Yes, you can visit!

[sei&jos 5]

I think applying for another visa isn't recommended, since you already have shown your intent to migrate to the US. You're already applying for one visa anyway, so by the time you'd get your tourist visa (which can take a while and is difficult to obtain), depending on your country, it could become invalid to travel on because of your fiancé visa. From what I've heard, it's unlikely that you'll obtain one, so you could waste money applying. You could always try, though. Not sure there's a rule against it per say. Personally I'd say don't waste your time unless you've obtained a tourist visa in the past. It's already difficult to get tourist visas, but I would doubt you'd get one when you applied for another.

Also see http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/327016-attaining-a-tourist-visa-while-waiting-for-k1-visa-processing/

thanks i'm goona wait then

[Starletha 11]

When they ask at desk - "Why are you here?"

Is "Vacation" correct answer when you are there to visit a fiancé?

Every time I've come for a "vacation" the next question is always "Where are you going?"

A vacation doesn't happen at someone's house unless you know them and then how do you know them? Do people lie?

Note: I am not asking , should someone lie... just wondering.

Edited March 20, 2015 by Starletha

[TabeaK 517]

Why can a vacation not happen at someone's house?

Q: Why are you here?

A: Vacation

Q: Where are you going/staying?

A: I am going to/staying in Town Y, State Z.

Done. If they ask who you are staying with, obviously tell the truth - but don't volunteer information.

Q: Who are you staying with.

A: My fiancé(e).

[Starletha 11]

Why can a vacation not happen at someone's house?

Q: Why are you here?

A: Vacation

Q: Where are you going/staying?

A: I am going to/staying in Town Y, State Z.

Done. If they ask who you are staying with, obviously tell the truth - but don't volunteer information.

Q: Who are you staying with.

A: My fiancé(e).

Just my experience that one leads to the other. Each officer is different but I always end up with the question of who I am staying with at the house address.

[SantyAndAllie 155]

thanks i'm goona wait then

So sorry you guys have to wait can your fiance(e) visit you in the meantime?? That's probably your best option. Again you could still try- but I think it's just not likely since you're already applying for the k1. Have you already gotten one before? If you have it's worth a shot since I've seen other people who had tourist visa before be able to get one while waiting on the K-1. If not it's probably just better to wait.

Good luck to you guys!

Edited March 20, 2015 by SantyAndAllie

[SantyAndAllie 155]

When they ask at desk - "Why are you here?"

Is "Vacation" correct answer when you are there to visit a fiancé?

Every time I've come for a "vacation" the next question is always "Where are you going?"

A vacation doesn't happen at someone's house unless you know them and then how do you know them? Do people lie?

Note: I am not asking , should someone lie... just wondering.

Why what you vacation at someone's house? It's cheaper lol. But I agree with the above answer. You say you're going on vacation and if they ask where you're going (they don't always) then you say you're visiting your fiancé. If they then ask about marriage you just tell them that you won't be getting married on this visit but will only be getting married in the future when you come again on your fiancé visa. This is why you should bring your K-1 application with you just in case but you most likely will not need it.

[Limey 551]

Limey, that's an interesting posting!

We have already received the NOA1 and expect the NOA2 at the begin of April - I have planned a trip to the USA in middle of April. I prepared a second copy of the whole petition as well as a confirmation of university that I am a student, my student ID card and my current class schedule. But also phone bills, my travel insurance, my leasing contract for my car as well as emails to a wedding photographer we want to visit in April (in this mail my fiancé wrote that we need an appointment soon as I have to leave again). Do you think that this might be enough? Do you all bring translations for these documents? Like my leasing contract or university documents are all in German...

I found that my ESTA is still valid. I used it before we got engaged and thought that I have to renew it, but online it tells me that it's still valid until July. So I will use it again. So I could perhaps use the automated machines as well?!

It is actually recommended to use only as many bags as required, right?

I'd love to take two bags for 12 days which might sound a lot. Well, we plan a camping trip and also are invited to this family celebration. So I need a bit "more" than usual. Also I have a couple (well, quite a lot) of his things in Austria which I'd love to take with me. Do you think that this is a bad idea? If they will ask me for the second bag, I could tell them that my fiancé had a couple of his things at my place and I am taking them with me.. right? Or is this not a good idea? They could even check my bags and would find that I am telling the truth.

I don't see 2 bags being a problem if you've paid for them of course (with the airline). So long as you don't have anything in there that will look like you're coming for good (I was going to bring one of my suits and leave it in the US, but thought that might look like i'm going to be job hunting).

I think all the docs you mentioned should be just fine. Really if you well into K1 process then you'd be crazy to overstay when you will soon be completely legal. They know this. I wouldn't mention the trip to the wedding photographer as that might start them asking questions that you can probably avoid.

I assume if your passport is machine readable and you've used it with ESTA recently that you can use the machine, if they have them at your PoE. Good luck!

[sei&jos 5]

So sorry you guys have to wait can your fiance(e) visit you in the meantime?? That's probably your best option. Again you could still try- but I think it's just not likely since you're already applying for the k1. Have you already gotten one before? If you have it's worth a shot since I've seen other people who had tourist visa before be able to get one while waiting on the K-1. If not it's probably just better to wait.

Good luck to you guys!

we have already discuss that so many times

she's so busy even if she come to my country she'll be able just to stay 10 days

and everybody here knows its not enough, nothing we can do then except waiting

Good luck to you guys!!!!!

[Limey 551]

When they ask at desk - "Why are you here?"

Is "Vacation" correct answer when you are there to visit a fiancé?

Every time I've come for a "vacation" the next question is always "Where are you going?"

A vacation doesn't happen at someone's house unless you know them and then how do you know them? Do people lie?

Note: I am not asking , should someone lie... just wondering.

Yes, the first rule, never lie to them. Never!

But you don't have to answer questions they haven't asked.

When they ask purpose of the trip - its vacation (its not business, you're away from work).

When they ask where I'm staying (I usually enter via Atlanta) I tell them (Wilmington, NC). So no lies at all.

If they asked WHO I was staying with I'd tell them "my fiancee", but they have never asked since I started K1. I don't want to say "a friend" because that would be dishonest in my opinion and I imagine they would see it that way too. But they have never asked this (on one previous trip they asked and I did say "my girlfriend" as she then was, and it was no problem - the immigration guy said "American girlfriend - bad idea - I have one of them at home" and shook his head jokingly, he was very friendly).

I'd always be honest because I'd rather be denied entry for being honest with them, than for lying to them. Being honest with them won't affect my K1 application, but getting caught lying quite rightly will. But in the end I think they'll appreciate your honesty, and it makes them more likely to believe you when you show them that you've no intention of overstaying or getting married until you have your K1.

Edited March 20, 2015 by Limey

[SantyAndAllie 155]

Oops my last post should've said why wouldn't you stay at a house? Hahah

[Starletha 11]

Ok maybe this is only applicable to me but most people traveling very long distance flights to the US don't go to a small town to stay for their entire vacation. They have some hotel bookings, maybe an itinerary of moving around for the couple weeks and so on.

I don't mean to discourage anyone, just be aware that the question might pop up of who you are staying with.

[TabeaK 517]

Hi Starletha,

it is another example of how much depends on the CBP officer you get. I have never been asked who I was staying with and my address in my ESTA is a small-ish town. When you do get asked, be honest - nothing wrong with visiting your partner.

TabeaK

[SantyAndAllie 155]

Ok maybe this is only applicable to me but most people traveling very long distance flights to the US don't go to a small town to stay for their entire vacation. They have some hotel bookings, maybe an itinerary of moving around for the couple weeks and so on.

I don't mean to discourage anyone, just be aware that the question might pop up of who you are staying with.

When you have friends and family in the US, then yes, you do. If you come and stay at hotels, that's fine, but that wasn't the question being asked. A lot of people stay w friends and family or partners if they have them. People with no connections in the US would most likely not do that, but that's not what we're talking about. My fiancé wouldn't pay for a hotel when he could stay with us. It IS a question they ask. But We've all been honest with staying with our fiancés, and it hasn't been an issue. Edited March 22, 2015 by SantyAndAllie

[Pebbles1989 3]

Hey again...

one thing that bothers me.

My old ESTA is still valid and I want to travel with this one to the USA in three weeks. I found that the address on the ESTA website is wrong though. We filed the ESTA last year when we went to Florida for holiday. So there is the Florida address on the website. Now I am going to visit Oregon. I was wondering if I have to change that? I guess, I do not need a complete new ESTA, right? I mean, it's still valid... I guess I could perhaps change the address or isn't that a big deal?

[TabeaK 517]

You do not really need to change the address. However, if you want to be correct, you can update the current ESTA on the website (Retrieve application --> Update), without interfering with its duration. I have done it plenty of times or had done it for me by my assistant when I went to the US on business.