Can my girlfriend visit me under VWP? Will be her first time coming to USA

[Sasuke 0]

Hello All,

My name is Chris I would be very thankful for your opinions or experience regarding this topic. I know it has been asked before but usually they have come to USA in the past. In my case it's a little different. My girlfriend is from Chile and they recently got added to the VWP, I known her almost 2 years I went to visit her for a month in Chile (I was born in California) about a year ago. I know K-1 is an option and me and her have discussed it, and I had plan on going back to Chile to see her for a month. But after seeing Chile being added to VWP I wanted her to come here and visit me for the 3 months. I bought her a plane ticket for 85 days which includes her return ticket. My concern is will there be any problem when she arrives in the USA and say's "I'm visiting my boyfriend" it will be her first time in the US. I've read a lot of people saying the work boyfriend/girlfriend raises automatically red flag but I don't want her to lie.

Will you be so kind share your opinion or your experience or any advice please, will it be better to file for K-1 and have her say "I'm visiting my fiancee while our K-1 is processing"? I can send her a copy of the NOA1 and a letter of invitation if it helps. Or do you think she will be fine just coming under VWP? She has ties to her country and I can provide an invitation letter, copy of my lease and what not if needed. She has no intentions of staying or working or getting married here. I simply can't wait to see her its been a little over a year and we really want to spend time together. I just want to take the "best" and legal route so she won't be denied entry.

Thanks,

Chris

[Pitaya 2,577]

Welcome to the forum.

Pretty straightforward, nothing significantly different, read the pinned thread at the top of the forum page, Yes You Can Visit.

Good luck on your visa journey.

[Sasuke 0]

Thank You A&B!,

I read the pinned thread "Yes you can visit" but main question was can fiancee visit while K-1 is pending and is currently not my case. Also people give there fair share of experience most say "visiting friend" and as I stated above I also don't want her to lie and risk her entrance, specially considering she will be staying 85 days so Hotel is out of the question. She will be staying with me, and assuming she say's "visiting friend" and get's screened for 2-3hrs and they find out she's coming to visit boyfriend that can have her sent back or reduce her 3 months. Without K-1, and just under VWP is it "legal" to visit her boyfriend? In your personal opinion does she has a higher chance of entrance and staying 3 months if I file her K-1 and send her NOA1 before she arrives?

[nobbie 105]

She can visit under VWP, I did loads of times, when asked why are you coming I just told them visiting girlfriend. All I ever had was a return ticket but no harm in having more to show ties. Once you have applied for a K1 she can still visit and the CPB will know you have a K1 pending so do not lie then as they will know. At that time she says "visiting fiancee" as her reason for entering the US., they may well make sure she knows she cannot get married whilst visiting.

As Chile is now on the VWP you would think it would not be regarded as high risk of overstays.

No reason to think she will get a 2-3 hour grilling....is there?

[Andie 147]

The main issue is to show that she has sufficient ties to her country.. job.. property or lease..

The first visit may be fine. but after that they look at things more closely. If she has strong connections then its not going to be a problem.

All the best for you both..

[Canerican 242]

I agree with all the above posters and worst case scenario they will give her and I-94 Arrival-Departure Record which states when she entered and when she needs to leave by. But as was said in other posts as long as she has strong ties to Chile and a return ticket she should be good. Also concerning the comment about CBP making her aware that she cannot AOS until immigrating, that could happen. I had one visit after we applied for the K-1 where I was told by CBP that I could not adjust status (AOS) until my petition was approved and got the visa. Nonetheless it should be a smooth process and kudos for not wanting to lie.

[Sasuke 0]

Thanks everyone! Amazing community here, I'm really glad to hear positive things so far but will be ready for the worst. Her trip is on August 6th so I will post an update when the time comes and maybe someone in similar situation can benefit from this post. I will have her arrange anything that shows ties to her country (the more the better just incase) and do you guys think is a good idea of sending her an invitation letter? Stating i'm her boyfriend and i'm inviting her to stay with me and my information and a copy of my lease? Also I read somewhere else you can send a financial support letter saying you make yourself responsible for her financial needs, she will bring her own money but seeing as is a 3 month stay don't know how much is sufficient for POE.

[Lelyze 49]

I just want to share my experience,

I visited my fiancee in April, POE was JFK. they asked me where am I staying, I said at my boyfriend's apartment (we were still not engaged), next they asked his name, address, and how long am I planning to stay (5 weeks). That was it, they took my photo and fingerprints and officer said welcome to NY, enjoy your stay. They didn't ask for any documents. Just be honest and calm. And at the end it all depends on the officer at POE, I noticed that some are asking more questions than others. Just make sure she brings all her documents showing her ties to country (I had letter from work, bank statments, flight itineraries, letter showing I paid rent for next few months), make sure she brings some money because I heard they can ask you to show it, and I also had invitation letter from my fiancee. I was lucky and they didn't ask for any of those, but it's better to be prepared. Good luck

[KasiaandJason 2]

I came back to France a month ago. I already went three times to the USA for 3 months to see my then boyfriend now fiancé. Both time I arrived at JFK I had the same officer... He just ask me where I was gonna stay and when was my flight return. And asked me what I was bringing with me because I had my little rabbit with me.

The first time I arrived at Newark, the officer asked me who was living at the adress I gave him, I told him it was my boyfriend. He asked me where I met him and after I answered he gave me back my passport and said Welcome to The USA.

[LORIEandPHIL 123]

I visited several times both before we applied, and while waiting for the K-1. I stayed for up to 3 months at a time. Never had any issues, but I did bring proof of ties every time just in case. It makes sense to have as much proof of ties as possible.

[Ketsuban 1,034]

I visited the US last July and accidentally lined up at a desk with a mean-looking officer who sent an entire family immediately before me to secondary. My turn came, and shaking like a leaf, I told him I was visiting my boyfriend.

He asked me for how long, then stamped me in

[Avery Cates 1,141]

Hello All,

My name is Chris I would be very thankful for your opinions or experience regarding this topic. I know it has been asked before but usually they have come to USA in the past. In my case it's a little different. My girlfriend is from Chile and they recently got added to the VWP, I known her almost 2 years I went to visit her for a month in Chile (I was born in California) about a year ago. I know K-1 is an option and me and her have discussed it, and I had plan on going back to Chile to see her for a month. But after seeing Chile being added to VWP I wanted her to come here and visit me for the 3 months. I bought her a plane ticket for 85 days which includes her return ticket. My concern is will there be any problem when she arrives in the USA and say's "I'm visiting my boyfriend" it will be her first time in the US. I've read a lot of people saying the work boyfriend/girlfriend raises automatically red flag but I don't want her to lie.

Will you be so kind share your opinion or your experience or any advice please, will it be better to file for K-1 and have her say "I'm visiting my fiancee while our K-1 is processing"? I can send her a copy of the NOA1 and a letter of invitation if it helps. Or do you think she will be fine just coming under VWP? She has ties to her country and I can provide an invitation letter, copy of my lease and what not if needed. She has no intentions of staying or working or getting married here. I simply can't wait to see her its been a little over a year and we really want to spend time together. I just want to take the "best" and legal route so she won't be denied entry.

Thanks,

Chris

I can tell you my experience. My fiance visited me here about half a dozen times, both before and when the K-1 was in the process.

The very first time she came, they held her for additional questioning for like an hour. The times after that she just walked right through no problems.

[Sasuke 0]

Quick Update: Everything went really smooth! She brought proof of ties to her country but immigration officer didn't ask for any. She was just asked why staying almost 90 days and she said she was taking advantage of trip since is long flight and not cheap, and was here to visit her boyfriend. Took only a few minutes, her POE was Dallas/Forth Worth International Airport. Thank You all for your advices and help!