some sort of 'odd' evidence.

I've also travelled since the K1 process started - they don't ask about it and they don't have you in a database somewhere that I've heard of - they might, but obviously it's not a problem. I personally scan my passport at the ticket booth, although I guess they take a look at it too.

Don't sweat it, as long as you're truthful, you should be fine.

from my own personal experience about a month ago, i beg to differ - maybe i just got a real cross customs official, who knows...

when i flew from edmonton to wichita to visit my fiance in march (our application was submitted in january of this year), i was up front and honest about my travel intentions - going to visit my fiance, had a visa in progress, i was moving to the US. as soon as i mentioned this, i was told to follow the customs official to the back room, where another customs officer proceeded to take my picture, fingerprint me (index fingers only, but both hands), and question me. it was a good thing i'd heard that something like this could potentially happen because i had a letter from work stating the dates of my vacation, and when i was returning to work, along with my flight itinerary for a trip to Winnipeg at easter (so my fiance could book his flights) for a family gathering. had i not had this information, i'm positive i would have been turned away and not allowed on the plane.

once the customs officer was through with me, i entered the line for security; once it was my turn, they fully searched my carry-on bags and did a full pat down on me - they couldn't have done anymore unless they strip-searched me.

as a result, i am now very leery of trying to fly - or drive - to the US until i have my visa in-hand because i'm obviously now in the system somehow (can someone verify/deny this for me?). i'd hate to get to the border or be in line at customs and get turned away...

i'm sure this is an extreme circumstance, but i say it is much better to be fully prepared just in case, than to get to the customs line or be at the border and told you are not allowed to cross...

[L_n_O 3]

now that's what I call a *fun time*.

[L_n_O 3]

Just to update this forum, I've travelled twice to the US since this post and didn't really have too many issues..

First time: looked at all my travel info with school statements and return flights etc

Second time: little more thorough.. plus an x-ray of my luggage at the peace bridge border (via greyhound!) and 10 mins each of conversation with two officers

[john_24 0]

What I've heard alot of ppl are doing is before they start the K1 Process, or if you've already started the K1...

apply for a Nexus pass...this probably only applies to ppl who actually live only a few miles from the border who cross over on a regular basis.

This way you show your card, get waived through 95% of the time...usually they'll just look in the car and ask where you're headed if at all anything.

I'm about to start the K1 process and I've got my Nexus pass, $80cdn or $50USD, good for 5 years.

Just an idea for some of you out there...

[Jeraly 4]

Hmm - so you can enter the US even though the visa process is underway? Or is that just for Canada? I'm from the UK and tbh am totally panicking we aren't going to get the K-1 in time for our wedding on February 11th 2008 :/...

Now I know many have said we are "brave" (read: crazy) but tbh neither of us realised the process would take so long and now I don't know how I am going to sleep in between now and February :/

So a couple questions... this might not be the best place for them but...

If I were to enter the US while my visa application is underway could I then get married to my fiance providing I left the country again afterwards?

If I were to do this, could I then enter using the K-1 and go through the K-3 process?

If everything goes wrong (I am praying with all my heart it won't as family have booked tickets already) then can I cancel my K-1 application, go get married, fly back to the UK and then apply for the K-3?

I'm trying to calm myself by finding out other options and contingencies... Any advice/help/ideas/comfort despite my stupidity would be welcome!!!

[TracyTN 237]

Hmm - so you can enter the US even though the visa process is underway? Or is that just for Canada? I'm from the UK and tbh am totally panicking we aren't going to get the K-1 in time for our wedding on February 11th 2008 :/...

Now I know many have said we are "brave" (read: crazy) but tbh neither of us realised the process would take so long and now I don't know how I am going to sleep in between now and February :/

So a couple questions... this might not be the best place for them but...

If I were to enter the US while my visa application is underway could I then get married to my fiance providing I left the country again afterwards?

If I were to do this, could I then enter using the K-1 and go through the K-3 process?

If everything goes wrong (I am praying with all my heart it won't as family have booked tickets already) then can I cancel my K-1 application, go get married, fly back to the UK and then apply for the K-3?

I'm trying to calm myself by finding out other options and contingencies... Any advice/help/ideas/comfort despite my stupidity would be welcome!!!

First of all, yes, you can enter the US while your K1 is pending. Just bring plenty of proof of ties to home.

The second part of your post is a bit confusing. But suffice it to say: if you enter the US while your K1 is pending and get married, then you'll have to abandon the K1, leave the country and start completely over with a spousal visa.

I'm confused why you say your from the UK but your timeline says 'Armenia'?

[Jeraly 4]

The second part of your post is a bit confusing. But suffice it to say: if you enter the US while your K1 is pending and get married, then you'll have to abandon the K1, leave the country and start completely over with a spousal visa.

I'm confused why you say your from the UK but your timeline says 'Armenia'?

Sorry for the confusing-ness - I am just in panic mode (I do that rather well!). Basically the grand plan is (if everything works out) we get the visa approved in good time, I go out there, we get married Feb 11th and I don't come home. Obviously if the K-1 isn't completed in time I would like to stick to this plan as much as we can. I figured if it were possible then we could still go ahead with our wedding plans but then I move back here and apply for a spousal visa effectively starting the same process again but with the same end... in theory! Is there no time limit you have to wait before you can apply for a different visa? Or is that only if you want to apply for the same visa again?

And as for Armenia... I think it was the default or something and I was looking for UK or England... seeing yours means maybe I should try looking for London

[nane1104 146]

The second part of your post is a bit confusing. But suffice it to say: if you enter the US while your K1 is pending and get married, then you'll have to abandon the K1, leave the country and start completely over with a spousal visa.

I'm confused why you say your from the UK but your timeline says 'Armenia'?

Sorry for the confusing-ness - I am just in panic mode (I do that rather well!). Basically the grand plan is (if everything works out) we get the visa approved in good time, I go out there, we get married Feb 11th and I don't come home. Obviously if the K-1 isn't completed in time I would like to stick to this plan as much as we can. I figured if it were possible then we could still go ahead with our wedding plans but then I move back here and apply for a spousal visa effectively starting the same process again but with the same end... in theory! Is there no time limit you have to wait before you can apply for a different visa? Or is that only if you want to apply for the same visa again?

And as for Armenia... I think it was the default or something and I was looking for UK or England... seeing yours means maybe I should try looking for London

You can not do this. Because of one simple reason: If you had applied for a K-1, you travel to the US (let's say they let you in) and get maried there, that is Immigration fraud because you are going to the US with the intend to marry.

The only way this worksis when you go to th US and you spontaneously decide to marry..."spur of the moment"...and when you apply for AOS, you will have to proof that you did not plan on this.

If you get married and you travel back to the US and you start all over with the K-3 process, what have you won? Other than that you are married and can't be with your spouse?

I say, stick with your initial plan of the fiancee visa and wait like all the K-1s...had to wait! Accordning to your timeline, seeing that you just filed the I-129F, I think you shouldn't have a problem getting your K-1 in time for a february wedding, so do not worry yet.

Edited July 19, 2007 by nane1104

[Nancy and Ramos 0]

Hey,

I'm supposed to attend my fiancee's brother's wedding in May. Am I going to be allowed across the border while my K-1 is in process?

I've only received the NAO1 yesterday.. and the wedding is in 2 weeks!

Am I going to be permitted across the border?!

Liz

it should not be a problem as i went to the states twice while we were in progress of our K1. Nothing is in the computer and if you don't say anything they won't ask.

[Nancy and Ramos 0]

Hey,

I'm supposed to attend my fiancee's brother's wedding in May. Am I going to be allowed across the border while my K-1 is in process?

I've only received the NAO1 yesterday.. and the wedding is in 2 weeks!

Am I going to be permitted across the border?!

Liz

it should not be a problem as i went to the states twice while we were in progress of our K1. Nothing is in the computer and if you don't say anything they won't ask.

Edited July 19, 2007 by Nancy and Ramos

[Jeraly 4]

You can not do this. Because of one simple reason: If you had applied for a K-1, you travel to the US (let's say they let you in) and get maried there, that is Immigration fraud because you are going to the US with the intend to marry.

The only way this worksis when you go to th US and you spontaneously decide to marry..."spur of the moment"...and when you apply for AOS, you will have to proof that you did not plan on this.

If you get married and you travel back to the US and you start all over with the K-3 process, what have you won? Other than that you are married and can't be with your spouse?

I say, stick with your initial plan of the fiancee visa and wait like all the K-1s...had to wait! Accordning to your timeline, seeing that you just filed the I-129F, I think you shouldn't have a problem getting your K-1 in time for a february wedding, so do not worry yet.

Thank you for the comfort at least! I know we have a good chance of things working out but I just want to know all my options *just in case*. I don't even mind waiting - it's just the fear that I spend the time waiting only for it to mean we have to cancel the K-1 application to get married...

So if I were to cancel the K-1 app, get married, go back to the UK then apply for the K-3 that would work? I know it would mean being without my OH for even more time but theoretically I just want to know if it is possible - the only option other than that if we don't get the K-1 in time is for him to come here which is a whole other kettle of fish!

[nane1104 146]

Hey,

I'm supposed to attend my fiancee's brother's wedding in May. Am I going to be allowed across the border while my K-1 is in process?

I've only received the NAO1 yesterday.. and the wedding is in 2 weeks!

Am I going to be permitted across the border?!

Liz

it should not be a problem as i went to the states twice while we were in progress of our K1. Nothing is in the computer and if you don't say anything they won't ask.

That is not correct. My first visit to my now hubby in the US was my second trip to the US, I had been over here for a vacation the year prior.

I was sent to secondary inspection and I got asked all kinds of questions for about 45 minutes, almost missed my connection flight.

They asked also questions about my previous trip, but they could have seen the stamp in my passport..but then the officer asked me where exactly I stayed and I asked if he wants to know what city and he said "I already know what city, what was the adress you stayed at?" So obvously he had some information in the system that he wanted me to repeat/verify.

THe whole thing was a little scary, plus they accused me of fraud, because they asked me how long I intended to stay, I told him for 4 weeks and he called me a liar, telling me according to my ticket I would have an overstay of 4 months!!! (I didn't even have a printed ticket, only a printed out itenenary)

Came out, they mixed my papers, passport with someone elses and it took me a good while to convince him of his mistake. But that's a whole different story. That was a crazy experience though!!!

Edited July 19, 2007 by nane1104

[Jeraly 4]

That is not correct. My first visit to my now hubby in the US was my second trip to the US, I had been over here for a vacation the year prior.

I was sent to secondary inspection and I got asked all kinds of questions for about 45 minutes, almost missed my connection flight.

They asked also questions about my previous trip, but they could have seen the stamp in my passport..but then the officer asked me where exactly I stayed and I asked if he wants to know what city and he said "I already know what city, what was the adress you stayed at?" So obvously he had some information in the system that he wanted me to repeat/verify.

THe whole thing was a little scary, plus they accused me of fraud, because they asked me how long I intended to stay, I told him for 4 weeks and he called me a liar, telling me according to my ticket I would have an overstay of 4 months!!! (I didn't even have a printed ticket, only a printed out itenenary)

Came out, they mixed my papers, passport with someone elses and it took me a good while to convince him of his mistake. But that's a whole different story. That was a crazy experience though!!!

I'm not aware of how that changes or affects the visa process only having just started the process myself but I can totally agree with them having information on record.

My OH came to visit me in the earlier days and said he was visiting a "friend" to which immigration replied "where is she? He had given them information before so yeah - I think it is a bit of a "Big Brother is watching you" scenario :/