Yes, you can visit!

[Mena28 35]

I got in late last night - POE was Boston Logan.

This might possibly have been the fastest I got through immigration, in like ever. Took about 20 mins for immigration, bag and customs. They rearranged their system for standing in line and it's now much better and more efficient than back in March.

Was asked:

How long are you staying?

Why are you here?

Who are you staying with?

Are you planning on getting married while you are here? (No. Obviously, as we are waiting for the K-1. But I just said "no")

And that was it! It is so nice to be here :-)

[goolia 54]

Went to visit my fiance last week and had the quickest customs experience I think I've ever had. This was my second time visiting since NOA1 and only 10 days after I had last visited, so I was pretty nervous. POE was Toronto (US pre clearance) and he only asked three questions "where are you going?", "when do you get back?" and "do you have a return flight". Done.

[SweetBlowFish 0]

So my SO visited me last week here in the UK - was amazing!

I'm now planning on visiting him in the US for 3 months on the Visa Waiver Program. I'm nervous about how to prove that I do intend to return to the UK - given that I live with my parents and I will no longer be employed when I arrive in the States.

Any tips?

[swji89 41]

So my SO visited me last week here in the UK - was amazing!

I'm now planning on visiting him in the US for 3 months on the Visa Waiver Program. I'm nervous about how to prove that I do intend to return to the UK - given that I live with my parents and I will no longer be employed when I arrive in the States.

Any tips?

You might be fine without any proof as I was literally asked nothing more when I said I was visiting my fiancee and her family when I visited the States last month. I did have a copy of an email from my boss confirming the date he was expecting me back, a copy of my job contract and a bank statement just in case haha!

Maybe take a bank statement with your address, recent bills with your address... if you aren't working, will you be on benefits - maybe a DWP/Job Centre letter, I don't know.

[JoeyKeano 21]

I forgot to add,

I arrived on June 26th at Chicago, it was the first time visiting the US since we started the K1 Visa process. With me as prove of returning to the UK i had;

• NOA2 Letter
• Letter from work with my return date
• Flight itinerary with returning journey

The border agent seemed nice enough, the conversation went something like this,

Agent: What is your purpose for travelling to the US?

Me: Just for a vacation, and to see my fiancee.

Agent: Are they an American citizen?

Me: Yes

Agent: How long will you be here?

Me: 3 weeks

Agent: Do you have a ticket to return home?

Me: I do, I have the itinerary in my bag.

Agent: That's fine, enjoy your stay!

That was it, didn't ask to see any documents or anything.

[Sabrina&Chuck 32]

Went for vacation to NJ for 1i6 days ...at the POE the agent asked: why are you here - visiting my friends , agent: 16 days is long , why so long - because i didn't seen them all over 1 year, agent: alright - gave me the stamp

[goolia 54]

Just got back from another visit, this time with the POE being JFK. Once again, super easy breezy entrance. Asked where I was visiting, why and when I was returning. Done. I'm genuinely surprised, considering this was the 3rd visit since NOA1 within a short span of time and me specifically saying I was visiting my fiance each time.

[xstarlet 4]

I just made it through immigration and customs in Philadelphia...

I can't believe I was that nervous.

The officer was really nice, asked me the basic questions like why am I here, how long am I staying, blah blah and then asked whom I'm staying with so I answered "with my fiancé".

My heart stopped beating while I was waiting for his next question...

But he just asked me where he lives and what he does for a living and if he was stationed in Germany and if that's how we met!

We had a really nice small talk about Germany while he was taking the picture and fingerprints

Apparently he loves Germany and mentioned that German women are always so beautiful

I guess I was lucky I chose that line

Oh the only thing he asked me was how often I'm visiting! He didn't mention the visa, so I don't think he saw that we are in the middle of the process.

[BWandSP 0]

Hey guys.

After my visit in April I went over there again at the end of June.

Was even less trouble than the first time, this time they didn't even take my photo at the POE (Newark) and only one finger print.

No question asked, either, and I was really worried because I had just been there a few weeks ago with the same destination! I really thought they'd be giving me a hard time, but no - smooth sailing (flying).

Edited July 21, 2015 by BWandSP

[Jonathan and Tina 4]

Hi guys, please forgive me for not going back through all 87 pages but I'm wondering if it's doable to visit when you actually have the visa (post-interview) but you don't want to use the visa for another couple of months? It's possible I'll be in that situation and I'm curious if they are harsher on that than if you just have the NOA2.

[TJM1994 8]

UKBA recently refused my fiancé entry to the UK on the grounds that she couldn't prove her ties to the USA were strong enough.

Apparently the letter from her college stating that she was enrolled as a student was not enough to convince the UKBA that she would return home. They were also suspicious that she was not carrying much cash (she was travelling with me and I had all of my UK currency + Credit/Debit cards).

Just a word of warning to anyone travelling to the UK from the US (Especially younger couples)

• Ensure you can prove your ties to the USA.
• Bring cash / proof of finances (The UKBA were concerned that my fiancé wouldn't be able to support herself even though she was to be living with me during her stay)
• Return ticket - Obvious
• Itinerary

Our experience at the UK border was heart breaking and I would hate for anyone else to have to go through the same.

Best of luck all.

[StephanieC 43]

I'm pretty sure once you get your Visa and enter the US you cannot leave the US or you have violated the terms of it.

[TabeaK 517]

I'm pretty sure once you get your Visa and enter the US you cannot leave the US or you have violated the terms of it.

Of course you can leave, anything else would be insane. What you cannot do is re-enter without AP or filing for a new visa.

[StephanieC 43]

Of course you can leave, anything else would be insane. What you cannot do is re-enter without AP or filing for a new visa.

Thought that was pretty obvious.

[yuna628 9,687]

Hi guys, please forgive me for not going back through all 87 pages but I'm wondering if it's doable to visit when you actually have the visa (post-interview) but you don't want to use the visa for another couple of months? It's possible I'll be in that situation and I'm curious if they are harsher on that than if you just have the NOA2.

No it is not. You have six months from the date of your medical to use your visa. It is a one time use visa and you cannot put it aside and visit. Your next entry to the US will be on that visa and no other. You are free to leave the US once you have arrived, but would not be able to return without AOSing/AP or obtaining a new visa.

UKBA recently refused my fiancé entry to the UK on the grounds that she couldn't prove her ties to the USA were strong enough.

Apparently the letter from her college stating that she was enrolled as a student was not enough to convince the UKBA that she would return home. They were also suspicious that she was not carrying much cash (she was travelling with me and I had all of my UK currency + Credit/Debit cards).

Just a word of warning to anyone travelling to the UK from the US (Especially younger couples)

• Ensure you can prove your ties to the USA.
• Bring cash / proof of finances (The UKBA were concerned that my fiancé wouldn't be able to support herself even though she was to be living with me during her stay)
• Return ticket - Obvious
• Itinerary

Our experience at the UK border was heart breaking and I would hate for anyone else to have to go through the same.

Best of luck all.

My heart absolutely aches for you and I understand what you've gone through. I'm so very sorry. The good news is that, if she's willing to wait a while, she can actually return and try again someday (unlike in the US where if you're refused.. you're refused). To me being concerned over her amount of cash is nothing more than an excuse to them. It's as if they've never heard of ATM cards. Unfortunately, you can bring all the proof in the world and they still may not be satisfied. If I can encourage though... the bright side is that you will be together soon. I'm betting it won't be long now until you have an approval.