K1 - help, overthinking and worrying!

[Limey 551]

1 hour ago, E&A11 said:

I do have another question again though - again, this is me overthinking.

 

The first time I ever visited the US was to meet my fiancé - we weren't together then yet however I was completely shocked at how interrogative the Customs officers were.

 

He asked what my purpose was and I said to visit a friend - again, completely true. He then asked how I knew this friend.. The truth was actually online, but I panicked and lied and said through a mutual friend. 

 

2nd visit - I said I was visiting a friend and no further questions asked.

 

3rd visit - I thought I should be honest and say visit my boyfriend. Again, asked how we met and told the lie that it was through a mutual friend. She was pretty interrogative and understandably so. 

 

Have my answers been recorded down? Obviously, going forward I will be telling the truth due to the K1. But would my discrepancies in such answers affect my application?

Its a really bad idea to lie to immigration. Its better to be denied entry for being honest, than for lying. Being honest won't affect future visas like k1.

 

There is nothing wrong with visiting a friend that you met online, or a boyfriend. No reason to lie. At the same time its their job to ask about your visit, and try to identify people who are traveling on tourist visas with immigrant intent.

They asked me similar questions when I'd visit. We'd met in a bar in UK, but they'd ask if my girlfriend was American, so I'd be honest and tell them she was. Its relevant because they are aware that if you get married during the stay you can adjust status. They'll normally remind you that you can't get married during the visit, etc. In my case I mentioned that we were waiting for her divorce to complete before we could apply for k1, and they'd nod, and I'd have no problems after that.

[SunflowerSweet 1,321]

1 hour ago, Limey said:

They'll normally remind you that you can't get married during the visit, etc. In my case I mentioned that we were waiting for her divorce to complete before we could apply for k1, and they'd nod, and I'd have no problems after that.

Why would they tell you that you can't get married? You absolutely can. You just can't stay and adjust. 

[yuna628 9,717]

7 minutes ago, MorganandMichael said:

Why would they tell you that you can't get married? You absolutely can. You just can't stay and adjust. 

Because CBP routinely do this to couples visiting each other. Goodness knows they did it to us numerous times. Whether it's because of their own ignorance or they know the truth and just want to scare people... well who knows.

 

OP: You'll be fine. You are a typical case. And you're going through London. The hardest part is the waiting.. once you get through that the rest is easy.

 

[SunflowerSweet 1,321]

44 minutes ago, yuna628 said:

Because CBP routinely do this to couples visiting each other. Goodness knows they did it to us numerous times. Whether it's because of their own ignorance or they know the truth and just want to scare people... well who knows.

 

Well, sure. Was more making sure the user who posted that was aware there is nothing illegal about getting married while visiting and wasn't spreading false info to an already concerned OP. I realize it's not super relevant once the K-1 is filed, but misinformation is still misinformation. 

[E&A11 9]

We will definitely be doing everything the legal way! I enter with an ESTA and know its illegal to do get married. 

 

I have no skeletons - no criminal record, no previous marriage. We're the same age and ethnicity.

 

Actually, I moved to Hong Kong to work 5 years ago. I planned to move back to the UK this summer but we didn't want to go through the address change/consulate change which may potentially delay our application. So I guess my interview will be in Hong Kong - with my British citizenship. 

 

And thanks everyone for the advice!

Edited January 9, 2020 by E&A11

[NoMansLand2020 298]

10 hours ago, E&A11 said:

We're about to send off our application and I'm worrying and stressing about the whole process already!

 

When I think logically and technically, we have all the proof needed to show we are in a genuine relationship - visited each other 6x, engaged on the 6th visit, time spent together is 50% of our relationship, I've met his parents but he hasn't met mine yet, our friends know about one another. Maybe one downfall is that we have only been together for 6months. 

 

I keep worrying that we haven't got enough "proof" or there are holes somewhere that we cannot spot which may lead to a denial. I've also heard they will look at our social media accounts however I do not share much on there due to the person I am. 

 

One day I am very positive we will be approved, the next moment I would be stressed out of my mind incase we have really missed out something and seem "fake."

 

Can anyone help to how to ease my worries or offer any words of wisdom in dealing with this (when we haven't even gotten to the interview which'll be even more stressful!)

I've only been with my fiancée 7 months...we talked for 5 before we met. I proposed in November, the first and only time we have met. I'm going back in a few weeks though and will go back when she and her kids have their medical and interviews. 

[HRQX 4,145]

4 hours ago, E&A11 said:

I enter with an ESTA and know its illegal to do get married.

Getting married in the US with ESTA entry is allowed. In that scenario, you leave the US before the I-94 expires and the US citizen files I-130 petition to start IR-1/CR-1 process:

Great post by JFH written when Thomas Cook Group plc still existed:

On 9/4/2018 at 6:40 PM, JFH said:

Nothing wrong with getting married here whilst visiting. Plenty of people get married here who don't live here - Thomas Cook Weddings wouldn't be in existence if Brits couldn't come on the VWP to get married in Las Vegas and Disney World whilst on holiday. I got married here on a VWP visit. Arrived on a Tuesday, got the license on the Wednesday, married on the Saturday (our state has a three-day waiting period), returned to the U.K. the following Tuesday. The London embassy even states that this is perfectly acceptable. There is an "urban myth" floating among some users of this forum that if you want to get married in the USA you have to apply for a K-1 and that marrying as a visitor is somehow not permitted. 

 

Incidentally, if you've done a lot of research, I'm surprised you have opted for the K-1. It offers virtually no advantage over the CR-1 to VWP-eligible people. The processing time is pretty much the same now also. 

From the US Embassy: "will continue to live and work outside the United States after the marriage ceremony, you should apply for a B-2 visa, or if eligible, travel visa free under the Visa Waiver Program." https://uk.usembassy.gov/visas/fiancee-2/

https://uk.usembassy.gov/visas/immigrant-visa-faqs/

Edited January 10, 2020 by HRQX

[Wuozopo 4,293]

4 hours ago, E&A11 said:

We will definitely be doing everything the legal way! I enter with an ESTA and know its illegal to do get married. 

From London Embassy website FAQs

 

We are traveling to the United States to marry and will return to the United Kingdom after marriage. Do I still need a fiancé(e) visa?

If you will return to your permanent residence you may apply for a tourist B-2 visa, or if eligible, travel visa free under the Visa Waiver Program.  At the time you apply for the visa and/or travel to the United States you will be required to show that you have a residence outside the United States that you do not intend to abandon. There is no set form that this evidence takes as it varies with each person’s circumstances

[SalishSea 18,148]

15 hours ago, E&A11 said:

One day I am very positive we will be approved, the next moment I would be stressed out of my mind incase we have really missed out something and seem "fake."

This is exactly how I felt whilst waiting for our petition approval.  You guys will be fine.  The vast majority of I-129f petitions are approved, particularly from low-fraud countries.

[Sparkle Sparkle 914]

I used to worry alot too but then I saw people I could say have less face time together and haven't known each other as long as I have known my fiance  approved without issues that alone calmed me down...I still catch myself once in a while looking up processing times and all but I have learnt to busy myself and trust the process. Once thing we also over look is the possibility of relationships suffering due to all the stress of application and all...we human beings in the end so while waiting we should also pay our significant other attention, go on with the relationship make other plans just in case.......write a book if you can or buy and read one....I love weddings so i indulge myself in a warm bath every evening and fantasize about our weddings and it works like magic. My fiance and I  do Sunday date nights ...we order the same food or pizza some win watch the same movie on netflix  over skype . I have come to understand that most times when we worry our mind plays tricks on us and we think we didnt do something right....its absolutely unnecessary ....in the end its left for USCIS to decide .

[E&A11 9]

Quite interesting.

 

We chose K1 as we are under the assumption it is faster to be physically together by at least a good 4/5 months.

 

I have also read, depending where the Petitioner is based can also affect how long it'll take.

 

My fiancé is based in Hawaii which apparently gets sent to California Service Centre which takes 5-7 months, compared to Vermont where it takes 14-18 months. Apparently.

Source from https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/

 

Not sure how accurate it is. 

[Sparkle Sparkle 914]

2 minutes ago, E&A11 said:

Quite interesting.

 

We chose K1 as we are under the assumption it is faster to be physically together by at least a good 4/5 months.

 

I have also read, depending where the Petitioner is based can also affect how long it'll take.

 

My fiancé is based in Hawaii which apparently gets sent to California Service Centre which takes 5-7 months, compared to Vermont where it takes 14-18 months. Apparently.

Source from https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/

 

Not sure how accurate it is. 

In recent times all K1's are sent to California which is relatively faster than all other centers.....K1 is the fastest option but some other factors could apply to your peculiar situation 

[E&A11 9]

7 hours ago, HRQX said:

Getting married in the US with ESTA entry is allowed. In that scenario, you leave the US before the I-94 expires and the US citizen files I-130 petition to start IR-1/CR-1 process:

Great post by JFH written when Thomas Cook Group plc still existed:

From the US Embassy: "will continue to live and work outside the United States after the marriage ceremony, you should apply for a B-2 visa, or if eligible, travel visa free under the Visa Waiver Program." https://uk.usembassy.gov/visas/fiancee-2/

https://uk.usembassy.gov/visas/immigrant-visa-faqs/

This was an interesting read albeit a little confusing. 

 

I was always under the assumption we could not get married on a tourist visa or ESTA.

 

My last visit the Immigration Officer had asked me how long we were together. I said 6 months. Her reply was "oh, so you guys are fairly new then."

I wanted to reply to her "don't worry, we aren't getting married."

 

I guess she had concerns I was going to get married during my stay.. 

[HRQX 4,145]

6 hours ago, E&A11 said:

My last visit the Immigration Officer had asked me how long we were together...

The law is clear, nothing prohibits marriage during a visit. CBP is concerned about individuals that plan to stay (i.e. not a genuine visitor) and/or will submit I-485 to adjust status from visitor status to a Green Card.

[SalishSea 18,148]

7 hours ago, E&A11 said:

Quite interesting.

 

We chose K1 as we are under the assumption it is faster to be physically together by at least a good 4/5 months.

 

I have also read, depending where the Petitioner is based can also affect how long it'll take.

 

My fiancé is based in Hawaii which apparently gets sent to California Service Centre which takes 5-7 months, compared to Vermont where it takes 14-18 months. Apparently.

Source from https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/

 

Not sure how accurate it is. 

Service center assignments for I-129f petitions is not based on residence of petitioner.  99% are adjudicated at California, with Vermont taking ones that have more complex issues, such as criminal backgrounds.