Visiting while on NA01 and NA02

[Elora & Rob 15]

Have started a thread in the main forum on this but wanted to get it from a UK perspectve as well.

What are you expiriences of visiting while on NA01 and more importantly N0A2?

Based on current info I should recieve NOA2 in July, before that I have two trips planned in May and June. Then I plan again to visit in August and October before actually moving in December. I will request my interview to be in late October.

I am not in a position yet where I can tell my employer that I intend to leave.

[cathy2904 97]

There are never any guarantees that you will be admitted. Just make sure that you have strong ties to home - return ticket, letter from your employer, mortgage/rent agreement etc It will probably also help to have copies of your NOA1/2 to show that you are going through the process the legal way.

I didn't try to visit during our process because I was warned on my last visit before filing that I obviously had immigrant intent so, although they would admit me on that visit, they wouldn't let me in again under the VWP. We did toy with the idea of me traveling via Dublin because you do the immigration formalities there and if they weren't going to let me in I wouldn't have to do the 9 hours flight first!

[Jessa & Liam 11]

I traveled to see Jessica once during the process in November and I had a letter from my employer stating that I was employed in a permanent position, a copy of my leave showing when I was due back and a copy of my rent book to show financial times. I wasn't asked for any of it and when I was questioned in Dublin before boarding the plane (Dublin has US Agents there to clear you before you enter the US) I stated that the purpose of my visit was to see my fiance. I was allowed through with no problem at all.

[Darkmoonfaerie 19]

Sorry to hijack but I just want to make sure I've got this right, if you fly through Dublin you do not have to go through the process again when you arrive to say Boston?

[xjoseyx 19]

I visited my fiance this January. I got home a few days before my NOA2. I didnt take anything with me. When the IO asked me my purpose of visit I told I was there to see my fiance. He said ok and I told him I had a visa application filed. He asked me what one and I told him a K1. He was happy with that and let me through. I was silly not to take anything with me. Id definately take some proof with you like the NOA1 or NOA2 and a return ticket.

[benuk 18]

Sorry to hijack but I just want to make sure I've got this right, if you fly through Dublin you do not have to go through the process again when you arrive to say Boston?

Yep,Yep, that is correct in Dublin they have already a POE into the US so everything is done there so when you get to the US you don't have to go through Immigration!

[Darkmoonfaerie 19]

Yep,Yep, that is correct in Dublin they have already a POE into the US so everything is done there so when you get to the US you don't have to go through Immigration!

Cool! Thank you. That might be a good option to look into for Alan and his boys on their next trips. This one was booked before we filed for the K1.

[Jessa & Liam 11]

Knowing you're cleared before you get on the plane (and likely dealing with shorter queues) makes the flight much better, especially were connecting flights are concerned

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

What are you expiriences of visiting while on NA01 and more importantly N0A2?

Before any petition, at least 20 trips.

After NOA1: 1 visit

After NOA2: 1 visit

(NOA2 only took 50 days)

What is the purpose of your trip? I'm on holiday.

How long are you staying? 2 weeks

Where do you work? I work for Thames Valley Police.

Only thing ever said by CBP is "you come here a lot". He said, "Yes, I like it here. I always have a good time."

Everybody is going to have different experiences. It's a subjective evaluation of whether you look like you are a visitor or potential illegal overstay. If you were in charge, who would you question further?

1. Confident and well-dressed 50 year old British man with gray hair who works for the police and is staying 2 weeks. He has a wallet full of cash and credit cards.
   
2. Extremely nervous 19 year old in a tank top and flip flops, covered in tattoos with a nose ring and pierced tongue who is staying 90 days because she is unemployed. She has no credit cards and £12 in her rucksack to fund her 3 month holiday.
   

It is subjective and discriminatory. Where do you fit between the two above? What will you have to show to assure them you are going back to the UK if they think you look like a potential illegal immigrant?

[Elora & Rob 15]

I won't have any letter from my employer. They do no know my plans and cannot until after my June trip.

I live with my brother. I pay him rent in cash every month.

Will a return ticket and a copy of the NAO1 be enough? My trips will be 2 weeks at a time.

I will also be traveling internally for work during the one of the trips.

Edited March 26, 2012 by Elora&Robert

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Will a return ticket and a copy of the NAO1 be enough?

Nobody can answer that question because it is totally in the hands of the one officer at one airport. There is no checklist of what lets you pass. It's his gut feeling based on how you look, how you act, what you say, how long you stay, how often you visit. My husband never brought anything with him.

My trips will be 2 weeks at a time.

Two weeks is a positive. It's a reasonable holiday and not like you're moving in for 90 days. Do you have a work id card/badge to show you are employed? A business card? How will you answer the question 'What is the purpose of your trip?' How suspicious and panicked will your face look as you approach the immigration desk? How did it go the last time you entered the US?

I will also be traveling internally for work during the one of the trips.

So if you're going for work, your employer could write a letter stating the nature of the business you are doing on his behalf, yes?

What is the purpose of your trip? Business.

[Elora & Rob 15]

I am generally pretty calm in all situations but this is the most important thing I have ever done in my life so you never no. I have never been questioned before and wen't 5 x in 8 month between April-December last year. I will expect questioning and prepare. I can answer everything honestly. I will bring with me a photocopy of the NAO1 and previous boarding passes to show I left after 1-2 weeks previously. Also Hotel bookings for the trips. Will try and look relitavley smart. I am about the least dodgy looking person you will ever meet (check the photo)

Like I said I don't want my company to know that I am leaving yet as it will directly affect my earning potential over the next 9 months. I have a series of meetings set up in Phoenix. I will travel to vegas on the a wednesaday, spend a few nights with my fiance then go to phoenix for 3 nights on the sunday before traveling back to Vegas. Then fly home on the saturday.

then I go back in June for 2 weeks purley a trip to see my fiance.

When i go back in August/October I will have informed by employer and will be able to get a letter by then.

Does anybody have an example of what a letter from your employer would say?

My fiance is coming to London on saturday. Its been 12 weeks the longest we have been apart. I know some on here have done allot longer. She cannot visit me again. I don't want to go long periods without seeing her. Just have to risk it and hope for the best.

[Jessa & Liam 11]

Does anybody have an example of what a letter from your employer would say?

The one I had on company headed paper was about a paragraph long and contained my name, what grade I was employed as, stated it was a permanent position and how long I held it. It was signed by the head of HR.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

I have a series of meetings set up in Phoenix.

So it kinda sounds like you are not going for your company. If you are going for a job interview then be very wary that the CBP could bust you big time for this. I've read it before where a random search of luggage revealed CVs and employer contacts and it wasn't a happy ending. No K1 explanation worked. At this moment in time, seeking future employment in the US while on VWP could be severely frowned upon by CBP. You've got no visa or pending AOS/EAD. You're just a Brit entering as a tourist who is looking for work in the US. You don't have to answer in a public forum, but I'm just sayin'.

[Elora & Rob 15]

So it kinda sounds like you are not going for your company. If you are going for a job interview then be very wary that the CBP could bust you big time for this. I've read it before where a random search of luggage revealed CVs and employer contacts and it wasn't a happy ending. No K1 explanation worked. At this moment in time, seeking future employment in the US while on VWP could be severely frowned upon by CBP. You've got no visa or pending AOS/EAD. You're just a Brit entering as a tourist who is looking for work in the US. You don't have to answer in a public forum, but I'm just sayin'.

I have genuine meetings for work in Phoenix. I will be meeting my colleagues there. I am not going for job interviews. My company has clients all over the world including the US. My company have paid for my flights and my hotel.