Traveling to US BEFORE K1 Visa being approved

[Harry M 12]

Just came across this website and forum whilst trying to find an answer to this question.

 

So me and my fiance Taylor got engaged back in April and applied for the K1 Visa for myself the following month before I headed home to the UK. I was planning on returning for three weeks, my usual trip length, in November for Thanksgiving and early Christmas celebrations with my fiance's family. However it only recently came to our attention that because we're in the process of receiving the visa I'll most likely get turned away. If I already hadn't booked my flight over I'd probably would have stayed home until everything got approved, even if it meant spending more time away from each other.

We spoke to a lawyer who reckoned that it would be unlikely I'd get past border control, but some of you on here seem to think otherwise. Any advice anyone can offer would be greatly appreciated, we would love for my Thanksgiving visit to go ahead especially since I can't get refunded on the flights so would be inconvient on that aspect.

[Coco8 1,042]

I doubt your will be turned away. 

 

You need to take evidence that you will be going back, such as a letter from your job, or if you are studying a transcript, or something with evidence of that. They might ask you for it or they might not ask you for anything at the boarder.

 

By November your K1 will only have a couple of months left so I doubt they are going to give you any trouble. You already have a K1 and you are planning to go back home

 

 

 

 

[LaurenAndBrent 61]

I have travelled to the US twice now while waiting for my visa to be approved (Spousal visa). It has never been an issue at the border. The first time it didn't even come up even though I stated I was visiting my husband, the second time (which was for a 2 month trip) when I said I was visiting my husband they asked me if he had petitioned me for a visa and when, but that was all. No more questions asked, no issues what so ever. I took a letter from my employer both times to state when I would return to work and neither time was I asked to prove any ties to my home country, but it's always good to bring some evidence just incase! My bets are you will be totally fine don't let it worry you, loads of people on this forum who are going through the exact same thing fly back and forth without bother. 

 

P.s my trips were made from Dublin, IE. 

Edited September 19, 2017 by LaurenAndBrent

[TL2016 208]

What does your current timeline look like? Do you have your NOA 2 already? If so, maybe it's time to really gather all necessary documents so you can have your K-1 interview as soon as possible so you can just use that to enter the US in November. It'll save you money as well not having to go back only to buy another plane ticker a few months later. 

 

Also, I'm sure Coco8 didn't mean to make it seem that way but you cannot enter the USA on a different visa other than the K-1 once it has been issued. But besides that, if your travel history is "clean" I doubt you'll run into any trouble either. 

[Sarasota 178]

I and many others have entered after applying for the K-1. You will want a return flight booked and ideally a letter from your employer saying you will be returning to work.

 

Note that if your visa is issued by then, you can only enter with it once and then it is void.

Edited September 19, 2017 by hjriach

[Harry M 12]

Thanks for your replies so far. To be honest we're just hoping I can still visit as normal, I have a return ticket and I'll be asking my manager to give me email comfirmation of my holiday request so if that's sufficent enough.

[Reggie B 11]

We applied in January whilst I was visiting and I subsequently went back for a 3 week visit in June. This was on an ESTA, you'll be fine.

[theanswerisdance 144]

4 hours ago, Harry M said:

Just came across this website and forum whilst trying to find an answer to this question.

 

So me and my fiance Taylor got engaged back in April and applied for the K1 Visa for myself the following month before I headed home to the UK. I was planning on returning for three weeks, my usual trip length, in November for Thanksgiving and early Christmas celebrations with my fiance's family. However it only recently came to our attention that because we're in the process of receiving the visa I'll most likely get turned away. If I already hadn't booked my flight over I'd probably would have stayed home until everything got approved, even if it meant spending more time away from each other.

We spoke to a lawyer who reckoned that it would be unlikely I'd get past border control, but some of you on here seem to think otherwise. Any advice anyone can offer would be greatly appreciated, we would love for my Thanksgiving visit to go ahead especially since I can't get refunded on the flights so would be inconvient on that aspect.

If you haven't already checked out this thread, you can peruse the 114 pages of anecdotes...

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/67796-yes-you-can-visit/

I visited numerous times while my K-1 was processing. Not only that, but we actually requested a total of three, 4-month extensions prior to the interview because my mom became critically ill back home in Canada and I didn't feel comfortable moving forward with her in that situation. I continued to make visits for holidays after each extension had been granted and I always took a boatload of evidence to show that I was going home to Canada at the end of it. Ultimately, I was never asked anything, other than "How long are you visiting your fiancé for?" and even then they never asked to see proof of a return flight (though I of course carried it). Everybody has different experiences upon entry, but the most important thing is that you have a return ticket and sufficient evidence of your existing ties back home should they ask for it. 

 

[Tim & Tiff 8]

We applied in June - I have just returned after a subsequent visit and also have flights booked for Thanksgiving.

 

It should be fine, just take proof you are returning!

[Harry M 12]

You've calmed mine and Taylor's nerves. We're hoping we won't have to do this much longer. We haven't had our NOA2 come through just yet but it's been a few months so maybe not much longer. I have actually have to look for an extension on the interview when it comes to it, as we have a holiday to Greece booked for next August and in our own timeline I'd go back with her after the trip for good this time.