Yes, you can visit!

[AP16 30]

Hi guys,

I hope you're all well. I'm writing this to tell you about my experience at Dublin airport when I went to visit Jonathan last week.

I purchased a ticket online via Kiwi.com (former Skypicker) with a layover to Dublin (from London) via Ryanair and then KLM (operated by Delta) to New York and vice versa on the way back.

The layover in Dublin on the way to NYC was only 2 hours, but I called the airport and made sure I had all the information I needed to be on time and pass security in the shortest possible time, I made all the arrangements and went through security at London Stansted Airport in a matter on minutes, same thing for the security check in Dublin, but I wasn't aware there was a U.S. preclearance to go through in order to get to the gate.

I basically had to do the same thing I had just done, and put my bag and belongings in a tray to be checked for the second time in the same airport, when I asked why, I was told that in Dublin you have European security and U.S. security, so it "saves time" when you get to the U.S. because you don't have to go through customs, but the whole process is done in Ireland.

I went through security very quickly and I then got to another room where I queued for about 15-20 minutes to get an officer to take my fingerprints and check my passport, when it was my turn, I was seen by the officer Mattina, who asked me why I was going to the U.S., what did my boyfriend do for work, what his address was, and why I had a boyfriend in the U.S., after asking me these questions he took my passport and asked me to follow him to another room, I sensed something was wrong and I said "Sir, I'm going to miss my flight" and his response was "I don't care, you can discuss that with your airline", he asked me to sit down and gave my documents to an officer who was sitting behind a desk.

What I'd like to say now is that these people had no sympathy or work ethic whatsoever. Many people came into the room after me and were seen way before I was, even though the officers knew my gate was about to close. When I finally got called over, I was asked these three questions: "why are you only going to the U.S. for a week and not 3 months?" (I HAVE A JOB, DUH!), "what does your boyfriend do for work?" "are you bringing any food to your boyfriend?". After I answered these question, while in tears, I said "can I understand why I'm being held? You made me miss my flight to ask these questions??" and she said to me that I wasn't gonna miss my flight as she would call the gate and ask them to hold on for me, she made me run to the gate like a mad woman only to find out that not only the gate had closed but the lady never called.

I was lucky enough to fly with KLM, which is a great company and put me on a flight the next day without asking more money from me, but I had to spend a night in a hotel in Dublin, and when I went back to the preclearance office to ask for explanation and to get my bag back (as they took it out of the aircraft to inspect it!!!!!!!!) the first lady said "oh I don't know why they held you, I don't have your file!" and she was sympathizing with me as I was crying and asking why they did all that, then a man came up and after letting me speak he started patronising me, saying I should give them at least 2 hours to clear me, I said to him mine was a layover and I only had 2 hours to change flights, I also asked him why I was seen much later than people who walked in after me and he said "they might have had an earlier flight" and I said "HOW IS THAT EVEN POSSIBLE? YOU TOOK ME IN AT 11.15 AND MY GATE WAS CLOSING AT 11.45!!!", at that point I was too upset and left.

They never offered to compensate me for my flight or my hotel room, they were extremely rude and the officer who held me in the first place saw me crying at the desk and walked past me with a smirk on his face. When the day after I went through security again (I was in the airport at 6.00 am even though my flight was at 11.45) a very nice officer asked me what happened and cleared me in a matter of seconds, he asked me why they hadn't offered to compensate me and that he was sorry I had missed my flight.

I want to make a complaint, my rights were violated, I was held without an explanation, my documents were taken and I was treated like (excuse the french) a piece of #### and a criminal. If you are flying through Dublin, make sure you're there very early as these instances can happen. My trip was still amazing, but I had one less day to spend with my boyfriend and that wasn't ideal.

I hope no one has to go through this, but I just thought I'd let you know my experience.

By the way, I suggest you report to the competent authorities (Human Rights Watch, for example) and tell your boyfriend about this, since american citizens can change this kind of things easier through vote and the american people often doesn't know that this is being done to their visitors.

[valentinanola 17]

I would also like to add that even though I am 100% Italian I look VERY VERY VERY middle eastern to the point where when I worked in Harrods (a UK department store where mostly Arabs shop) customers would speak arabic to me thinking I would understand. And the officer kept asking me questions like "were you born in Italy or somewhere else? Are your parents italian or from other countries? Is this the only passport you hold?"

[Dutchster 1,107]

I find that very much offensive, actually.

[valentinanola 17]

Well, so do I. My great granfather was Turkish and he did come across certain people who gave him hassle when travelling to other countries. I find it ridiculous and sad that people who work there and are supposed to admit people fairly in their country, seem to still be so judgemental. I'm disgusted

[Boiler 45,761]

Starts to make a bit more sense, but yes you can always end up in Secondary and yes the Airlines know and put you on the next flight. I went to secondary once but made my connection.

[llaz 232]

My fiancee wants to come visit me here in the US in October. We have not sent our K1 package yet, hopefully by that time, we will have sent it.

He's visited me the following times, both times POE was Chicago.

1. Late July 2015 - Early Oct 2015

No issues at all, welcome to the US!

2. Late Nov 2015 - Mid Feb 2016
Many, many, many issues, the officer accused him of working in the US. I think he was accused because he said he came with $100 and that his sister would be sending him more and forgot that I had written him an invitation letter explaining that I would be financially responsible for him.

I visited him in Chile...

Early Nov 2015 - Late Nov 2015

Mid Feb 2016 - Mid July 2016

Both him and I are very nervous about him coming back and attempting to visit me. He doesn't speak a whole lot of English. Does anyone have any advice? Also, what happens with the K1 process if for whatever reason they do not let him in? Is that "deportation" or just a "denial of entry", is there a difference?

[Cecrs1985 0]

I'm sorry, I am very new to this....

But are you saying that my fiance can visit me in the US once applying for K-1 visa?

And if so, how? What does she present in order to get through. Regular Peruvian passport? Proof of K-1 being issued? If so, what kind?

By the way I am in the U.S. and she is in Peru. (She does not have a visa at all into the U.S.)

Edited August 6, 2016 by Cecrs1985

[BenjaminKeating 114]

I'm sorry, I am very new to this....

But are you saying that my fiance can visit me in the US once applying for K-1 visa?

And if so, how? What does she present in order to get through. Regular Peruvian passport? Proof of K-1 being issued? If so, what kind?

By the way I am in the U.S. and she is in Peru. (She does not have a visa at all into the U.S.)

Yes your fiancé is allowed to visit during the process and vice versa.

How else would she normally visit the USA? With an ESTA/VWP?

She doesn't need anything apart from the usual visa she would enter the country with (I assume ESTA/VWP) and her passport. I've visited the US twice since our K1 application has been in process and I haven't had any issues.

All they've asked me is the usual questions such as: What brings you to the United States, When are you leaving, When is your flight home etc etc.

[Cecrs1985 0]

Yes your fiancé is allowed to visit during the process and vice versa.

How else would she normally visit the USA? With an ESTA/VWP?

She doesn't need anything apart from the usual visa she would enter the country with (I assume ESTA/VWP) and her passport. I've visited the US twice since our K1 application has been in process and I haven't had any issues.

All they've asked me is the usual questions such as: What brings you to the United States, When are you leaving, When is your flight home etc etc.

Thank you, I get what you are saying but unfortunately in Peru they don't hand out ESTA/VWP so easily. That is why I ask what my fiance needs to obtain that pass. If she applies for ESTA/VWP does she say she is waiting for the paperwork for K-1 to go through and wants to visit me for now? or for my birthday for example in November?

The only times I have seen her is when I have gone to Peru. Other then that we have not tried to get a visitor visa for her because it would be considered fraud from what I have read.

[Boiler 45,761]

They do not hand out VWP at all.

[Limey 551]

Thank you, I get what you are saying but unfortunately in Peru they don't hand out ESTA/VWP so easily. That is why I ask what my fiance needs to obtain that pass. If she applies for ESTA/VWP does she say she is waiting for the paperwork for K-1 to go through and wants to visit me for now? or for my birthday for example in November?

The only times I have seen her is when I have gone to Peru. Other then that we have not tried to get a visitor visa for her because it would be considered fraud from what I have read.

VWP (Visa waiver program) is for citizens on a list of countries like EU, australia, new zealand etc - citizens don't need a tourist visa if they fulfil certain conditions. Peru isn't on the list so your partner would need a visa to visit. If they already have a tourist visa they can use that. If they don't it will be hard to obtain one if you are in the K1 process (since k1 indicates intention to emigrate to US).

[Dutchster 1,107]

As stated many times before and like the titel says, yes you can visit. Doesn't matter if you travel on VWP or a tourist visa (unless you have to apply for one during the K1). However, your entry all depends on the officer you run into that day.

Out of the five+ times I visited my fiancé, I was taking to Secondary one time because they needed to do another background check and the CBP officer being rude and obviously not having his day. And that was not even during the K1 proces, with my honesty and some home ties (not even had to prove) I got through CBP two times during the K1 process.

[Stelare 35]

I'm Australian, made a post a few weeks ago with questions on documents for getting a B2 visa in order to visit my fiance in the US for a few months while we wait on our NOA2 and whatnot.

I had my interview on Monday and it was approved - consular officer approved me in 5 minutes, didn't even look at any of my paperwork. Barely even blinked an eye when I said I was visiting my fiance and that we had a K1 processing.

HOWEVER - I returned from a trip recently, and have been engaged since February, so my recent trip was proof that I had no intention of abusing a visa in order to immigrate (didn't overstay etc.) So the officer did say that he understood that I had no intention of doing anything that would potentially jeopardise my K1 - a really nice, understanding guy. I actually had a pretty nice experience.

I know I can still be denied at POE, but the point is that my visa was approved - AND i told the officer my intention was to stay a few months (3-4 to be specific) while we waited on more of the K1 process to go through.

I just want to say, for those of you nervous about applying for a B2 and have read nothing but negative things - just do it and give it a shot.

Edited August 11, 2016 by Stelare

[Buzz15 3]

In the unlikely case my fiancee gets scrutinized for her visit to the US during the K-1 application process, would one of the following be strong evidence to show we are going by the book and she will be returning to her home country? (her country is under the Visa Waiver Program and her POE would be LAX)

1. Proof of ongoing employment in her home country

2. Round trip plane ticket hard copy

3. Some portion of the K-1 application or confirmation the application is being reviewed

4. Other docs?

Also, as a general strategy and assuming the officers are "reasonable" people, at what point should she mention we are in the K-1 process? Is it best to let the officer bring it up or just be totally transparent about it beforehand?

Thanks.

[ryna 132]

If it makes any of you feel any better, my fiancee (now wife) was never able to visit me during our K-1 process but, so as to not be left out of the Customs and Immigration Fun^TM, ICE started giving me, the USC, a hard time upon my return for visiting her too often in her country.