Visiting near the end of the K1 process

[greyd 0]

Hi all,

I've read a lot of the info and discussions here, but I'm still not sure about a couple of things specific to our situation.

I got the NOA1 for my fiancée in early December and the latest estimate for the NOA2 is early to mid-June. I'm planning to go to Italy for a couple of months (June/July) to visit my fiancée, who lives in Italy with our two daughters (6 and 7 yo), and we're all coming back together in late July so that our daughters can start school in the US in mid-August. Our daughters have their US passports, but my fiancée will be entering on the ESTA/VWP and will then go back to Italy (not sure after how long in the US, but within the 90 day deadline in any event) alone to finish the K1 visa process.

My initial doubt, which started me down this path of research, was whether there was a minimum period of time she would have to stay out of the US before re-entering with her K1 visa. I get the impression that there's not one, but I haven't found any specific info on that yet. I should maybe note, too, that she hasn't been to the US since starting the K1 process, but I travel back and forth to Italy frequently (within the Schengen limits).

After reading all the info and discussions here, my second doubt is how best to deal with customs when we all arrive together in July (with four large suitcases, I might add...). It's surely going to look suspicious to the customs officer. As far as commitment to return to her home country, my fiancée's name is on the deed to our house in Italy, and we'll have the K1 application evidence (and an interview date with any luck, but maybe not) to show that she's planning to return. She'll also be on a one-year "sabbatical" from work (a safety net that helps her feel more comfortable about such a major life change), so still technically employed in Italy.

So, I mean, I understand that the best thing to do is be honest and prepared when we get to customs, but to not give out more information than asked for. But does this all sound like a feasible plan? Or should we make any adjustments to avoid complications?

 

TIA

Grey

[payxibka 10,047]

2 hours ago, greyd said:

Hi all,

I've read a lot of the info and discussions here, but I'm still not sure about a couple of things specific to our situation.

I got the NOA1 for my fiancée in early December and the latest estimate for the NOA2 is early to mid-June. I'm planning to go to Italy for a couple of months (June/July) to visit my fiancée, who lives in Italy with our two daughters (6 and 7 yo), and we're all coming back together in late July so that our daughters can start school in the US in mid-August. Our daughters have their US passports, but my fiancée will be entering on the ESTA/VWP and will then go back to Italy (not sure after how long in the US, but within the 90 day deadline in any event) alone to finish the K1 visa process.

My initial doubt, which started me down this path of research, was whether there was a minimum period of time she would have to stay out of the US before re-entering with her K1 visa. I get the impression that there's not one, but I haven't found any specific info on that yet. I should maybe note, too, that she hasn't been to the US since starting the K1 process, but I travel back and forth to Italy frequently (within the Schengen limits).

After reading all the info and discussions here, my second doubt is how best to deal with customs when we all arrive together in July (with four large suitcases, I might add...). It's surely going to look suspicious to the customs officer. As far as commitment to return to her home country, my fiancée's name is on the deed to our house in Italy, and we'll have the K1 application evidence (and an interview date with any luck, but maybe not) to show that she's planning to return. She'll also be on a one-year "sabbatical" from work (a safety net that helps her feel more comfortable about such a major life change), so still technically employed in Italy.

So, I mean, I understand that the best thing to do is be honest and prepared when we get to customs, but to not give out more information than asked for. But does this all sound like a feasible plan? Or should we make any adjustments to avoid complications?

 

TIA

Grey

K-1 is a totally different visa..  no mandatory stay out period

 

Once you are past passport control you have been admitted to the USA.  No worries from that standpoint with the luggage

[greyd 0]

15 minutes ago, payxibka said:

Once you are past passport control you have been admitted to the USA.  No worries from that standpoint with the luggage

Ah, true. I forgot that baggage claim is after passport control. That will help.... ;-)

 

Cheers,

Grey