Yes, you can visit!

[IrishinOhio 0]

But my exprience with Dublin pre-clearance is the exact opposite than yours

I'm glad for you my friend. I have come to the conclusion that it depends on the person, their mood, the day, the que, what they had for lunch!

I guess I was unlucky or too honest or maybe he just didn't like how I looked.

"have a good day, welcome to the US"

Ha! in all the times I've visited the USA none of the CBP officers have ever said "welcome to the USA".

Anyway, I have my VISA now so should be all good this time.

Best of luck with your Visa.

[bendaj 0]

ok I have another question. I am engaged and will be visiting my fiancé in the Dominican Republic next month. It is my 3 visit within the last 7 months. Which way is quicker to process the paperwork, getting married in the DR or attempting to get him a fiancé visa to come to the US. I have the K1 paperwork completed, however now he and I are thinking of just getting married and attempting to go that route. What do you think?!? Any and all suggestions are appreciated.

[a&y 1]

Hello all,

I read a lot on this topic as I had initially planned to visit my fiancé in Utah after my NOA1 and it seemed to be ok-ish from various personal experiences (as long as you can show ties to your homeland). After discussing with my lawyer she insisted on NOT visiting under a VWP while the K1 visa process was ongoing. Her approach was perhaps very conservative but she told us that in a worst case scenario where I would be refused entry to the US, this would stain my immigration file all along (from K1 to Green Card). Indeed you frequently have to answer to the typical question "Have you ever be denied entry to the US?". I eventually decided to make a last trip to the US before filing the K1 petition and my fiancé is now visiting me while we wait for the visa.

At the end of the day it is up to you to assess the risk; it may be remote but it is not null and can lead to painful consequences down the line.

Hope it helps!

Anne

[pmarshall 9]

Hello all,

I read a lot on this topic as I had initially planned to visit my fiancé in Utah after my NOA1 and it seemed to be ok-ish from various personal experiences (as long as you can show ties to your homeland). After discussing with my lawyer she insisted on NOT visiting under a VWP while the K1 visa process was ongoing. Her approach was perhaps very conservative but she told us that in a worst case scenario where I would be refused entry to the US, this would stain my immigration file all along (from K1 to Green Card). Indeed you frequently have to answer to the typical question "Have you ever be denied entry to the US?". I eventually decided to make a last trip to the US before filing the K1 petition and my fiancé is now visiting me while we wait for the visa.

At the end of the day it is up to you to assess the risk; it may be remote but it is not null and can lead to painful consequences down the line.

Hope it helps!

Anne

Do these lawyers actually know what they are talking about ???

Paul

[Anna Grant 169]

Do these lawyers actually know what they are talking about ???

Paul

No they don't.

There is no problem with trying to visit the US whilst you are going through the K1 process. Even if you are denied entry to the US, it will not affect your K1 visa process or anything else down the line - e.g. AOS or Naturalization.

My lawyer told me not to visit but he was taking the line of least resistance. Had I listened to him, my husband (as now) and I would have spent 9 months apart (I do know there are many here who spend time apart because they are not part of the VWP and can't get visitor visas).

Had I found this site earlier, we would not have engaged a lawyer at all. We could have done everything he did ourselves and he caused so much stress in our process by giving us wrong information.

I traveled to the US 5 times and 3 of those times were after submitting our K1 petition. This is why this thread was set up and pinned - because you can visit whilst going through the K1 process.

[pmarshall 9]

No they don't.

There is no problem with trying to visit the US whilst you are going through the K1 process. Even if you are denied entry to the US, it will not affect your K1 visa process or anything else down the line - e.g. AOS or Naturalization.

My lawyer told me not to visit but he was taking the line of least resistance. Had I listened to him, my husband (as now) and I would have spent 9 months apart (I do know there are many here who spend time apart because they are not part of the VWP and can't get visitor visas).

Had I found this site earlier, we would not have engaged a lawyer at all. We could have done everything he did ourselves and he caused so much stress in our process by giving us wrong information.

I traveled to the US 5 times and 3 of those times were after submitting our K1 petition. This is why this thread was set up and pinned - because you can visit whilst going through the K1 process.

I don't think so. If you have proof of ties and a return ticket I think your fine.

I went in Oct 2013, Dec 2013 (got engaged) now going back on 27th Feb for 10 days. Then again in April 17th for 2 weeks.

Scary this time round but I'll have my paper and proof of ties.

Paul

I'm from the UK if this helps.

[pmarshall 9]

No they don't.

There is no problem with trying to visit the US whilst you are going through the K1 process. Even if you are denied entry to the US, it will not affect your K1 visa process or anything else down the line - e.g. AOS or Naturalization.

My lawyer told me not to visit but he was taking the line of least resistance. Had I listened to him, my husband (as now) and I would have spent 9 months apart (I do know there are many here who spend time apart because they are not part of the VWP and can't get visitor visas).

Had I found this site earlier, we would not have engaged a lawyer at all. We could have done everything he did ourselves and he caused so much stress in our process by giving us wrong information.

I traveled to the US 5 times and 3 of those times were after submitting our K1 petition. This is why this thread was set up and pinned - because you can visit whilst going through the K1 process.

I don't think so. If you have proof of ties and a return ticket I think your fine.

I went in Oct 2013, Dec 2013 (got engaged) now going back on 27th Feb for 10 days. Then again in April 17th for 2 weeks.

Scary this time round but I'll have my paper and proof of ties.

Paul

I'm from the UK if this helps.

[john657 0]

Hello everyone

about my experience after i read this forum i asked many lower in www.avvo.com all of them told me u r not broke the law by use b2 visa while u r i129f in process even on cbp official site they said u can visit usa even ur k1 in process but ppl who is there k3viaa or 130 in pricess they can , t visit usa while there k 3 in process i visited usa and my i 129f approved when i was in usa with my fiance every thing was easy aand nice but remembre alaways cbp officier have the right to cancel any kind of visa and prevent anyone to entre usa

[mitchanme 18]

Well, we're brave souls I guess...Just got my fiancé a one way ticket to come up to Canada and then we're driving down-with my two dogs!- he's coming for Valentines and then we leave first of March, should be interesting. If one more person says "oh you'll be fine" I will scream! As a side-note, I got medical coverage through my auto insurance broker and it's just under a hundred a month, and is refundable, just in case.

[Anna Grant 169]

Well, we're brave souls I guess...Just got my fiancé a one way ticket to come up to Canada and then we're driving down-with my two dogs!- he's coming for Valentines and then we leave first of March, should be interesting. If one more person says "oh you'll be fine" I will scream! As a side-note, I got medical coverage through my auto insurance broker and it's just under a hundred a month, and is refundable, just in case.

Good luck. Let us know how it goes. Just bring a folder with you that shows all your ties to Canada - demonstrate why you need to go back and that you will not attempt to AOS within the US. Answer all questions asked of you by the CBP officer truthfully but do not volunteer any information. Number one is 'never, ever lie to a CBP officer'. It is likely to come back to bite you on the a$%e when it comes to K1 visa time.

Whether you will be fine is going to be up to the CBP officer on the day. No one can really tell you that it will be fine or it won't be fine. Just be prepared.

[pmarshall 9]

Is there any UK visitors to Houston around ?? I'm due to visit for ten days in 3 weeks, Houston is my main stop on my journey to Corpus Christi.

Thanks

Paul

[Churches91 3]

Is there any UK visitors to Houston around ?? I'm due to visit for ten days in 3 weeks, Houston is my main stop on my journey to Corpus Christi.

Thanks

Paul

Are you asking about how the POE is?

I'm from Houston and my fiance has flown in twice, once for 2 weeks and another for 3 months. The second time they questioned her quite a bit, ultimately she had them call me and then she was cleared for entry.

They're very kind there from our experience, have a nice trip!

[scottym27 19]

Re Houston, while we hadn't filed out i129-f at that time, I had no trouble going through there at all.

I've visited twice since we filed our 129F and had absolutely no problems. I visited just before Christmas (POE Philadelphia) and I had a letter from work, payslips, proof of return tickets, proof of residence, everything. The guy simply asked if I was there on vacation and stamped me through with no further questions. I literally got through in 5 minutes, I was the first person through!

Definitely be prepared, but I've never been stopped at any of my POEs so far. I've gone through Newark, DC, Houston and through Philadelphia the last three times. We'd been so careful, as J was denied entry to the UK when we first attempted to meet (long story that I won't get into but it was ridiculous and stupid; suffice it to say, it's terrified us, probably forever!!) and so we've worried every time.

I've just got back from my sixth visit (total) in two years; my advice would be, be honest, only give answers to questions you're actually asked, and be prepared - bring anything you can that proves you are going home.

[pmarshall 9]

Re Houston, while we hadn't filed out i129-f at that time, I had no trouble going through there at all.

I've visited twice since we filed our 129F and had absolutely no problems. I visited just before Christmas (POE Philadelphia) and I had a letter from work, payslips, proof of return tickets, proof of residence, everything. The guy simply asked if I was there on vacation and stamped me through with no further questions. I literally got through in 5 minutes, I was the first person through!

Definitely be prepared, but I've never been stopped at any of my POEs so far. I've gone through Newark, DC, Houston and through Philadelphia the last three times. We'd been so careful, as J was denied entry to the UK when we first attempted to meet (long story that I won't get into but it was ridiculous and stupid; suffice it to say, it's terrified us, probably forever!!) and so we've worried every time.

I've just got back from my sixth visit (total) in two years; my advice would be, be honest, only give answers to questions you're actually asked, and be prepared - bring anything you can that proves you are going home.

I have a lot of proof with me every time

Thanks

[jfgk1987 303]

My fiance is coming from Canada to visit me for the first time since I've filed the K-1. He lives with his parents and the only ties he has to Canada is his university class schedule, would that be enough to convince customs to let him pass? He does have a return ticket as well.