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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: United Kingdom
Timeline
On 3/12/2017 at 4:12 AM, misken said:

I'm planning on taking my gf home to the U.S. for about a month to visit and meet my parents. We will be arriving separately, as my summer vacation schedule is different than hers. We're planning on her bringing her proof of employment and apartment lease, and return ticket, but should she also carry proof that I also live abroad in a city near her and that we are both planning on returning there together after the trip? Will it seem weird if she is overly-prepared?

 

There's no such thing as being too over-prepared, but TSA officers are incredibly unlikely to want to see evidence about where the USC lives, they'll just want to see proof that your fiancee has ties such as employment, leases etc etc. It won't hurt to take the evidence about your situation just in case but put more emphasis on your fiancees.

 

If she hasn't been to America back and forth, they probably won't even ask to see ties other than asking if she has a return ticket.

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Filed: Other Country: Turkey
Timeline
On 2/18/2017 at 11:56 AM, alicekitty said:

You can visit indeed. Based on our experience and research, you can visit the US with an ESTA visa when K-1 is in process. Once you have K-1 visa in hand (in your passport), you cannot just "visit" the US any more. You cannot use ESTA or any other visa. You will enter the US under K-1 and it's for single entry. You will have to get married, apply for adjustment of status, apply for advanced parole (travel permit) if you wish to leave the US briefly and then come back. 

 

Of course when your passport is with the consulate awaiting a decision on your K-1 (after your interview), you cannot travel, either. 

 

In summary, you can visit up until your interview (when you surrender your passport). After you have your passport and K-1, you will have to enter the US under the K-1 visa. 

 

 

How often/frequently can a fiancee/friend with ESTA visit the US? My fiancee came, spent 3 months and went back about 3 months ago. When can she come back again?
Is there any rule of thumb on this?

Relax, this is not a race.

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7 minutes ago, MyJourney said:

How often/frequently can a fiancee/friend with ESTA visit the US? My fiancee came, spent 3 months and went back about 3 months ago. When can she come back again?
Is there any rule of thumb on this?

Nothing set in stone, each scenario\visit is different. Spend at least an equal amount of time outside the US as in. 

USCIS

January 16, 2015 I-130 Mailed, Chi lockbox January 20, 2015 Priority Date, January 21, 2015 NOA1 notice date, Assigned VSC, January 23, 2015 Check Cashed, electronically March 5, 2015 NOA2

NVC

March 27, 2015 NVC received April 6, 2015 Case#, IIN# assigned April 8, 2015 Paid AOS + IV fee Invoices May 5, 2015 AOS + IV package submitted May 11, 2015 Scan Date

June 11, 2015 DS-260 submitted June 25, 2015 False checklist (for ds260).. hello? June 30, 2015 Answered checklist Aug 5, 2015 Escalated to Supervisor review Aug 13, 2015 Case Complete

Consular

Sept 10, 2015 Interview Scheduled Sept 11, 2015 P4 Letter received Sept 21, 2015 file In transit from NVC Sept 23, 2015 file at Embassy

Sept 28, 2015 Medical Oct 14, 2015 Biometrics Oct 15, 2015 Interview (Approved) Oct 19, 2015 IV visa Issued Oct 23, 2015 Passport Pickup

POE

Nov 2, 2015 Entered the US Nov 16, 2015 Applied for SSN, walk-in Nov 20, 2015 Social Security Card recd Jan 15, 2016 GC received

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On 13/03/2017 at 2:09 PM, MyJourney said:

How often/frequently can a fiancee/friend with ESTA visit the US? My fiancee came, spent 3 months and went back about 3 months ago. When can she come back again?
Is there any rule of thumb on this?

The basic rule is "more time out than in". So less than 6 months per year.

 

However in reality it will also depend on the border agent you meet, and what kind of day he/she is having.

 

After 3 trips (none more than 5 weeks) over a period of 8 months or so I was accused when entering for my 4th trip by the border agent of effectively circumventing immigration law and living in the US. I asked how long I was permitted to stay in the US, as I believed it was up to 6 months per year, which I was not even close to. He said that I was looking at it the wrong way, there is no such right, and his job is to stop people living in the US without a residence visa. He said that if I have a girlfriend in the US I need to sort out "something more permanent" in terms of visa. I said that we had that underway, we were waiting for her divorce to be finalized and would do so as soon as that was done. I said that I lived in the US previously (as an intern in the 90s) and understood the importance of adhering to immigration law, and that I had always done so and would continue to do so. I said that in light of his comments I wouldn't return until we were ready to do more permanent visa. At this point he changed a little and said he'd admit me on this occasion but I need to spend less time in the US, or apply for a visa. We did our next meet in Canada, and on my next trip 5 months later I had no problems.

 

So in theory your fiancee or friend can visit again. But in practice be prepared for some questions. Others on here in similar situations have had no problems, and some have. So there is a risk. I'm not sure whether the more anti immigration approach of the new US administration will have an effect too.

--- k1 visa ---
Texas Service Center (Abandon Hope All Ye Who Enter Here)
I-129F sent: 12 Aug 2014
I-129F NOA1: 15 Aug 2014
I-129F NOA2: 2 Mar 2015 (199 days from NOA1) **No RFEs!**
NVC Received: 19 Mar 2015
Case#, IIN, BIN assigned: 19 Mar 2015
NVC Left: 20 Mar 2015
Consultate Received: 23 Mar 2015
Package 3 Received: 26 Mar 2015
Medical: 10 Apr 2015
Packet 3 Sent: 10 Apr 2015
Packet 4 Received: 23 Apr 2015
Interview Date: 8 May 2015 (Approved!!!)
Visa Issued: 14 May 2015
Visa in Hand: 19 May 2015
Entry to USA: 5 Jun 2015
Married: 21 Jun 2015

---Adjustment of Status---
Sent I-485, I-131 and I-765: 7 Jul 2015
NOA1 for I-485, I-131 and I-765: 14 Jul 2015
Email notification that I-765 was approved: 12 Sep 2015
Email notification that I-131 was approved: 15 Sep 2015
Email notification that EAD/AP combo card was mailed: 15 Sep 2015
EAD and AP combo card received: 18 Sep 2015
Green Card Received: 3 Dec 2015 [ :)] Previous letter stated interview requirement was likely to be waived

 

---Removal of Conditions---
Sent I-751: 13 Oct 2017
NOA1 for I-751: 23 Oct 2017

Biometrics: 20 Nov 2017
Approved: 20 Dec 2018

Green Card Received: 2 Jan 2019

 

-- Citizenship --
Filed Online: 21 Feb 2020
NOA1 (Online): 22 Feb 2020
Biometrics: 10 Mar 2020

Interview: 29 Jul 2020 (Approved - Oath taken immediately due to covid19)

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Spain
Timeline

So here's my question..

I came back from spending Thanksgiving and Christmas in the US with my boyfriend..who's now my fiance. We filed for K1 visa and we're waiting for NOA2 which could come at any time (that's like reaching the 9 month pregnancy, you never know when it will pop haha). I came back to my country in January and in February he got a letter from a dear friend who's getting married in June and he invited both of us. I would love to attend and if I do so, I clearly do not have any intentions of staying and would be returning 1 week or 2 after attending the wedding. 

Now my question is, for just 1 week or 2 will they put a lot of problems? I do not work but I do attend University in my country and would have the letter of intention to attend next semester. Besides that I would have my invitation to the wedding and as well my tickets and itinerary showing I have no intention to stay.

 

Thank you!

K1 Visa Process

Nov. 2016 - Applied for K1 Visa
Nov. 2016 - NOA1 

April 2017 - NOA2 (6 months!)

April 2017 - Arrived to NVC

April 2017 - Got the # from NVC

May 2017 - Case left NVC

May 2017 - Arrived to Embassy

May 2017 - Got Package 3 

May 2017- Got Package 4

May 2017 - Interview [APPROVED!]

June 2017 - Visa arrived home

June 2017 - Made it to the US. Finally with my future hubby!!

July 2017 - Married!

AOS Process

August 2017 - Started AOS

August 2017 - NOA1

Sept. 2017 - Biometrics

19th Dec. 2018 - Interview date  [16 months]

Dec. 2018 - GC processing

29th Dec. 2018 - GC arrived home! [10 days!]
Remove Conditions - Soon...


 

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Wales
Timeline
14 minutes ago, Andsco said:

So here's my question..

I came back from spending Thanksgiving and Christmas in the US with my boyfriend..who's now my fiance. We filed for K1 visa and we're waiting for NOA2 which could come at any time (that's like reaching the 9 month pregnancy, you never know when it will pop haha). I came back to my country in January and in February he got a letter from a dear friend who's getting married in June and he invited both of us. I would love to attend and if I do so, I clearly do not have any intentions of staying and would be returning 1 week or 2 after attending the wedding. 

Now my question is, for just 1 week or 2 will they put a lot of problems? I do not work but I do attend University in my country and would have the letter of intention to attend next semester. Besides that I would have my invitation to the wedding and as well my tickets and itinerary showing I have no intention to stay.

 

Thank you!

Most unlikely you will have an issue.

“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.”

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Spain
Timeline
17 hours ago, Boiler said:

Most unlikely you will have an issue.

Wait, do you mean that most unlikely I won't have an issue or that most likely i will have an issue? I got confused there, sorry. Thanks for the answer!

K1 Visa Process

Nov. 2016 - Applied for K1 Visa
Nov. 2016 - NOA1 

April 2017 - NOA2 (6 months!)

April 2017 - Arrived to NVC

April 2017 - Got the # from NVC

May 2017 - Case left NVC

May 2017 - Arrived to Embassy

May 2017 - Got Package 3 

May 2017- Got Package 4

May 2017 - Interview [APPROVED!]

June 2017 - Visa arrived home

June 2017 - Made it to the US. Finally with my future hubby!!

July 2017 - Married!

AOS Process

August 2017 - Started AOS

August 2017 - NOA1

Sept. 2017 - Biometrics

19th Dec. 2018 - Interview date  [16 months]

Dec. 2018 - GC processing

29th Dec. 2018 - GC arrived home! [10 days!]
Remove Conditions - Soon...


 

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Wales
Timeline
26 minutes ago, Andsco said:

Wait, do you mean that most unlikely I won't have an issue or that most likely i will have an issue? I got confused there, sorry. Thanks for the answer!

You mentioned nothing that suggests you will have a problem visiting.

“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.”

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: United Kingdom
Timeline
On 3/13/2017 at 2:09 PM, MyJourney said:

How often/frequently can a fiancee/friend with ESTA visit the US? My fiancee came, spent 3 months and went back about 3 months ago. When can she come back again?
Is there any rule of thumb on this?

I don't know how often a person can visit the US with ESTA. Better check official ESTA website about rules.

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Wales
Timeline
24 minutes ago, alicekitty said:

I don't know how often a person can visit the US with ESTA. Better check official ESTA website about rules.

No limit on how often you can seek admittance.

“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.”

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18 hours ago, alicekitty said:

I don't know how often a person can visit the US with ESTA. Better check official ESTA website about rules.

No limits. 

USCIS

January 16, 2015 I-130 Mailed, Chi lockbox January 20, 2015 Priority Date, January 21, 2015 NOA1 notice date, Assigned VSC, January 23, 2015 Check Cashed, electronically March 5, 2015 NOA2

NVC

March 27, 2015 NVC received April 6, 2015 Case#, IIN# assigned April 8, 2015 Paid AOS + IV fee Invoices May 5, 2015 AOS + IV package submitted May 11, 2015 Scan Date

June 11, 2015 DS-260 submitted June 25, 2015 False checklist (for ds260).. hello? June 30, 2015 Answered checklist Aug 5, 2015 Escalated to Supervisor review Aug 13, 2015 Case Complete

Consular

Sept 10, 2015 Interview Scheduled Sept 11, 2015 P4 Letter received Sept 21, 2015 file In transit from NVC Sept 23, 2015 file at Embassy

Sept 28, 2015 Medical Oct 14, 2015 Biometrics Oct 15, 2015 Interview (Approved) Oct 19, 2015 IV visa Issued Oct 23, 2015 Passport Pickup

POE

Nov 2, 2015 Entered the US Nov 16, 2015 Applied for SSN, walk-in Nov 20, 2015 Social Security Card recd Jan 15, 2016 GC received

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Filed: AOS (pnd) Country: Canada
Timeline

I visited my Fiancee in the united states numerous times during the process. All the way form first applying until the month before my scheduled interview at the consulate. I was admitted every time with no problems. When i told them i was going to visit my fiancee for a few days, sure they asked a few questions about where i was in the K-1 process but that was just to ensure that i was going about things legally.

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Hi guys. 

 

I am sharing you my most recent experience. I came to visit my fiance who lives in Connecticut. My POE was JFK in New York. 

 

When I reached migration it was really easy. 

 

The lady just asked me 3 questions. 

 

Why are you coming? - Holidays

How long are you staying? - 3 days

Who lives in Connecticut?  (She saw the address from the sheet they ask you to fill in.  - Stephen, my fiance. 

 

After that there was lots of typing in the computer and finally she stamped my passport and let me in. 

 

I was a bit nervous but I am guessing honesty is the key to get in. 

 

Good luck to everyone. 

K1 Visa

Spoiler
  • December 21, 2016 - Package Sent
  • December 23, 2016 - Package Received
  • January 05, 2017 - NOA1 text / e-mail
  • January 11, 2017 - NOA1 mail
  • April 04, 2017 - Case Approved
  • April 10, 2017 - NOA2 mail
  • April 24, 2017 - NVC Received, Date Case #, IIN, and BIN assigned too.
  • April 26, 2017 - Consulate Received
  • May 04, 2017 - Packet 3 Letters Sent.
  • May 15, 2017 - Packet 3 Arrived in Mail
  • June 15 , 2017 - Medical
  • June 16 , 2017 - Biometrics
  • June 20 , 2017 - Interview / Approved! 
  • June 27 , 2017 - Visa on hand
  • June 29 , 2017 - POE / JFK Airport, New York

July 15, 2017:  W E D D I N G ! ! ! ! !

 

AOS

Spoiler


  • Spoiler

     

    • August 16, 2017 - AOS Package Sent / AOS, EAD, AP. Affidavit.
    • August 18, 2017 - Package Received
    • August 26, 2017 - NOA1 text / e-mail
    • August 31, 2017 - NOA1 mail
    • September 05, 2017 - ASC Appoinment letter / mail
    • September 12, 2017 - ASC Appoinment
    • September 20, 2017 - Case updated to:  Case Is Ready To Be Scheduled For An Interview
    • October 28, 2017 - Case updated to:  Case Is Ready To Be Scheduled For An Interview --AGAIN-- ????
    • November 22, 2017 - EAD/AP  Approval letter in mail
    • November 27, 2017 - EAD/AP Card Received
    • July 24, 2018 - AOS Interview

     

  • July 26, 2018 - AOS approval
  • August 03, 2018 - CARD IN HAND!!!  Finally!

 

  •  

ROC

 

  • May 12, 2020 - Package Sent
  • May 18, 2020 - Package Received
  • June 17, 2020 - Fingerprints letter saying they will use previous data
  • July 08, 2020 - NOA Received
  • December 14, 2020 - Case Update: New Card Being Produced - Email alert
  •  December 15, 2020 - Case Approved - Email alert
  • December 19, 2020 - Approval notice and card received.

 

 :) 

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On 3/26/2017 at 11:27 PM, minemar said:

Hi guys. 

 

I am sharing you my most recent experience. I came to visit my fiance who lives in Connecticut. My POE was JFK in New York. 

 

When I reached migration it was really easy. 

 

The lady just asked me 3 questions. 

 

Why are you coming? - Holidays

How long are you staying? - 3 days

Who lives in Connecticut?  (She saw the address from the sheet they ask you to fill in.  - Stephen, my fiance. 

 

After that there was lots of typing in the computer and finally she stamped my passport and let me in. 

 

I was a bit nervous but I am guessing honesty is the key to get in. 

 

Good luck to everyone. 

I'm going to visit my fiance in 2 weeks! Thanks for the info. I've been worrying myself if I should say I'm visiting my boyfriend or fiance. Lol. So I guess it doesn't really matter :D

-=ROC & Naturalization Timeline=-

January 25, 2021 - ROC application received

January 22, 2022 - Case transferred

January 16, 2022 - Naturalization application received

April 7, 2023 - ROC and Naturalization Interview

April 20, 2023 - Oath Ceremony scheduled

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2 hours ago, isabelleyri said:

I'm going to visit my fiance in 2 weeks! Thanks for the info. I've been worrying myself if I should say I'm visiting my boyfriend or fiance. Lol. So I guess it doesn't really matter :D

Oh, don't say boyfriend when you mean fiancé. It could backfire when they find out (and they will) because it could or would be considered a lie and thus maybe even misrepresentation. 

 

That being said, I'm waiting for my flight to get from Europe to the U.S. for a visit myself at the moment, and I hope to be able to share good news later on. 

ROC: 

12/30/2019 package sent to Texas Lockbox via USPS 

12/31/2019 package arrived at Texas Lockbox 

01/02/2020 package signed for

01/04/2020 $680 charged on credit card

01/06/2020 text message and email with case number received

01/09/2020 extension letter received; notice date: 01/03/2020

02/22/2020 biometrics appointment letter received 

03/06/2020 biometrics appointment 

08/09/2021 I-751 approved

08/16/2021 Green Card received

 

Naturalization:

12/29/2020 application filed online and receipt number received 

01/04/2021 hard copy NOA1 received 

02/27/2021 electronic biometric reuse letter received

09/19/2021 interview scheduled - electronic notice received 

09/27/2021 hard copy interview notice received (issue date: 09/21/2021)

10/27/2021 interview (10.40am), approved

11/06/2021 oath ceremony (7.30am) 

 

I AM A U.S. CITIZEN!!!!! 

 

Passport:

11/08/2021 appointment at USPS (2.00pm)

11/16/2021 money order cashed, passport “in process” (locator 69)

12/02/2021 approved and shipped

12/04/2021 passport book delivered

12/13/2021 passport card and NC delivered 

 

 

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