Yes, you can visit!

[laurak93 0]

Hi everyone!

Although I made my account last year, I haven't been very active since we haven't quite filed yet. However, we're going to be starting the process in the next month, so I'm back! I'm SO excited, but also slightly terrified. Since we're looking to send our application in within the next month or so, I was wondering if anyone could give me their opinion on our little situation. I'm graduating from college in May, and we've planned on me coming to visit for a month the week after I graduate. I know that legally, there are no issues with my flying there while we wait, however, I'm not so sure. I have a terrible anxiety disorder I've struggled with since I was a teenager, and every time I have to go through immigration, it's never a pleasant experience for me. With the heightened security around the world lately, I'm pretty convinced that there will be some sort of issue and they're going to give me a hard time. With my anxiety disorder, I get very nervous very easily, obviously, which I feel like they will take as suspicious, even though I don't have anything to hide. I'm scared that for that reason, they'll send me home and we'll be out the insane amount of money a plane ticket costs these days. As much as I would love to go to visit, do you think that it's worth the risk? I honestly cannot make up my mind and it's driving me insane!! Please help!! Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

***Forgot to add that I'm from Ohio and I would be traveling to London!

Edited March 29, 2016 by laurak93

[Tricked 33]

You should have no issue entering on an ESTA, assuming you are eligible, during the K1 process, right up until you are issued the Visa, at which point you cannot travel until such time as you intend to take up residence and marry.

To be clear, when you travel, they will be able to tell you have a K1 in progress, and are showing an intent to migrate. So when you travel, you will need to be able to show them, if they ask, that you do not intend to stay beyond the ESTA time limit, and will return to your home country.

What others have done in the past is show ties to home, work, etc, either showing bank account details, work details, property deeds, etc. As well as stating as you have started the K1 process, you are aware of the implications, obligations and requirements for pursuing that Visa, and know you cannot marry as yet, and will leave within the time limit via the return ticket, which you can also provide to them.

Of course, some will walk through without being quizzed on their ESTA travel while pending K1.

[Limey 551]

***Forgot to add that I'm from Ohio and I would be traveling to London!

This thread is mainly about K1 beneficiaries visiting the USA while their K1 petition is pending. From what you wrote, I assume you're an American worried about visiting the UK during that period?

[Tricked 33]

Oh, I missed the edit.

If it's the US petitioner entering the UK, then there is no issue beyond whatever entry requirements you would usually have to meet.

[ForeverYouandMe 0]

Hi, everyone!

My fiancee visited from the UK ( Feb. 9th - March 3rd) and went through Portland International (PDX) to visit me while we were still waiting for NOA2. As she was going through the line, she met a German girl who said she visited her fiance once a month! Amazing, isn't it?? Well, she went through and the officer asked her the standard questions. She told him about us going through the K-1 process and that we were looking at venues. She said he was excited for us and gave her advice about the process. I made my fiancee bring all the supporting documents, but he didn't need them.

The day after she left, we received NOA2, and that made us feel much better about parting. Now we know the next time she flys back, we're going to be getting married!

[Terapin 10]

Just out of curiosity. Has anyone here ever been denied entry into the country they were visiting? US or other.

The last two times my fiance came here to the states it was "questionable", but they permitted her entry

[ForeverYouandMe 0]

Just out of curiosity. Has anyone here ever been denied entry into the country they were visiting? US or other.

The last two times my fiance came here to the states it was "questionable", but they permitted her entry

I have. Why was it "questionable" in your situation?

[Terapin 10]

I have. Why was it "questionable" in your situation?

Short answer she was here off and on for 8 months in 2015, and then came back with me in Feb 2016. (Tourist visa) gave us a hard time and held us for 3hrs in Chicago. Then in Feb, we were about to do it again until we told him we applied for a K1.

[Dutchster 1,107]

I was questioned one time, which was April last year when I flew back within five weeks of my last visit. That was the only time I had to be brought to immigration service office by the officer. He kept on asking things about my home, if I have a contract, what my job was, if I had any pets, etc etc. Once in the other office, it took them about 10 minutes to call me forward, smiled, asked 2 questions and I was good to go. The woman officer even gave me a compliment on my necklace before leaving lol.

Yesterday I had the guts to ask my boss for a letter saying I'll be expecting back at work on May 2, 2016 (two days after coming back) and he will give me one before leaving. Just make sure you have enough evidence if needed to show ties with your home country and be honest.

[Limey 551]

I got a hard time from the immigration officer at Charlotte NC on one occasion but he let me in. I'd bought loads of documents showing my links to home and that I had sufficient funds so wouldn't be working illegally, but it appeared that his problem wasn't with the likelihood of me returning home but that in his opinion I was spending too long in the USA. I pointed out I'd only spent around one month out of the previous 7 in the USA, and that guidelines said I could not stay more than 50% of the time. I pointed out I had no intention of breaching US laws and was nowhere near the limits of their guidelines. He responded that there is no such thing as a "visiting my girlfriend visa" (his exact words) and that I needed to sort out something more permanent (which I did by going the k1 route).

Edited April 4, 2016 by Limey

[Dutchster 1,107]

Welp, a little over a week to go for me.. Getting quite nervous but I'm well prepared and also; I'm just staying for ten days so less alarm bells on that one. I printed out a copy of my USCIS case tracker which says my case got approved, a letter from my boss intending me to be back at work after holiday, flight itinerary, NOA2 and my honesty. Fingers crossed, ten days left,

[Karin45 0]

Welp, a little over a week to go for me.. Getting quite nervous but I'm well prepared and also; I'm just staying for ten days so less alarm bells on that one. I printed out a copy of my USCIS case tracker which says my case got approved, a letter from my boss intending me to be back at work after holiday, flight itinerary, NOA2 and my honesty. Fingers crossed, ten days left,

Good luck

[jeessgb 57]

I live right by the border with the US (Tijuana, Mexico), and my boyfriend lives just 16 miles away in San Diego, California. So we visit each other very often. He returned from a long trip 2 weeks ago so as you can imagine I wanted to be with him for as long as I could. So almost everyday I drove to his place for around 10 days and stayed there, come back to work, and the same every day. I had asked a border agent before if I had a limit of visits I can make a week and he said literally "no, as long as you're not working here". But last time I got questioned if I had a visa in process like K1, K3, etc. I said we submitted K1 and he said I should be careful because it's not permitted to cross as often as I was doing it and my records could affect my visa application.

I wanted to share this story in case somebody finds it useful. Has anyone else experienced something like this? Maybe someone else from Mexico or Canada...?

[Wes&Charlotte 4]

Hi all,

Got a few questions in one here: I was recently denied a B2 visa and as a result my ESTA was cancelled. I still hold a current C1/D visa from previous employment on cruise ships. I wish to travel to Grand Cayman and transit via the US. Question 1: Can I do this on the C1/D visa? Question 2: The reason I'm travelling to Cayman is to be closer to my US fiance (we have just submitted application for K-1 yesterday). Will applying for another ESTA or attempting to transit using the C1/D affect our application?

Thanks!

Charlotte

[Limey 551]

Hi all,

Got a few questions in one here: I was recently denied a B2 visa and as a result my ESTA was cancelled. I still hold a current C1/D visa from previous employment on cruise ships. I wish to travel to Grand Cayman and transit via the US. Question 1: Can I do this on the C1/D visa? Question 2: The reason I'm travelling to Cayman is to be closer to my US fiance (we have just submitted application for K-1 yesterday). Will applying for another ESTA or attempting to transit using the C1/D affect our application?

Thanks!

Charlotte

Why did you apply for a B2 when you had ESTA?

Prior to my K1 I was advised that I could spend up to 6 months in the US if I had a B2, but that to apply as a Brit (who can use Visa Waiver) would raise alarm bells and would probably be refused.

If this is your situation then I'm not sure whether you'll be able to get another ESTA. Also would seem strange that they cancelled the ESTA but left the C1/D - I'd be concerned that they'd deny entry on that too... especially if you aren't using it for its intended purpose (ie a transiting crew member). I have no experience in this field.

Edited April 14, 2016 by Limey