Yes, you can visit!

[pmarshall 9]

Paul--thanks for the quick response. Do you know 100% this to be the case? Or is it worth looking into?

The meeting will be in London 100% you can't change that but you can change interview date given but you risk getting the approval delayed so my advice is take the date they give you. Plus your medical has a expiry date !!!

Paul

Edited June 12, 2014 by pmarshall

[bcc024 0]

Paul--

you seem very knowledgeable. Thanks again. We currently live in Budapest, but are leaving in 3 weeks. We understand that we will be able to have the interview in London--not Budapest.

Are we right about this? She is a UK citizen.

Another question, if you don't mind. What is the usual turn around time once the I-129 is accepted for an actual interview to be set up? I am under the impression that indeed is the next step, correct?

Thanks in advance.

[pmarshall 9]

Paul--

you seem very knowledgeable. Thanks again. We currently live in Budapest, but are leaving in 3 weeks. We understand that we will be able to have the interview in London--not Budapest.

Are we right about this? She is a UK citizen.

Another question, if you don't mind. What is the usual turn around time once the I-129 is accepted for an actual interview to be set up? I am under the impression that indeed is the next step, correct?

Thanks in advance.

If the beneficiary is a UK citizen then the interview will be in there home country.

As for the times my case is unusual as we sent petition and got visa all in 104 days so I couldn't say time scales.

Paul

[RW365 33]

YES, YOU CAN VISIT:

I just wanted to share with the forum my experience of coming to visit my fiancée. I was freaking out like hell for weeks, having read all sorts of nightmare stories about being asked to turn back and go home by the immigration officials. I did follow the usual advice here that you should come prepared, belt and braces - so I got all sorts of documents I could manage to get to prove my ties with my home country. BUT -- and I am hoping this will give some reassurance to people -- I AM NOT WORKING AT THE MOMENT, SO I DON'T have an employer letter to show that I will return. All I had was my rental lease, which expires in September and my bank statements, plus a couple of utility bills. I planned my visit to be 2.5 months.

At the airport, the guy asked me what I was here for -- I said, to visit my fiancé.

When was I returning? -- XX of August.

That's all. No questions asked. No evidence of ties to the home country. Nothing.

Further reassurance: I am not a UK national - i.e., I am here on a B2/Visitor visa.

So, if you were wondering if it was possible to visit your fiancé during this long and horrible separation that K1 visa is, then yes, YOU CAN. And it is not nearly as harrowing and horrible an experience as we fear it is.

[mitchanme 18]

Well, was I ever surprised when I came back to Canada after 3 and a half months. They grilled me as to why I hadn't brought any purchases with me (I'm just back in Canada for my medical and interview), hadn't brought any gifts with me. Accused me of not declaring my engagement ring on last trip, and THEN searched my vehicle. I had an oil change and alignment done while there and were peeved I didn't realise I needed to claim that. All this with my dog who just had her eyes removed- and I'd been driving 22 hours at this point. The guard also wanted to know if I also had all my papers in order for my interview (this is Canadian officer, what the heck business is it of hers!), and why isn't my fiancé with me, where is he and what is he doing there. They were neat with my stuff though, and didn't even look into the dog's bag of prescription meds. Then "you can go now" , no welcome home or anything. Maybe fallout from the full moon on Friday the 13th??

[Harley2 8]

Just to let you know of my experience.

I flew from the UK on Saturday into Newark, for a 2 week visit to my fiancé.

Very brief interview at the desk, not taken to secondary.

She asked why I was here and for how long. I replied 2 weeks and to see my fiancé.

She asked if he lived here, then clarified that I reside in the UK.

She asked who was going to move. And I said I was, and explained we had filed a petition for a K1.

She said, "so you are moving here?"

I replied "yes, if it's approved".

She replied, "of course it will be, why not? Have a nice stay".

Stamped my passport, and off I went.

[chiggins82 88]

Hello, Sharing my experience crossing the border. I flew from Edmonton, Canada to Minneapolis, MN and did customs in Edmonton on July 3 for a 4 day visit.

Where are you headed?

- Minneapolis

What are you doing there?

- Visiting my fiance

Fiance? What are your marriage plans?

- We are in the process of getting a K-1 visa and once we get the visa, I will move there

You better have a return ticket...

- Yes

When are you returning?

- July 6

What are you bringing with you for food?

- All dressed chips, Canadian chocolate bars

Is this all you packed? (referring to my one small back pack and purse)

- Yes

Nothing checked?

- No

What does your family think of all this?

- umm... I don't know, they understand, but hope I will come back to Canada one day

I'm going to check something with a senior officer (might have said supervisor.. I can't remember)

- ok......

How many days are you staying in the United States?

- uhh.... 4? 3 1/2 I guess?

Have a good trip

Normally I am just asked about food and where I am going, so this was a lot more questions.. I guess I passed their test. They did not ask to see anything, but in case anyone is interested, I brought:

- Itinerary with return trip

- Parking confirmation at the airport

- My visa approvals (NOA1, NOA2, NVC, Packet 3)

- Email from my boss approving my time off

- Work ID and business card

- Copies of my renter and auto insurance

Overall it was nice and easy crossing the border, but I am glad I brought my proof of ties!

[mdamph 0]

Hey guys,

So I have a trip planned to visit my fiance for 3.5 months starting August. My worry is that I'm in the NVC stage, as I just received my first letter from them.

You don't suppose that'll cause any issues? I was hoping to just get my interview set for when I return after mid November.

Thoughts or suggestions?

[Sweetmelissa 82]

Hey guys,

So I have a trip planned to visit my fiance for 3.5 months starting August. My worry is that I'm in the NVC stage, as I just received my first letter from them.

You don't suppose that'll cause any issues? I was hoping to just get my interview set for when I return after mid November.

Thoughts or suggestions?

I never had any issues visiting the US throughout the K1 process (went 4times). Be sure to bring ties back to Canada just in case and k1 documentation if you have it - if anything it shows you are doing everything the legal way. I never got asked anything about it and had no issues crossing the border, but it can be pretty random. Make sure you have a return ticket as well.

[Leo212 0]

Thanks everyone for your insights and stories!

I have a similar question be reversed... I am a US citizen. Can I visit my fiancee in Thailand while we are waiting for our K1 visa? Can I visit for a long time? Like say, until the visa is approved?

[Operator 1,927]

Thanks everyone for your insights and stories!

I have a similar question be reversed... I am a US citizen. Can I visit my fiancee in Thailand while we are waiting for our K1 visa? Can I visit for a long time? Like say, until the visa is approved?

Not only can you but you should. Closeness makes you closer.

[Tina&Seb 10]

Hi everyone! My fiancé just came to visit today from South Africa through JFK, NY and I wanted to share our experience! We are currently (anxiously) waiting for approval ! He came prepared with tons of documents showing ties to home and a return a flight and this is what followed when he walked up to the border patrol officer

Agent: hello is this visit for business or pleasure?

Fiancé: pleasure

Agent: how long will you be staying?

Fiancé: 3 weeks

Agent: *stamp* have a good day

Then he processed to get his luggage and handed over his declarations form to a second officer

Officer: do you have anything to declare what will you be doing in NY?

Fiancé: I'll be staying with my fiancée

Officer: will you get married?

Fiancé: when the visa is approved

Officer: good luck I heard that takes a while. Welcome to New York!

Literally the easiest thing about this entire process so far! Come prepared but stay calm. I am so happy I get 3 whole weeks with him!!!

[FamilyGuyT 9]

So my fiancee' was denied a tourist Visa from the Philippines (just like most). Is there any way that the K-1 being in process plus a passport will qualify to get her thru to come to the U.S. to visit?

I'm assuming you have to have a passport AND a Visa??

We are only in the NOA1 stage waiting on NOA2.

[IcezMan_IcezLady 582]

I think there's more weight on where you are coming from (Country).

[Ontarkie 14,226]

~~One post removed as poster has started a thread for the question~~