Staying during K1 process

[CG&LGG 27]

From experience, does anyone know how possible it is for the foreign fiance to come and stay for 1 to 2 months in the US (without getting married) while waiting for the K1 visa.

I ask this because my fiance is considering taking a short leave from his job because he is being completely overworked, and how possible would it be for him to come stay with me during that leave?

[Merrytooth 5,748]

Yes, one can visit during I-129F/K1 process.

Just remember to bring documents to prove ties to home country.

[CG&LGG 27]

If he is on leave from his job, other than a letter from his job, what would be documents he could bring with him that would serve as "ties"?

And thank you for your quick response!

[ChicagoSarah 127]

Return flight, lease, copies of the I-129 notices (can't hurt to show he's going about immigrating the right way)

As with anything, it's at the discretion of the CBP officer.

[Merrytooth 5,748]

Documents/evidence of strong ties to home country:
• Letter from employer (with position, salary, when employment began, permission from employer to take vacation, expected return date)
• Contract from employer

• Housing lease
• Car documents with your name on it
• Bank documents demonstrating you have enough money and the ability to support yourself while visiting the U.S.
• Credit card payments
• Anything sort of credit receipts (if you have bought anything with credit that you are still paying off, bring those receipts to demonstrate that you are responsible)

• Doctor appointment letters

[Cody and Daisy 373]

He can stay with you as long as legally allowed, just make sure if approved within that time that he goes home for the medical and interview. But other than that yes!

[Boiler 43,425]

I did. Not likely to be asked very much of anything for a short visit.

[Pennycat 880]

I'm assuming that he has a Colombian passport (and only a Colombian passport) based on the information on your profile. Does he already have an existing B-2 (or other) visa to come here?

If yes: should not be too much of a problem as long as he can prove ties as mentioned previously.

If no: it might be very difficult, if not impossible. He'd have to apply for a visitor's visa and from what is oft repeated on these boards (and personal anecdotes seem to back this up): they don't tend to give people with American significant others B-2 visas---shows too much of a tie to the US rather than "home", and most people are told to apply for a K-1 instead.

That being said--I strongly believe that there is absolutely no harm in trying if you have the time/ability to travel to the embassy and $160 to spare. Everyone's circumstances are so different, and each embassy is different to the point that there really is no way of knowing without trying. I know quite a few people who work as counselor officers in embassies abroad. And one of them told me that while they (the CO) know that generally people with US fiances demonstrate too much "immigrant intent" for B-2 visas, that they (that particular CO) have made the choice to give them to applicants in this situation---it's totally personal and really just up to if the CO believes you that your fiance will not use the B-2 to immigrate.

[Dyattaw 7]

CG&LG,

If you (or rather he) does try and gets a B2 visa, Please let everyone on here know as I've not yet heard from anyone here that has gotten a B2 visa during the immigration process. Lots of people do visit, but the visa has always

been in place prior to filing an I130 or I129F. My wife and I were thinking about having her apply for one, but from the responses on here, it seemed that the likely hood was nil and I thought it would be more depressing for her to

be denied than the little chance of approval merited. If your fiancé is accepted, we will certainly reevaluate that decision.

thanks

[CG&LGG 27]

He already has a tourist visa. He has been here many times before. But he hasn't traveled back since we started the K1 process.

Thank you everyone for your responses!!!

[Avery Cates 1,141]

He already has a tourist visa. He has been here many times before. But he hasn't traveled back since we started the K1 process.

Thank you everyone for your responses!!!

It's certainly possible, but it's a determination that will only be made for sure by the CBP agents at the POE.

A history of traveling here and leaving timely is certainly helpful, but with the K-1 in play it does show immigrant intent, so he may be scrutinized further, because a concern for them is "will he leave this time, or is he just coming to shortcut the K-1?"

If you two have the money to spare and want to take the gamble, then there's no reason not to try.

[TabeaK 516]

With an existing visa in place getting turned away at the border, especially for a relatively short visit with a history of arriving and departing on time, is a very, very small risk to take. Have fun on your visit, you will be fine!

[Boiler 43,425]

Biggest risk would be the co pilot being a nut job.