What if I use a different passport to visit my fiancé?

[smtha81 4]

Hello everyone, I'm brand new here and this is my first post!

I've been reading a few posts, especially the pinned one about visits while waiting for the K1 visa.

I couldn't find the answer to my question, I don't know if the topic's been discussed before. If it has, I apologise in advance!

I am binational: Swiss and British, currently residing in Switzerland. When my fiancé and I filled out the I-129 F form, I only had a Swiss passport but in the meantime I've received my UK passport which had expired in 1998.

Anyway, I read it was ok to visit your fiancé but that it was a lot of stress and anxiety as they could deny you access and send you home. Obviously, I would prefer to avoid that scenario.

Do you think it would be fraud if I tried to enter the US with my UK passport, knowing that I'm applying for a K1 visa with a Swiss passport?

If you think it would be, then at what stage should I inform the USCIS of my dual citizenship? does it matter at all?

Many thanks!

[Tygrys 143]

Hello everyone, I'm brand new here and this is my first post!

I've been reading a few posts, especially the pinned one about visits while waiting for the K1 visa.

I couldn't find the answer to my question, I don't know if the topic's been discussed before. If it has, I apologise in advance!

I am binational: Swiss and British, currently residing in Switzerland. When my fiancé and I filled out the I-129 F form, I only had a Swiss passport but in the meantime I've received my UK passport which had expired in 1998.

Anyway, I read it was ok to visit your fiancé but that it was a lot of stress and anxiety as they could deny you access and send you home. Obviously, I would prefer to avoid that scenario.

Do you think it would be fraud if I tried to enter the US with my UK passport, knowing that I'm applying for a K1 visa with a Swiss passport?

If you think it would be, then at what stage should I inform the USCIS of my dual citizenship? does it matter at all?

Many thanks!

You are not applying for K1 visa with any passport yet. YOUR FIANCE just filed I-129F petition on your behalf. Long way to go before YOU wil be applying for a visa at the consulate.

I doubt you will have any problems with entering US on British passport, but the best way to find out is to apply for ESTA.

[gene&magnolia 3]

You have a dual citizenship. But my concern is more about which country did your fiancé file the case for you? Your residing country? And which citizenship did he file on for you? British?

[smtha81 4]

Thanks a lot Tygrys for pointing out the subtleties and answering my question

You have a dual citizenship. But my concern is more about which country did your fiancé file the case for you? Your residing country? And which citizenship did he file on for you? British?

Since my British passport only got renewed after my fiancé filed the case, he only referred to me as a Swiss citizen, giving my address in Switzerland.

[Penguin_ie 5,985]

Ok that in itself may be a problem. Because you are a UK citizen, even if for a while, you didn't have a UK passport, and as such, your UK citizenship should have been declared. I don;t think it's going to get you denied, but next time you send in paperwork, be sure to get that changed and send in corrected docs.

Having files a K1 can actually go in your favour, because it shows you want to do things the legal way. That being said, I don;t think it is fraud/ illegal to use your UK passport, as long as you don;t lie on your ESTA or to the immigration officer at the border about your dual citizenship and the K1 petition if asked.

[gene&magnolia 3]

Thanks a lot Tygrys for pointing out the subtleties and answering my question

Since my British passport only got renewed after my fiancé filed the case, he only referred to me as a Swiss citizen, giving my address in Switzerland.

[gene&magnolia 3]

I remember seeing some post talking about visiting while applying a k1 visa. I am gonna say you can come to the US with either passport. They have to fringerprint you anyway. But at POE, make sure you tell them about your k1, any buy returning ticket, show them proof you will not stay, you will go back.

[Jacque67 7,328]

why do you want to use a different passport?

if you have entered the states before, they have your biometrics

[tigey 10]

It seems like there is some info you are not telling us. Why would you want to enter with a differnt passport? If it is because you are trying to "hide" your entry to the US, don't do it. Do you have ESTA registered with your Swiss or UK passport? You can not have more than one ESTA number. I have dual nationality and a UK passport also. I filed for K-1 with the UK passoprt and used it to enter the U.S. two times using ESTA. There is no problem with visiting while the K-1 application process is pending. DO NOT enter with an ESTA of another passport if you already have a valid K-1 in one of the passports!

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Why would you want to use your UK passport? What's wrong with the Swiss one? They both give you the same time in the US.

[smtha81 4]

It seems like there is some info you are not telling us. Why would you want to enter with a differnt passport? If it is because you are trying to "hide" your entry to the US, don't do it. Do you have ESTA registered with your Swiss or UK passport? You can not have more than one ESTA number. I have dual nationality and a UK passport also. I filed for K-1 with the UK passoprt and used it to enter the U.S. two times using ESTA. There is no problem with visiting while the K-1 application process is pending. DO NOT enter with an ESTA of another passport if you already have a valid K-1 in one of the passports!

Hi! Yes, sorry I thought my request was clear but I guess it was a little too vague.

I did mean: if I "hide" my entry as a K1 applicant and use a passport that I've never entered the US with before, then what are the risks? Well you did answer that question very well and persuaded me not to try it. That's all I wanted to know. I just don't want to deal with the hassle of having to justify my visit and being questioned as if I were a criminal.

My last visit to the US left me traumatised as I was searched and threatened by armed policemen at the Detroit customs, just because they didn't like the look of me. , i.e. for no particular reason. I hadn't met my fiancé yet, and was genuinely only there as a tourist.

Thanks for your advice!

[tigey 10]

Hi! Yes, sorry I thought my request was clear but I guess it was a little too vague.

I did mean: if I "hide" my entry as a K1 applicant and use a passport that I've never entered the US with before, then what are the risks? Well you did answer that question very well and persuaded me not to try it. That's all I wanted to know. I just don't want to deal with the hassle of having to justify my visit and being questioned as if I were a criminal.

My last visit to the US left me traumatised as I was searched and threatened by armed policemen at the Detroit customs, just because they didn't like the look of me. , i.e. for no particular reason. I hadn't met my fiancé yet, and was genuinely only there as a tourist.

Thanks for your advice!

Well Im sorry that happned, but it will cause more problems if you try to enter with a different passport. When you entered into Detroit did you use ESTA or did you have a B2 Visa? If you had an ESTA you must use the same ESTA number as before. Do not apply for an ESTA with your UK passport. If you have nothing to hide dont worry. When I entered on my UK passport I said I was there to visit my fiancee and they asked me many questions. Just answer truthfully and to the point. Dont elaborate or give unnecessary details. Just answer the questions they ask frankly but politely.