Nashville POE.

[RetroPeach12 5]

Hi. Sorry if this is on the wrong forum, I've searched and I couldn't seem to find any other topics relevant. I'm not quite moving to the US yet...me and my fiancé are currently in the process of the K1 visa. My last visit to the US was December 2022 before we filed. I am wanting to visit again for Christmas for about 6 weeks but I'm a very nervous flier and Immigration Officers terrify me. I came through Atlanta last time and I was through in about a minute, no questions asked...I got engaged during my visit and left when I was supposed to. 

I have found a flight from LHR to BNA, direct with British Airways. I was wondering if anybody has any experience with CBP there and if I should be worried about anything...especially being grilled. I landed in Nashville domestically last December so I didn't get to experience their POE. TSA was lovely though. 

 

I appreciate if any advice could be given on their experiences or if I should expect anything. Again, sorry if I put this on the wrong forum. Thanks!

[SalishSea 17,797]

3 hours ago, RetroPeach12 said:

Hi. Sorry if this is on the wrong forum, I've searched and I couldn't seem to find any other topics relevant. I'm not quite moving to the US yet...me and my fiancé are currently in the process of the K1 visa. My last visit to the US was December 2022 before we filed. I am wanting to visit again for Christmas for about 6 weeks but I'm a very nervous flier and Immigration Officers terrify me. I came through Atlanta last time and I was through in about a minute, no questions asked...I got engaged during my visit and left when I was supposed to. 

I have found a flight from LHR to BNA, direct with British Airways. I was wondering if anybody has any experience with CBP there and if I should be worried about anything...especially being grilled. I landed in Nashville domestically last December so I didn't get to experience their POE. TSA was lovely though. 

 

I appreciate if any advice could be given on their experiences or if I should expect anything. Again, sorry if I put this on the wrong forum. Thanks!

Bring evidence of your ties to home.  Are you taking a 6 week holiday from work?  Bring a letter attesting to that, with the day you're expected to return.

 

They may wonder if you plan to work remotely here while on vacation.  If so, don't.  That is not allowed.

 

Do not bring "moving house" volumes of belongings.  

[RetroPeach12 5]

2 minutes ago, SalishSea said:

Bring evidence of your ties to home.  Are you taking a 6 week holiday from work?  Bring a letter attesting to that, with the day you're expected to return.

 

They may wonder if you plan to work remotely here while on vacation.  If so, don't.  That is not allowed.

 

Do not bring "moving house" volumes of belongings.  

I had to leave my job to take care of my grandfather full time. However, I do have obligations in the UK and I can’t just up and leave. I don’t have an employment contract as such and I gave up my apartment to move back in with my grandfather…I am undergoing medical treatment in the UK though and I’m on various medications which I can’t access in the US. Not sure that would mean anything to them. 

 

I’ve taken note of all their immigration laws and I wouldn’t jeopardise our current visa application. I’ll be packing very light. Just 1 medium suitcase, I took the same last time and had no issues. I just wanted to know if anybody had experienced Nashville IO’s so I knew what to be prepared for.

 

Thank you for your comment. I appreciate it.  

[SalishSea 17,797]

1 minute ago, RetroPeach12 said:

I am undergoing medical treatment in the UK though and I’m on various medications which I can’t access in the US.

This is not a strong tie.  Especially since you have demonstrated immigrant intent, so presumably you can get the medication in the US.

 

IMO, the POE shouldn't dictate how you prepare to interact with CBP.  It's a crapshoot every time, regardless of POE.

Edited August 1, 2023 by SalishSea

[RetroPeach12 5]

2 minutes ago, SalishSea said:

This is not a strong tie.  Especially since you have demonstrated immigrant intent, so presumably you can get the medication in the US.

 

IMO, the POE shouldn't dictate how you prepare to interact with CBP.  It's a crapshoot every time, regardless of POE.

That’s what I gathered. Regarding medication, I moreso meant it would be an extreme hassle for me to contact a doctor there. I know how it looks to CBP and it’s a shame when I have no intentions of overstaying. You’re right though. 

 

Would they even be able to see our K1 application? We applied in May and I’m aware we still have a long time to go. Would it be something that would pop up on their screen after they’ve scanned my passport or would that only be after NOA2 stage. 

I can only hope I have another smooth entrance like last Christmas with minimal questions. 

[SalishSea 17,797]

1 minute ago, RetroPeach12 said:

That’s what I gathered. Regarding medication, I moreso meant it would be an extreme hassle for me to contact a doctor there. I know how it looks to CBP and it’s a shame when I have no intentions of overstaying. You’re right though. 

 

Would they even be able to see our K1 application? We applied in May and I’m aware we still have a long time to go. Would it be something that would pop up on their screen after they’ve scanned my passport or would that only be after NOA2 stage. 

I can only hope I have another smooth entrance like last Christmas with minimal questions. 

I always assume CBP can see all documents and notes related to US immigration, but they don't publish that info.

 

Most likely you'll be fine, as long as you prepare to demonstrate strong ties to home.

 

I'd say the caregiver to grandpa is not a strong tie, since obviously you're preparing to leave that role when you immigrate.

[RetroPeach12 5]

1 minute ago, SalishSea said:

I always assume CBP can see all documents and notes related to US immigration, but they don't publish that info.

 

Most likely you'll be fine, as long as you prepare to demonstrate strong ties to home.

 

I'd say the caregiver to grandpa is not a strong tie, since obviously you're preparing to leave that role when you immigrate.

Thank you for your advice. I’ll just take what I can and best case scenario, they don’t ask for it. 

[TBoneTX 45,241]

If they mention the I-129F or probe for similar information, say something like, "I got engaged during my last visit and left when I was supposed to.  Afterward, we filed the I-129F.  This visit is to build evidence of a bona fide relationship to satisfy the London embassy.  If I need to return early to care for my ailing grandfather, I will."  They could hardly object to such knowledgeable candor.

Edited August 1, 2023 by TBoneTX

[RetroPeach12 5]

4 hours ago, TBoneTX said:

If they mention the I-129F or probe for similar information, say something like, "I got engaged during my last visit and left when I was supposed to.  Afterward, we filed the I-129F.  This visit is to build evidence of a bona fide relationship to satisfy the London embassy.  If I need to return early to care for my ailing grandfather, I will."  They could hardly object to such knowledgeable candor.

You’ve really eased my mind. Thank you so much for your advice 

[Ketsuban 1,034]

I visited my ex-husband a year after we got married and my CR-1 was at NVC. The officer who let me in was a woman about my age back then and she thought it was super cute that I was visiting while the visa was in progress. Hopefully you'll have a similar experience. As others have said, it's a crapshoot, but I think the odds are on your side. 

[RetroPeach12 5]

1 hour ago, Ketsuban said:

I visited my ex-husband a year after we got married and my CR-1 was at NVC. The officer who let me in was a woman about my age back then and she thought it was super cute that I was visiting while the visa was in progress. Hopefully you'll have a similar experience. As others have said, it's a crapshoot, but I think the odds are on your side. 

Thank you for your response. Was this Nashville specifically or just a general experience?? I'm flying out on the 21st of December so hopefully I have no issues as it's so close to Christmas. I'm happy to hear your experience went well, hopefully I'm up against an IO as sweet as yours was haha.

[Ketsuban 1,034]

3 hours ago, RetroPeach12 said:

Thank you for your response. Was this Nashville specifically or just a general experience?? I'm flying out on the 21st of December so hopefully I have no issues as it's so close to Christmas. I'm happy to hear your experience went well, hopefully I'm up against an IO as sweet as yours was haha.

General experience. I used to come in through Newark Liberty 🙂

[Sofitalian 134]

When I was waiting for my IR-1 visa, I visited my husband a number of times while he was in the U.S.  I always brought a copy of my NOA, round-trip ticket, lease, employment contract, and even the latest tax return of my home country. Never once any IO asked about those or raised any concern on my visit. Though I haven't flied directly to Nashville but I don't think the POE made any difference.

 

If question was asked, you may say “My fiancee has filed a petition for me and we just received the receipt notice for the case (if you have). As you understand the processing time is very long and I’d like to see my fiancee during this time. Due to his work he is not able to come and visit me. Instead I am visiting him (like I always have), I have no intentions to stay here as I have to return to xxx"... something alone that line.

[RetroPeach12 5]

On 8/8/2023 at 4:12 PM, mave said:

When I was waiting for my IR-1 visa, I visited my husband a number of times while he was in the U.S.  I always brought a copy of my NOA, round-trip ticket, lease, employment contract, and even the latest tax return of my home country. Never once any IO asked about those or raised any concern on my visit. Though I haven't flied directly to Nashville but I don't think the POE made any difference.

 

If question was asked, you may say “My fiancee has filed a petition for me and we just received the receipt notice for the case (if you have). As you understand the processing time is very long and I’d like to see my fiancee during this time. Due to his work he is not able to come and visit me. Instead I am visiting him (like I always have), I have no intentions to stay here as I have to return to xxx"... something alone that line.

Thank you for your response. I feel a bit more relaxed about visiting now. I should be fine. 

 

We’ve received the receipt notice already so I’m going to bring along with me the NOA1 just incase.