After the I-129F and K-1

[Melissa&Ryan 1]

Hey VJ, wanted to know... what are the possibilities that someone can be denied at POE. After being approved for all documents and forms (I-129F/K-1) can you be rejected in customs at the airport ?? Even with your package you received after the interview ?? I know the K-1 is only allowed for one entry to the USA. So if there is a chance you get rejected at the airport, do you have to start all over again ???? Hope someone can ease my mind on this one

Melissa

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Chances to be rejected at POE are slim. I suppose if you committed a very serious crime and were on Interpol bulletin for most wanted between the time of visa issuance and POE you might not be allowed in.

[HeatDeath 430]

If you get rejected at the airport, you would have to start again.

But that would be very unusual. The officers at the airport can only reject you based on information or events that were not documented or known by either USCIS or the consulate at the time of visa issuance. Realistically, it virtually never happens. And when it does happen, the vast majority of the time it's because the intending K-1 entrant turned out to be inadmissible for some reason having nothing to do with the visa, like carrying drugs or smuggling counterfeits or something.

Admitting to being married at PoE (to the USC petitioner or anyone else!) would trigger a denial at PoE, because you would no longer qualify for a fiance visa. Having been arrested between visa issuance and PoE would most likely trigger a denial at PoE as well, as would admitting to drug use between visa issuance and PoE. Other than that, you [the intending K-1 entrant] would basically have to admit to, or be be in the process of committing some kind of crime at the PoE, to trigger a denial at the PoE.

But as I said, it would be very, very unusual. I wouldn't worry about it too much.

Edited July 18, 2011 by HeatDeath

[TBoneTX 45,288]

In addition to the two excellent replies above: I asked an immigration lawyer about this, and he simply said that K-1 entrants are rarely hassled at POE, because CBP figures that the beneficiary has very recently been cleared (or put through the wringer) by the consulate. Just acknowledge very clearly that you intend to marry within 90 days of your entrance to the U.S.