Yes, you can visit!

[Anna Grant 169]

What type of Visa is recommended for a German while in the process of filing for a K1 visa to come visit for a couple of months?

If it's for less than 90 days and you have no criminal record, then apply for the ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization):

https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/

It is not a visa - Germany is part of the Visa Waiver Program which means that you can travel to the US without a visa as long as you have the ESTA.

The ESTA does not guarantee you entry to the US - that is determined by the CBP officers at your POE. Also, although it says that you don't need to print off your ESTA, I would suggest that you do and bring it with you. And make sure you have a return ticket. The ESTA 'help' is here - https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/WebHelp/ESTA_Screen-Level_Online_Help_1.htm#vwp2

At this stage, do not apply for a B2 visa. If you do and you are denied that visa, you cannot then go back and apply for an ESTA!

Edited November 26, 2013 by Anna Grant

[Shivacoco 2]

Hi all..

Wanted to share my recent experience with you. I arrived in the USA to visit my fiancée (I'm from Australia) on the 17th November for 8 weeks. I came very well prepared because we were aware of the potential issues: letter of employment, return flights, travel insurance, letter from housemates, enough $$, copy of NOA2. My timeline for travel to the USA is:

• dec-feb 2012/2013 8 weeks (when I met my fiancée)
• June 13 2013 for 88 days
• November 17th for intended 8 weeks.

I was aware that I was just over (by 3 days) the required stay in your own country rule, on the ESTA visa. This is the thing that nearly had me denied entry. The customs officer asked me: why I was here (holiday), what I do back home, where I am staying (gave address), how many times I have been to the USA (5 times since 2007), when was my last visit (here we go...) this obviously started alarm bells. He brought up my details on the computer, they have every visit and address you stayed at listed on there. He went right back to my first visit in 2007 and read out the addresses. I just agreed. He asked why I visit so much, and this is where I told him to visit my fiancée, that we are going through the k1 visa process. He asked if I have a return flight, and asked to see it. He then added up my length of stay this year and was debating in his head whether to let me in...I could see his hesitation, he went on about me needing to spend more time in my own country, and that my fiancée needs to visit me. He was quite a stern guy, but for some reason he let me in. He never asked to see anything but my return ticket. I was questioned for about 15 minutes, it seemed like forever and I just wanted to run away before he could change his mind.

I have been very lucky in that I was able to visit my fiancée so much this year, and am so grateful I was let in this last time. We weren't expecting to have our NOA2 approved so quickly (25 days) and had booked flights already, as we thought it may be at least 5 months before we see each other again.

Hope this helps someone in a similar situation, where there are multiple long trips to visit their loved one.

[MiniKoala 13]

I have a very positive experience to share!

I arrived at SFO late in the afternoon yesterday. I was extremely nervous about whether they would let me in. This is my 5th trip to the US this year! (2 weeks in January, 2 weeks in March, 2 weeks in May, 3 months from July to October; and also 2 weeks in October 2012) My fiancé and I applied for the K-1 in September and just got our case number yesterday. In July I got sent to Second Inspection at POE and had to wait for an hour until they finally let me in. This time, luckily, everyone at the airport was in a great mood and I had no difficulties at all.

At Immigration I was asked about the purpose of my trip. Then I was asked if I was staying at the same address as on my last 5 visits and the Immigration man asked whose address it was. I answered that it was my fiancé's place. He asked about my job and I told him that I was self-employed. He then looked up my history of visits and mumbled "2 weeks, 2 weeks..." and I chimed in "yep, 2 weeks, 3 months...". he smiled and asked how long I was staying this time (5.5 weeks, I said). He made a note on my Customs Form and wished me a great stay!

I then had my baggage (my handbag and one carry-on bag) inspected but the woman doing that was funny and joking around with me the whole time, so it didn't make me nervous at all. She did write down further notes on my Form about my fiancé, his occupation, etc. and asked when we were getting married. I answered truthfully that we're hoping I will have my interview right after arriving back in Switzerland and that we will hopefully have our K-1 by February so we could get married then. She was very nice and wished me good luck with everything.

I did take some documents with me (return ticket, NOA1 and NOA2, travel insurance copy, etc.) but wasn't asked to show anything.

I'm so beyond happy it went so smoothly and that I can spend the holidays with my fiancé and his family this year!

Good luck to everyone else who's trying to visit their sweetheart again soon!

[Anne__ 0]

Just thought I'd share my experience - also at SFO!

There was nothing to worry about, I found everyone at POE very friendly. I queued in a slightly longer line because I could see a few of the officers were smiling a lot and joking around with people - I ended up getting the most gruff looking person (of course!) but he was fine. It went like this:

Him: Purpose of visit?

Me: Visiting my fiancé and his family.

Him: How long are you staying?

Me: Just under three weeks.

And that was it! It made me feel a lot better going through knowing I had documents to show, but I was still very nervous. I guess the best advice is to be prepared for an interrogation, tell the truth, and keep your answers short and sweet! I also chatted to a lady on the plane who flies to SFO about 5 times a year to visit her daughter. She said she's never had a bad experience with the immigration people there - good to know if that's the airport you're flying to.

[D&Wontheroad 3]

Here my experience, a positive one. ATL

Well prepared, I brought proof of my ties back in Holland. Security card of my employer, latest bill, salary slip, proof if registration at city hall and a copy of my trip planned with my mom in March with flight from Brussels to Budapest hotel reservation all under my name. Additionally I printed a copy of our k1 visa application.

Unlike normal, there where absolutely no lines at all, and I picked a line of a guy who seemed young and friendly. He was very diligent though and the girl in front of me took a while, which made me a bit nervous.

Me: Hi! (Big smile)

Him: hi miss, what's the purpose of the trip?

Me: Holidays

Him: Where?

Me: Arkmsas, Washington DC and then New York

Him: with who?

Me: my Fiancée

Him: For how long

Me: I leave the 5th of jan

Some silence and he goes through my passport and tells me to put my 4 fingers on the screen, then my thumb.

Him: so how long?

Me: well i leave he 5th of jan, so for about 3.5 weeks.

Him: so when is the wedding?

Me: when he visa gets approved, we have just very recently applied so it will probably be a while from now.

Him: hmmm ok, so you are going on the visa process.

Me: yes.

Him: ok, enjoy (he stamps and slides me my passport back)

Me: thanks, have a great day! ( inside majorly surprised about the easiness and relaxed attitude of the officer)

big smile an off to the airport lounge for a well deserved drink! Haha

Not sure if it had any influence, but I do fly a lot and had been to US several times, for work and private this year alone. My passport has many stamps and visas of various countries for work purposes, I carry a frequent flyer Gold pass which i conveniently held between m passport and my ticket which was business elite ticket (thanks to an upgrade). So not sure if this has influences the easiness of the process.

[igetbundles 0]

Hi there. So from what I am reading the Visa Waiver Program or ESTA should work fine for a German citizen visiting during the K1 process.
My next question is on timing, we are wanting her to visit from February to early April of next year we have things that we want to do together here before getting married. We just received NOA2 on 12/12. If my fiance is visiting the US and there is something scheduled with the consulate in her country can those interviews be rescheduled?

[divikaki 8]

My fiancé and I travelled together from Europe to Atlanta one week ago. He came in with ESTA. He had no issues coming through customs. They simply asked what the nature of his trip was and for how long and he responded that he's visiting his fiancée's family for a month over the holidays. Unlike previous trips, they didn't even ask his profession or how much money he'd brought with him. Phew!

We brought lots of documentation just in case but it wasn't necessary for us this time.

Edited December 22, 2013 by divikaki

[Misha'sgirl 44]

""The answer is yes, visits are allowed. But whether you will actually be admitted lies entirely in the hands of the officer questioning you upon entry. And face it, hearing you've got a sweetheart you're intending to/have married waiting for you in the US is going to set off a "he/she is just going to stay here forever" bell to that officer. It's your job to convince that officer that you have a life back in your home country that you fully intend, and will, go back to.""

Michele, I'd like to share my experience.

I've lived with my fiance in Russia for nearly five months. Back in November, we went to the Embassy to interview for a B2 tourist visa. We wanted to visit my family for the holidays, and then return to have his interview for the K1 visa. We were denied. We were told that it would be against U.S. laws for him (the consulate) to issue my fiance a visitor visa because we are in the K1 visa process.

It made no sense to me at the time because we would never stay in the U.S. on a visitor visa, when we are going through the K1 process. It would ruin the whole process. So why couldn't we go for a holiday visit?! Did the consulate really think we would have stayed? I think its ridiculous because that would mean the K1 would be ruined...

[bendaj 0]

I am new to this whole process. I was recently engaged in the Dominican republic and would like to begin the process of bringing my fiancé to the US. I have no idea where to start. Do I use an attorney or a website. any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!

[Pitaya 2,577]

I am new to this whole process. I was recently engaged in the Dominican republic and would like to begin the process of bringing my fiancé to the US. I have no idea where to start. Do I use an attorney or a website. any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!

easily accessible at the top of the forum page. This is a DIY site, so you will likely not hear from many proponents of attorney-assisted immigration for most straight-forward cases.

Edited December 29, 2013 by A&B

[SaoPaulo 2 Dallas 0]

Hi,

Me and my partner met during his vacation in Brazil FEB/ 2011. We had an affair and became facebook friends chatting very often, but no relationship yet. When I told him I was planning a trip to Argentina for my vacations that year, he invited me to go to California instead. I could stay in his house and it wouldnt be so expensive. I accept the offer and applied for the B2 visa in march 2011.

August 2011 i got the visa just one week before my flight to USA.

I arrived at LAX sept/2011 I answered the reason of my trip was tourism (100% true). We spent 15 days 24/7 together. the day i left we cried like babys at the airport. We didnt know when or if we would ever meet again, that´s why it was so painful.

Dec/2011, my partner went back to brazil to visit me. At this point we decided to have a long distance relatioship which is never easy. More tears at the departure day.

Jun/2012, I went to California for 28 days. It was amazing and we were definitly in love of each other. Once again I said the reason of my trip was vacation. I was afraid of telling them i was going to see my boyfriend and they do not let me in.

Nov/2012, after so much time together, as I arrived back to Brazil I missed him so much that i decided to go back to visit him. He was unnemployed and was up to me to travel again. This time we met in NY, reason of trip: tourism!

March/2013, He flew to Brazil again to visit me.

Once the gay marriage became legal we decided to get married.

Oct/2013 I visit him again for 7 weeks this time. At the airport I was asked the reason of staying so long, tour and visit a friend, and what is my job in Brazil, which i told the same answer I gave during the B2 visa interview.

4 days before the legal marriage I learned from a similar website that getting married while in a tourist visa wasnt legal and it would bring us some trouble. Considering I was coming back to Brazil instead of staying in US and apply for the GC. I heard that I could be sent home from the airport since I was married trying to get into US in a B2 visa.

We didnt get married and start the paperwork for the K1 visa once I was back in Brazil.

The week after I left US, my fiance sent the package to Dallas. I am sick, very nervous because all that I want now is stay by his side and is very painful be apart of the one you love and want to build a life together.

We are planing to meet again in another country (central america) in few months.

I will give updates of our case when we get it.

[BlovesD 14]

Had a bunch of stuff with me in case i had issues..... only asked where i was going for how long and then chatted a bit about random stuff

[lili13 4]

Hi,

Me and my partner met during his vacation in Brazil FEB/ 2011. We had an affair and became facebook friends chatting very often, but no relationship yet. When I told him I was planning a trip to Argentina for my vacations that year, he invited me to go to California instead. I could stay in his house and it wouldnt be so expensive. I accept the offer and applied for the B2 visa in march 2011.

August 2011 i got the visa just one week before my flight to USA.

I arrived at LAX sept/2011 I answered the reason of my trip was tourism (100% true). We spent 15 days 24/7 together. the day i left we cried like babys at the airport. We didnt know when or if we would ever meet again, that´s why it was so painful.

Dec/2011, my partner went back to brazil to visit me. At this point we decided to have a long distance relatioship which is never easy. More tears at the departure day.

Jun/2012, I went to California for 28 days. It was amazing and we were definitly in love of each other. Once again I said the reason of my trip was vacation. I was afraid of telling them i was going to see my boyfriend and they do not let me in.

Nov/2012, after so much time together, as I arrived back to Brazil I missed him so much that i decided to go back to visit him. He was unnemployed and was up to me to travel again. This time we met in NY, reason of trip: tourism!

March/2013, He flew to Brazil again to visit me.

Once the gay marriage became legal we decided to get married.

Oct/2013 I visit him again for 7 weeks this time. At the airport I was asked the reason of staying so long, tour and visit a friend, and what is my job in Brazil, which i told the same answer I gave during the B2 visa interview.

4 days before the legal marriage I learned from a similar website that getting married while in a tourist visa wasnt legal and it would bring us some trouble. Considering I was coming back to Brazil instead of staying in US and apply for the GC. I heard that I could be sent home from the airport since I was married trying to get into US in a B2 visa.

We didnt get married and start the paperwork for the K1 visa once I was back in Brazil.

The week after I left US, my fiance sent the package to Dallas. I am sick, very nervous because all that I want now is stay by his side and is very painful be apart of the one you love and want to build a life together.

We are planing to meet again in another country (central america) in few months.

I will give updates of our case when we get it.

Congrats! My partner and I are together almost 11 years. She lives in Italy and I live in NJ. We filed for the K1 and have our interview in February. Just be patient, it will happen. Read all the forums here. There is a lot of useful information.

Good luck!

Lil

[bolaji246 2]

hello room am bj by name and am new to this forum i need a help and some question to answer am from Nigeria and i got married to an America citizen last year oct and we have filled for k3 but the petition has not being approved and she is planning for me to come to the state my question are can i visit usa why my petition is still under review and if yes how can she go about me coming to the state to visit like what are the document she will need to send me in Nigeria for me to apply for visa to visit her?

[M&G 6]

Hi everyone,

I went to the US to visit my fiancé last month (on a B2 visa) and thought I should write a little bit about my experience. I've been to the US many times before, but this was the first trip since we filed for a K1 visa. POE was Atlanta and it was super quick. The guy asked me a few questions but even though I made it clear I was there to spend Christmas and NYE with my fiancé and his family he did not ask any questions about marriage or the K1 visa.