visit the US during K-1 application process

[Jon & Laurel 0]

Does anyone know of any reasons not to visit the US during the application process? Is anyone else staying with their fiance in the US while their application is being processed and if so have you had any difficulties? Will it cause problems getting back into the US on the K-1 visa? Thank you for your help!!!

[raymaga 25]

During the processing of my K-1 Visa, I stayed in the U.S. with my fiance a lot of the time. I would return to Canada from time to time to check on my place, see my kids, work occasionally.

Sometimes I got through the U.S. border (by car) without any problems, and sometimes I was asked for proof of ties to Canada. They wanted to see such things as recent pay stubs, mortgage/lease documents, etc. Once I had quit working regularly, I would have had problems with the pay stub part of it. I was glad when my K-1 was approved and didn't have to worry about it anymore.

If you plan to visit the U.S. while awaiting your approval, make sure you take as much proof of ties to your home country as possible. There is never a 100% guarantee that even with proof of ties, you will be allowed to enter, but the more proof you have, the better your chances.

Good luck.

[Buxton babe 0]

My Fiancee returned to the Uk on Friday evening after a weeks visit. She came armed with the required letter and other proof of strong ties to the uk, none of which was asked for.

She feels that the only reason she was selected for further questioning was because she gave a private address for where she was staying. She was asked her occupation, and who she was visiting, she replied " Friends and Nurse", the POEO said " welcome to the Usa.

[luv2teach77 41]

I visited my Fiancee twice during the visa process, once for 10 days and once for 17 days. Like the previous poster, both times I brought a letter from my employer stating when I was due back at work, along with anything else I could think of to demonstrate ongoing ties to the UK. Neither time was I asked for any of this extra evidence and I was never sent for secondary questioning. The second time I also had my NOA2 but again was never asked to show it. I said I was visiting my Fiancee both times and this didn't raise any extra questions either.

The thing to remember is that ANYONE (pending visa or not) has to demonstrate to the POE officer that they intend to return to their country on or before the expiration date of whatever visa (in your case the 90 day I-94) they are entering on. Yes... the fact that you have a ending visa **May** increase the scrutiny under which you are viewed but it doesn't mean that you will be grilled and turned away. The best policy is to travel fully prepared with as much evidence that you plan to return and to answer any and all questions 100% honestly.

Your chances of extra questions will increase with the length of your planned visit. If you are planning on staying more than a couple of weeks then I would expect to be required to show that proof of ongoing ties. A few weeks or less and I wouldn't expect much more questioning than any other visitor.

Best of luck with your visit.

Mark

[Kinsey 0]

Hello!

My fiancee just went back to the UK after visiting me here in the US for 3 weeks. We flew together to the US right before Christmas (Dec. 17th). He had tons of proof with him (letter from employer, rental agreement, proof that he owns a vehicle in the UK, and our NOA1). He was pulled aside for some very thorough questioning in Ireland at the Border Patrol. We think it's because he was denied a tourist visa in October before we filed for the K1. They did finally let him go in the end, but it was scary. Just make sure you have plenty of proof and are completely honest with them.

Good luck!

[Arazia 0]

My fiance' just returned to the Netherlands after visiting the U.S. on the Visa Waver Program. Like others have said, make sure you have some evidence of ties to your country. In our case, there wasn't any thorough questioning, just 'visiting for the holidays' was enough.

[ausqueen 0]

My fiance' just returned to the Netherlands after visiting the U.S. on the Visa Waver Program. Like others have said, make sure you have some evidence of ties to your country. In our case, there wasn't any thorough questioning, just 'visiting for the holidays' was enough.

I've spent 3 weeks over Christmas with my USC fiancee in San Francisco. I also had all the "necessary" proofs on me, but nobody asked for any of it! They were very friendly and made small talk while processing my Pport. Maybe I was just another lucky one not to be asked any questions!

Hope all others planning to travel while K-1 is in process have the same easy trip to US.

Good luck if you decide to go :-)