Frequent Visits

[TrixieStep 10]

I've read through the "Yes, You Can Visit" thread pinned, but my/our traveling circumstance is a bit different. Here's a bit of back story...

My fiance and I have been together since last December after we met on my vacation (best vacation ever). I have traveled to the UK 7 times since January and he's traveled here to the U.S. twice. I work a rotating schedule 7 days on/7 days off, so it's easier for me to go there. The expense is great, but we both make above average wages and choose to live very conservatively so that we could spend as much time together as possible. Of course, I'm getting quizzed hardcore upon entry at Heathrow. I've never stayed more than 9 days. I always bring my bank statements, work schedule, a current letter from my employer, and so on. I am also a single parent. I clearly have STRONG ties here in the U.S. and there is no apparent reason why I would be denied entry, but stranger things have happened.

Should we slow down from monthly visits? Will it hurt our process? Anyone been denied entry? Should I bring documents relating to our process with me or he with him?

Thoughts?

[bobrien11 0]

It might be wise to slow down visits. My husband lives in the UK and when we were dating I visited and was deinied entry at Heathrow even though I had bank statements and letters from my employer. I had to return to US and apply for a 6 month visa which thankfully I was granted and haven't had any problems since. However we lost thousands of dollars because of it and it was a devastating experience. Now that we're married I'm also questioned a lot at Heathrow and I make sure my visits are spread out at around 6 months and I stay for 2 weeks. My husband was also denied coming to the US for a visit because of frequent travels. Although we were told that these instances will not affect visa processing now that we have applied for. I would carry documents with you if you travel to the UK again.

[Ninahi 53]

Have people they can call to quiz about your relations in the US. Your employer, your parents, your landlord, people who they will consider as serious informants. I mean, your landlord wouldn't lie in your behalf, right?

Personally I wouldn't worry too much, and your earlier visits should speak for themselves-- you've always left when you've said you would, right?

Never been denied entry myself, so can't say I'm an expert. I just firmly believe that border control employs humans, not heartless machines.

Doubt visiting less often would hurt your application, it's a matter of whether or not you can spend the time apart. I and my partner can only visit each other twice a year due to finances, and I will be mighty mad if that makes our relationship seem any less legitimate.

[ChicagoSarah 127]

My fiance and I met July 2012. He was visiting the US when we met. Since that visit (in the last 11 months really), he's been here 7 times (I've been there twice). Neither of us ever had any trouble at customs on either side as we could always produce our scheduled return itinerary. We also figured that being able to have the K1 notices and prove that we're going through the proper and legal channels in order to bring him to the US would help ease immigration fears at customs.

As VJ has taught us so many times, every case is certainly different. But my opinion is that you certainly have incredibly strong ties to the US. Perhaps just always make sure you have your return itinerary to present and K1 paperwork to prove that you've filed through proper channels to bring him here (so you are very much less likely to be trying to sneak into the UK).

Entry is never guaranteed, but it doesn't seem like you should not have much to worry about. All only my opinion, though!!

[emyardy 11]

I have been visiting England since 2011, and on Monday, I made my 7th entry through Heathrow.. I have never been asked to show documents, even though I always make sure to bring them. My visits are usually quite long. Just last December (2012), I had a return ticket for April 2013, and there were no problems there! And since April, I have visited twice, this trip, included. I think it probably depends on the officer to whom you are called.. It is a judgement call, I guess!

[lost_at_sea 995]

My husband got hassled at Heathrow on his last visit he did before he got his work visa. It was Christmas 2011 (he was coming in in November sometime until Jan 3rd) and they didn't want to let him in, but they still did and told him he'd be given a coded landing (I.e. keeping an eye on his trips more closely).

They hassled him because he was approaching being in the UK for more than 6 months in one 12 month period (a couple long trips + a week here and there soon add up). So, I'd watch for that - be sure you're not accidentally going to do that like we nearly did.

Edited September 25, 2013 by lost_at_sea

[ryna 132]

Different countries (no VWP, and few B2 visas issued, especially to single people) I know, but I had the luxury of being able to visit my then-fiancée 8X (only in her country, of course) while our K-1 was in the works and it didn't have any negative effect on the process. On the contrary, I believe, because one of the (only 2) questions at her K-1 interview was how many times I had visited her and then the next sentence was "I'm going to approve this visa." Visits/time spent together in person shows that you have a real relationship.

I know U.S./U.K. are both a bit (putting it mildly!) stricter with their entry requirements than Colombia is, but from a U.S. standpoint, being denied entry on a VWP/B-2 basis (or your being denied UK entry) would not affect the K-1 process. The biggest risk is the lost time, money and disappointment for that trip.

[h13rma 35]

Between getting together with my wife in September 2011 and getting married filing for AOS in April this year I entered the USA 15 times. I work a rotating Rota as well 28 days on 28 days off. I carried no documents proving anything and was never hassled at all at any immigration. From may 2012 to May 2013 I spent 8 days in my home country of the UK and those were with my wife, there were never any issues at any immigration point. I do have 2 passports, both british, and did split my entries between them, but I'm sure immigration is aware of the link.

[Kiwinyc 62]

You're the USC right? I don't see how your travel to the UK affects anything to do with obtaining a K-1 for your fiance other than supporting it by showing that you have an on-going relationship.

I'm sorry that you're being hassled at UK immigration but that has nothing to do either way with the US process you've started to get your Fiance into the U.S to join you. How you're being treated at UK immigration (even if you were refused entry) has no bearing on USCIS deciding whether your relationship is genuine and evaluating if the requirements needed to sponsor your Fiance into the US are met.

UK immigration Officers only want to ensure you really are only temporary visitor. What they're doing is annoying but it doesn't sound like they have any genuine grounds for refusing you entry to the UK.