Yes, you can visit!

[Phil92 0]

Landed yesterday at Miami airport for 3 weeks, the officer asked me only for how long Im gonna stay.

[Chrissie 2]

So you guys don't tell them you're visiting your fiancé or even boy/girlfriend? I'd be scared that after a few questions they would find out, and if you don't tell them upfront they might think you're trying to hide something....

[Masha and Bear 0]

My fiance has a travel visa and visited me in August. She returned to Russia and we have now filed an I-129F. Will her visa be automatically frozen, or should she be able to visit as long as it is valid? Thank you.

[f1000 0]

Anyone think it would be an issue for my fiance to visit the US on her B2 visa for 1 week over the Thanksgiving holiday and then come back for Christmas for 2-3 weeks? She has strong enough ties, job, flights, etc, if questioned, but not sure if there would be an issue with short time period between visits. We are still waiting on the NOA2.

[timebombexploding 1]

My fiance has a travel visa and visited me in August. She returned to Russia and we have now filed an I-129F. Will her visa be automatically frozen, or should she be able to visit as long as it is valid? Thank you.

Filing of I-129F does not affect her travel visa. She should be able to visit as long as it is still valid.

[dandiggas 0]

So you guys don't tell them you're visiting your fiancé or even boy/girlfriend? I'd be scared that after a few questions they would find out, and if you don't tell them upfront they might think you're trying to hide something....

I'm not in that catogory of people that don't say why they are visiting. I ALWAYS say it's my fiancé I'm going to see. They are fine with it. Lies WILL catch up with you I believe.

[MJ88 1]

I can't wait to visit my fiancé. I just booked the plane tickets for December 6th, just for a 10 day visit flying from Manchester to Chicago. I was planning to wait until we got the visa, but as CSC seems to be slowing down, I really need something to look forward to. Last time I went to America I got a pretty intimidating TSA agent, I completely panicked and said I was here for pleasure when asked why I was here, even though I was visiting, my boyfriend at the time, now fiancé. I think I've watched the terminal too many times, and was expecting the question; 'Are you here for business or please'? I hope that doesn't come back to haunt me. But I do plan to get a letter from my employer to prove my ties in the UK, just in case I need it.

[JensJrny2Ray 367]

I can't wait to visit my fiancé. I just booked the plane tickets for December 6th, just for a 10 day visit flying from Manchester to Chicago. I was planning to wait until we got the visa, but as CSC seems to be slowing down, I really need something to look forward to. Last time I went to America I got a pretty intimidating TSA agent, I completely panicked and said I was here for pleasure when asked why I was here, even though I was visiting, my boyfriend at the time, now fiancé. I think I've watched the terminal too many times, and was expecting the question; 'Are you here for business or please'? I hope that doesn't come back to haunt me. But I do plan to get a letter from my employer to prove my ties in the UK, just in case I need it.

TSA is not customs. I believe they're just looking for reactions to their questions. There is nothing wrong with saying "I'm visiting my fiance". As for customs, just answer the questions you are asked. Last time I crossed the border all the border guard said was "why are you going to the airport?" me: "to drop him off (pointing at my fiance), border guard: "ok, have a nice day". All you need is your itinerary showing your return flight and they'll probably ask you what you do etc. I know the anxiety, I go through it every time I cross the border because I feel like I have so much to lose if they deny me entry. But if you've got all your ducks in a row, there's no reason for them to deny you.

[kuroshol 0]

My fiance has a travel visa and visited me in August. She returned to Russia and we have now filed an I-129F. Will her visa be automatically frozen, or should she be able to visit as long as it is valid? Thank you.

Hi Bear,

Masha's travel visa is valid till it expires or till she receives her K1 visa - what comes first. Until then she can visit you on her travel visa.

I am visiting my fiance right now. Though we were strongly recommended not to. We got RFE after more then 4 months of waiting and figured it could be another month of waiting for it to be looked at. So I booked the tickets for October 29 for a 10-days visit. We got NOA2 on 25th of October - in 3 days after USCIS received our reply to RFE. We did not succeed in changing the dates of the trip so decided to take our chance. POE was Minneapolis. Officer at the passport control asked what was the purpose of visit. I said that I was going to visit friends. Officer asked to specify what friends. And I told that it would be my fiance, his family and his friends. He asked were my fiance was right then. Then he asked if my fiance was living with me in Russia. Asked about marriage date. I told that K1 visa was being processed. Then he asked me confirm when was my last trip to America. And that was it. Did not take more then 5 minutes. I had the copy of NOA1 and RFE with me. Did not need any of them. Everyhting went fast and smooth. Called my fiance to go to the airport to pick me up because I had one more connecting flight to make.

Hope my story would make you more confident if you decide to plan the visit.

[JP and Tee 13]

hi everyone,

I just arrived yesterday, via Chicago O'Hare (ORD). Was quite worried about coming here since our I1-3- is still pending and not sure if the CBP will let me in.

I brought:

- letter from employment, saying i'm here in the US for personal reasons

- bank statement, to show I have enough $ to cover expenses

- letter from USCIS (husband scanned and I printed them to show we've filed and will be doing our interview in Malaysia)

- my flight itinerary, showing I'll return in April 2013

- a letter from my husband, saying once I'm in the US he will bear all expenses and that I'm here so we can get my military dependent ID and on DEERS (military database thg).

so yesterday, I arrived at ORD around 12pm. The lines were short, and within minutes I was being interviewed. Gave the officer my passport, boarding pass. My heart was racing, very nervous!

Questions asked:

- why are you here, business or pleasure (pleasure)

- who are you visiting (family, my husband)

- How long are you here for (til April)

- when was your last visit to the US (September 2011)

- have you visited for five months before (no, my last trip was only 2 weeks)

- So you live in Malaysia and your husband works here (yes, he's american so he works and lives here.)

- So you go back and forth to see each other (yes, i'm staying longer for thanksgiving, Christmas etc)

- ok ma'am, put your four fingers on the console...

and that was it. The question about my spouse visa never came up and despite my documents, I never had to show them anything. he wished me good luck and enjoy my stay in the US. Nervewrecking but was so happy to get through!

So don't worry. While there is that risk of being turned away, as long as you are honest, it should be fine. I'm so happy to be with my husband again. He was surprised to see me arriving a day early because I told him I was arriving on Election Day Best prank ever

[Anna Grant 169]

hi everyone,

I just arrived yesterday, via Chicago O'Hare (ORD). Was quite worried about coming here since our I1-3- is still pending and not sure if the CBP will let me in.

I brought:

- letter from employment, saying i'm here in the US for personal reasons

- bank statement, to show I have enough $ to cover expenses

- letter from USCIS (husband scanned and I printed them to show we've filed and will be doing our interview in Malaysia)

- my flight itinerary, showing I'll return in April 2013

- a letter from my husband, saying once I'm in the US he will bear all expenses and that I'm here so we can get my military dependent ID and on DEERS (military database thg).

Thnaks for this. It's always helpful to hear about someone's experience.

I am coming back to Chicago O'Hare (ORD) on 1 December for my first visit since we submitted our K1 (NOA2 should be here any day please.....). I am coming for 6 weeks but should have enough money in my bank account to show that I can support myself. The reason I can come for as long as 6 weeks is that I am being made redundant. I am wondering whether it's a good idea to get a letter saying that my fiance will support me for the 6 weeks? Just an idea from your list of things you took. I wonder whether I should take the letters showing that I was made redundant (rather than volunteraly making myself jobless)

[JP and Tee 13]

Thnaks for this. It's always helpful to hear about someone's experience.

I am coming back to Chicago O'Hare (ORD) on 1 December for my first visit since we submitted our K1 (NOA2 should be here any day please.....). I am coming for 6 weeks but should have enough money in my bank account to show that I can support myself. The reason I can come for as long as 6 weeks is that I am being made redundant. I am wondering whether it's a good idea to get a letter saying that my fiance will support me for the 6 weeks? Just an idea from your list of things you took. I wonder whether I should take the letters showing that I was made redundant (rather than volunteraly making myself jobless)

hi Anna,

I'm not sure if you should mention you've been made redundant. The CBP might not let you in, since a job is considered something that is tying you back home. Maybe not mention it?

One thing I was told was to just keep your answers short and sweet. Tell what they ask, don't overshare -- I tend to ramble when I am nervous so I was quite worried the CBP might think I have something to hide (i dont).

As for me, I have some money in my bank, but surely not enough to support myself while I'm in the US. So I have that letter from my husband saying that he will support me while I'm here.

The letter was mostly just to be safe, and I also made sure I had copies of the NOA1 and transfer notice my husband got. he scanned it and I just brought that with me, to show that we have filed the petition. I was more worried about the CBP thinking I'd be coming and adjusting in the US on a tourist visa.

[Anna Grant 169]

hi Anna,

I'm not sure if you should mention you've been made redundant. The CBP might not let you in, since a job is considered something that is tying you back home. Maybe not mention it?

One thing I was told was to just keep your answers short and sweet. Tell what they ask, don't overshare -- I tend to ramble when I am nervous so I was quite worried the CBP might think I have something to hide (i dont).

As for me, I have some money in my bank, but surely not enough to support myself while I'm in the US. So I have that letter from my husband saying that he will support me while I'm here.

The letter was mostly just to be safe, and I also made sure I had copies of the NOA1 and transfer notice my husband got. he scanned it and I just brought that with me, to show that we have filed the petition. I was more worried about the CBP thinking I'd be coming and adjusting in the US on a tourist visa.

I wasn't going to volunteer the information about being made redundant. Just to have it to hand if I am asked if I have a job. I have other ties back in the UK, so should be okay. I will keep my answers short and sweet. Just respond to the questions they ask.

[JP and Tee 13]

I wasn't going to volunteer the information about being made redundant. Just to have it to hand if I am asked if I have a job. I have other ties back in the UK, so should be okay. I will keep my answers short and sweet. Just respond to the questions they ask.

good idea! less is more

[Kevinbolts 0]

I just submitted the I-129f form and my fiancee is coming to visit next month! we are of course very nervous when she gets to customs, but as a backup plan I am going to be writing a letter just in case she needs to show something to the customs agent. will this work?

Dear Sir or Madam at the United States Customs Office,

My fiancée, ---- -----, will be visiting me on the Visa Waiver Program and will be staying within the 90 day period. During her stay, we will not be getting married or breaking any immigration laws. We have already filed the correct forms for her to immigrate legally for the K-1 visa and it is in process. She will be staying at my home and I will be supporting all costs of her trip during her stay. I have attached copies of my recent pay stubs, a lease of my home, flight itinerary with return ticket booked, copy of I-129F form intended for the K-1 visa, and a document showing that our I-129F form has been submitted and K-1 visa is in process. Please feel free to call me with any questions.

Sincerely,

---- -----

I added that I will be paying everything because she has no job, no payments, and lives with her parents so she doesn't have enough "ties" to prove that she needs to go home. I hope this works and all feedback would be great!