Yes, you can visit!

[jen2198 5]

Hi guys!

My fiancé received his interview appointment letter today, and it is 5 weeks away. I am trying to bring him out for about 4 weeks between then and now, to wait it out, and I am curious as to whether or not anyone has traveled to the U.S. after they had an interview scheduled? He was here for 78 days over Thankssgiving and Christmas, and went back to England on the 14th of January. I was thinking that his interview letter, and a return ticket would be good? He lives with his parents and isn't working (trying to wrap up his life in the UK before the final move haha). Would this cause any problem with the visa, ya think? I'd like to have him here for my birthday, which is the 27th.

Thanks!

Hiya,

Am also interested in whether people have travelled after they've had an interview scheduled. Lets see if people have, hope so!

I'm hoping to visit fiancé in US (been 2&1/2 months apart now, miss him like crazy). But, can I still do this after submitting my DS-160?

The DS-160 asks to list out all 'trips to US' - so if you visit before the interview but after you've submitted the DS-160... what happens? Is it OK?

Has anyone done this?

[wbeem 568]

Can my fiance (American petitioner) visit me with a one-way ticket providing he can prove he'll return? For example, he is doing his masters and will need to return to start the new semester, and he also has property to pay for.

Just so you know, I'm a British citizen and he is an American citizen. We've already met in person twice, have started the K1 Visa process (Application sent 9th Feb) with the California service center, and have NOA1 as of 12th Feb.

So, why is he travelling with a one-way ticket though?...

We are anticipating that our K1 visa will be granted to me by the end of August, if not, he will return alone without me. If it is then we'd like to then return to the US together

So he is flying from the US to the UK?

Is there a reason why you are looking at a one way ticket instead of a flexible fare round trip, which allows changes? Flexible tickets are more expensive than a standard return, but usually much cheaper than two one way tickets. I would anticipate he is less likely to encounter problems if he just picks an estimated return date to book a flexible round trip as he will then have the option to change it without penalty later to suit your timescales once you know where you are with the visa. At least that way he enters the UK with a date for return.

[Mrs.Sharp 0]

So he is flying from the US to the UK?

Is there a reason why you are looking at a one way ticket instead of a flexible fare round trip, which allows changes? Flexible tickets are more expensive than a standard return, but usually much cheaper than two one way tickets. I would anticipate he is less likely to encounter problems if he just picks an estimated return date to book a flexible round trip as he will then have the option to change it without penalty later to suit your timescales once you know where you are with the visa. At least that way he enters the UK with a date for return.

Hi,

Thanks for your response.

You made a good point as we hadn't really looked at the flexi option.

I would feel much more confident if he has a return journey date too. I don't want us to lose money and face any disappointment.

Thank you, we will look into that

[Rhaenerys 16]

I am trying to bring him out for about 4 weeks between then and now, to wait it out, and I am curious as to whether or not anyone has traveled to the U.S. after they had an interview scheduled?

Last week I scheduled my interview for March 10th, and then I traveled to the US with no problems. However I'm Canadian and drove over for just for the weekend.

Make sure you have your "proof of ties" packet with you though, as I did get turned away once during the K1 process (long before I had an interview date).

[wbeem 568]

Last week I scheduled my interview for March 10th, and then I traveled to the US with no problems. However I'm Canadian and drove over for just for the weekend.

Make sure you have your "proof of ties" packet with you though, as I did get turned away once during the K1 process (long before I had an interview date).

Would an interview date not suffice as at least one proof of intent to return? I don't know what Gary and Aubrey's circumstances are, but by the time I get my interview date I would have moved out of my house and in with family members and handed in my notice at my job. They really make it so difficult for people trying to spend time together.

[SantyAndAllie 155]

Customs will tell you that you NEED pay stubs as proof. When I called, they told me he'd be most likely rejected if he didnt have that. But they didn't ask for any proof at the airport. We had a round trip ticket as our proof, and they didn't ask for it. They never have. BUT it differs, and it all depends on the officer coming in. To answer the question if the round trip ticket is enough- yes and no. Sometimes it is, and sometimes it isn't. You take a risk coming in, so just be prepared, but from most of our experiences (if you havent read the 73 pgs hahaha), they don't even ask for any proof.

[wbeem 568]

Customs will tell you that you NEED pay stubs as proof. When I called, they told me he'd be most likely rejected if he didnt have that. But they didn't ask for any proof at the airport. We had a round trip ticket as our proof, and they didn't ask for it. They never have. BUT it differs, and it all depends on the officer coming in. To answer the question if the round trip ticket is enough- yes and no. Sometimes it is, and sometimes it isn't. You take a risk coming in, so just be prepared, but from most of our experiences (if you havent read the 73 pgs hahaha), they don't even ask for any proof.

The poster I quoted is the USC traveling to the UK from the US, so it's different to the majority of the experiences posted on this thread. UK Border Force can be a lot less welcoming than what you deal with at passport control going into the USA. As someone who lives in the UK and has traveled a lot, I don't recommend a one way ticket if a round trip is an option. It might be fine. It might not. To me, it wouldn't be worth the risk.

[SantyAndAllie 155]

The poster I quoted is the USC traveling to the UK from the US, so it's different to the majority of the experiences posted on this thread. UK Border Force can be a lot less welcoming than what you deal with at passport control going into the USA. As someone who lives in the UK and has traveled a lot, I don't recommend a one way ticket if a round trip is an option. It might be fine. It might not. To me, it wouldn't be worth the risk.

I don't recommend not having a round trip ticket either. I'm not sure how my comment was interpreted that way, lol. I ALWAYS tell people they should get a round trip ticket. Even if people get through, it looks fishy. My comment was just stating that they *say* it's not enough proof, but most of the time they don't even ask for proof at all. Round trip ticket is better proof than none! And yes, I've heard UK customs is worse than US! hahah!

[Gary & Aubrey 23]

Would an interview date not suffice as at least one proof of intent to return? I don't know what Gary and Aubrey's circumstances are, but by the time I get my interview date I would have moved out of my house and in with family members and handed in my notice at my job. They really make it so difficult for people trying to spend time together.

Gary is unemployed right now, since October actually, because he was here over the holidays and we wanted to be prepared for the visa. He is living at his parents as well, so no home ties. BUT! They didn't ask for his letters or anything. He stated that he was coming to visit me, and that he had an interview scheduled and would be going back for that. A HELL of a lot easier than his first entry, which was horrendous and terrifying.

[wbeem 568]

I don't recommend not having a round trip ticket either. I'm not sure how my comment was interpreted that way, lol. I ALWAYS tell people they should get a round trip ticket. Even if people get through, it looks fishy. My comment was just stating that they *say* it's not enough proof, but most of the time they don't even ask for proof at all. Round trip ticket is better proof than none! And yes, I've heard UK customs is worse than US! hahah!

I wasn't suggesting that you dismissed the importance of a round trip ticket at all. I was simply reiterating its importance. But I think you are missing my point here. That wasn't the issue I had with your post. It was the fact that the comment to which I responded relates to a US citizen entering the UK and the requirements to satisfy UKBP. References to the 75 pages on this thread are of little value to this particular couple because the experiences on here, save for but a few, relate to what most of us do, and that is entering the US as a foreign fiance. That is not relevant here. UKBP has a different approach and in my opinion, getting into the UK is much more difficult to getting into the US. All I was trying to do was highlight that this particular question pertains to the reverse situation to what most of us do and discuss on this thread. See the bolded part below. This is an example of another couple where the USC entered the UK. It's a common story. The UK can be tough.

A HELL of a lot easier than his first entry, which was horrendous and terrifying.

Glad the interview was enough, Gary and Aubrey. Now you can breathe and hopefully won't need to be apart again!

[Dana and Rosanny 3]

How about in my situation? Hi everyone i went to Aruba in December with my fiance who is from there and my family came along as well. They wanted to meet her family before we got married. Everything went great except when we went to board the plane to come back to the US for Christmas and New Years. They wouldnt let her board the plane. She didnt have a returning flight back to Aruba, so it immediately drew red flags and said she is unable to come into the US unless she gets a visa. They said her dutch passport yes allows her to visit for 3 months, but seeing she didnt have a returning flight they say that passport is for visiting she plans to stay, and denied her entry. The next day she got an email from ESTA saying she is restricted from travel to the US until she gets a visa. We are in the process of getting the visa. I'm now forced to spend time with her down in Aruba while we wait for approval. My petition was received jan. 15th. If there was anyway she could visit me while we wait for approval?

[TabeaK 517]

Having no return ticket is a massive red flag. Especially when traveling with your boyfriend and family...on top of that, you had bad luck I guess.

Only way now is for her to apply for a B visa and try to show strong ties to Aruba. These visa often get denied when there are pending petitions, I am so sorry!

But if you guys have the resources to try, go for it. You have nothing to loose but money since her ESTA was revoked anyway.

[SantyAndAllie 155]

How about in my situation? Hi everyone i went to Aruba in December with my fiance who is from there and my family came along as well. They wanted to meet her family before we got married. Everything went great except when we went to board the plane to come back to the US for Christmas and New Years. They wouldnt let her board the plane. She didnt have a returning flight back to Aruba, so it immediately drew red flags and said she is unable to come into the US unless she gets a visa. They said her dutch passport yes allows her to visit for 3 months, but seeing she didnt have a returning flight they say that passport is for visiting she plans to stay, and denied her entry. The next day she got an email from ESTA saying she is restricted from travel to the US until she gets a visa. We are in the process of getting the visa. I'm now forced to spend time with her down in Aruba while we wait for approval. My petition was received jan. 15th. If there was anyway she could visit me while we wait for approval?

You just answered your own question. If they said she can't travel to the US until she gets a visa, then she can't travel to the US until she gets a visa. If you try to get her to come in again after they revoked her ESTA and said she needs to come back with the visa, then you're risking problems with your visa. It's not up to us to tell you if she can come or not.. it's up to them, and if they made that decision, then your best bet is to visit her in Aruba while awaiting the visa.

So sorry that this happened to you; it's never easy being separated, but if I were you, I would try to not mess up anything just to risk a visit.

Good luck to you both!

Edited February 18, 2015 by lovecometruex

[Dana and Rosanny 3]

Thank you guys i figured she wouldn't be allowed in without the visa, but i seen the thread and it caught my attention, and didn't think it hurt to ask. By the way Iam staying with her for 3 months i leave late march and ill be back late june hopefully our petition will be approved not long after i get back.

[Anna Grant 169]

How about in my situation? Hi everyone i went to Aruba in December with my fiance who is from there and my family came along as well. They wanted to meet her family before we got married. Everything went great except when we went to board the plane to come back to the US for Christmas and New Years. They wouldnt let her board the plane. She didnt have a returning flight back to Aruba, so it immediately drew red flags and said she is unable to come into the US unless she gets a visa. They said her dutch passport yes allows her to visit for 3 months, but seeing she didnt have a returning flight they say that passport is for visiting she plans to stay, and denied her entry. The next day she got an email from ESTA saying she is restricted from travel to the US until she gets a visa. We are in the process of getting the visa. I'm now forced to spend time with her down in Aruba while we wait for approval. My petition was received jan. 15th. If there was anyway she could visit me while we wait for approval?

I'm sorry for your experience.

However, the lack of return or onward ticket is not just a 'red flag' as others have mentioned. It actually contravenes the terms of the Visa Waiver Program:

See 'who is eligible' on this page https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/WebHelp/ESTA_Screen-Level_Online_Help_1.htm

I just thought I would point this out to others who find this thread in the future. The only time you may get away without having a return or onward ticket is you're arriving on a visitor's visa where it is not a requirement. However, it may still raise a 'red flag'.

For posters who are wondering what proofs to bring with them when entering the US whilst in the visa process, I've always found this page useful:

http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1visit

I visited around 6 times during this process (this was when applications were taking 9 months from NOA1 to NOA2). I came thoroughly prepared each time with supporting documentation but was only once asked to provide evidence of my return ticket. Of course, as the process continued, my ties to the UK got more and more tenuous!