Is it safer to travel with NOA1 hard copy instead I/O email receipt?

[gotham10011 1]

Hey Everyone,

I am coming to the U.S next week and will say I'm visiting my fiancé, so of course I will be traveling with my (our?) NOA1.

I will bring proofs of strong ties in my home country* but my fiancé did not received the NOA1 hard copy yet.

The thing is I assume the paper version of NOA1 is best because if I end up to secondary, the hard copy states our names (me as a beneficiary and him as a petitioner) which is not the case on the text and on the email we received.

Do you think I should change my flight? I will arrive on a Saturday and I don't know if worst case scenario they will be able de contact USCIS to check if I'm really the beneficiary of the petition. ..

Thanks for your advices !

(* electricity/cable and cellphone bill, bank statement, letter from my employer, return flight, insurance for my 2 weeks trip, credit cards and NOA1 email receipt)

Edited July 23, 2013 by gotham10011

[Harpa Timsah 13,259]

I don't think they will even ask to see it. Usually your word is good enough, if you even get to that point in the conversation. They'll probably just say "have a nice trip."

[gotham10011 1]

I don't think they will even ask to see it. Usually your word is good enough, if you even get to that point in the conversation. They'll probably just say "have a nice trip."

I hope so!

The thing is my immigration history is really crazy so I know I will have a hard time seeing my fiancé this time.

My last trip in the U.S I stayed 5 months and 3 weeks out of the 6 months granted. And it's been 5 months since I am back home now.

I am willing to take the risk because this is the only way we get to see each other before I got the K1 visa (if approved -finger crossed-)

Thanks for you answer Harpa Timsah!

[Ryan H 3,855]

Ties to your country carry more weight than an NOA1.

[LMK74 1]

I went over to see my Fiance in May and went prepared with all sorts of evidence like letter from my employer etc. My fiance emailed me the receipt and I printed that out as well. I was so nervous!! But all they did was ask why I was visiting and how long was I there for....then stamped my passport and I was on my way. I think if you have all the other things as a back up then you should be fine?

[gotham10011 1]

Ties to your country carry more weight than an NOA1.

Do you think I have enough then?

Cause I was thinking :

- Risk of overstay : Even if my immigration history is weird, it is explained by the fact DoMA was enforced so we did not have much options, I always went back to France before my I94 expired.

- Risk of getting married and file for AOS : NOA1 to prove that we following the right path. I also have other arguments that will prove that I really don't want to file AOS since I would be very confused during the interview to show that I did not lie to the IO at the PoE. I also won't overstay cause I would have a ban and won't get issued the fiancé visa.

- Risk of a public charge : Insurance for this trip

- Risk of working illegally : I can support myself, credit cards and bank statements with my savings

- Ties in my home country : Employment letter stating when I am supposed to be back to work, utility bills, bank statements (again). On top of that, I also have a B1/B2 visa that I don't need since I could use the VWP. I was supposed to do a road trip in 2010 but my friend changed our plan and that road trip lasted 3 months instead of 4 but my visa was already granted. I mean that I proved at the U.S Embassy that I have strong ties in my home country, I mean at least in 2010! IMO I feel that getting this unneeded tourist visa is a little proof of strong ties.

I believe the could deny my entry based on length of my previous stays. I was working on my dissertation for school and my subject was about American consumer behavior, so I had tons of free time, 2 of my best friends moved to New York and on top of that I met my fiancé. That's why I used my B1/B2 quite a bit.

I understand why they could believe I am (was) using my tourist visa as a way to live in the U.S but at the same that was not illegal... I am (of course) really confused and stressed. (and I feel bad annoying you guys with my story)

Thanks Ryan !

[Ryan H 3,855]

IMO, your list is good.

[gotham10011 1]

IMO, your list is good.

Thanks for participating in my post Ryan!

[gotham10011 1]

I went over to see my Fiance in May and went prepared with all sorts of evidence like letter from my employer etc. My fiance emailed me the receipt and I printed that out as well. I was so nervous!! But all they did was ask why I was visiting and how long was I there for....then stamped my passport and I was on my way. I think if you have all the other things as a back up then you should be fine?

Great! I don't think they will be that easy with me though...

I am really concerned about the fact I spent A LOT OF time in the U.S before

[CaroSL 68]

Hey Ryan,

You need to relax and take a deep breathe. You have everything you need for your trip. They might ask you about your previous trips, in which case you should just answer honestly and simply. The NOA1 won't make a difference, just tell them if they ask...

You'll be fine. Don't over stress about all this. Your story makes sense and you have proof, you have nothing to hide and you are not planning to stay in the US for long... Maybe you'll go to secondary, maybe not. You never know. But the more stressed you are and the more you show it, the more you have reasons to go through secondary.

So relax, everything is gonna be fine

You should also try to answer any questions fully but simply. Just answer their questions, nothing more (I noticed that it pisses officers off when they consider the person is giving too much details, or unnecessary information)

good luck!

[Redicent 14]

Are you entering the USA as a visa waiver citizen? Or do you have some type of visa? The NOA1 confers no rights of entry. If you are visiting your fiance, the purpose of visit it "pleasure" a NOA1 letter will not help you and may even be evidence that you intend to stay. Under what basis are you entering the USA?

[didopage 337]

Are you entering the USA as a visa waiver citizen? Or do you have some type of visa? The NOA1 confers no rights of entry.

I think he knows that. Having a copy of the NOA1 is just to show that he plans to immigrate in the future and that he is starting the process for it (K-1), and so, that his current intent is to only visit his fiance. People who start the K-1 process usually don't decide to suddenly come to the US as a tourist and file for AOS. It would be pretty silly (and fraudulent) as there would be obvious proof of intent to immigrate (start of the K-1 process).

I did the same thing (visting my fiance) while I was doing the K-1 process. I had a photocopy of the NOA1 hardcopy with me but they didn't ask for it.

[Redicent 14]

I think he knows that. Having a copy of the NOA1 is just to show that he plans to immigrate in the future and that he is starting the process for it (K-1), and so, that his current intent is to only visit his fiance. People who start the K-1 process usually don't decide to suddenly come to the US as a tourist and file for AOS. It would be pretty silly (and fraudulent) as there would be obvious proof of intent to immigrate (start of the K-1 process).

I did the same thing (visting my fiance) while I was doing the K-1 process. I had a photocopy of the NOA1 hardcopy with me but they didn't ask for it.

I disagree. If you have a visitor visa or you're from a visa waiver country, you should not show your NOA1. It would only be evidence that you may intend to shortcut the process and get married as a visitor. Showing a NOA1 would do more harm than good. If a visitor said "Im going to marry my fiance" they could be denied entry on that basis alone. Visitors who are judged to be entering to stay may be denied entry. If the person has lawful entry authority, they should enter on that basis only.

[Avery Cates 1,141]

I disagree. If you have a visitor visa or you're from a visa waiver country, you should not show your NOA1. It would only be evidence that you may intend to shortcut the process and get married as a visitor. Showing a NOA1 would do more harm than good. If a visitor said "Im going to marry my fiance" they could be denied entry on that basis alone. Visitors who are judged to be entering to stay may be denied entry. If the person has lawful entry authority, they should enter on that basis only.

It's my understanding that nowadays even if they came here and got married that would just complicate the process of being allowed to stay here permanently legally anyway?

[didopage 337]

I disagree. If you have a visitor visa or you're from a visa waiver country, you should not show your NOA1. It would only be evidence that you may intend to shortcut the process and get married as a visitor. Showing a NOA1 would do more harm than good. If a visitor said "Im going to marry my fiance" they could be denied entry on that basis alone. Visitors who are judged to be entering to stay may be denied entry. If the person has lawful entry authority, they should enter on that basis only.

You can get married on a tourist visa, it's not a problem at all (it's not the intent of the OP but if it was, he would go back home and start a spousal process). What is fraudulent is to get married and have the intent to stay. Again, showing that you started the K-1 process is a way of saying "I want to immigrate, but not now, I want to do things the legal way so I am currently applying for the right visa". Again... It would be very silly to get married on a tourist visa with the intent to stay, and file for AOS right after, if you already started the K-1 process before coming. You would be pretty sure to be denied AOS...