Yes, you can visit!

[Heidi9292 10]

just want to update with people who are traveling during the holiday seasons.

 

I arrived on Dec.20th late night and the custom in nyc was easy. The lady was more concerned about things I need to declare (sugar, candy, cookies). The first question she had for me was: you sure you only have these items right? If they found any veggies and fruits you would come across a lot of troubles. I confirmed with her that I don't have any items she mentioned. She looked through my passport, while writing on it she asked do I have friends or family in here. I told her I have friends since I studied aboard here and I also have a bf which I think as my family. She nod and said "enjoy your holiday" and let me go.

 

I guess for people who have a good travel history, your K1 doesn't influence your entry at all. I travel in between China, the U.S and Europe a lot and I never violated any rules. I also only stayed no more than 2 weeks for each visit. For people who are not confident about your entry, try to make it shorter (you can always change your flight later), you will mostly still get 6 months for B2 visa holder. However, 2 month visit could raise doubts since most jobs are not that flexible.

 

good luck everyone

[Jringo 2]

Hey all,

 

Since this forum did a lot to put my mind at ease, I thought I'd share my experience too, and hope it'll have the same effect for other people.

 

My US citizen fiance filed our petition back in April, by the time I went to visit for Christmas, the only things I had left to do was arrange my interview and medical exam. After reading other people's posts on here, I was feeling confident about getting through customs, until I actually landed, then the nerves set in. Despite having evidence of my return, there were still 'what ifs' running through my mind.

 

I really needn't have worried. As I approached the Customs officer and handed over my passport, he asked me, 'what's the purpose of your trip?' Since I didn't want to look like I was hiding anything, I was straightforward and honest. 

'I'm visiting my fiance for Christmas and New Year.'

 

'How did you meet her?'

 

'We met online.'

 

'How long are you staying for?' 

 

'I fly back on the 3rd of January.'

 

He then asked me what I do for a living and what food I had with me. I scanned my fingerprints, took a photo, he stamped my passport and said, 'you're all set, have a good one.' And that was it, I was on my way.

 

He never even asked about the visa. I'm guessing that the fact that I'd visited quite a few times before this had something to do with how easy and straightforward it was. Even after being told on NOA's that travel is strongly discouraged, this just shows you can still visit and there's really nothing to worry about, as long as you're straight up and honest with them, you'll be fine.

[Sinead91 242]

Hi all. I'm still waiting on my NOA2 and have decided to visit my fiance. My POE is Dublin airport so I'm hoping I won't have any issues. Is it advisable to bring a copy of my I-129F petition? I will have proof of employment and a return ticket. I'm excited! These forums have really calmed me down an awful lot  Any other tips are appreciated

 

 

[Boiler 43,574]

Take whatever makes you feel comfortable but treat it like any other visit, I assume you have gone through Dublin before?

[Sinead91 242]

7 minutes ago, Boiler said:

Take whatever makes you feel comfortable but treat it like any other visit, I assume you have gone through Dublin before?

I have yes, I live in Ireland and when I visited the US I always did pre-clearance here (I never visited my fiance before, he usually comes here and havent been to the US since 2017 on a family vacation) so I don't think I'll have any problems! My ESTA was approved anywho so that's good  

[Boiler 43,574]

3 hours ago, Sinead91 said:

I have yes, I live in Ireland and when I visited the US I always did pre-clearance here (I never visited my fiance before, he usually comes here and havent been to the US since 2017 on a family vacation) so I don't think I'll have any problems! My ESTA was approved anywho so that's good  

Reasonable to expect the same experience as your prior visits. Problems arise when somebody is pushing it, long frequent visits for example, I am not convinced that they would even know at the POE you have filed, I do not think it is something that pops up on their screen when they scan your passport.

[Sinead91 242]

7 minutes ago, Boiler said:

Reasonable to expect the same experience as your prior visits. Problems arise when somebody is pushing it, long frequent visits for example, I am not convinced that they would even know at the POE you have filed, I do not think it is something that pops up on their screen when they scan your passport.

Thanks a million! I feel even more relaxed now!  Have a great weekend! i'll post my experience once I've done it 

[KurtDarryl23 14]

Hello all!

 

I visited the US last July for a 2 week vacation, it was here that i met my now fiance. After about 2 weeks after returning I was back visiting friends for a planned engagement party in the states, As me and my partner had been talking constantly I extended my trip and stayed from the 16th August until the 7th October (in total including spending time with friends) to stay with him. I had to return home for a family funeral in the UK, but as I was off on long term sick with work I decided to fly back out to the states 5 days later on the 11th of October and stayed until the 23rd December. I currently work for an airline in the United Kingdom so I can travel very easily on standby for very little and this was why I was able to visit so frequently last year.

 

Anyway we got engaged in December and we filed for our K1  on the 16th January 2020 and received our receipt notice on the 21st January to say they had received our petition. I am planning to fly out to Orlando to visit my fiance at the end of February this year with my mum so she can meet his family and do some touristy sightseeing for 2 weeks. I can bring a letter to say I have been employed with my airline for the last 4 years and that I have 4 weeks of time booked off from February 24th. I can prove I pay rent and get a letter from my landlord.

 

I'm just wondering if anyone thinks i would have an issue visiting for 2 weeks. As I can change my plane tickets so easily I may extend my trip after i'm in the states but for now i'm only thinking of staying for 2 weeks.

 

If they ask why I'm visiting should I say that me and my mum are visiting Orlando and only mention I'm staying with my fiance if they ask. I'm thinking of also applying for global entry whilst I have a pending K1 is this something that can be done?

 

Sorry for all of the questions. I'm just a worrier =( 

 

Thank you in advance for any help and thoughts.

 

Kindest regards,

 

Kurt

[Maria002 54]

47 minutes ago, KurtDarryl23 said:

 fly back out to the states 5 days later on the 11th of October and stayed until the 23rd December. I currently work for an airline in the United Kingdom so I can travel very easily on standby for very little and this was why I was able to visit so frequently last year.

 

I'm just wondering if anyone thinks i would have an issue visiting for 2 weeks. As I can change my plane tickets so easily I may extend my trip after i'm in the states but for now i'm only thinking of staying for 2 weeks.

 

If they ask why I'm visiting should I say that me and my mum are visiting Orlando and only mention I'm staying with my fiance if they ask. I'm thinking of also applying for global entry whilst I have a pending K1 is this something that can be done?

 

Kurt

The last time you visited U.S you stayed longer than 2 weeks, I don't see why you would a problem this time.

 

When you are asked about your reason for visiting say the truth, that you're visiting for vacations and to visit your fiance too (I mentioned my fiance on my visits and never had any problem)

 

 

[Sinead91 242]

6 hours ago, KurtDarryl23 said:

Hello all!

 

I visited the US last July for a 2 week vacation, it was here that i met my now fiance. After about 2 weeks after returning I was back visiting friends for a planned engagement party in the states, As me and my partner had been talking constantly I extended my trip and stayed from the 16th August until the 7th October (in total including spending time with friends) to stay with him. I had to return home for a family funeral in the UK, but as I was off on long term sick with work I decided to fly back out to the states 5 days later on the 11th of October and stayed until the 23rd December. I currently work for an airline in the United Kingdom so I can travel very easily on standby for very little and this was why I was able to visit so frequently last year.

 

Anyway we got engaged in December and we filed for our K1  on the 16th January 2020 and received our receipt notice on the 21st January to say they had received our petition. I am planning to fly out to Orlando to visit my fiance at the end of February this year with my mum so she can meet his family and do some touristy sightseeing for 2 weeks. I can bring a letter to say I have been employed with my airline for the last 4 years and that I have 4 weeks of time booked off from February 24th. I can prove I pay rent and get a letter from my landlord.

 

I'm just wondering if anyone thinks i would have an issue visiting for 2 weeks. As I can change my plane tickets so easily I may extend my trip after i'm in the states but for now i'm only thinking of staying for 2 weeks.

 

If they ask why I'm visiting should I say that me and my mum are visiting Orlando and only mention I'm staying with my fiance if they ask. I'm thinking of also applying for global entry whilst I have a pending K1 is this something that can be done?

 

Sorry for all of the questions. I'm just a worrier =( 

 

Thank you in advance for any help and thoughts.

 

Kindest regards,

 

Kurt

You will be fine I'm passing on my positivity to you! I'm doing the same UK is not a red flag country. You're a normal guy traveling and not excessive entries to the US. Iike was mentioned to me, bring whatever makes you feel more comfortable. But they'll probably just ask the usual "where are you going?" "business or holiday?" "when do you fly out?" "cool bananas. Have a safe flight"

 

you'll be fine! 

[KurtDarryl23 14]

1 hour ago, Sinead91 said:

You will be fine I'm passing on my positivity to you! I'm doing the same UK is not a red flag country. You're a normal guy traveling and not excessive entries to the US. Iike was mentioned to me, bring whatever makes you feel more comfortable. But they'll probably just ask the usual "where are you going?" "business or holiday?" "when do you fly out?" "cool bananas. Have a safe flight"

 

you'll be fine! 

Thank you! I’m hoping if I apply for Global Entry too it may help ease the entry if I decide to visit at a later date too! :) 

[Just Paul 4,591]

2 minutes ago, KurtDarryl23 said:

Thank you! I’m hoping if I apply for Global Entry too it may help ease the entry if I decide to visit at a later date too!

Both US CItizens and British Citizens can apply for Global Entry.   More than worth it if you fly a few times a year over a 5 year period.

[KurtDarryl23 14]

Thanks all =) I fly out on the 24th February so will keep you posted on how it goes. My only real worry is that for the most part from the end of August until December I was in the states on 3 separate occasions, with the last two occasions lasting around 2 months. Less than 90 days on all trips though and I left before I was supposed too.

 

Although I left on the 23rd December last time and wouldn't be visiting until the 24th February so there is a bit of time between my last visit, I'm not sure if they count 2020 as a new year when it comes to time spent in the states haha.

[Limey 550]

On 1/25/2020 at 10:22 PM, KurtDarryl23 said:

Thanks all 😃 I fly out on the 24th February so will keep you posted on how it goes. My only real worry is that for the most part from the end of August until December I was in the states on 3 separate occasions, with the last two occasions lasting around 2 months. Less than 90 days on all trips though and I left before I was supposed too.

 

Although I left on the 23rd December last time and wouldn't be visiting until the 24th February so there is a bit of time between my last visit, I'm not sure if they count 2020 as a new year when it comes to time spent in the states haha.

When I first visited my fiancee it was for 2 weeks. About 6 weeks later I returned for 6 weeks. This was around sept 2015. In around April 2016 I visited again for a month. Around 5 weeks later I made another visit. This time the immigration officer gave me quite a hard time about how many trips I'd had to the USA (this was my fourth in less than a year). He acknowledged I was nowhere near the maximum of what would be permitted, but said these are just guides. There is no real hard and fast rules for how long you have to leave before you can come back... its all doing to depend on how long the visits were, etc, and its down to the individual immigration officers discretion.

However, this was different than your situation because this was before we'd applied for k1 (my now wife was separated but waiting for a divorce so we could not file k1). The immigration officer said I needed to look for a more permanent solution, and I explained that we would do the k1 soon once my partner's divorce was finalized. He liked that response as it showed we'd researched k1 and wanted to do things the right way. He let me in, but I did leave it a while before making another trip (and we'd filed for k1 by then).

 

If you can show you're well on down the k1 road, that really helps. It shows you're doing things the correct way, and it also makes it unlikely that you'll overstay/breach rules when you have a valid legal path that you've spent time and money on. I doubt you'll have any problems, but be sure to report back here!

Edited January 27, 2020 by Limey

[KurtDarryl23 14]

4 hours ago, Limey said:

When I first visited my fiancee it was for 2 weeks. About 6 weeks later I returned for 6 weeks. This was around sept 2015. In around April 2016 I visited again for a month. Around 5 weeks later I made another visit. This time the immigration officer gave me quite a hard time about how many trips I'd had to the USA (this was my fourth in less than a year). He acknowledged I was nowhere near the maximum of what would be permitted, but said these are just guides. There is no real hard and fast rules for how long you have to leave before you can come back... its all doing to depend on how long the visits were, etc, and its down to the individual immigration officers discretion.

However, this was different than your situation because this was before we'd applied for k1 (my now wife was separated but waiting for a divorce so we could not file k1). The immigration officer said I needed to look for a more permanent solution, and I explained that we would do the k1 soon once my partner's divorce was finalized. He liked that response as it showed we'd researched k1 and wanted to do things the right way. He let me in, but I did leave it a while before making another trip (and we'd filed for k1 by then).

 

If you can show you're well on down the k1 road, that really helps. It shows you're doing things the correct way, and it also makes it unlikely that you'll overstay/breach rules when you have a valid legal path that you've spent time and money on. I doubt you'll have any problems, but be sure to report back here!

Thank you! This does help. This would be my fourth visit in less than a year too. I will be travelling on a new passport and a new esta as well so I don't know if this will still pull up my previous trips on my old passport. Fingers crossed