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Sarah G

Travelling with extra baggage on visits prior to relocation

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So I'm wondering... I don't have a huge amount of stuff to ship to the US but I know it will be cheaper for me to pay for extra baggage on the visits I make to the US between now and when I go there for good. 

 

If I have enough proof of ties to the UK, and my NOA1 to show to the CBP agent, will they be unhappy if I am carrying belongings I intend to leave in the US when I return from my visits? 

 

Advice always appreciated! 

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It may be fine. They may heavily scrutinize and/or deny entry. It’s completely at the officer’s discretion. One officer may be fine with it while another may think you are trying to skip the line and adjust status in the US instead.

 

IMO you would probably be fine since you can (presumably) use an ESTA. But there is an increased risk of being turned away also.

Timelines:

ROC:

Spoiler

7/27/20: Sent forms to Dallas lockbox, 7/30/20: Received by USCIS, 8/10 NOA1 electronic notification received, 8/1/ NOA1 hard copy received

AOS:

Spoiler

AOS (I-485 + I-131 + I-765):

9/25/17: sent forms to Chicago, 9/27/17: received by USCIS, 10/4/17: NOA1 electronic notification received, 10/10/17: NOA1 hard copy received. Social Security card being issued in married name (3rd attempt!)

10/14/17: Biometrics appointment notice received, 10/25/17: Biometrics

1/2/18: EAD + AP approved (no website update), 1/5/18: EAD + AP mailed, 1/8/18: EAD + AP approval notice hardcopies received, 1/10/18: EAD + AP received

9/5/18: Interview scheduled notice, 10/17/18: Interview

10/24/18: Green card produced notice, 10/25/18: Formal approval, 10/31/18: Green card received

K-1:

Spoiler

I-129F

12/1/16: sent, 12/14/16: NOA1 hard copy received, 3/10/17: RFE (IMB verification), 3/22/17: RFE response received

3/24/17: Approved! , 3/30/17: NOA2 hard copy received

 

NVC

4/6/2017: Received, 4/12/2017: Sent to Riyadh embassy, 4/16/2017: Case received at Riyadh embassy, 4/21/2017: Request case transfer to Manila, approved 4/24/2017

 

K-1

5/1/2017: Case received by Manila (1 week embassy transfer??? Lucky~)

7/13/2017: Interview: APPROVED!!!

7/19/2017: Visa in hand

8/15/2017: POE

 

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Filed: AOS (apr) Country: Philippines
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8 minutes ago, Sarah G said:

So I'm wondering... I don't have a huge amount of stuff to ship to the US but I know it will be cheaper for me to pay for extra baggage on the visits I make to the US between now and when I go there for good. 

 

If I have enough proof of ties to the UK, and my NOA1 to show to the CBP agent, will they be unhappy if I am carrying belongings I intend to leave in the US when I return from my visits? 

 

Advice always appreciated! 

Cbp (passport control) does not see your baggage if traveling in by air.

Edited by payxibka

YMMV

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23 minutes ago, Sarah G said:

So I'm wondering... I don't have a huge amount of stuff to ship to the US but I know it will be cheaper for me to pay for extra baggage on the visits I make to the US between now and when I go there for good. 

 

If I have enough proof of ties to the UK, and my NOA1 to show to the CBP agent, will they be unhappy if I am carrying belongings I intend to leave in the US when I return from my visits? 

 

Advice always appreciated! 

I also started doing this (somewhat) unintentionally by flying with normal amount of clothes for a trip and just returning with next to nothing and have roughly looked on my most recent return and can probably move now with x2 full size suit cases and a carry on. We'll pick my other stuff up on a future visit after we receive my travel card.

 

It is worth noting the CBP agent does not see your baggage, you may get pulled a side and your bags searched just out of a random selection after you're through but nothing to do with your trip just security checks.

*edit* Turns out it is also worth nothing that I can't read because @payxibka has also told you this bit! 

Edited by LukeU

Summary:

Filed I129f: 06/09/2018

NOA2 dated: 11/29/2018

NVC Case #: Fianceé (USC) Called and received it: 01/08/2019

Case Shipped: 01/08/2019

Case Received: 01/15/2019

Medical: 02/08/2019

Interview: 03/11/2019 - Approved

Visa In Hand: 03/15/2019

US Entry: 05/11/2019 - DTW

Marriage: 06/22/2019

Filed AOS/EAD/AP: 08/02/2019

NOA1: 08/09/2019

RFE: 09/29/2019

Biometrics: 09/30/2019

Interview Letter Received: 11/02/2019

Interview Date: 12/09/2019

AOS Approval Date: 01/04/2020 (Assuming - that's the valid date on my card)

Green Card Received: 01/08/2020

 

 

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Good points raised on CBP not seeing your baggage. I do think they can see the number of bags, though...but I’ll defer to others.

Timelines:

ROC:

Spoiler

7/27/20: Sent forms to Dallas lockbox, 7/30/20: Received by USCIS, 8/10 NOA1 electronic notification received, 8/1/ NOA1 hard copy received

AOS:

Spoiler

AOS (I-485 + I-131 + I-765):

9/25/17: sent forms to Chicago, 9/27/17: received by USCIS, 10/4/17: NOA1 electronic notification received, 10/10/17: NOA1 hard copy received. Social Security card being issued in married name (3rd attempt!)

10/14/17: Biometrics appointment notice received, 10/25/17: Biometrics

1/2/18: EAD + AP approved (no website update), 1/5/18: EAD + AP mailed, 1/8/18: EAD + AP approval notice hardcopies received, 1/10/18: EAD + AP received

9/5/18: Interview scheduled notice, 10/17/18: Interview

10/24/18: Green card produced notice, 10/25/18: Formal approval, 10/31/18: Green card received

K-1:

Spoiler

I-129F

12/1/16: sent, 12/14/16: NOA1 hard copy received, 3/10/17: RFE (IMB verification), 3/22/17: RFE response received

3/24/17: Approved! , 3/30/17: NOA2 hard copy received

 

NVC

4/6/2017: Received, 4/12/2017: Sent to Riyadh embassy, 4/16/2017: Case received at Riyadh embassy, 4/21/2017: Request case transfer to Manila, approved 4/24/2017

 

K-1

5/1/2017: Case received by Manila (1 week embassy transfer??? Lucky~)

7/13/2017: Interview: APPROVED!!!

7/19/2017: Visa in hand

8/15/2017: POE

 

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50 minutes ago, payxibka said:

Cbp (passport control) does not see your baggage if traveling in by air.

15 minutes ago, geowrian said:

Good points raised on CBP not seeing your baggage. I do think they can see the number of bags, though...but I’ll defer to others.

 

The do if you go through a US Preclearance POE

Edited by thatguyuknow
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I've been questioned at secondary twice and expect this trend to continue. On previous trips this has happened before collecting my bag but I guess they always have the right to have me collect them so they can look. 

 

I think I'll be selective about what I take, to be on the safe side. I'm just trying to find ways to save a little money in this hellishly expensive process 😂

 

Thank you all for your thoughts, much appreciated. 

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Filed: AOS (apr) Country: Philippines
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40 minutes ago, geowrian said:

Good points raised on CBP not seeing your baggage. I do think they can see the number of bags, though...but I’ll defer to others.

If so, I think I'd question if a woman was traveling with less than two bags.  😂

YMMV

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1 minute ago, payxibka said:

If so, I think I'd question if a woman was traveling with less than two bags.  😂

Hey now... 😂😂😂 So far I've only ever taken one! Plus a carry on... Plus a personal item. 😇

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Filed: AOS (apr) Country: Philippines
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1 minute ago, Sarah G said:

Hey now... 😂😂😂 So far I've only ever taken one! Plus a carry on... Plus a personal item. 😇

And you have been pulled into secondary twice.  I rest my case your honor.  😂

YMMV

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Just now, payxibka said:

And you have been pulled into secondary twice.  I rest my case your honor.  😂

Bahahaha. Dang, if only I had known! 

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6 minutes ago, payxibka said:

If so, I think I'd question if a woman was traveling with less than two bags.  😂

Not as bad as the scrutiny security gave me when I traveled from Asia to the northeast US during mid-winter with no carry-on or personal bag, shorts (no coat), and shorts. Got the SSSS notation on my boarding pass (and full explosives test strips on all clothes) that time. ;)

Timelines:

ROC:

Spoiler

7/27/20: Sent forms to Dallas lockbox, 7/30/20: Received by USCIS, 8/10 NOA1 electronic notification received, 8/1/ NOA1 hard copy received

AOS:

Spoiler

AOS (I-485 + I-131 + I-765):

9/25/17: sent forms to Chicago, 9/27/17: received by USCIS, 10/4/17: NOA1 electronic notification received, 10/10/17: NOA1 hard copy received. Social Security card being issued in married name (3rd attempt!)

10/14/17: Biometrics appointment notice received, 10/25/17: Biometrics

1/2/18: EAD + AP approved (no website update), 1/5/18: EAD + AP mailed, 1/8/18: EAD + AP approval notice hardcopies received, 1/10/18: EAD + AP received

9/5/18: Interview scheduled notice, 10/17/18: Interview

10/24/18: Green card produced notice, 10/25/18: Formal approval, 10/31/18: Green card received

K-1:

Spoiler

I-129F

12/1/16: sent, 12/14/16: NOA1 hard copy received, 3/10/17: RFE (IMB verification), 3/22/17: RFE response received

3/24/17: Approved! , 3/30/17: NOA2 hard copy received

 

NVC

4/6/2017: Received, 4/12/2017: Sent to Riyadh embassy, 4/16/2017: Case received at Riyadh embassy, 4/21/2017: Request case transfer to Manila, approved 4/24/2017

 

K-1

5/1/2017: Case received by Manila (1 week embassy transfer??? Lucky~)

7/13/2017: Interview: APPROVED!!!

7/19/2017: Visa in hand

8/15/2017: POE

 

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2 minutes ago, geowrian said:

Not as bad as the scrutiny security gave me when I traveled from Asia to the northeast US during mid-winter with no carry-on or personal bag, shorts (no coat), and shorts. Got the SSSS notation on my boarding pass (and full explosives test strips on all clothes) that time. ;)

The VIP treatment!! Wearing two pairs of shorts is a little unusual though so I can't blame them 🤣

Edited by Sarah G
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Filed: AOS (apr) Country: Philippines
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1 minute ago, Sarah G said:

The VIP treatment!! Wearing two pairs of shorts is a little unusual though so I can't blame them 🤣

I was trying to come up with something witty when I read that but you beat me to it 

YMMV

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