Yes, you can visit!

[Pheebs1201 269]

So- if anyone has anymore experiences about coming on the VWP without being able to show those 'strong ties' (employment, house, etc), please let me know! We didn't risk it for Christmas, but we're thinking about risking it in March for my sister's wedding that's in April. We may not get his visa til May at this rate (ugh, TSC), and we have so much to do. We're both in my sister's bridal party, plus we're trying to plan for 2 weddings (US & Ecuador), so the fact that we've been apart for most of our engagement is really not helpful, and I'm starting a new job when I come back from Ecuador and won't be able to visit again.

I came on the VWP about three weeks ago and the only proof they asked to see was a return ticket (which is good because I don't really have much else!) Took about two minutes and was hassle free. Good luck!

[SantyAndAllie 155]

Obviously its going to vary for each case and each immigration officer you come up against.

I was a little worried about my xmas trip (see my previous posts on this thread) but in the end when I showed up I had no problems. When asked the purpose of my visit I said "christmas vacation". He asked where I would be staying and I told him the town in North Carolina, and that I'd also be up near Buffalo NY over Christmas. He didn't ask who I was with (surprised me a little as I've made around 2 other visits in past year, all over 4 weeks long). He asked me what I did for a living (IT) and whether I'd travelled to West Africa (I assume because of the Ebola outbreak there).

Had I been asked who I was staying/travelling with, I would have told the truth... once you start lying that is a reason to deny entry. But why mention it if they don't? They never mentioned the K1 - I very much doubt they can see that in their computer, but if they can, then I would think that just shows I'm doing things the legal way.

I think you have quite a few things in your favour

1) spanish passport (means you can live anywhere in the EU, so you're less likely to stay illegally in the US for economic reasons - that is one of the reasons Spain is on the VWP)

2) you've visited before. Assuming you didn't overstay last time, then why would you overstay this time?

3) take your NOA1 receipt etc. If you're going the legal path (and spent money on the application), why would you overstay?

Just make sure you can prove you have sufficient funds, and that you have a reason not to overstay (to me a K1 in process is good evidence too). No one can say for sure you'll be okay, but if you read though this thread the cases where people have been denied are pretty rare, and normally involve very frequent travel and long stays in the US, and/or lack of return ticket.

Thank you so much for the advice/encouragement (and also congrats on getting in safely & without problems!)! I thought the same, but I was worried when we were told that it was possible that he'd get deported BECAUSE of the visa process! That, to me, is so dumb, because you'd think they'd see you wouldnt have wasted your time and money to be doing it the wrong way, but I guess their biggest concern is just the overstaying. But I figured if he's already come before on the VWP, it'll be like the other times- just this time we're waiting on a visa!

I came on the VWP about three weeks ago and the only proof they asked to see was a return ticket (which is good because I don't really have much else!) Took about two minutes and was hassle free. Good luck!

Thank you so much and also congratulations on getting there safely & without hassle!! Also- you & your fiance are pretty adorable, might I add!

--

Thank you guys! I think we're going to try it in March! JFK IO's have been typically pretty decent and haven't given us problems before, so I think (and hope!) we won't have any problems with immigration coming in. But I just have to make sure we don't have any US layovers hahah

Edited December 30, 2014 by lovecometruex

[SantyAndAllie 155]

Also- any ideas on how to be truthful but not volunteer information? We aren't too sure how to go about answering the intent question. He's coming for my sister's wedding, but he's also coming to visit me & my family. Does he just say both? And at that point, they'll know he's engaged to an American, so will they bring up a visa & will that cause problems? I plan on having him bring the entire copy of our I129f since he has it. I'm hoping it won't be necessary to show, though.

[Pheebs1201 269]

Thank you so much and also congratulations on getting there safely & without hassle!! Also- you & your fiance are pretty adorable, might I add!

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Thank you guys! I think we're going to try it in March! JFK IO's have been typically pretty decent and haven't given us problems before, so I think (and hope!) we won't have any problems with immigration coming in. But I just have to make sure we don't have any US layovers hahah

Aww thank you! good luck for March!

Also- any ideas on how to be truthful but not volunteer information? We aren't too sure how to go about answering the intent question. He's coming for my sister's wedding, but he's also coming to visit me & my family. Does he just say both? And at that point, they'll know he's engaged to an American, so will they bring up a visa & will that cause problems? I plan on having him bring the entire copy of our I129f since he has it. I'm hoping it won't be necessary to show, though.

When I entered this was post NOA2 and I just said "to spend Christmas with my fiance's family" and had no issues. I think honesty is the best policy but no need to volunteer an excess of information!

[Rhaenerys 16]

We had a scary nightmare today crossing while in NOA2 status. My American fiance and I were in Canada for Christmas, and we tried to cross back to the US today by car, where I was going to stay until Monday. We are only about 2.5 hours away by car so we see each other a lot. We didnt go back to my Canadian apartment, so we had all of our christmas gifts. The border officer decided that I was trying to move my stuff in before my visa was approved, which was not at all true. They also didnt like my proof that I was returning (a very detailed letter from my work, and a lease that is month to month currently). Also it was a holiday so they couldnt call my work. They threatened to take my Nexus card and deny my visa, it was terrifying. In the end they refused the presents, so we had to go back to my house in Canada to drop them all off. Not sure how we're going to move the stuff that is actually his and belongs in the US...

I just gathered a ton more proof, including bills, a letter from my landlord, a receipt for my work parking pass from now until May, and some pay stubs. Any other advice on proof? Since we drive, I have no return tickets to show.

Edited January 2, 2015 by Rhaenerys

[wbeem 568]

I have just arrived back in the UK from a wonderful 10 days with my fiance. My POE was Newark. I had an accordion file packed to the brim with proof of ties. I got to the immigration desk, the officer looked at my customs declaration (which reflected a lot of British chocolate), smiled and said "Ooh, chocolate!" He asked when I was going back and I told him January 3rd. He stamped me in, gave a half wink and said "Have fun. Welcome to the United States." He didn't ask me any other questions. I hot-footed it out of there very briskly in case he changed his mind

Edit to add: I landed at Terminal B (always landed at C before) - not sure if that makes any difference, but it's an additional detail for the curious mind.

Edited January 4, 2015 by wbeem

[Pheebs1201 269]

I have just arrived back in the UK from a wonderful 10 days with my fiance. My POE was Newark. I had an accordion file packed to the brim with proof of ties. I got to the immigration desk, the officer looked at my customs declaration (which reflected a lot of British chocolate), smiled and said "Ooh, chocolate!" He asked when I was going back and I told him January 3rd. He stamped me in, gave a half wink and said "Have fun. Welcome to the United States." He didn't ask me any other questions. I hot-footed it out of there very briskly in case he changed his mind

Edit to add: I landed at Terminal B (always landed at C before) - not sure if that makes any difference, but it's an additional detail for the curious mind.

So glad it went smoothly for you!

[wbeem 568]

So glad it went smoothly for you!

Thank you. It felt almost too good to be true. I was worried that my nervous sweating in December in New York might attract unwanted attention

[Pheebs1201 269]

Thank you. It felt almost too good to be true. I was worried that my nervous sweating in December in New York might attract unwanted attention

[UKPaul 12]

I have just returned from visiting my fiancée in the US. We are in the early stages of a K1 visa (awaiting NOA2). I took a letter from my landlord and confirmation of my return flight, as I had read about needing proof of ties to your home country. My POE was Boston, MA. When asked who I was visiting I said my fiancée, I was then asked what our long term plans were to which I told him of our K1 application. He offered his sympathy as he knew it could be a long wait. He then asked how long I was staying for, which I replied 10 days. Then he sent my on my way! He never asked for proof of ties to the UK or of my return flight.

Hope you all have the same ease with it!

[Pheebs1201 269]

I have just returned from visiting my fiancée in the US. We are in the early stages of a K1 visa (awaiting NOA2). I took a letter from my landlord and confirmation of my return flight, as I had read about needing proof of ties to your home country. My POE was Boston, MA. When asked who I was visiting I said my fiancée, I was then asked what our long term plans were to which I told him of our K1 application. He offered his sympathy as he knew it could be a long wait. He then asked how long I was staying for, which I replied 10 days. Then he sent my on my way! He never asked for proof of ties to the UK or of my return flight.

Hope you all have the same ease with it!

Glad to hear your POE was smooth also!

[ISBJORN10 5]

Just to inform you guys my fiance made it through POE and it was very smooth couple questions , fingerprints and 6 months I-94

[Pheebs1201 269]

Just to inform you guys my fiance made it through POE and it was very smooth couple questions , fingerprints and 6 months I-94

Great news!

[Chalandrae 32]

I live close to montreal and he lives close to New York, so we see each other often. I never had any problem going through customs, except maybe the 1st time I stayed for more than a couple days. I was so stressed and actually brought a LOT of ties, including a letter from my employer. I actually handed it to the officer and he stared at me for about 30 seconds before asking me if I ever had any problem entering the US before. I never did and we were not engaged at the time so I just told him I was visiting my boyfriend.

Nowadays, it's a smooth sail. I make sure to have my return tickets ( I travel by bus. I do not own a driver license, but I would do it anyway just to have a proof I will return to Canada). I hand them to the officer and he asks the same questions ; Where are you from, where are you going, for how long, ect. I even had someone Joke about my night trip once.

I am stressing about my next trip thought. I am leaving in 2 weeks and I just came back from a visit too. Hoping they won't ask any questiong, but it should go smoothly. =)

[renatesol 13]

I was in the US for 88 days (mid-August to mid-November), returned home to Norway, and traveled back over here on January 10. Had all my papers with me, including updated letters from my manager at work and my apartment manager, to show ties to home. I wasn't asked about any of them. The only person who asked me why I was visiting the states, was the security officer at Schiphol airport (they do "pre immigration interviews" at the gate). The CBP officer at JFK only asked me about length of stay, then said "well, that's pretty much the rest of the month, isn't it", stamped my passport for 90 days and wished me a nice stay.

It should be noted (maybe?) that JFK uses the new system of self service passport control at immigration (if you're a returning ESTA visitor) - you scan your passport, do your fingerprints and photo at a little computer kiosk. Thus the time spent at the CBP officer's desk was much shorter than I've had before.