Visiting the US whilst during the K-1 visa process

[uscandbrit2016 0]

Hi there,

My fiancé and I have just sent off the I-129f petition on 06-16-2016. I am the beneficiary and currently living in London. We are planning to see each other at the end of July/early August and late August/early September this year.

From what I have read, beneficiaries entering the US (whilst the k-1 application process is on going) don't seem to have had any difficulty, as long as they have a return ticket and a copy of the I-129f petition on them to be able to present to customs. Is it still okay to enter the US on an ETSA?

However, has anyone had any experience around the beneficiary visiting the US frequently (every 4 - 6 weeks) during the process? And on top of that, is there anyway that visiting could slow the application process down?

Any experience or advice on this would be much appreciated.

Thank you :-)

[Nich-Nick 3,353]

Just do it. Your chances are the same, with or without a petition in my opinion. Have you had trouble before??

Edited June 21, 2016 by Nich-Nick

[Pitaya 2,577]

Welcome to the forum.

Agree with Nich-Nick. You will likely receive numerous comments to your frequently asked questions. Be sure to check out the pinned thread at the top of the forum page, "Yes You Can Visit," for more information.

Good luck on your immigration journey.

[uscandbrit2016 0]

Thanks for the advice. Really appreciated. Just didn't want to make this seemingly slow process any slower!

I'll check out 'yes, you can visit' now

Great to be in a forum like this!

[Limey 551]

However, has anyone had any experience around the beneficiary visiting the US frequently (every 4 - 6 weeks) during the process? And on top of that, is there anyway that visiting could slow the application process down?

Visiting frequently should be no problem so long as they are short visits. If you're spending anywhere close to 50% of time in the US you might get problems, if the border agent thinks you are essentially trying to live in the US without a visa (happened to me, and I spent much less than 50% of the time there, actually much less than 25%. I was let in, but after that I didn't visit for a few months and next met up in Canada, just to be safe).

I don't think visiting could slow your application, unless of course you're in the US when NOA2 comes and have to pick later dates for medical etc.

[cristi1810 0]

Hi there we filed our I-129 on April 26th and got the NOA1 on April 28th, since then nothing else...no letter..nothing!

so we were thinking to see each other at least at the end of August because this is clearly taking too long, but I've been reading comments and forum and other blogs but it looks like its 50/50 on the chance to enter the US without problems...is there any way that we can be sure about this? taking a copy of the I-129 and the return ticket will be enough???

thanks for everyones who will spend 5 minutes helping me.

[Nich-Nick 3,353]

Hi there we filed our I-129 on April 26th and got the NOA1 on April 28th, since then nothing else...no letter..nothing!

so we were thinking to see each other at least at the end of August because this is clearly taking too long, but I've been reading comments and forum and other blogs but it looks like its 50/50 on the chance to enter the US without problems...is there any way that we can be sure about this? taking a copy of the I-129 and the return ticket will be enough???

thanks for everyones who will spend 5 minutes helping me.

I think it's way more than 50/50 who have no problems.

Take proof--

You have a job or enrolled in school.

You have funds to pay for your stay...a credit card.

You have a house you own or a lease.

Things that show you have responsibilities to return to.

Don't ---

Stay 90 days

Take so much luggage that it looks like you're moving over forever. Coats and sweaters would be suspect in August if searched.

Look nervous or guilty.

Edited June 22, 2016 by Nich-Nick

[Limey 551]

Hi there we filed our I-129 on April 26th and got the NOA1 on April 28th, since then nothing else...no letter..nothing!

so we were thinking to see each other at least at the end of August because this is clearly taking too long, but I've been reading comments and forum and other blogs but it looks like its 50/50 on the chance to enter the US without problems...is there any way that we can be sure about this? taking a copy of the I-129 and the return ticket will be enough???

thanks for everyones who will spend 5 minutes helping me.

There is no way to be sure. The immigration officer at PoE has discretion (even if you have a visa!).

Its much less than 50% who have problems. From these forums I'd say that well over 95% have no problems at all. By the end of August you'll be 4 months into k1 process, you might already have NOA2. It would be crazy for you to overstay when you've spent money and proceeded so far on k1, so very unlikely you'll have any issues. But I'd wager that the issue won't even arise, you'll just be asked reason for your trip, and then admitted.

Edited June 22, 2016 by Limey

[baron555 934]

Is it still okay to enter the US on an ETSA?

Yes

However, has anyone had any experience around the beneficiary visiting the US frequently (every 4 - 6 weeks) during the process?

Lots of folks do and have.

And on top of that, is there anyway that visiting could slow the application process down?

No