K-1 application (NOA1) and B-1 ( tourist visa )

[Chris Knouse 3]

OK my fiancee has vacation coming up in Aug and we are on our NOA1 awaiting NOA2. If she wants to the visit the USA what pitfalls are involved? I know some people have posted on here that its doable, but nothing really concrete is ever said.

Can this really be done?

Should it be done?

Why would the USCIS deny it?

How long can it take to get a tourist visa?

My fiancee has a son in Kyiv and he will not be attending her visit. ( ensures return and non immigration on the B-1 )

What are some other pitfalls?

[Dan J 277]

OK my fiancee has vacation coming up in Aug and we are on our NOA1 awaiting NOA2. If she wants to the visit the USA what pitfalls are involved? I know some people have posted on here that its doable, but nothing really concrete is ever said.

Can this really be done?

Should it be done?

Why would the USCIS deny it?

How long can it take to get a tourist visa?

My fiancee has a son in Kyiv and he will not be attending her visit. ( ensures return and non immigration on the B-1 )

What are some other pitfalls?

She can visit on B-1 while the K-1 is processing. However, she will need to show proof that she intents to return. This could be anything from lease agreements to a letter from her employer.

[CQ & CS 2]

She can visit on B-1 while the K-1 is processing. However, she will need to show proof that she intents to return. This could be anything from lease agreements to a letter from her employer.

Yes it is doable but the CBP has final say even if she has a valid B-1 visa.

[JeannieL 44]

I too am waiting on NOA2. I have vacation coming in September and would like very much to visit my fiance in the US. I called pre-clearance at the Halifax airport. Talked to a very nice man, who thanked us for doing things the right way. He then put me through to another person that said...Proof of strong ties to Canada, lease agreement, telephone bill, utility bill, proof of a bank account, proof of employment (letter from employer stating how long employed and return date after vacation. Do not take any copies of the K1 process with you, other than maybe a copy of the NOA1 or NOA2 if you have it. If they ask why you don't have any other paperwork, state that you need it in Canada for the interview. There is no guarantee that you will be allowed to travel. It is all up to the officer that receives you that day. I haven't decided if i am going to try to travel or not. Let me know if you do decide to go and how things go please! Good luck!

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

OK my fiancee has vacation coming up in Aug and we are on our NOA1 awaiting NOA2. If she wants to the visit the USA what pitfalls are involved? I know some people have posted on here that its doable, but nothing really concrete is ever said.

Can this really be done?

Should it be done?

Why would the USCIS deny it?

How long can it take to get a tourist visa?

My fiancee has a son in Kyiv and he will not be attending her visit. ( ensures return and non immigration on the B-1 )

What are some other pitfalls?

Yes it CAN be done. It has no affect on your K-1 at all. There are no pitfalls to her "visiting", per se.

Getting a tourist visa in Ukraine is not easy. Her son will not be enough "ties". Alla was denied a tourist visa two years before we met despite having a sponsored trip by her employer, round trip tickets, TWO children left behind, a mother left behind, a job paying 5 times the national average income and owning property. And she was treated "like a reptile".

USCIS does not issue tourist visas, the DOS does at the consulate. Call the call center and make an appointment, then fill out the forms and bring them in with your fee and take your chances.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

I too am waiting on NOA2. I have vacation coming in September and would like very much to visit my fiance in the US. I called pre-clearance at the Halifax airport. Talked to a very nice man, who thanked us for doing things the right way. He then put me through to another person that said...Proof of strong ties to Canada, lease agreement, telephone bill, utility bill, proof of a bank account, proof of employment (letter from employer stating how long employed and return date after vacation. Do not take any copies of the K1 process with you, other than maybe a copy of the NOA1 or NOA2 if you have it. If they ask why you don't have any other paperwork, state that you need it in Canada for the interview. There is no guarantee that you will be allowed to travel. It is all up to the officer that receives you that day. I haven't decided if i am going to try to travel or not. Let me know if you do decide to go and how things go please! Good luck!

The difference is, you are Canadian. I live near the border and we go to Canada for lunch sometimes. You do not need a tourist visa to enter the US, a person from Ukraine DOES. She will not have any problem entering and will not be asked about her "ties" to Ukraine at the border. She will have to PROVE that before being issued a visa. She will not be allowed to board an airplane for the US without being able to prove she has the documents to enter the US.

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

A B1 is a business visa. You're talking about a B2 and it won't be easy for her to get one in light of the fact that she wants to immigrate to the US and is about to cut her ties to the Ukraine.

I don't want to sound pessimistic, but IMHO it's as likely as winning the lottery.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

A B1 is a business visa. You're talking about a B2 and it won't be easy for her to get one in light of the fact that she wants to immigrate to the US and is about to cut her ties to the Ukraine.

I don't want to sound pessimistic, but IMHO it's as likely as winning the lottery.

Probably less likely, but costs a whole lot more to play. If you even want to have a chance she would need to have round trip airfare purchased in advance which you will probably lose when they deny her visa. It is far cheaper and easier for you to go to Ukraine even if you need to take some days off work unpaid. It is a "sure thing".

Alla was treated so badly that she was terrified to go to the consulate for our K-1 interview and never mentioned the process to anyone until she had her visa in hand...she was sure she would be denied and unceremoniously kicked out of the consulate! K-1s are a different animal entirely, thank goodness.