This response from an online attorney at JustAsk has me in tears... say it isn't so!

[evapaula 230]

My first tourist visa was about to expire and I had a K1 pending. I wanted to attend my future sister-in-law's wedding in the USA and applied for a new visa (interview not required, I just sent in my passport and attached a letter explaining my situation). I got a new visa valid for 10 years (mind you, I only used it once) and had no issues whatsoever at POE. This "lawyer" has no idea what he's talking about. 

[DaveNot 55]

During my pending K1 129F application I visited the USA twice. I visited stayed 87 days and left, then 3 weeks later returned for 89 days. This was using the VISA WAIVER, which isn't even a visa. Nobody questioned me. Meanwhile I was visiting a friend whom I'm now married too.

Edited April 10, 2018 by DaveNot

[Crazy Cat 39,267]

1 minute ago, DaveNot said:

During my pending K1 129F application I visited the USA twice. I visited stayed 87 days and left, then returned for 89 days. This was using the VISA WAIVER, which isn't even a visa. Nobody questioned me.

I would not recommend anyone to stay that long.  That is exactly the kinds of "visits" which result in entry denial.  I think you were lucky.

[DaveNot 55]

9 minutes ago, missileman said:

I would not recommend anyone to stay that long.  That is exactly the kinds of "visits" which result in entry denial.  I think you were lucky.

I agree with you. The point I'm making it isn't that bad. I remember being advised against at the time. They didn't question me much and even carried some documents with me for ties home and a pending app for my 129f

Edited April 10, 2018 by DaveNot

[Marcelina 246]

Visited twice, had my employment contract and returning ticket but never was asked to show them.

Entered through JFK and MIA. Was stressed but had no problems. 1rst visit a month and next one 4 days. Good luck!

Edited April 10, 2018 by Marcelina

[dcarolina 9]

On 4/9/2018 at 2:40 PM, Sapphite said:

What we asked....

Hello, My fiancée, Leda and I have filed the I-129F petition for a fiancée Visa. The Petition is at the California Center and based on the timeline on the USCIS website, our petition will be reviewed in mid-September.
We are planning for Leda to visit me in July in California during her holiday from school in Rio de Janeiro where she is a teacher's assistant for the city.

 

We have three questions.

• First, in addition to the notarized invitation to visit me in July (with the specific dates) and her round trip ticket what other documentation would you recommend she bring with her to prove "ties to home"?
• Second, when the immigration officer asks her for the relationship between us, how should she respond?
• Third, we understand that Atlanta may not be the "best" airport for her arrival in the States.
  (She has a B1/B2 Visa and has been to the US before.)
  Do you have any thoughts or recommendations on the airport she should fly into in July?

 

This is the response...

Well, unfortunately, she's going to have a problem at the port of entry. She is not supposed to visit when she has immigrant intent. I understand that you state that she will go home after her visit, but they just won't believe her.
One of three things can happen if she tries and is not able to convince them:

1. They will allow her to withdraw her request to enter the U.S. and she can go home, no penalty.
2. They will not allow her to withdraw her request to enter the U.S. and will order her excluded. This has a 5 year penalty that she cannot come back unless she gets a very hard to get waiver.
3. They will not allow her to withdraw her request to enter the U.S. and they catch her in a lie and they exclude her with a permanent bar due to fraud and/or misrepresentation and with that charge she cannot come back unless she gets a very hard to get waiver.

So I wouldn't even try. Go visit her instead of her coming to visit you. I wish I had better news for you, but I am trying to keep her from getting in trouble and I hope you realize that.

 

Considering everything I have read on this forum, his response seems harsh and doesn't align with the experiences detailed here on the forum.

We would appreciate any guidance from people who have actually experienced the process.

 

In gratitude, Leda and Lani

 

I’m from Rio as well and I went to visit my fiancé last year with a tourist visa while our case was at USCIS. I didn’t have any problems. What I’ve heard is that is tough to get a tourist visa while you’re applying to K1, but I already had a tourist visa for years, so... 

Edited May 10, 2018 by dcarolina

[debbiedoo 2,339]

On 4/9/2018 at 5:17 PM, Sapphite said:

Yes, she will have a round trip ticket.

Yes, she has a lease and she owns rental property.

Yes, she has a letter from the school where she works.

 

I truly thought we were prepared.. and then this attorney sent his response and scared the bejesus out of me.

Thank you for your reply and support, sumbunny.

You are as good as good can be.

 

DONT LIE.

 

Explain the ties, take back employment letter and return date, copies of leases/mortgages/ family ties/ etc., have a copy of your return ticket info, etc

 

People visit all the time on a K1

[payxibka 10,044]

2 minutes ago, debbiedoo said:

 

People visit all the time on a K1 B2

You don't visit on a K-1

[debbiedoo 2,339]

Just now, payxibka said:

You don't visit on a K-1

Depending on where you're from you can.

 

Canada can. People do it all the time. My fiance is on his way down as we speak.

[payxibka 10,044]

Just now, debbiedoo said:

Depending on where you're from you can.

 

Canada can. People do it all the time. My fiance is on his way down as we speak.

You don't visit on a K-1 visa.  You might be able to visit while your I-129F petition is pending

[Nicola and Jordan 668]

On 09/04/2018 at 9:40 PM, Sapphite said:

What we asked....

Hello, My fiancée, Leda and I have filed the I-129F petition for a fiancée Visa. The Petition is at the California Center and based on the timeline on the USCIS website, our petition will be reviewed in mid-September.
We are planning for Leda to visit me in July in California during her holiday from school in Rio de Janeiro where she is a teacher's assistant for the city.

 

We have three questions.

• First, in addition to the notarized invitation to visit me in July (with the specific dates) and her round trip ticket what other documentation would you recommend she bring with her to prove "ties to home"?
• Second, when the immigration officer asks her for the relationship between us, how should she respond?
• Third, we understand that Atlanta may not be the "best" airport for her arrival in the States.
  (She has a B1/B2 Visa and has been to the US before.)
  Do you have any thoughts or recommendations on the airport she should fly into in July?

 

This is the response...

Well, unfortunately, she's going to have a problem at the port of entry. She is not supposed to visit when she has immigrant intent. I understand that you state that she will go home after her visit, but they just won't believe her.
One of three things can happen if she tries and is not able to convince them:

1. They will allow her to withdraw her request to enter the U.S. and she can go home, no penalty.
2. They will not allow her to withdraw her request to enter the U.S. and will order her excluded. This has a 5 year penalty that she cannot come back unless she gets a very hard to get waiver.
3. They will not allow her to withdraw her request to enter the U.S. and they catch her in a lie and they exclude her with a permanent bar due to fraud and/or misrepresentation and with that charge she cannot come back unless she gets a very hard to get waiver.

So I wouldn't even try. Go visit her instead of her coming to visit you. I wish I had better news for you, but I am trying to keep her from getting in trouble and I hope you realize that.

 

Considering everything I have read on this forum, his response seems harsh and doesn't align with the experiences detailed here on the forum.

We would appreciate any guidance from people who have actually experienced the process.

 

In gratitude, Leda and Lani

 

Hey! We have a similar timeline and I visited my fiancé in NYC 13th April for one week. I took a letter from my employer and a print out of my flight itinerary just Incase they want proof I have ties to home and plan to leave again etc. and they didn’t even mention anything about our application. Like other users have said people travel in and out all the time without any worries. Enjoy your time together in July  

[debbiedoo 2,339]

4 hours ago, payxibka said:

You don't visit on a K-1

Forgive the misuse of letters and numbers.

 

pretty sure anyone with a rational brain knew perfectly well what I meant.

[payxibka 10,044]

Obviously you forget you were a newbie once and I am sure you would not

[Unidentified 2,930]

6 hours ago, payxibka said:

You don't visit on a K-1 visa.  You might be able to visit while your I-129F petition is pending

People still say K1 because it's easier. Everyone know what they mean anyway. 

[TBoneTX 43,061]

On 5/10/2018 at 4:27 PM, debbiedoo said:

pretty sure anyone with a rational brain knew perfectly well what I meant.

The K-1 visa is a one-use entry vehicle.

This is different from the waiting period while the I-129F petition is being processed.

Precise use of terminology in these forums is important, if not crucial, lest new members be confused or misled.

On 5/10/2018 at 6:44 PM, Unidentified said:

People still say K1 because it's easier.

And they're incorrect in doing so.

On 5/10/2018 at 6:44 PM, Unidentified said:

Everyone know what they mean anyway. 

No.

Edited May 13, 2018 by TBoneTX