Visiting On ESTA , no strong ties :(

[Em90 0]

Hello everybody!

Me and my fiancee just filed for the K1-visa.. exciting!! Currently I am a final master year student in biomedical engineering in Belgium.

I will graduate in July! Afterwards I would like to visit my fiancee for a period of about 80 days.. I didn't look for a job here because it would be useless if our visa will get approved around november!

I currently live in student housing and I work a student job, both of these will end right after graduation because i am not eligible for these anymore.

The only thing that i can tell at the boarder is that I just studied super hard for 5 years to get my engineering degree and that it would be so stupid to trow that away..

additional to the pending K1 visa and that i have family here which i wish to see as much as i can.

I was also debating if it would be smarter for me to fly over dublin to the usa, that if i would be refused that the flight home is not such a long way.

Or are the customs there known to be more difficult?

Does anybody have any advice!

[A&P_Germany 8]

If you get refused it will not be until the USA POE. Here is my fiancee experience. She was still in school and had an apartment lease.

From the "Yes, you can visit" thread...

"She made it in! However she got GRILLED with questions and most of them were the same ones over and over. They asked how long we were going out and if we were engaged, then she was told she can not stay. She showed them proof that she has ties still to Germany (school papers, school schedule showing she is on vacation). She was then asked well what she claims a thousand questions. I sent her a copy of the NOA1 to bring and they kept it (hopefully this does not cause problems later). She then went to customs and the lady must have thought she was immigration also because she asked all the same questions and then sent her over to a second screen. They grilled her more about what she does when she is leaving and what not. She showed them proof told them the other immigration officer has the NOA1 and she was FINALLY let in. All of these questions took 30+ minutes... she walked out and said she is never coming back without the K1 visa...

So she did make it in... was not a pleasant experience though. Good luck to everyone else!"

Any chance you both can take a vacation to Canada? That might a safe alternative.

Either way good luck!!

Edited April 19, 2013 by A&P_Germany

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Dublin is a POE (even though that seems weird, it's a "pre-clearance" place) so it's a good idea.

OP: They probably won't even ask you anything but it's your choice if you want to try in Dublin to shorten the ride back. Good luck.

[A&P_Germany 8]

Dublin is a POE (even though that seems weird, it's a "pre-clearance" place) so it's a good idea.

Well I learned something new today. I guess its the same as Toronto then.

[Em90 0]

Well I learned something new today. I guess its the same as Toronto then.

Yes it is But much closer to home, the only thing i was wondering on that matter was that are the customs in the pre -clearance air ports told to be more aware ?

And sorry no chance we can go on a holiday in canada, my fiancee will start residency in july and will be working unfortunately

[Wim and Brittany 0]

Try to bring as many proof of ties to Belgium as possible. Even a phone contract and definitely your return ticket. Always answer directly to the question asked and don't volunteer information. And of course, be honest. I recently visited my fiancee with my POE at JFK. The CBP officer didn't ask me 1 question. I was prepared to be questioned for a long time and had tons of proof with me. It was the easiest entry I've ever had. So it all depends on the officer. Also, read trough this topic with all experiences regarding visiting during a K 1: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/67796-yes-you-can-visit/. If you haven't visited the US for too long and too many times, I'm sure you'll be fine and there won't be anything to worry about. Good luck!

[mai95 4]

I learned today also Dublin a POE.

http://www.dublinairport.com/gns/at-the-airport/US-Preclearance.aspx

and also Toronto.

http://www.torontopearson.com/Departing_to_usa.aspx#.

I would think that it is cheaper for the U.S. to place the immigration in those places, it save money on deportations, and processing, etc.