Yes, you can visit!

[Mrs U 49]

Hey everybody.

Last friday sep 25 our I-129F form was delivered at USCIS.

We should be getting the NOA1 dated next friday ( Fingers crossed)

I will be travelling to see my boyfriend in Tamp FL in a week. I wil stay for only 5 days but plan to take with me some of my moving stuff to leave at his home.

Should I say I'm visiting a friend, visiting my boyfriend or visiting my fiancé and that we are doing the K1 Visa petition? I'm working right now as a teacher and will need to return to fnis the semester (How can I prove that?)

I would appreciate a lot your input on this matter.

ThankS!!!

[swji89 41]

Hey everybody.

Last friday sep 25 our I-129F form was delivered at USCIS.

We should be getting the NOA1 dated next friday ( Fingers crossed)

I will be travelling to see my boyfriend in Tamp FL in a week. I wil stay for only 5 days but plan to take with me some of my moving stuff to leave at his home.

Should I say I'm visiting a friend, visiting my boyfriend or visiting my fiancé and that we are doing the K1 Visa petition? I'm working right now as a teacher and will need to return to fnis the semester (How can I prove that?)

I would appreciate a lot your input on this matter.

ThankS!!!

I visited following NOA1 and I was just honest and said I was visiting my fiancee and her family. The customs officer said 'oh boy' (which I thought was going to lead to a grilling) and laughed and said 'enjoy your stay'. As long as you have a return ticket (and maybe bring some proof that you have ties to home) you should be alright. Always depends on the officer you get and other might give you different advice. Being honest is the best policy for me.

[Brigitte&Luke 7]

Hey guys. Just wanted to share my experience at Houston airport. I had no problems at all, the officer was really nice and didn't want to see any proof like letter from employer or NOA1 copy. He wished me a great time with my fiancé and that was it

[Jonathan and Tina 4]

Entered through Philadelphia airport yesterday. We're currently between medical and interview so I was pretty worried about it, and I had a folder full of the recommended things - letter from work, lease details, NOA1 confirmation and copy, official letters and payslips at my address, and an amount of money that we thought was just the right amount for a two week stay. I even packed my suitcase on the assumption that it would be searched.

I'm glad I did all that - best to be prepared - but as it happens I didn't need to. I zoomed straight to customs with no queue and the conversation went as follows:

Immigration guy: what's the purpose of your visit today?

Me: visiting my fiancée for two weeks.

I then got a batch of questions: how long have you been engaged? How long have you known her? What does she do? What do you do? Where will you be going?

Simple questions which received simple answers. Then he said 'have a good time' and gave me my passport and customs form back, and off I went. Fastest immigration experience ever.

(The only hiccup - which Tina is still laughing about - was when he asked me where we would be going. Somehow I had failed to anticipate this question, had a total brain freeze despite all our plans that I could have told him about, and said: 'we'll be going to... malls?')

[SunflowerSweet 1,321]

Hello everyone!

I have been browsing this thread for a while and noticed a few people who are in a similar situation to mine who recieved answers but I just wanted to double check since some where from a few years ago and things may have changed???

Anyways I have the backwards situation where I am planning on visiting my fiancé in his country (UK). We are at the stage where our initial I-129f is being processed and we are waiting on the NOA-2. I have booked a flight for mid December and according to our predicted wait time it is very much a possibility that we will have recieved it before that point.

I was wondering what I should all bring with me for my visit. Up until I saw this thread I was very unprepared and was just planning on brining my passport and valid driver's license, since that was what I was lead to believe was all I needed as a USC traveling to the UK. After reading these stories I am a little worried and feel as if there is more I need to do. Does anyone have any suggestions?

My fiancé (well just boyfriend at the time) had such an easy time with customs when he first visited me this summer and was asked barely any questions so I may have a naive outlook on what the whole situation may be...

[TJM1994 8]

Hello everyone!

I have been browsing this thread for a while and noticed a few people who are in a similar situation to mine who recieved answers but I just wanted to double check since some where from a few years ago and things may have changed???

Anyways I have the backwards situation where I am planning on visiting my fiancé in his country (UK). We are at the stage where our initial I-129f is being processed and we are waiting on the NOA-2. I have booked a flight for mid December and according to our predicted wait time it is very much a possibility that we will have recieved it before that point.

I was wondering what I should all bring with me for my visit. Up until I saw this thread I was very unprepared and was just planning on brining my passport and valid driver's license, since that was what I was lead to believe was all I needed as a USC traveling to the UK. After reading these stories I am a little worried and feel as if there is more I need to do. Does anyone have any suggestions?

My fiancé (well just boyfriend at the time) had such an easy time with customs when he first visited me this summer and was asked barely any questions so I may have a naive outlook on what the whole situation may be..

Hi there,

My fiancée was turned back at the border a couple of months ago so I would recommend you bring as much solid information as possible to prove your intent to go back to the US.

I would forget the NOA-1 - UKBA didn't like the fact that we had this.

Bring proof of:

• Home ownership/Rent agreement (Rent or Mortgage statements)
• Proof of car ownership
• Credit card bills
• Proof of employment
• Proof of family ties
• Proof of how you will sustain yourself while you are in the UK
• Return ticket

Honestly I think you will be fine depending on how long you are visiting. My fiancée was intending to visit for 4 months with only a couple thousand dollars which caused the issues.

If you are planning on an extended trip just buy a return ticket dated for a couple weeks time and then just change it once you get past the border. They'll stamp you in for 6 months anyway and doing that will save you a lot of trouble.

The crux of the matter is, they just need to see you will return to the US. Bring evidence to support this and you will be fine.

Good luck!

[SunflowerSweet 1,321]

Hi there,

My fiancée was turned back at the border a couple of months ago so I would recommend you bring as much solid information as possible to prove your intent to go back to the US.

I would forget the NOA-1 - UKBA didn't like the fact that we had this.

Bring proof of:

• Home ownership/Rent agreement (Rent or Mortgage statements)
• Proof of car ownership
• Credit card bills
• Proof of employment
• Proof of family ties
• Proof of how you will sustain yourself while you are in the UK
• Return ticket

Honestly I think you will be fine depending on how long you are visiting. My fiancée was intending to visit for 4 months with only a couple thousand dollars which caused the issues.

If you are planning on an extended trip just buy a return ticket dated for a couple weeks time and then just change it once you get past the border. They'll stamp you in for 6 months anyway and doing that will save you a lot of trouble.

The crux of the matter is, they just need to see you will return to the US. Bring evidence to support this and you will be fine.

Good luck!

It's only a month long visit over Christmas vacation, so that makes me feel a bit better.

I wasn't planning on bringing too much money, as we are staying at his family's house and won't be spending much, but I will make sure to bring along extra just in case. Does it need to be cash? I was planning on putting most of my money on one of those pre-paid travel money cards but I can see how it would be hard to prove how much you actually had on you with one of those. Also if you recommend cash, does it matter if it's still is USD or should I convert it ahead of time to GBP?

As for the other proof, I'm not quite sure what rent or mortgage statements are, but would it pay to bring the actual lease I have with me? And what are examples of "proof of family ties"?

Edited October 12, 2015 by MorganandMichael

[TJM1994 8]

Hi,

A month visit over Christmas shouldn't raise too much suspicion. I would bring extra if you can, you don't have to spend it just prove you have it available! A recent bank statement showing your balance + some cash should be fine. Currency doesn't matter either.

If you have a lease agreement bring that, it will prove that you have obligations to return home and bills to pay. If you have unpaid credit card bills, phone bills etc.. bring those too.

Proof of family ties is proof that you have parents, grandparents, siblings in the USA. This isn't as important as the money though. In order of importance try to prove the following:

• Return Ticket
• Funding (How much money you bring. Try to bring 500GBP per week if possible)
• Employment
• Property Ownership/Rental
• Car Ownership
• Bills (Utilities/CC/Phone)
• Proof of family ties

Be confident at border control and only answer the questions put in front of you. For example if asked "Do you know the time" Answer "Yes". Don't answer "9:04 am".

You'll be fine

[Mrs U 49]

I wanted to share my experience visiting my Fiancé in Florida one day after getting our NOA1 hard copy at the mail.

I was very nervous about being harshly questioned at the POE.

I packed copies of the NOA1, of the whole K1 petition and copies of my return flight itinerary, the traveling medical insurance I bought, and letters and contracts that proved that I am working in Mexico City right now and that I have to return to my country to keep working.

It was early morning and my flight arrived to Orlando International airport. No other flight had arrived at the same time, so all POE officers were just starting the day. I was second in line.

I must say that I tried to breath as calmly as possible before they called me. "I kept saying to myself there is no reson why they shouldn't let me in".

I had heard that once you said you were visiting your fiancé and that you were in a K1 visa process, you might be taken on the side for more questions and that I shouldn't pack a lot of my personal stuff that was obviously intended for my final moving to the states. But since Shipping from Mexico to the US is so expensive I had to take my chances and brought with me 2 big bags, with clothes and other house stuff. That made me even more nervous.

I was finally called. The officer that took my visitor's visa and passport was serious but courteous. He even started to speak to me in spanish. He asked the purpose of my visit. I said that I was visit my Fiancé. He asked how many days I planned to stay. I said 5 days. He asked when was the last time I visited my Fiancé. I said in may, but we weren't engaged back then.

And just like that he approved my entrance and told me to have a nice day!!!

FIUUUUU!!!!! What a relief!

So my advice to all that are planning to travel. Bring as much proof of ties to your country as you can, be calm during your process of immigration in the POE, and be upfront about your engagement and your Immigration process.

Cheers!!!

[Zurdo7Elvis 0]

hi everyone the us embassy where my fiancée is from already received the approved petition so Ive ready that there an instruction package its been three weeks and she hasn't received anything so what Is the first thing she needs to do??thanks for the answers

[SunflowerSweet 1,321]

I am visiting my Fiance in England for Christmas and in addition to the usual proof of ties to America, I was thinking of bringing along a packet I received from the facility we are planning out wedding at.

It has both my fiance and my name on it, and includes the date and cost of the wedding, as well as our down payment that we have already made.

Would this be a good idea to bring along? I thought it might be as it shows we are committed to following through with the process and getting married together in the US and have put money down already.

What do you guys think?

[londongal 17]

Hi guys

I just wanted to share my personal story quickly. I flew to Dallas on Friday and was so nervous not for fear of being turned back but just being questioned in general especially when I find flying so stressful as it is already. I had with me proof of my work annual leave request & my return ticket, but when I got to customs they just looked at my customs declaration form ( that I filled out on the plane) asked me if I had an Esta to which I replied yes & simply stamped my passport!!! I couldn't believe it! I just hope it's as smooth again when I go back in December! I hope you all have a smooth process too.

[Dutch88 27]

Hey guys,

My fiancé and I have filed for our K1 visa in september (I'm the beneficiary). But we got RFE'd... My plans are to visit her somewhere in november. Ill probably buy a one week ticket. What do you think my chances are? I can't really prove any strong home ties but I can print out the NOA1 proving we are doing it the right way. But I was hoping a return flight a week later might not cause much suspicion. What would happen if I decide to stay longer and rebook my ticket while I'm already in the states?

Thanks

Edited October 31, 2015 by Dutch88

[helbeans 0]

I'm South African, I was denied a tourist visa to visit my fiance even though I brought plenty of evidence that I was coming back, including proof of employment and a personal letter from my boss. I guess some of us just aren't so lucky. The only reason I could think is that my case was already pending for around 6 months at the time, maybe they thought it was too close to the approval date...even though my K1 interview didn't happen for another 5 months :/

[Mena28 35]

getting a tourist visa after having the K1 already pending seems to be really hard to do

For most Europeans (plus some other countries) it is easier, as we travel under the Visa Waiver Program.

@ Dutch88 - you *should* be fine traveling for a short length of time, under the VWP you have to have a return ticket, other things like employment letter, bank account, rental agreements are good to have, also because they help you relax because you have them. However, I traveled twice between NOA1 and NOA2 and was never asked to show anything. Oh, they asked questions about where I was staying, for how long and if we were planning on getting married on this visit, but just telling them my answers was enough.

Regarding your flights question - I know people do it, and if it really is spontaneous I have heard it is fine, but personally, I would recommend booking a flight you *really* plan to be on both ways. Telling the truth, the truth and nothing but the truth is really vital and important when dealing with Border Protection People.

I stayed 8 days one trip and 11 days the second trip. Never long enough but I had to get myself back to work ;-)

Let us know how you did traveling back and forth!