Does a fiancée entering on a K1 visa need money?

[hero-song 0]

Hello,

Thanks to the help of this forum, my fiancée received her K1 Fiancée Visa and will be arriving here soon! Thank you so much to everyone!

Recently, she was told that when she arrives in the United States, she'll need a large sum of cash with her. I don't know for what. She's coming from Colombia. Has anyone else been told this too? Is this to pay some type of entrance or customs fee? How much exactly should she bring if it's necessary? I would certainly appreciate hearing from anyone who has experience entering the U.S. on a K1 on whether or not you had to have cash on you to pay for something.

Thanks!

[Kastrs 723]

I do not know who told you that, but it is complete misinformation. She does not have to have a penny on her, there is NO fee to enter the US.

[ryna 132]

Hello,

Thanks to the help of this forum, my fiancée received her K1 Fiancée Visa and will be arriving here soon! Thank you so much to everyone!

Recently, she was told that when she arrives in the United States, she'll need a large sum of cash with her. I don't know for what. She's coming from Colombia. Has anyone else been told this too? Is this to pay some type of entrance or customs fee? How much exactly should she bring if it's necessary? I would certainly appreciate hearing from anyone who has experience entering the U.S. on a K1 on whether or not you had to have cash on you to pay for something.

Thanks!

100% NOT TRUE at all!

The only money she will need is to pay the departure tax for the exit stamp to be able to leave Colombia and that is before boarding the plane for the USA.

Edited April 13, 2016 by ryna

[Boiler 47,514]

Bit of cash in your pocket is always nice, otherwise the usual credit cards.

She will not be able to work for some time so always good to have adequate savings, but safer not too bring that in cash.

[Unidentified 2,930]

No she does not.They will ask her if she's carrying cash but that's just because you can only carry a certain amount of cash into the US. It's nice if she has money in a bank account as she won't be able to work but it is not necessary. It just makes it easier for the two of you financially but it has not bearing or how CBP treats her or anything related to immigration. I was practically broke when my K1 process was finally over and I could come here.

[Anna&Jim 52]

Hello,

Thanks to the help of this forum, my fiancée received her K1 Fiancée Visa and will be arriving here soon! Thank you so much to everyone!

Recently, she was told that when she arrives in the United States, she'll need a large sum of cash with her. I don't know for what. She's coming from Colombia. Has anyone else been told this too? Is this to pay some type of entrance or customs fee? How much exactly should she bring if it's necessary? I would certainly appreciate hearing from anyone who has experience entering the U.S. on a K1 on whether or not you had to have cash on you to pay for something.

Thanks!

Not even money for the tax, airlines usually include this fee when you buy the ticket, I arrived in the States with my daughter a couple of months ago from Colombia and did not need money at all, except to buy lunch during layover in Atlanta.

[ryna 132]

Not even money for the tax, airlines usually include this fee when you buy the ticket, I arrived in the States with my daughter a couple of months ago from Colombia and did not need money at all, except to buy lunch during layover in Atlanta.

I've heard that in some cases it is included in the ticket. It may depend on the airline.

I've only been there as a tourist (for <60 days) and always get my exemption stamp before checking in for my flight. The only time I/we did pay it was when my wife left Colombia to move here. They asked for it, in cash, either USD or COP, at the JetBlue check-in counter when we got our boarding passes but the airline should definitely be able to tell her if it is included in the ticket price. Other than that, yeah, only spending money is required.

[Chris and ZhiJia 146]

It's highly recommended for her to carry some cash, maybe between $30-$50 in case of a long delay at the airport, it will allow her to purchase something to eat. Alternatively if she has a credit card no cash is needed as all shops in the airports accept credit cards. Outside of a situation like that, or a long weather delay and she needs a hotel, no cash is needed to enter the US.

[OhioLovesUK 28]

I'm aware i cant work for a while if i get entry into the USA.. so I'm saving money.... i was going to change it all into Dollars tho before i left... does anyone know the maximum cash i can have? i was looking to have around $4,000 on me...

[Harpa Timsah 13,260]

I'm aware i cant work for a while if i get entry into the USA.. so I'm saving money.... i was going to change it all into Dollars tho before i left... does anyone know the maximum cash i can have? i was looking to have around $4,000 on me...

There is no max amt of cash allowed.

[Chris and ZhiJia 146]

I'm aware i cant work for a while if i get entry into the USA.. so I'm saving money.... i was going to change it all into Dollars tho before i left... does anyone know the maximum cash i can have? i was looking to have around $4,000 on me...

Anything $5000 and above needs to be claimed as you pass through customs. It is part of a money laundering law that we have in place, there are no taxes or fees, but they just want to make sure the money you are bringing is legal US tender.

[bigjailerman 318]

I've heard that in some cases it is included in the ticket. It may depend on the airline.

I've only been there as a tourist (for <60 days) and always get my exemption stamp before checking in for my flight. The only time I/we did pay it was when my wife left Colombia to move here. They asked for it, in cash, either USD or COP, at the JetBlue check-in counter when we got our boarding passes but the airline should definitely be able to tell her if it is included in the ticket price. Other than that, yeah, only spending money is required.

Jet Blue does include it. The only airline that didnt include it was Spirit. Ive been using Jet Blue, Avianca and American consistently.

I would just make sure she has a little cash with her when she is stuck on layovers, maybe small purchases etc. How expensive airports are can be a shock to her system, especially after a long 3 to 1 currency rate we have with Colombia lol.

[aaron2020 11,652]

Why would she need a large sum of cash? Highly suspicious.

[ryna 132]

Jet Blue does include it. The only airline that didnt include it was Spirit. Ive been using Jet Blue, Avianca and American consistently.

I would just make sure she has a little cash with her when she is stuck on layovers, maybe small purchases etc. How expensive airports are can be a shock to her system, especially after a long 3 to 1 currency rate we have with Colombia lol.

Good to know now although it shouldn't affect us in the future unless we stay there for a long vacation. We definitely paid at the JetBlue counter at check-in back in Jan 2011 so either they didn't collect it back then or the ticket counter agent pocketed a few pesos (though I do seem to remember paying in dollars... too long ago!)