Yes, you can visit!

[seafoodman 0]

They don't see your luggage when you go through Passport Control BUT they do see it when you hand in your customs form as that screening is after you pick up your luggage. They have the right to refuse you entry into the US.

I really, really suggest that people do not bring in loads of luggage for a two week visit. You have already indicated that you want to enter the US permanently by submitting a K1 Visa petition. US Immigration will be trying to ascertain the likelihood that you may want to enter the States permanently on this visit and, if they they have any doubts, they have the right to deny you entry and send you back.

Why bring in too much luggage or unseasonal clothes and give the suggestion that you are staying for more than two weeks? I know what I saw when I entered the US and the US Customs guy did look down at my case as if to say 'Is that reasonable luggage for a 6 week stay?'

And to Laurka who said 'One can't tell a WOMAN not to travel with a suitcase full of clothes for different occasions even if it's a short stay. 2 big bags for 5 days maybe would be suspicious but not if she plans on staying 2 weeks!' You can suggest to a woman that she not travel with a suitcase of clothes for different occasions and explain the reason why. Most airlines will charge extra for a second case (my airline charge $100) - so a second case is likely to ring alarm bells.

Why risk things for a few extra clothes?

I agree,i visited for xmas and new year,i took one small suitcase,small enough to carry on,and a small backpack,just enough to have enough clothes for two weeks,,i bought a few things while in the US too,i did consider taking stuff i wanted to leave for when i do go permanantely,but had second thoughts i.e ''if i was an IO,what would i think ?''i breezed through,

Edited February 16, 2013 by seafoodman

[Arinlars 19]

Well!!! I am in Seattle.. let me share my experience then.

Passport (customs) control : Super friendly

The lady ask me immidiately

-who am I visiting. I said my fiance and my friends.

-What do I do for a living.

what does my fiance do for a living

-If I carry foods. I said died fruits lol

-When I am getting married. I said when the k1 visa is approved. She smiled like she was saying good answer and thats it.

Now the stupid part. I was "randomly" selected for the customs control (to search my suitcase)

The man there was so tricky.. He asked me :

-why do I have greek passport and why do I live in Germany

-What do I do for a living and to explain him what that is.

-What does my fiance do for a living and explain what that was

-how did we met (I said facebook and he laughed)

-searched my bags while asking a thousand questions like : when did I visit last time, when did visit last time, how many days I will stay and THEN He saw my documents like letter from landlord, letter from boss and petsitter and he was like look... I searched your bags and it seems that you are for vacation here but seeing that documents its like saying I trying to hard.. Im like ok.. really?.. how else am I going to proove my ties? He said : why did you bring a birth certificate (it was a residence certificate) I was like its a residence certificate to proove that I live in Germany! It has my birth place as my passport (smiling)

Then the last thing that was weird was like, why dont you guys get married now and file for AOS? I was like really... thats illigal and we are getting a k1 visa.. everything sir will be done be the law. If I file for AOS I am illigal.. and thats not nice.He was like ok ok.

He was friendly and kinda flirty too or rather too friendly idk I was so upset.

He then said to me have a nice trip and next time you will come here only with your visa

Thats the last time im flying seriously that was SO bad.

[Anna Grant 169]

Well!!! I am in Seattle.. let me share my experience then.

At least you're in! Have a great time with your fiance and welcome back to the US. Is it raining in Seattle

Sorry you had such an awful time with the customs officer but at least you were prepared (annoying, isn't it? Challenged about having too much information but needing to prove your ties to Germany, if required!).

[Arinlars 19]

Thank you!!

Well yes but the thing is that he made me feel as if I was wrong you see? He told me, everything was ok until I saw your documents and you're trying too much. WEIRD.

Its raining yes but hey! Still warmer that Germany. Last week we had 15 cm snow! I couldn't go to work (which was nice) but still

[Jane8 4]

I believe Seattle (SeaTac) is a very tough POE. Either you visit for one week or two months, they'll try to give you a hard time.

[JamesDove 0]

Well just think about that they are only doing there job. I mean they are supposed to ask you those questions to make sure your intentions are good, and because you answered all those questions right there was no real danger for you. I mean, you were able to explain everything. Maybe it felt like it was more of a hassle then it actually was, because you didn't expect it and it probertly made it kinda annoying Anyway, enjoy your stay and have fun!

[Arinlars 19]

Thanks. Philadelphia POE was ok no one ever asked me anything. Even when I moved from Greece to Germany with a stop in between US for two weeks

[closedclosedclose 2]

Hey guys! I have a question.

I'm currently in Canada visiting my fiancé and I'll be filing our K-1 this week. When my visitation is over he'd like to come down and visit me (trying to get as much time together as possible!) My question is, we'd like for him to be able to visit for the allowed 6 months, but we're worried as all hell of him being denied. He's never visited the states. He has a job, but currently lives with his parents. If asked why he's visiting he's going to say vacation (pretty much is, going from frigid Canada to nice warm Oklahoma, lol) Then if asked who he's staying with he'll say fiancé.

However I don't want him to be turned away! If asked about his ties back to Canada I just want to tell the guard were filing for a K-1, and we'd have to be crazy to risk our happiness on something as silly as having him stay in the u.s illegally. Our port of entry will be the Ambassador Bridge. The two times I've visited Canada were a breeze, I'm just hoping for the same for him. Any information would be loved.

[violetandrichard 1]

I successfully entered through Chicago O'Hare a couple of weeks ago. It was fairly straightforward and the only thing he wanted to see was a return ticket. Stayed in the US 10 days.

[Jeikun 65]

Hey guys! I have a question.

I'm currently in Canada visiting my fiancé and I'll be filing our K-1 this week. When my visitation is over he'd like to come down and visit me (trying to get as much time together as possible!) My question is, we'd like for him to be able to visit for the allowed 6 months, but we're worried as all hell of him being denied. He's never visited the states. He has a job, but currently lives with his parents. If asked why he's visiting he's going to say vacation (pretty much is, going from frigid Canada to nice warm Oklahoma, lol) Then if asked who he's staying with he'll say fiancé.

However I don't want him to be turned away! If asked about his ties back to Canada I just want to tell the guard were filing for a K-1, and we'd have to be crazy to risk our happiness on something as silly as having him stay in the u.s illegally. Our port of entry will be the Ambassador Bridge. The two times I've visited Canada were a breeze, I'm just hoping for the same for him. Any information would be loved.

Copy of your NOA-1, or whole packet might be good to have on hand to actually show that you filed. Also anything documenting ties to Canada would help. Also don't have him pack everything but the kitchen sink, as I believe in this thread you will see some Canadians (and an American IIRC) that got turned back for something similar.

[closedclosedclose 2]

Copy of your NOA-1, or whole packet might be good to have on hand to actually show that you filed. Also anything documenting ties to Canada would help. Also don't have him pack everything but the kitchen sink, as I believe in this thread you will see some Canadians (and an American IIRC) that got turned back for something similar.

Sounds good!

And we don't need to worry about the luggage thing. He's only packing 2 normal suitcases of clothes ( Like most men he has very few clothes, which here is a good thing XP ) and his desktop computer.

[Allanah and Chris 8]

Allanah came over on a bus on the 13th at, I believe, the Peace Bridge in NY and had a relatively unremarkable experience. When the officer asked about her status she handed over the copy of the K1 packet with the case # written on it (sans NOA1 I-797C, Christopher's fault), and the officer glanced through it and simply commented that she should travel with it as it makes things easier.

Edited February 21, 2013 by Allanah and Chris

[arcticrobot 11]

Would it be beneficial, If I wrote letters to consular(for b1 visa) and immigration officer to assure them we are going legal way so they let my fiancee in?

[jdb and nnb 0]

My fiancee lives in Moldova. I'm curious if she would be able to visit me from Moldova while we are waiting for our NOA2? Has anyone made a visit from Moldova before actually having the K-1 visa?

[arcticrobot 11]

My fiancee lives in Moldova. I'm curious if she would be able to visit me from Moldova while we are waiting for our NOA2? Has anyone made a visit from Moldova before actually having the K-1 visa?

Moldova should be in the same category as Russia/Ukraine and other former Soviet Union countries.