Yes, you can visit!

[jesusantonio 19]

Hello everyone! My question could be out of place since there's plenty of time ahead, but I will ask for your advice anyway. My boyfriend and I just got the NOA1 four days ago. He is visiting me here in Mexico on July and we're planning that I visit him to meet his family in December -for three weeks during Xmas and New Year-. The question is: Would you advise us to wait and see how our case is going? Or can I visit him anyway?

[R16M05-77 1]

So a couple weeks ago I said I would ask the customs folks this question. Today I entered back in the US via Chicago and asked the question. The guy I spoke to said yes of course she could come on a ESTA for up to 90 days but just make sure she does not stay past 90 days. I also asked what she would need to have on her....he said return plane tickets would suffice. I mentioned having the K1 Visa application and he said that would be good as well. He basically seemed very common sense about it saying if you are going thru the trouble of applying for the K1 you guys are obviously doing it the right way. So there ya have it.....seems like you can as long as you are up front and honest about what you are trying to do.

[Gargalmon22 12]

I have a question. I visited US for 2months and came back on 23rd May visiting my husband. I have 10years visa. Can I visit in july for 2 months again? Am i supposed to enter? I entered in 22nd March and i could have stayed till 21st September. Please help me.

[Limey 551]

I have a question. I visited US for 2months and came back on 23rd May visiting my husband. I have 10years visa. Can I visit in july for 2 months again? Am i supposed to enter? I entered in 22nd March and i could have stayed till 21st September. Please help me.

What type of visa? B1/B2?

Normally these allow stays of up to 6 months at a time. You'd think that since your last stay was well less than this, they won't have a problem with you re-entering for 2 months. But this depends on the officer you meet when entering the country.

When I was travelling (on visa waiver) I was well under the "maximum" limits of what was permitted, having spent around 1 month in the US in the past 7. However since I'd made 3 or 4 trips over the past year or so, I was questioned about it and told that there is no such thing as a "visiting my girlfriend" visa, and that this didn't constitute tourism or business for which visa waiver was valid. He accused me of trying to effectively live in the US without the correct visa. I pointed out I'd only spent one month in the last 7 in the US, and he kind of backed down a little then and became a bit more reasonable. I also pointed out that I tried my best to understand what was and wasn't permitted, and had no intention of abusing the system or even maxing out what was permitted. He finally let me in, and I decided not to visit again for around 5 months, and then only under one month for each visit. I had no problems after that, and we had our K1 within a year or so of that.

So the answer is really that it depends. The border agent always has discretion and its down to him or her. They are probably going to consider how many trips you've made (are there others prior to the last one you stated), how long you've been out of the country since your last trip, the duration of your current proposed trip, etc. With the facts you've given, I'd be a little wary of returning too soon, probably best to leave 2-3 months since you left until you try again (though I'm aware others on here have left and returned almost immediately and had no problems).

[Gargalmon22 12]

What type of visa? B1/B2?

Normally these allow stays of up to 6 months at a time. You'd think that since your last stay was well less than this, they won't have a problem with you re-entering for 2 months. But this depends on the officer you meet when entering the country.

When I was travelling (on visa waiver) I was well under the "maximum" limits of what was permitted, having spent around 1 month in the US in the past 7. However since I'd made 3 or 4 trips over the past year or so, I was questioned about it and told that there is no such thing as a "visiting my girlfriend" visa, and that this didn't constitute tourism or business for which visa waiver was valid. He accused me of trying to effectively live in the US without the correct visa. I pointed out I'd only spent one month in the last 7 in the US, and he kind of backed down a little then and became a bit more reasonable. I also pointed out that I tried my best to understand what was and wasn't permitted, and had no intention of abusing the system or even maxing out what was permitted. He finally let me in, and I decided not to visit again for around 5 months, and then only under one month for each visit. I had no problems after that, and we had our K1 within a year or so of that.

So the answer is really that it depends. The border agent always has discretion and its down to him or her. They are probably going to consider how many trips you've made (are there others prior to the last one you stated), how long you've been out of the country since your last trip, the duration of your current proposed trip, etc. With the facts you've given, I'd be a little wary of returning too soon, probably best to leave 2-3 months since you left until you try again (though I'm aware others on here have left and returned almost immediately and had no problems).

Thanks alot. Yes I have B1/B2 visa. Reading everything and thinking all I guess I won't travel that fast maybe not a wise decision to take this risk.

[Young p 0]

My Jamaican Boo

I met a guy in Jamaica we have been dating for four months. He wants to come to my graduation next year. What does he have to do to get into the states? He's never traveled before. Why do they say not to get married when your visiting someone?

[Limey 551]

My Jamaican Boo

I met a guy in Jamaica we have been dating for four months. He wants to come to my graduation next year. What does he have to do to get into the states? He's never traveled before. Why do they say not to get married when your visiting someone?

If he's just visiting the states he needs a tourist visa... a B1/2. He'd have to show sufficent links to home that would prove that he will return home at the end of the stay.

Entering the US on a tourist visa with the intention of getting married is visa fraud. Don't go there. Apply for a k1 visa instead, which is a fiance visa. Once he has that he enters the US and must marry within 90 days, else return home. Once married you "adjust status" which means applying for permanent residence (green card).

[Young p 0]

Thanks for your advuce. I didn't know how we were going to work this out. I really love him he is so special to me.

[echo924 20]

My fiance will be visiting from the UK this September, we've applied for K-1 and have received NOA1 but I can't help but feel worried something will happen at POE and he'll be turned around told him to bring any proof of strong ties to the UK (letter of employment, bills, etc) and show his return flight ticket... that should be enough right?

[Limey 551]

My fiance will be visiting from the UK this September, we've applied for K-1 and have received NOA1 but I can't help but feel worried something will happen at POE and he'll be turned around told him to bring any proof of strong ties to the UK (letter of employment, bills, etc) and show his return flight ticket... that should be enough right?

If you read through this thread you'll find that lots of us travelled in that situation, and hardly anyone had any issues. He'll probably find he isn't even asked who he is visiting. Best course is to give accurate honest answers, but no more than necessary

- What is the purpose of your visit?

Vacation

- Where are you staying?

(give name of city/state)

- What are you planning on doing here?

Visting XYZ theme park, going to see ABC monument, etc

But if they ask who you are staying with, be honest. Fiance, not "a friend". If you're honest about it, and don't attempt to hide it you're much more likely to have no issues, but at the end of the day its better to be denied entry for being honest, than be denied entry for lying (that would affect future immigration plans)

Evidence that K1 is applied for, well progressed, and likely to be approved are very convincing too, so bring those along - it shows that you're doing things properly.

[Young p 0]

So you have to provide them with that much personal evidence.

[korin 0]

Me and my fiance was coming to visit for our birthdays while waiting for our i129f approval and I just received our NOA2 which requested a statement from her that she does intend to marry me and any records of our planned wedding. She was going to fly from Germany to the U.S. next week but now we're a bit worried after receiving the NOA2. If she does visit is there anything we should be prepared for?

She would enter with a VWP for about 1 1/2 months. She was last here over Christmas for 3 months but we miss each other a lot and the wait has been horrible. Any advice?

[korin 0]

"Me and my fiance" Should have actually started as "My fiance was coming to visit......" (can't edit)

[samkam 3]

My last entry was at the end of May, but I never got around to writing this, I'm sorry! I had a pretty scary (for me at least) experience this last time at LAX so I just wanted to share my experience with you all, because I have been consulting this website for months now! I will start with a timeline.

October 2013: Month long unrelated holiday to the US with my friend.

August 2014: Went to Europe for one month to visit family, ended up meeting my now fiance on a cruise!

November 2014: He visited Australia for one week!

February 2015: We visited South East Asia for a rendezvous holiday!

April 2015: I came to the US for 3 weeks to see how we liked "living" together and to meet more of his family! No issues at POE.

June 2015: After decided we wanted to make this work forever, I quit my job and packed two suitcases and came (with my cat!). No issues at POE.

July 2015: We went to Mexico for a week! No issues at POE and got restamped for another 90 days.

September 2015: Went back to Australia to visit family for one week and "reset the clock. No issues at POE but was asked how I could afford to travel with no job, told him I had saved up and was a full-time student.

November 2015: We went to Hong Kong and Macau for 2 weeks. No issues at POE.

February 2016: We both went to Australia to visit my family and friends for one week. Asked a few more questions then usual, replied that I'm loving travelling and spending time with my boyfriend and have plenty of money, no issues after that.

April 2016: We filed I-129F!!!

May 2016: I flew back to Australia to see my family for two weeks. This is when the "experience" happened.

I am a habitual worrier - I worry about everything. So after reading some horror stories I made sure I had all information I could find in case something happened at the POE. However, I had moved all my stuff back to my parents after coming here in June 2015, so I had no "lease information". I had no job and was a full-time online student. I do still have my car back in Australia so I had that information and I had a copy of the NOA1. I have a fair amount of money in the bank so I had a statement from the bank.

I got taken through to the line for "permanent residents" because the visitor line was huge, so the officer I saw didn't have a computer. He took my passport and asked why I was here, and I told him to see my boyfriend and then corrected myself to "fiance". He asked how long I was staying for and I said 2 months because in July we are going to Costa Rica and then he asked when the last time I was here and I said two weeks ago. He then looked through my passport for 10 minutes without saying anything while I just stood there scared. He then looks at me and says I'm abusing the system because I have a K-1 processing so I'm not a non-immigrant at all and that the next time I come through I won't be allowed in the country. He told me he was letting me in this time because I was "pretty". The officer next to him was laughing and said "good luck" with a smirk on his face. Then he stamped my passport and wrote something on the paper the passport scanner prints out that you give to the officer you see after you collect your bags.

Once I collected my bag, I waited to see the next officer who asked me how long I was staying and when was the last time I was here (never had that happen at the second officer right before you leave) and when I replied he told me I had to go to secondary processing. This is when I got SCARED!

I went through and saw the officer who asked me to open my suitcase and explain to him the situation. He asked what my fiance did and why I didn't have a ring (we are getting it custom made and had to go to Texas just a week ago to do all of that). He was so nice and explained to me that because I had the K-1 processing I had nothing to worry about and they don't want us to be away from our significant others, especially when we're doing it the right way. I asked him about what would happen at future entries because of what the first officer said and he said "you should have told that guy to mind his own business - he doesn't know what he's talking about!!". Then he told me that I might have to go to secondary processing again but he would continue to let me in as long as I wasn't doing anything wrong and the officer next to him said the same thing. He then said I was free to leave and to have fun and he was sorry I had a bad experience prior to seeing him!!

I was so relieved! But it just goes to show that we really don't have anything to worry about if we are doing it the right way! My advice is don't be scared if you get sent to secondary, just tell the truth and you will be fine! I have no job, no home of my own back in Australia and have been in the US for a total of 10 months in the last 12 and I was let in so please don't worry!

[Limey 551]

Me and my fiance was coming to visit for our birthdays while waiting for our i129f approval and I just received our NOA2 which requested a statement from her that she does intend to marry me and any records of our planned wedding. She was going to fly from Germany to the U.S. next week but now we're a bit worried after receiving the NOA2. If she does visit is there anything we should be prepared for?

She would enter with a VWP for about 1 1/2 months. She was last here over Christmas for 3 months but we miss each other a lot and the wait has been horrible. Any advice?

I travelled after getting NOA2. I had no problems (the subject of me being engaged, and doing K1 didn't arise).

When you think about it, it would be pretty weird to go through the K1 process, get to NOA2, and then come to the US and marry while visiting on VWP program. So I'm sure even if the issue did arise, it should be easy enough to convince the officer that she is not going to get married on this trip, as she's so far through the K1 process.