Yes, you can visit!

[Absolutely 34]

On 3/12/2017 at 4:12 AM, misken said:

I'm planning on taking my gf home to the U.S. for about a month to visit and meet my parents. We will be arriving separately, as my summer vacation schedule is different than hers. We're planning on her bringing her proof of employment and apartment lease, and return ticket, but should she also carry proof that I also live abroad in a city near her and that we are both planning on returning there together after the trip? Will it seem weird if she is overly-prepared?

 

There's no such thing as being too over-prepared, but TSA officers are incredibly unlikely to want to see evidence about where the USC lives, they'll just want to see proof that your fiancee has ties such as employment, leases etc etc. It won't hurt to take the evidence about your situation just in case but put more emphasis on your fiancees.

 

If she hasn't been to America back and forth, they probably won't even ask to see ties other than asking if she has a return ticket.

[MyJourney 276]

On 2/18/2017 at 11:56 AM, alicekitty said:

You can visit indeed. Based on our experience and research, you can visit the US with an ESTA visa when K-1 is in process. Once you have K-1 visa in hand (in your passport), you cannot just "visit" the US any more. You cannot use ESTA or any other visa. You will enter the US under K-1 and it's for single entry. You will have to get married, apply for adjustment of status, apply for advanced parole (travel permit) if you wish to leave the US briefly and then come back. 

 

Of course when your passport is with the consulate awaiting a decision on your K-1 (after your interview), you cannot travel, either. 

 

In summary, you can visit up until your interview (when you surrender your passport). After you have your passport and K-1, you will have to enter the US under the K-1 visa. 

 

 

How often/frequently can a fiancee/friend with ESTA visit the US? My fiancee came, spent 3 months and went back about 3 months ago. When can she come back again?
Is there any rule of thumb on this?

[KierenHby 897]

7 minutes ago, MyJourney said:

How often/frequently can a fiancee/friend with ESTA visit the US? My fiancee came, spent 3 months and went back about 3 months ago. When can she come back again?
Is there any rule of thumb on this?

Nothing set in stone, each scenario\visit is different. Spend at least an equal amount of time outside the US as in. 

[Limey 550]

On 13/03/2017 at 2:09 PM, MyJourney said:

How often/frequently can a fiancee/friend with ESTA visit the US? My fiancee came, spent 3 months and went back about 3 months ago. When can she come back again?
Is there any rule of thumb on this?

The basic rule is "more time out than in". So less than 6 months per year.

 

However in reality it will also depend on the border agent you meet, and what kind of day he/she is having.

 

After 3 trips (none more than 5 weeks) over a period of 8 months or so I was accused when entering for my 4th trip by the border agent of effectively circumventing immigration law and living in the US. I asked how long I was permitted to stay in the US, as I believed it was up to 6 months per year, which I was not even close to. He said that I was looking at it the wrong way, there is no such right, and his job is to stop people living in the US without a residence visa. He said that if I have a girlfriend in the US I need to sort out "something more permanent" in terms of visa. I said that we had that underway, we were waiting for her divorce to be finalized and would do so as soon as that was done. I said that I lived in the US previously (as an intern in the 90s) and understood the importance of adhering to immigration law, and that I had always done so and would continue to do so. I said that in light of his comments I wouldn't return until we were ready to do more permanent visa. At this point he changed a little and said he'd admit me on this occasion but I need to spend less time in the US, or apply for a visa. We did our next meet in Canada, and on my next trip 5 months later I had no problems.

 

So in theory your fiancee or friend can visit again. But in practice be prepared for some questions. Others on here in similar situations have had no problems, and some have. So there is a risk. I'm not sure whether the more anti immigration approach of the new US administration will have an effect too.

[Andsco 89]

So here's my question..

I came back from spending Thanksgiving and Christmas in the US with my boyfriend..who's now my fiance. We filed for K1 visa and we're waiting for NOA2 which could come at any time (that's like reaching the 9 month pregnancy, you never know when it will pop haha). I came back to my country in January and in February he got a letter from a dear friend who's getting married in June and he invited both of us. I would love to attend and if I do so, I clearly do not have any intentions of staying and would be returning 1 week or 2 after attending the wedding. 

Now my question is, for just 1 week or 2 will they put a lot of problems? I do not work but I do attend University in my country and would have the letter of intention to attend next semester. Besides that I would have my invitation to the wedding and as well my tickets and itinerary showing I have no intention to stay.

 

Thank you!

[Boiler 43,397]

14 minutes ago, Andsco said:

So here's my question..

I came back from spending Thanksgiving and Christmas in the US with my boyfriend..who's now my fiance. We filed for K1 visa and we're waiting for NOA2 which could come at any time (that's like reaching the 9 month pregnancy, you never know when it will pop haha). I came back to my country in January and in February he got a letter from a dear friend who's getting married in June and he invited both of us. I would love to attend and if I do so, I clearly do not have any intentions of staying and would be returning 1 week or 2 after attending the wedding. 

Now my question is, for just 1 week or 2 will they put a lot of problems? I do not work but I do attend University in my country and would have the letter of intention to attend next semester. Besides that I would have my invitation to the wedding and as well my tickets and itinerary showing I have no intention to stay.

 

Thank you!

Most unlikely you will have an issue.

[Andsco 89]

17 hours ago, Boiler said:

Most unlikely you will have an issue.

Wait, do you mean that most unlikely I won't have an issue or that most likely i will have an issue? I got confused there, sorry. Thanks for the answer!

[Boiler 43,397]

26 minutes ago, Andsco said:

Wait, do you mean that most unlikely I won't have an issue or that most likely i will have an issue? I got confused there, sorry. Thanks for the answer!

You mentioned nothing that suggests you will have a problem visiting.

[alicekitty 8]

On 3/13/2017 at 2:09 PM, MyJourney said:

How often/frequently can a fiancee/friend with ESTA visit the US? My fiancee came, spent 3 months and went back about 3 months ago. When can she come back again?
Is there any rule of thumb on this?

I don't know how often a person can visit the US with ESTA. Better check official ESTA website about rules.

[Boiler 43,397]

24 minutes ago, alicekitty said:

I don't know how often a person can visit the US with ESTA. Better check official ESTA website about rules.

No limit on how often you can seek admittance.

[KierenHby 897]

18 hours ago, alicekitty said:

I don't know how often a person can visit the US with ESTA. Better check official ESTA website about rules.

No limits. 

[rdwall7 2]

I visited my Fiancee in the united states numerous times during the process. All the way form first applying until the month before my scheduled interview at the consulate. I was admitted every time with no problems. When i told them i was going to visit my fiancee for a few days, sure they asked a few questions about where i was in the K-1 process but that was just to ensure that i was going about things legally.

[minemar 96]

Hi guys. 

 

I am sharing you my most recent experience. I came to visit my fiance who lives in Connecticut. My POE was JFK in New York. 

 

When I reached migration it was really easy. 

 

The lady just asked me 3 questions. 

 

Why are you coming? - Holidays

How long are you staying? - 3 days

Who lives in Connecticut?  (She saw the address from the sheet they ask you to fill in.  - Stephen, my fiance. 

 

After that there was lots of typing in the computer and finally she stamped my passport and let me in. 

 

I was a bit nervous but I am guessing honesty is the key to get in. 

 

Good luck to everyone. 

[audacieux89 256]

On 3/26/2017 at 11:27 PM, minemar said:

Hi guys. 

 

I am sharing you my most recent experience. I came to visit my fiance who lives in Connecticut. My POE was JFK in New York. 

 

When I reached migration it was really easy. 

 

The lady just asked me 3 questions. 

 

Why are you coming? - Holidays

How long are you staying? - 3 days

Who lives in Connecticut?  (She saw the address from the sheet they ask you to fill in.  - Stephen, my fiance. 

 

After that there was lots of typing in the computer and finally she stamped my passport and let me in. 

 

I was a bit nervous but I am guessing honesty is the key to get in. 

 

Good luck to everyone. 

I'm going to visit my fiance in 2 weeks! Thanks for the info. I've been worrying myself if I should say I'm visiting my boyfriend or fiance. Lol. So I guess it doesn't really matter :D

[CMJuilland 484]

2 hours ago, isabelleyri said:

I'm going to visit my fiance in 2 weeks! Thanks for the info. I've been worrying myself if I should say I'm visiting my boyfriend or fiance. Lol. So I guess it doesn't really matter

Oh, don't say boyfriend when you mean fiancé. It could backfire when they find out (and they will) because it could or would be considered a lie and thus maybe even misrepresentation. 

 

That being said, I'm waiting for my flight to get from Europe to the U.S. for a visit myself at the moment, and I hope to be able to share good news later on.