Entering the US as a tourist once my fiancee has her K-1?

[Tim & Lucie 0]

Hi folks.....my fiancee and I have a bit of an issue here and I hope to get some advice from you. Here's the situation:

- my finacee (English citizen who currently resides in England) has her K-1 interview at the US Embassy in London next week (Mon, Jan 26). I assume she'll have her K-1 visa no more than a few days after the interview.

- we had previously scheduled a trip where both of us will meet in Boston (I live in LA) on Wed, Feb 4th, which is the week after her interview.

- my finacee is not yet ready to enter the US on her K-1 visa.....that'll likely be in April, given that she has work commitments to sort out prior to making the big one-way trip to the USA on her K-1.

- assuming my finacee will have her K-1 when she arrives in Boston on the 4th, can she still enter as a tourist, i.e. she has full intention to return to England on Feb 10th, and will obviously have a round-trip airline ticket to show that. If needed, she could also produce a letter to customs from her employer indicating that she is currently gainfully employed in the U.K.

Just wondering if our situation will be problematic....you can imagine the problems that would ensue if the Customs Officer tells her that she either enters on the K-1 or turns around and immediately gets on a flight back to England....either situation would be problematic. Can't she just enter as a tourist, despite having the K-1 in her possession?

Appreciate any advice!

Thanks...Tim

[Krikit 1,163]

There is no policy stating the visa must be used however it is always up to the CBP officer whether they abide by this or not. I was able to cross the border with a K-1 in my passport and was not forced to use it. They were very uncomfortable with doing it but they let me go once I explained I had a house to sell and a job to resign from first. I would not recommend this, however. The best thing to do is have her request a delay on the visa issuance during her interview. When she is ready to use it she simply sends it in to them and they will issue it at that time.

[katiushka 1]

I had a tourist visa when my K1 was issued and the people on the American embassy stamped it with a big VOID stamp. They said i can not have an inmigrant and non inmigrant visa at the same time.

I think English dont need tourist visas but i would not recomend do what you are thinking. Sounds like you can get in trouble and that can jeopardize your wedding.

K.

[rin and john 71]

Hi folks.....my fiancee and I have a bit of an issue here and I hope to get some advice from you. Here's the situation:

- my finacee (English citizen who currently resides in England) has her K-1 interview at the US Embassy in London next week (Mon, Jan 26). I assume she'll have her K-1 visa no more than a few days after the interview.

- we had previously scheduled a trip where both of us will meet in Boston (I live in LA) on Wed, Feb 4th, which is the week after her interview.

- my finacee is not yet ready to enter the US on her K-1 visa.....that'll likely be in April, given that she has work commitments to sort out prior to making the big one-way trip to the USA on her K-1.

- assuming my finacee will have her K-1 when she arrives in Boston on the 4th, can she still enter as a tourist, i.e. she has full intention to return to England on Feb 10th, and will obviously have a round-trip airline ticket to show that. If needed, she could also produce a letter to customs from her employer indicating that she is currently gainfully employed in the U.K.

Just wondering if our situation will be problematic....you can imagine the problems that would ensue if the Customs Officer tells her that she either enters on the K-1 or turns around and immediately gets on a flight back to England....either situation would be problematic. Can't she just enter as a tourist, despite having the K-1 in her possession?

Appreciate any advice!

Thanks...Tim

Agree with Krikit. Have your fiancee show her ticket/travel plans for early February with ties demonstrating that she needs to return to the UK. They may agree (up to the CO) to issue the K-1 visa upon her return from the visit. If not, then I would not risk trying to enter with the K-1 visa in her passport.

[Tim & Lucie 0]

I had a tourist visa when my K1 was issued and the people on the American embassy stamped it with a big VOID stamp. They said i can not have an inmigrant and non inmigrant visa at the same time.

I think English dont need tourist visas but i would not recomend do what you are thinking. Sounds like you can get in trouble and that can jeopardize your wedding.

K.

thanks Katiushka....you're correct, she doesn't have a tourist visa.

[Amrit & Rob 0]

Hi folks.....my fiancee and I have a bit of an issue here and I hope to get some advice from you. Here's the situation:

- my finacee (English citizen who currently resides in England) has her K-1 interview at the US Embassy in London next week (Mon, Jan 26). I assume she'll have her K-1 visa no more than a few days after the interview.

- we had previously scheduled a trip where both of us will meet in Boston (I live in LA) on Wed, Feb 4th, which is the week after her interview.

- my finacee is not yet ready to enter the US on her K-1 visa.....that'll likely be in April, given that she has work commitments to sort out prior to making the big one-way trip to the USA on her K-1.

- assuming my finacee will have her K-1 when she arrives in Boston on the 4th, can she still enter as a tourist, i.e. she has full intention to return to England on Feb 10th, and will obviously have a round-trip airline ticket to show that. If needed, she could also produce a letter to customs from her employer indicating that she is currently gainfully employed in the U.K.

Just wondering if our situation will be problematic....you can imagine the problems that would ensue if the Customs Officer tells her that she either enters on the K-1 or turns around and immediately gets on a flight back to England....either situation would be problematic. Can't she just enter as a tourist, despite having the K-1 in her possession?

Appreciate any advice!

Thanks...Tim

Hi Tim,

I had a Visitor's valid visa for 10 years on my passport. At the time of my K1 interview they happily cancelled my tourist visa . At one given point of time you cannot have both immigrant and a Non immigrant visas. So i would suggest that let your fiancee have the K1 visa issued to her. Lets not ask for a dely in issuance of the visa on a later date, that would give a reason to the visa officer to think why are u not eager to be with the one you love.....Once the visa is issued she has to fly within 6 months of its issuance. That time period should be good for her to sort out her job and other things to be taken care of before she makes the big move towards a new life.

Wishing you and your fiancee Good Luck and speedy approvals.

Regards,

Amrit & Rob

[Krikit 1,163]

Hi Tim,

I had a Visitor's valid visa for 10 years on my passport. At the time of my K1 interview they happily cancelled my tourist visa . At one given point of time you cannot have both immigrant and a Non immigrant visas. So i would suggest that let your fiancee have the K1 visa issued to her. Lets not ask for a dely in issuance of the visa on a later date, that would give a reason to the visa officer to think why are u not eager to be with the one you love.....Once the visa is issued she has to fly within 6 months of its issuance. That time period should be good for her to sort out her job and other things to be taken care of before she makes the big move towards a new life.

Wishing you and your fiancee Good Luck and speedy approvals.

Regards,

Amrit & Rob

Re the bolded sentence...... the officer at my consulate offered to do this (delay issuance of the visa) when I was faced with the same dilemma that Tim's fiancee is faced with. The approval of the visa is completed prior to its issuance. Asking for it to be placed in the passport at a later date will not impact that approval.

Edited January 20, 2009 by Krikit

[Jasman0717 8]

To save confusion I would just go with the embassy delaying issuing the K-1 visa.