Visiting while petition for K1 Visa has been submitted

[TLRight 0]

What have been people's experiences been like when visiting their fiance in the US once there petition for the K1 VISA has been submitted? Would you recommend even trying to visit? Do you have any tips or advice? Is it easier for them just to come to Canada and visit?

[NikLR 13,220]

Most Canadians dont have an issue, especially if they're employed.

[caphoto 10]

I was living in Canada when we filed our K-1 and I visited multiple times. There was no problem, and no one ever asked to see proof of return. Just to be safe, I brought a letter from my work stating I was currently employed by them full time, plus my lease and all my K-1 documents to show that I was doing it the legal way.

[greg2014 24]

An attorney informed me that there's no law that says you can't do it but it's at the discretion of the border patrol officer. Just be upfront about your pending case, and go prepared with documents to show that you have ties to Canada and are going to return (e.g. return ticket, employment letter, lease, letter from your job saying amount of leave you took, etc.).

[Tracey&Greg 33]

My hubby then fiancé visited me for a month during our process. When he was asked at customs his honest intentions for his visit which was to spend time with myself and my son. Needless to say he was allowed in Just stay honest

[BWise 18]

I visited a bunch of times at all sorts of different points through my K-1 visa and customs could have not cared any less! I was living in Ontario and I was visiting in NY (about 3.5 drive). I always told them I was going to visit my fiancé. I would always bring a current work schedule with me and some pay stubs in case they asked. They never did!

[lmihler 23]

Traveled 4-5 times, no problems. Was upfront about the petition and always had a return flight and letter of employment.

[samack 79]

My medical is on July 11th and my interview is on the 20th. Since it's cheaper to spend a week with my fiance than it is to stay in a hotel in Montreal, I'm planning to fly over on the 12th and back on the 19th. I'm going to have all of my documentation, interview confirmation letter, and my travel itineraries, but I won't be able to have a letter from my employer because my contract is actually up on the 11th. I mean, I'll likely continue to work until I move, but it'll probably be as an unpaid consultant. Will I have a hard time at the airport, or will they get that it's only a week and that I'm definitely planning to come back because my interview is scheduled and paid for? I'm hoping they'll realize that it would be a little crazy of me to go through the process and spend all that money just to cross the border and get married right before it's officially done.

[NikLR 13,220]

Imho don't talk about going through immigration unless they specifically ask. Just say you're visiting your fiancé and leave it at that.

[lmihler 23]

Imho don't talk about going through immigration unless they specifically ask. Just say you're visiting your fiancé and leave it at that.

Agreed- one officer asked what the long term plan was and that is when I told him that we had applied for the fiancé visa. He didn't say anything after that but good luck.

My medical is on July 11th and my interview is on the 20th. Since it's cheaper to spend a week with my fiance than it is to stay in a hotel in Montreal, I'm planning to fly over on the 12th and back on the 19th. I'm going to have all of my documentation, interview confirmation letter, and my travel itineraries, but I won't be able to have a letter from my employer because my contract is actually up on the 11th. I mean, I'll likely continue to work until I move, but it'll probably be as an unpaid consultant. Will I have a hard time at the airport, or will they get that it's only a week and that I'm definitely planning to come back because my interview is scheduled and paid for? I'm hoping they'll realize that it would be a little crazy of me to go through the process and spend all that money just to cross the border and get married right before it's officially done.

I still think you will be fine. I had a letter of employment but they never asked to see it.

[samack 79]

Thanks, everyone.

I've been a little on edge about border control since I went through Montreal (and, to a lesser extent, Toronto the next day after having to spend the night in the airport there) last summer. It was partially my fault because I didn't have any experience with going to visit on a long-ish trip, but the officer grilled me for 10 minutes and threatened me with all kinds of ramifications if I wasn't on the plane back in a month. We weren't even engaged then. I was really nervous when I went again at Christmas, but the officer asked me where I was going, why, and how long I was staying, and then cut me off with "have fun, bye" as I was saying "I have a bunch of docu..." I guess a lot depends on the day and what kind of officer you get.