Please help, from UK, would like a k1 visa, b2 temporarily?

[D&R 0]

Hi, this is my first post here. I hope you guys can help...

I met a girl online over 2 years ago and I recently stayed with her for 45 days. She lives in the US and I in the UK. We would like to live together in the US as soon as possible

I read that it could take upto or even more than 12 months to get a K1 visa. This is just not possible for me. I would like to go and be with her as soon as possible and stay as long as possible.

Is it possible to apply for both a K1 and a B2? I would like to apply for the B2 to stay there for 6 months, with full intent to return back to the UK and then return to the US at a later date on a K1 Visa? Can we state this when applying for the B2?

I have savings so I should be able to support myself in the US. And I can live with her for all of the 6 months.

Am I likely to be rejected for a B2?

Does living in the UK mean that there could be a shorter wait time for K1?

Has anybody here ever been unfairly denied a K1 for a genuine relationship, maybe even a UK/US relationship? What is the chance of this happening?

Also, is there some other way for me to be with her in the US besides a B2? She is a student so it isn't possible for her to leave the US.

Thank you in advance for the help. It means so much to me.

You say "...a K1 Visa is just not possible for me. I would like to go and be with her as soon as possible and stay as long as possible"

I think the question you need to ask yourself is do you want to marry her? That's the only reason for a K1. You don't apply for a fiancee visa to just "stay with someone for as long as possible". (well, technically you do as I guess that's what marriage is but anyway...)

So just to clarify, are you looking to marry this person? It sounds like you just met her for the first time and your heart is ruling the head at the moment (been there, done that). Why must you live together ASAP? Is there any particular reason for this? Don't expect anything to happy quickly is this process, as many people will tell you on here... it's a waiting game. That's just the way it is and maybe for a good reason because it stops people rushing into a marriage and doing things 'asap'. I don't mean to sound patronizing when I say this, but the first 45 days in any relationship is going to seem amazing and then being apart is going to hurt. Just don't rush into anything, and give it time. Go back to visit, sure... that's no problem at all with the VWP, but leaving just days in between just seems rediculous. Take you time!!

and just so you know I talk from experience. I'm from the UK too, and my gf if from Arizona, USA. I've been with her coming up to 2 years now, and visit every 3-4 months for a few weeks at a time. The VWP has been fine and I've had no problems with it. A few times I was just asked 'Why are you visiting the US? Business or pleasure?' (I replied pleasure - of course) and "Who am I visiting?" (I replied a 'friend' - OK, so that's kinda true and kinda not, but just easier that way and avoids further questions - I always have full intent to return home). Anyway... only after a year and a half after meeting her for the first time am looking into marriage. (even though I actually told her that I was going to marry her the first time I saw her - just felt right, but wasn't dumb enough to propose after that short a time)

Wow - I think this is my longest post yet- I hope it actually gets read.

Anyway... take your time, visit loads and enjoy yourself. Travelling backwards and forwards in an expensive thing, so don't use up all your cash in the first 6 months as to move their permanently will take time (and alot more money!! lol)

[C/S 0]

A K1 visa is possible. What I meant was that waiting all of that time to see her again isn't something I want to do. When I first went there I was asked a lot of questions by the immigration woman at Philadelphia airport, but I wasn't denied. Do they not always ask so many questions?

[C/S 0]

Would a smaller airport be a better airport to go to first, for immigration?

I've decided I'll go for two weeks, and my flight there will be about 2 weeks after returning home to the UK. If they ask why I'm coming back can I just say I'd like to spend some more time with her? Would that be a good enough reason? What else could I be asked? I don't do well under pressure, especially when I have the risk of being denied entry!!

Edited August 22, 2009 by fsfsfsfs

[Justine+David 218]

Do you have a job that your employer can write that you'll be back on x date? Copy of a rental agreement with a landlord? Those will help, along with your return flight ticket.

Can you go to a different POE? My fiance has been to the U.S. about every 3-4 months for about a week at a time in various places (Chicago, San Francisco, NYC, Washington DC, etc) because we meet up for different Harry Potter events (I'm a neeeerd, I know). He's never had any problems at all getting entry.

On the other hand, I, visiting him going only to London, have encountered some pretty suspicious conversations with UK border folks and thank goodness I have the visa stuff started so I can show them the paperwork that I'm not planning to immigrate there but for him to come here on my next trip in September. That, along with a copy of my work schedule should help my case out a bit.

It's hard to be away from your loved one. We all understand that intimately due to the nature of this forum. I wish you the best in seeing your loved one but I would take a hard look at the advice already been given because most people here have been through similar situations and have lots of experience with border folks.

[C/S 0]

Do you have a job that your employer can write that you'll be back on x date? Copy of a rental agreement with a landlord? Those will help, along with your return flight ticket.

Can you go to a different POE? My fiance has been to the U.S. about every 3-4 months for about a week at a time in various places (Chicago, San Francisco, NYC, Washington DC, etc) because we meet up for different Harry Potter events (I'm a neeeerd, I know). He's never had any problems at all getting entry.

On the other hand, I, visiting him going only to London, have encountered some pretty suspicious conversations with UK border folks and thank goodness I have the visa stuff started so I can show them the paperwork that I'm not planning to immigrate there but for him to come here on my next trip in September. That, along with a copy of my work schedule should help my case out a bit.

It's hard to be away from your loved one. We all understand that intimately due to the nature of this forum. I wish you the best in seeing your loved one but I would take a hard look at the advice already been given because most people here have been through similar situations and have lots of experience with border folks.

I don't have a job, I recently left college, and I don't have my own place here yet. I'll have a return ticket though.

I haven't booked the flight yet. My final destination will be IND but I can't find any direct flights there. What airport should I try to get for POE? My options seem to be Philadelphia, Newark, Atlanta, Detroit, Chicago.

[Paul_Light 0]

Hi C/S

I know how you feel. I was in EXACTLY the same situation in early 2006. I met Renee on January 4th in a hotel in Cancun, flew to Dallas for Valentines Day and spent 3 weeks there. Flew home to the U.K. April 2006 she visited me and we went to Florence, my mind was made up. June 2006 I sold everything I had in the U.K. and turned up with just 2 suitcases. I discovered that the U.S. really only like you to stay a total of 3 months within a year. Well, my time "ran out". I decided to move to Mexico so that we would be closer, Renee is from Dallas. We applied for a K1 in the U.K., I flew back for my medical BUT had to make another trip for the interview. We missed the date by about 2 weeks. Then we filed again with me being a Mexican resident.

That's the short version. 3 years later, MANY flights from Dallas to Cancun and Cancun to Dallas, $$$$$ spent filing papers etc., not to mention the flights. We were married on June 13, 2009. We bought a new home just 3 days ago. Today I have my biometrics test. Hopefully, I'll be able to work in September/October after being here since the end of March 2009.

It just takes time. I know it's difficult. If I would have had the option to pay $20,000 to have it done quicker I would have done.

Hang on in there.

Paul

[SophWeb 25]

A K1 visa is possible. What I meant was that waiting all of that time to see her again isn't something I want to do. When I first went there I was asked a lot of questions by the immigration woman at Philadelphia airport, but I wasn't denied. Do they not always ask so many questions?

If you apply for a K1 visa, you are still able to visit her while that visa is processing.

Keep in mind though that no one can say for sure that you'll be allowed in, as it's at the discretion of the officer that interviews you at your POE. That being said, if you can prove that you still have strong ties back to the UK and aren't going to commit visa fraud and remain in the U.S. for an extended period, than chances are you shouldn't have a problem. It's also possible for you to stay the full 3 months - I've seen many on VJ do this.

The more important thing to worry about though is if you two want to marry

If you are considering K1 as a possible option in the future then remember to keep all your receipts and travel documents (boarding passes etc) as evidence of your visits. Also, take plenty of photos together. It'll make your life much easier later on

[Justine+David 218]

I don't have a job, I recently left college, and I don't have my own place here yet. I'll have a return ticket though.

I haven't booked the flight yet. My final destination will be IND but I can't find any direct flights there. What airport should I try to get for POE? My options seem to be Philadelphia, Newark, Atlanta, Detroit, Chicago.

Is there anything to show (besides a return ticket) that you have ties to the UK? A decent sized bank account? Try to look at it from the officer's point of view:

You just spent a long time in the U.S., wanting to return only a few weeks later, with no job and no rental agreement or real estate. You sound like you might be early 20s so you look young as well. What is your incentive to return to the UK, since you don't have anything really holding you to the immigration rules, except for your good character and honesty.

Unfortunately, the officer can't really tell what your intentions are (wouldn't it be great if they just knew and mind-read?) and has to make his decision based off of the facts. Would you let you in based on the facts alone? One good thing working in your favor is that you're a UK citizen, a wealthy country.

I guess to be blunt, what exactly are you going to do with your life while waiting out the K1 process? How can you afford all these trips if you don't have an income and won't be able to work if you're in the US? The burden is on you to provide evidence of your intent to return. The return ticket might be enough but then again, do you want to waste $700 on a trip here if you get denied and have to buy another flight on your own dime to get back to the UK?

As far as the POE goes, I can't really give any advice onto which one might be better, but do a search on the forums here--should have some info.