Visiting the US during K1 visa process

[tom_uk 0]

Hello everybody,

I am thinking about going to vist my fiance in the US for the duration of April and a few weeks of May, as it feels like we haven't been with each other for ages. She is finishing up her college semester and then wants to come back with me to the UK for a few months until we get the visa sorted for me to go back to the states again in the Summer.

Do you think that I will be okay entering the US with a K1 in process if I bring evidence of ties to the UK (i.e. letter of employment, utility bills, etc?). It kinda worries me because I would hate to get all the way to LA and refused entry.

I could wait for everything to be completed but we are both really fed up and need to spend time with each other for a while.

Has anybody got any experiences of soing this and what happended with them at the US airport?

Thanks guys,

Tom

[Englishsammy 17]

hmmmm tough one. I've never tried it personally but I've stories that people have had not problems whatsoever and some who have been refused. You need to take as much proof as possible that you have plans to return....employment, house info, proof your at uni etc Its kind of a luck thing - it depends on the individual POE officer....

If you fly Via dublin, the POE is in Dublin so if you do get refused its not as far home (depressing though).

Aer Lingus do that flight. I have heard that they are quite strict at Dublin.

Hopefully someone can give you further info.

[RichiJenny 14]

I think it also depends on how much time/often you've used the vwp in recent times. Personally I chose not to risk travelling as I'd hammered the programme, being in the us 3 times for 80 days or so...though i was unaware that this was frowned upon.

I know that infor probably doesnt help you too much, but good luck anyway mate.

[pax 0]

I'd be inclined to say that if you've not been a chronic VWP user and you can substantiate your intent to return (for your interview, after all, if nothing else!), you should be fine, but you never can tell.

Do your Immigration stuff at the Dublin or Shannon PFI just in case, and if all goes well, enjoy your visit!

[gwenneh 7]

As long as you haven't spent excessive amounts of time in the US ("living" here via the VWP) and have plenty of evidence to back up your ties to your home country you'll be fine. Just answer questions honestly and truthfully, and be prepared for the option of getting refused entry.

In our experience my husband was "living" here via the VWP and made three trips back to the UK. On his third re-entry he was stopped and questioned, and told not to try to enter again without the proper visa-but ultimately he was allowed through. The next time we entered the US it was with him on a K-1, so we were fine.

Gwen

[annelizabeth 1]

I did exactly that. See my timeline below. I was in the UK for a few weeks when my K1 approval came through and I went back to the US while I was waiting for Packet 3 etc. I got a friend to mail P3 to me here in the US!

My pending K1 must have shown up at the POE when they scanned my passport, but I didn't have any problems. I took evidence with me but didnt have to show anything. I had used the vwp several times already during the previous 12 months - for 2 weeks, 5 weeks, 1 week and finally 90 days and was prepared to be turned away, but it all worked out ok.

Good luck!

[Jaylen Brit 0]

What if you don't HAVE a letter of employment and your name isn't on ALL the bils?Any ideas?

[tom_uk 0]

Thanks guys,

I have been twice to the US in 2005. The first time in June for three weeks and again in September for just under the 90 days coming back at the end of November.

I don't really see this as abusing the VWP but i suppose it depends on the immigration officer.

I would hate to get so close to my fiance in LA and get turned back.

[Miwa 0]

Thanks guys,

I have been twice to the US in 2005. The first time in June for three weeks and again in September for just under the 90 days coming back at the end of November.

I don't really see this as abusing the VWP but i suppose it depends on the immigration officer.

I would hate to get so close to my fiance in LA and get turned back.

I visitede US in June 05 and went back another time in Dec 05 whilst awaiting for Packet 3.

They just asked me the standard, "How long do you plan to stay?" "What's your job in Kuala Lumpur?" which I went through during my first visit there. Oh, one extra question (went through immigration before collecting my bag), "how many bags do you have with you now?"

[Jkw777 0]

Just another question relating to entry into the USA whilst your K-1 is being processed.

What type of Visa would I enter into the USA and what types of information would be required as proof that I intend to return back home?

Regards,

Justin

[Peter Miami 0]

Bank account, rent or mortgage paperwork, utilities bills, car payments, etc.

[beaner0500 0]

Jkw777 - Since you're from the UK you don't need a visa to enter the country for a visit. Nigel came from London a few weeks ago and had no problem at all. He had already gotten packet 3 at that point. I can't guarantee it'll be the same for you but if you don't have a history of long stays in the US or overstaying a visa you should be fine.

[tom_uk 0]

Hi Justin,

You only need to enter the US on the VWP (Visa Waiver Program) this doesn't change until the K1 visa has been issued and then you have to use that to enter the US.

I will be using the VWP to visit my fiance in California at the end of this month, so I was just starting this thread to see if I will be turned away at immigration or not!

I was only worried because I have used the VWP a few times last year and I have heard stories of people being turned away.

Looks like if I take enough evidence with me I should be fine. Plus my fiance is coming back to the UK with me for the summer before we use the K1 visa to enter the US, so thats evidence enough that I will leave if you ask me!

[Vagina Journey 0]

Just be prepared Tom.......my personal opinion, its just all about who you get at POE and what kind of day they are having..." Kevin Lee" at Dulles Washington was having a bad day and sent my soon to be other half back to the UK and it was devistating to the both of us, I waited at the airport 7 hours after his flight arrived was told there was a hold up in customs, i checked a few times asking questions got the run around, just told it was a busy day finally at the 7th hour I was told to use the red phone in the hallway and ask customs if there was a problem so i did at this point i was told by customs that no one had been detained.....so i waited and waited 8th hour made a call home to check my messages to find a call from steve in the 2nd hour after his flight had arrived to say "Honey Im So Sorry the pricks wont let me in and then a long pause.. his voice broke up he says Please call my family and ask then to find flight details to when i will be arriving back to the UK and have someone pick me up, I love you and again Im so sorry" and ile call you when i get in.....So now he is unable to get back in the states as he was on "VWP" ..Now the K~1 is being gathered and hopefully will be ready by the 15th of this month......I wish you all the best ... Good Luck