Visits to the USA

[mrs_sdp 0]

Hi All

We are in the process of putting the final touches to the I-129F application - hopefully it will be sent off at the beginning of November.

My fiance lives in the USA (I'm in Scotland) and I have been visiting him regularly over the last two and a half years. I was advised while going through POE on my last visit, that I would need to make this my last visit for a while as I was nearing the 180 day threshold per 12 month period.

I haven't seen my fiance since the end of August this year and know it will take several months for the visa to be approved, so I would like to visit him again in January for 10 days just to break the waiting period up a little.

Does anyone know when the "year" starts? Do immigration calculate the number of days you visit the USA on a calendar year? I'm a little wary of spending all that money on a flight until I know for sure that I have my "new allowance" of visiting days ...

Thanks in advance for any advice you can give me ...

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

What I always do for a question like this is call up the agency. I've called CBP 3 times at least. Here's the general number:

Customs and Border Protection

(703) 526-4200 or 1-877-CBP-5511

Press 0

All of them have been nice to me. I called that general number to ask about travelling while in the K1 process.

Before coming to the US with Nick, I spoke to the actial CBP supervisor at Houston airport to ask specific questions about baggage and if we had to list the contents of six suitcases. He said just put "household possessions"...one line, that't it. Saved us alot of concern.

And last week I called the CBP customs agent who approves/clears imports, since the ship with Nick's boxes is due in port soon. I wanted to know the process of what happens since we are clearing customs ourselves and picking up his things. He told me bring a passport, list of contents, and the bill of lading to his office and he gives us a clearance to go get the goods. Good answer straight from the horses mouth.

So, my advice is just go straight to the source and try to find an answer. You don't have to tell them who you are or give them a passport number.

[mrs_sdp 0]

What I always do for a question like this is call up the agency. I've called CBP 3 times at least. Here's the general number:

Customs and Border Protection

(703) 526-4200 or 1-877-CBP-5511

Press 0

All of them have been nice to me. I called that general number to ask about travelling while in the K1 process.

Before coming to the US with Nick, I spoke to the actial CBP supervisor at Houston airport to ask specific questions about baggage and if we had to list the contents of six suitcases. He said just put "household possessions"...one line, that't it. Saved us alot of concern.

And last week I called the CBP customs agent who approves/clears imports, since the ship with Nick's boxes is due in port soon. I wanted to know the process of what happens since we are clearing customs ourselves and picking up his things. He told me bring a passport, list of contents, and the bill of lading to his office and he gives us a clearance to go get the goods. Good answer straight from the horses mouth.

So, my advice is just go straight to the source and try to find an answer. You don't have to tell them who you are or give them a passport number.

Thanks Nich - I'll give them a call ....

[Ju&Ja 1]

Hi All

We are in the process of putting the final touches to the I-129F application - hopefully it will be sent off at the beginning of November.

My fiance lives in the USA (I'm in Scotland) and I have been visiting him regularly over the last two and a half years. I was advised while going through POE on my last visit, that I would need to make this my last visit for a while as I was nearing the 180 day threshold per 12 month period.

I haven't seen my fiance since the end of August this year and know it will take several months for the visa to be approved, so I would like to visit him again in January for 10 days just to break the waiting period up a little.

Does anyone know when the "year" starts? Do immigration calculate the number of days you visit the USA on a calendar year? I'm a little wary of spending all that money on a flight until I know for sure that I have my "new allowance" of visiting days ...

Thanks in advance for any advice you can give me ...

I think that what they said about the 180 days it is because after this number you are more in the USA than in your own country and it is a problem for them ! Maybe before to send your petition you should get an appointment at the US embassy (it is one of my regrets to not did this so if you can, just do it) and try to get a tourist visa. Cuz' if you apply for a K1 and then ask for a tourist visa you will be denied cuz' you can't ask for a tourist status if you already asked for an immigrant visa. It is what told me the US embassy in Paris. I asked for a tourist visa and they said "no, you should asked this before to be in the K1 process"

[KimandRuss 0]

There is no length of time you must be in or out of the U.S. The basic 'understanding' is that you must not be in the U.S. more than you are in your own Country. The VWP is to be used for visiting ...not for living in the U.S. If you are merely visiting then chances are you will not have any issues getting in as long as you bring enough ties to show you are going home but that being said, there are no quarantees. Every entry is left up to the officer at the POE. All you can do is prepare and hope.

BTW... ESTA will begin in January of next year (it's voluntary now) so, if you are approved beforehand, I would think that should help ease concerns about being denied entry.

Glad you're almost there.

mbk

[mrs_sdp 0]

BTW... ESTA will begin in January of next year (it's voluntary now) so, if you are approved beforehand, I would think that should help ease concerns about being denied entry.

Hi All

Yes I remembered getting a leaflet on my way back home last time. I've saved the site to my favourites already lol. I'm a great "forward planner". I'm not sure if my planned visit will be January or February now - there might be issues getting time off from my new job, but as soon as I know I'm going for sure, I'll check the website BEFORE buying my ticket.

Thanks for your support everyone ... it has been and always will be, much appreciated!