Yes, you can visit!

[DarrenFer 0]

Hey there!

We got out NOA2 about a week a go and we are super happy, but I already had a flight schedule for July (I'm a teacher so I can only travel during a few times of the year). My question is do I have less of a chance of getting in the USA because I already have my NOA2??

Thanks for all the help!

[Anna Grant 169]

It may make a slight difference, if the CBP officer is sensible. Would someone who already has an NOA2 risk everything by overstaying their visa? You are demonstrating that you are doing things the 'right way'.

Congratulations on receiving your NOA2 -

[LMK74 1]

Hi All,

Just thought I'd add my experience on visiting my boyfriend while waiting for the K-1 visa. I was really worried if there was going to be any problems at POE but my worries weren't necessary! I flew from London Heathrow on Saturday and flew in to Charlotte North Carolina. I got called up to the desk to a very laid back looking officer. I gave him my passport which he flicked through. He asked me the purpose of my visit so I said I was there to visit my boyfriend. He nodded. Then he asked how long I was staying so I said 2 weeks. He nodded again and then did the 'four fingers of your right hand' etc......I hope he didn't notice how much my hands were shaking! Then he stamped my passport and waved me on my way. So relieved! I'd even landed an hour early so was standing waiting for my boyfriend when he walked in the airport. Very happy to be out of the airport and on our way home.

I went prepared though with our NOA1, a letter from my employer stating when i was due back to work and even a dentist appointment card for my return. I cannot wait till I'm going through POE for the last time with my K-1 visa (fingers crossed).

Good luck everyone xx

[arcticrobot 11]

So here is my successful story. While me and Tania were waiting for K1 we decided to wait together and get her B1/B2. To tell the truth we had very little chance of getting tourist visa since Tania is 24 y.o. and unemployed. Yet we tried. We filled all the necessary forms and applied for interview. Got all documents ready just in case including full copy of our I-129F package. Yet, consular didn't ask for anything, just passports(new and old and that's it). He asked her a few questions about me, she answered absolutely truthfully. Consular said her case is difficult, yet he issued her visa. It is just single entry B1/B2 with 3 months expiration period. He said she doesn't need anything else, because by that time she will get her K1.

JFK POE: I went back to Russia to pick Tania up and we approached immigration officer together. He just started his shift, was very polite, asked us a few questions and stamped I-94 form with 6 months maximum stay. Thank you, officer! The last line of defense was customs/border control officer. We had return ticket for 3 months. When he asked, Tania got it mistaken with 6 months approved stay and told him she is going to stay 6 months(she actually is, we will get her return ticket right when our visa reaches NVC/Embassy in Moscow). So he asked us why we have such a small luggage for such a prolonged stay. I said everything can be purchased here. So he gave us a little hard time but then let us go.

And here we are, waiting for our K1 together. And I would encourage everyone to try and do the same. We had very small chance to get this visa and be admitted to US, but everything worked in our favor!

[Anna Grant 169]

So here is my successful story. While me and Tania were waiting for K1 we decided to wait together and get her B1/B2. To tell the truth we had very little chance of getting tourist visa since Tania is 24 y.o. and unemployed. Yet we tried. We filled all the necessary forms and applied for interview. Got all documents ready just in case including full copy of our I-129F package. Yet, consular didn't ask for anything, just passports(new and old and that's it). He asked her a few questions about me, she answered absolutely truthfully. Consular said her case is difficult, yet he issued her visa. It is just single entry B1/B2 with 3 months expiration period. He said she doesn't need anything else, because by that time she will get her K1.

JFK POE: I went back to Russia to pick Tania up and we approached immigration officer together. He just started his shift, was very polite, asked us a few questions and stamped I-94 form with 6 months maximum stay. Thank you, officer! The last line of defense was customs/border control officer. We had return ticket for 3 months. When he asked, Tania got it mistaken with 6 months approved stay and told him she is going to stay 6 months(she actually is, we will get her return ticket right when our visa reaches NVC/Embassy in Moscow). So he asked us why we have such a small luggage for such a prolonged stay. I said everything can be purchased here. So he gave us a little hard time but then let us go.

And here we are, waiting for our K1 together. And I would encourage everyone to try and do the same. We had very small chance to get this visa and be admitted to US, but everything worked in our favor!

Oh - that's brilliant news! I'm so happy that your fiance will be with you for up to 6 months. It will make the wait so much easier being together. The very best of luck for your future VJ together.

[Alex+Nastya 11]

So here is my successful story. While me and Tania were waiting for K1 we decided to wait together and get her B1/B2. To tell the truth we had very little chance of getting tourist visa since Tania is 24 y.o. and unemployed. Yet we tried. We filled all the necessary forms and applied for interview. Got all documents ready just in case including full copy of our I-129F package. Yet, consular didn't ask for anything, just passports(new and old and that's it). He asked her a few questions about me, she answered absolutely truthfully. Consular said her case is difficult, yet he issued her visa. It is just single entry B1/B2 with 3 months expiration period. He said she doesn't need anything else, because by that time she will get her K1.

JFK POE: I went back to Russia to pick Tania up and we approached immigration officer together. He just started his shift, was very polite, asked us a few questions and stamped I-94 form with 6 months maximum stay. Thank you, officer! The last line of defense was customs/border control officer. We had return ticket for 3 months. When he asked, Tania got it mistaken with 6 months approved stay and told him she is going to stay 6 months(she actually is, we will get her return ticket right when our visa reaches NVC/Embassy in Moscow). So he asked us why we have such a small luggage for such a prolonged stay. I said everything can be purchased here. So he gave us a little hard time but then let us go.

And here we are, waiting for our K1 together. And I would encourage everyone to try and do the same. We had very small chance to get this visa and be admitted to US, but everything worked in our favor!

Thanks for sharing! We're about to do the same thing!

[Dissonantly 5]

Okay guys. I need your help once again!

We just got our NOA2 yesterday. A few days ago, he bought a ticket to come visit me here in the US for 3 months. This question isn't quite about POE/Customs, but I'm wondering if our case will be okay if he's not there in Canada for a little while? Will it expire? Will he need to call the embassy or anything like that?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[Anna Grant 169]

Okay guys. I need your help once again!

We just got our NOA2 yesterday. A few days ago, he bought a ticket to come visit me here in the US for 3 months. This question isn't quite about POE/Customs, but I'm wondering if our case will be okay if he's not there in Canada for a little while? Will it expire? Will he need to call the embassy or anything like that?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

The NOA2 is valid for 4 months. Once you file is at the US embassy, it may be good to contact them and say that your fiance will not be responding quickly. However, can you complete any of the paperwork from within the US whilst he's there so he only needs to go back for the medical and interview (sorry - I'm from the UK and know the UK process well - not so aware of the Canadian process). Will someine be able to access his mail whilst he's gone?

Embassy's routinely extend NOA2s as many people take time to get all the documentation together. You may have to send another 'letter of intent' to show that you are still 'on side'.

[Dissonantly 5]

The NOA2 is valid for 4 months. Once you file is at the US embassy, it may be good to contact them and say that your fiance will not be responding quickly. However, can you complete any of the paperwork from within the US whilst he's there so he only needs to go back for the medical and interview (sorry - I'm from the UK and know the UK process well - not so aware of the Canadian process). Will someine be able to access his mail whilst he's gone?

Embassy's routinely extend NOA2s as many people take time to get all the documentation together. You may have to send another 'letter of intent' to show that you are still 'on side'.

Yeah, we should be able to complete most of the paperwork in the US, after I think about it.

Thank you for your reply!

[visavisa222 0]

I have a gf who is a CDN perm resident. She currently resides in china. We have not started the K1 process.
She has a B1 visa. Last POE were late feb 13, april 13. She will come again end of May. She is a Chinese citizen. She Was pulled into secondary on the April entry. We did not know these issues and she volunteered some extra info but was let in.

For her trip in May she plans to come visit me and fly to Canada from the US. She is divorced with a kid. THe kid and her ex will move to canada in a couple months. their tix have been booked.

She has the onward ticket to Canada.

Once in Canada she will be looking for a job, living w friends first few days until she can find a job.

I know that there isnt much she can provide in terms of ties to canada as she has been working in China. What can she do to build her case and gain entry? She obviously will have a couple of large suitcases.

Would her story of moving to canada help? she is after all a Perm Resident and needs to live there to fulfill those requirements. She could get the people in Canada to back up the stories. She will not mention anything about the relationsip. We have no intentions on getting married on entry!!

[Christiana 0]

So... hello everyone! I am pretty new at this and I want to apologize in advance for any silly things I say and/or ask. I am from Cyprus (Greek Cypriot) and I've been with my American love for a year and a half as you can see. We've already met three times and going to meet for the fourth time in August for a Europe trip together. We already got enganged (in a romantic setting in a tiny church/cave up in my grandparents' village in December completely out of the blue) and we are planning on starting the proceedure for the the K1 Visa in June.

Now my question is this: In December I desire to visit him and stay for a few months. Up until now all of our visits went like this: 20 days in August, 2 weeks in December, 2 weeks in April. We want to stay together in a more relaxed setting and without feeling the need to cling to eachother because our precious time together is running out. I already have my B2 Visa and have had 2 successful visits in the US. If I visit in December, I will want to leave in May (in June my oldest brother is getting married and I can't miss the wedding) so I will have booked a return ticket as well. I will have to resign my job though (my boss really doesn't want me to as I am her 'right hand' in her words lol) if I plan to stay for so long, so apart from the return ticket, I don't know what else I could hold as evidence of my ties to Cyprus. Do you have any advice to give me on that? Also do you think I will have any problems getting through the customs? I want to mentally prepare myself as I am super duper sensitive and I don't want to cry like a baby in front of the officials! That'd be so embarrassing!

[Friend16 7]

Hello, guys,

Does anybody can tell me for sure, if POE officers actually have the information about K1 visa pending in their computers??

Thank you!

[Anna Grant 169]

So... hello everyone! I am pretty new at this and I want to apologize in advance for any silly things I say and/or ask. I am from Cyprus (Greek Cypriot) and I've been with my American love for a year and a half as you can see. We've already met three times and going to meet for the fourth time in August for a Europe trip together. We already got enganged (in a romantic setting in a tiny church/cave up in my grandparents' village in December completely out of the blue) and we are planning on starting the proceedure for the the K1 Visa in June.

Now my question is this: In December I desire to visit him and stay for a few months. Up until now all of our visits went like this: 20 days in August, 2 weeks in December, 2 weeks in April. We want to stay together in a more relaxed setting and without feeling the need to cling to eachother because our precious time together is running out. I already have my B2 Visa and have had 2 successful visits in the US. If I visit in December, I will want to leave in May (in June my oldest brother is getting married and I can't miss the wedding) so I will have booked a return ticket as well. I will have to resign my job though (my boss really doesn't want me to as I am her 'right hand' in her words lol) if I plan to stay for so long, so apart from the return ticket, I don't know what else I could hold as evidence of my ties to Cyprus. Do you have any advice to give me on that? Also do you think I will have any problems getting through the customs? I want to mentally prepare myself as I am super duper sensitive and I don't want to cry like a baby in front of the officials! That'd be so embarrassing!

I understand completely. I get very sensitive going through customs - I start to perspire and my heart pounds.

I just ensure that I have all the paperwork with me that demonstrates that I have to return to the UK. This is a really good page to start with:

http://www.visajourn...content/k1visit

[Anna Grant 169]

I have a gf who is a CDN perm resident. She currently resides in china. We have not started the K1 process.

She has a B1 visa. Last POE were late feb 13, april 13. She will come again end of May. She is a Chinese citizen. She Was pulled into secondary on the April entry. We did not know these issues and she volunteered some extra info but was let in.

For her trip in May she plans to come visit me and fly to Canada from the US. She is divorced with a kid. THe kid and her ex will move to canada in a couple months. their tix have been booked.

She has the onward ticket to Canada.

Once in Canada she will be looking for a job, living w friends first few days until she can find a job.

I know that there isnt much she can provide in terms of ties to canada as she has been working in China. What can she do to build her case and gain entry? She obviously will have a couple of large suitcases.

Would her story of moving to canada help? she is after all a Perm Resident and needs to live there to fulfill those requirements. She could get the people in Canada to back up the stories. She will not mention anything about the relationsip. We have no intentions on getting married on entry!!

Building her case will depend on how many ties to Canada she can accumulate before attempting to come to the US. See here for things to build her case - http://www.visajourn...content/k1visit - other things like phone contracts, car, insurance will also help. I know you haven't started the K1 process yet but this is still relevant.

Why will she 'obviously will have a couple of large suitcases'? How long is she intending to come to the US for? Is the amount of luggage appropriate for her length of stay? You said that she had a POE of April. How long was that stay and how much time will she have left between that stay and this next one?

If she gets asked about your relationship, she will have to disclose it. Never, even lie to a CBP officer.

[Anna Grant 169]

Hello, guys,

Does anybody can tell me for sure, if POE officers actually have the information about K1 visa pending in their computers??

Thank you!

I'm sorry - I can't tell you for certain. I have always disclosed it at CBP if I am asked who I am visiting - i.e. it usually starts 'Who are you visiting?' 'My fiance' and it goes from there. My feeling is that they can't tell but I do not know that for sure.

Even if they do see that you're in the middle of the K1 process, it doesn't really do any harm. It's a balancing act for them. You have already indicated that you want to enter the US permanently by starting the K1 process but you are also showing that you are doing it the right way.