Starting K1 while in the US?

[wtrav 34]

4 minutes ago, JFH said:

$7000 won't last long here but it's good that's he's shouldering most of the costs. 

 

Don't be surprised if you show up at the border claiming to be a tourist but with a laptop in your bag and other things related to your job that they send you back. 

 

Assume you have healthcare sorted out for 6 months? Or is that what the $7000 is for?

I don't think they will allow me to stay for 6 months. Most people from BG usually get 3 months at POE, even though the max is 6. So I am thinking about staying around 2 months. Even if they allow 6 months I will still probably stay for 2.

 

I haven't thought about insurance though. My fiancé works in an insurance company so will ask him about that. Is insurance a must? It will be way easier to go back to BG if I get sick or smth (not talking about emergency help. Hopefully I won't need any.). I am going to choose flexible fare when buying the ticket so I can change dates easily if I need to.

[June2017UK 430]

Just now, Boiler said:

Sounds like you did update ESTA and it has been some time, try again?

I tried last week. Travel unauthorised. Thanks for your help again. I know we had a similar conversation about it in July and I was refused then too. Perhaps they wait a full year between ESTA applications, not a full year until after a B2 was denied and circumstances have changed. 

[JFH 12,191]

2 minutes ago, wtrav said:

 

 

I haven't thought about insurance though. My fiancé works in an insurance company so will ask him about that. Is insurance a must? It will be way easier to go back to BG if I get sick or smth (not talking about emergency help. Hopefully I won't need any.). I am going to choose flexible fare when buying the ticket so I can change dates easily if I need to.

Insurance isn't a "must" for non-residents but you'd be crazy not to have it. I was admitted to the hospital in June. The hospital sent me a copy of the bill that was sent to the insurance company. ICU stay was $12,000 per night (drugs and tests were on top of that). Anyone can have an accident or become sick. Going back home won't be an option if you're in the ICU. 

[wtrav 34]

4 minutes ago, JFH said:

Insurance isn't a "must" for non-residents but you'd be crazy not to have it. I was admitted to the hospital in June. The hospital sent me a copy of the bill that was sent to the insurance company. ICU stay was $12,000 per night (drugs and tests were on top of that). Anyone can have an accident or become sick. Going back home won't be an option if you're in the ICU. 

Thanks! 12k per day is a lot! Will def check for insurance options.

[Boiler 45,911]

No ideal what the deal is with Travel Insurance in Bulgaria, but should not cost that much for someone young and healthy.

 

Now how people do it for aged parents I do not know, got the point where it was costing the same as the air fare for my Mother.

[Clara B. 119]

Good afternoon @wtrav,

I’ve used my b2 visa to visit my BF(at the time) and had no issue at POE even though I said the reason for the trip was “To visit my BF”. The only question they had for me was “How the hell you know someone from Kansas City” wich was really funny. They gave me 6 months on my I-94, even though I only stayed for one, and told them I was only gonna stay for one. 

The last time I came to stay for 2 months they asked about work. So be ready to respond to that if you plan to stay long. Got 6 months on I-94.

They didnt send me to secondary inspection any of those times. 

I had travel insurance with Trawick International. They have various coverages and you can extend the policy if you decide to stay longer.

I dont think it would be a problem to apply for the K1 while you are here. But be carefull cause since you already have intention to marry you would not be able to change your mind, get married and AOS while you are here. If you do that its considered fraud and you can be banned from the US. 

 

Edited December 3, 2017 by Clara Monteiro

[BK&MC 103]

4 hours ago, Clara Monteiro said:

Good afternoon @wtrav,

I’ve used my b2 visa to visit my BF(at the time) and had no issue at POE even though I said the reason for the trip was “To visit my BF”. The only question they had for me was “How the hell you know someone from Kansas City” wich was really funny. They gave me 6 months on my I-94, even though I only stayed for one, and told them I was only gonna stay for one. 

The last time I came to stay for 2 months they asked about work. So be ready to respond to that if you plan to stay long. Got 6 months on I-94.

They didnt send me to secondary inspection any of those times. 

I had travel insurance with Trawick International. They have various coverages and you can extend the policy if you decide to stay longer.

I dont think it would be a problem to apply for the K1 while you are here. But be carefull cause since you already have intention to marry you would not be able to change your mind, get married and AOS while you are here. If you do that its considered fraud and you can be banned from the US. 

 

Hi @Clara Monteiro

 

Actually I've been wondering about that. We are now waiting for our NOA2 and according to the situation now, looks like it won't be til Feb 2018 til we get it.

 

So I'm going on a trip to see my boyfriend in January. I did wonder about the POE. To show I still have ties back home and won't abuse my travel visa, I have prepared some documents such as my boss verifying I'm still a current employee (shows that I still have work back home waiting for me) and proof of me making rental

 

But at the POE, do you disclose to them that you are in the process of K-1? Should you or should you not disclose?

[Clara B. 119]

35 minutes ago, BK&MC said:

Hi @Clara Monteiro

 

Actually I've been wondering about that. We are now waiting for our NOA2 and according to the situation now, looks like it won't be til Feb 2018 til we get it.

 

So I'm going on a trip to see my boyfriend in January. I did wonder about the POE. To show I still have ties back home and won't abuse my travel visa, I have prepared some documents such as my boss verifying I'm still a current employee (shows that I still have work back home waiting for me) and proof of me making rental

 

But at the POE, do you disclose to them that you are in the process of K-1? Should you or should you not disclose?

When I visited we were not in the process or thinking about it. I heard you can still visit while your application is pending. And there are lots of people here that done it. At POE I only answer exactly what they ask. I would not recomend giving up any free information. If they ask about the K1 of course you would have to answer. If they just ask the purpuse of the trip I would say vacation and only go dipper if they ask more questions.

[Marcelina 246]

I visited my fiancé while waiting for NOA2 and it went smooth, but of course I was freaking out about possible POE problems. I had prepared my returning ticket, job contract with translation etc.. But I was asked nothing, not even the reason why I’m visitig states and for how long, didn’t have to show any extra documents or tickets. No one even mentioned my pending K-1 petition.

 

I think 2-3 months together is a great option before such an important decision like marriage and is worth trying. 

 

Medical insurance is a must. I wouldn’t worry about traveling with your laptop, everyone does that. You are perfectly fine working for your Bulgarian contractors during your tourist stay in US. And if they ask I would answer honestly that you are visiting your bf and what you plan to see so it explains why you want to spend 2-3 months. Also I would start with sending all documents he needs for K-1 now. So when you are there and you guys decide to send the petition - the whole package is already prepared! It will save you few months of waiting.

[Little_Vixen 1,869]

12 hours ago, Clara Monteiro said:

But be carefull cause since you already have intention to marry you would not be able to change your mind, get married and AOS while you are here. If you do that its considered fraud and you can be banned from the US.

I'm not too sure about this. You can't enter the country on an ESTA or visitors visa with the intention to marry. Once you're in the country its a different story. Having filed (or preparing to file) the K1 means you don't have the intention to get married on that trip but do it the 'right' way. If you decide during the trip that for whatever reason you do want to get married right away and file for AOS, you have every right to do so and its a legal way to go about things. Just be prepared to be scrutinized on why you changed your mind.

Please correct me if I'm wrong.  

[Soup Dragon 104]

14 minutes ago, Little_Vixen said:

I'm not too sure about this. You can't enter the country on an ESTA or visitors visa with the intention to marry. Once you're in the country its a different story. Having filed (or preparing to file) the K1 means you don't have the intention to get married on that trip but do it the 'right' way. If you decide during the trip that for whatever reason you do want to get married right away and file for AOS, you have every right to do so and its a legal way to go about things. Just be prepared to be scrutinized on why you changed your mind.

Please correct me if I'm wrong.  

Yes you can.    Lots of people do it.    Entering with the intention to get married and then adjust status is considered immigration fraud.    If you enter with the intention of marrying and then leave to return to your country, that is fine.

[Little_Vixen 1,869]

6 minutes ago, Sunflower18 said:

Yes you can.    Lots of people do it.    Entering with the intention to get married and then adjust status is considered immigration fraud.    If you enter with the intention of marrying and then leave to return to your country, that is fine.

You are absolutely correct. I'm sorry. I forgot to make that distinction.