Can Someone From Uganda Just Visit the US

[Michellle 9]

I've read a lot of the posts related to "Yes You Can Visit" but I'm wondering if this applies to a Ugandan citizen just catching a flight and showing up at a U.S. airport, would they permitted to visit their fiancee while waiting on the outcome of the K-1 Visa?

[Lil bear 3,831]

2 minutes ago, Oluwakemi said:

I've read a lot of the posts related to "Yes You Can Visit" but I'm wondering if this applies to a Ugandan citizen just catching a flight and showing up at a U.S. airport, would they permitted to visit their fiancee while waiting on the outcome of the K-1 Visa?

Ummm. ... You need a visitor visa to enter the US as a visitor.  ... if you have a current visitor visa or are successful in applying for one , you can certainly travel to the US .. entry is always at the discretion of the CBP Officer .. only USC have a right to enter the US 

[givionte 138]

You need a visitor visa, but if you are already applying for a K-1 visa, there is no way they will look at any other visa petition until the K-1 is either approved or denied.

[Loren Y 2,731]

14 minutes ago, givionte said:

You need a visitor visa, but if you are already applying for a K-1 visa, there is no way they will look at any other visa petition until the K-1 is either approved or denied.

Not true, the OP is welcome to apply for a visitor Visa at anytime. If asked at the interview about a pending application or why she is visiting the US as long as the OP is honest and doesn't lie or misrepresent anything they will be fine. Now, having a pending K1 may reduce her chances of getting the visa because a K1 does show some serious intent to immigrate to the US and will more than likely cause a denial. But OP can apply anytime. It ends up being a 160 US dollar roll of the dice, and anything that happens won't effect her pending K1 as long as OP is honest with answers to the questions and fills out the visa application truthfully.

Edited May 12, 2019 by Loren Y

[Michellle 9]

Thanks @givionte I didn't know they wouldn't consider any other visa type while the K-1 is being processed.

 

[Ryan H 3,790]

Moved from K1 Process & Procedures to Tourist Visas forum.

[Lil bear 3,831]

1 minute ago, Michellle said:

Thanks @givionte I didn't know they wouldn't consider any other visa type while the K-1 is being processed.

 

So they can at least spend some time together I imagine ! 😁

Meeting in a 3rd country might be easier .. or the US fiancé travel 

to Uganda 

 

[Pitaya 2,576]

48 minutes ago, Michellle said:

I've read a lot of the posts related to "Yes You Can Visit" but I'm wondering if this applies to a Ugandan citizen just catching a flight and showing up at a U.S. airport, would they permitted to visit their fiancee while waiting on the outcome of the K-1 Visa?

Wow, what a great and very, very popular question!!! It is so popular, with over 2000 postings, that there is an ongoing thread at the top of this forum page (K1 process forum) with that same line of inquiry. I am surprised that you didn't join in there.   And yes, you can visit, and as you will find, there are just a few details that need to be taken dealt with before you can make it happen.

Quote

Thanks @givionte I didn't know they wouldn't consider any other visa type while the K-1 is being processed.

Oh it is probably due to the fact that you have already declared with the K1 visa filing that you have immigration intent. USCIS is kinda funny about those details. Additionally, the K1 visa interview has to be done in the beneficiary's home country, NOT in the US. 

(sorry to the double posting of that great link, I guess the system wanted to make sure that you saw it....lol)

Good luck on your immigration journey.

Edited May 12, 2019 by Pitaya
clarification

[Kingdomcome84 18]

that "yes you can visit" doesn't apply to Nigerians that want to come due to high rate of overstays. it will apply to UK or Australia. pretty much any developed country

[Roel 7,191]

4 minutes ago, kingdomcome84 said:

that "yes you can visit" doesn't apply to Nigerians that want to come due to high rate of overstays. it will apply to UK or Australia. pretty much any developed country

Absolutely not true. It applies to everyone.

 

Is it harder to get a B2 visa for high fraud countries? Yes it it. Is it impossible? No.  

[Unlockable 7,306]

11 hours ago, Michellle said:

I've read a lot of the posts related to "Yes You Can Visit" but I'm wondering if this applies to a Ugandan citizen just catching a flight and showing up at a U.S. airport, would they permitted to visit their fiancee while waiting on the outcome of the K-1 Visa?

A person from another country cannot simply get on a plane and enter the US at free will. The US, as with many other countries, require a visa to enter. In fact, even Uganda requires a visa for a person from the US to visit.

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Uganda.html

 

 

5 hours ago, kingdomcome84 said:

that "yes you can visit" doesn't apply to Nigerians that want to come due to high rate of overstays. it will apply to UK or Australia. pretty much any developed country

The ability to visit the US, even during an ongoing immigration process, applies to anyone from any country that has a valid visitor visa. It is not limited to only certain countries. Albeit, some countries have a higher refusal rate of visitor visas and this is direct response to high immigration fraud, as already mentioned.

 

For countries participating in the VWP, the US government evaluates the impact of the program to America. This includes VWP abusers. So if a country has too many people committing visa fraud, it can be kicked off the VWP program. The VWP countries has strict requirements they must abide by.

 

https://www.gao.gov/assets/590/589621.pdf

 

 

[Crazy Cat 39,217]

11 hours ago, Michellle said:

I've read a lot of the posts related to "Yes You Can Visit" but I'm wondering if this applies to a Ugandan citizen just catching a flight and showing up at a U.S. airport, would they permitted to visit their fiancee while waiting on the outcome of the K-1 Visa?

He/she won't even get onto the plane........

[Crazy Cat 39,217]

5 hours ago, kingdomcome84 said:

that "yes you can visit" doesn't apply to Nigerians that want to come due to high rate of overstays. it will apply to UK or Australia. pretty much any developed country

I'm not sure where you got that information, but it isn't accurate.  Anyone with a valid travel document (B2, ESTA, etc.) can apply for entry at the border.....regardless of origin.

[nastra30 1,980]

You can visit as long as you have a visa from  USEM; same process as any other African country. If you are able to secure a US visa you can visit.

[goobies 79]

I would not take the gamble. We are from Uganda, been there, done that, it didn't get approved. Unless the Ugandan in question has a very high profile job in Uganda, sufficient (more than $5000 USD) funds in a Ugandan bank account, and owns property in Uganda, a visitor visa is not going to get approved. Many acquaintances have also tried and failed. Besides this, it is cheaper for US fiance to visit Uganda, and will make your case stronger as well. Plus, Uganda is amaaaazing. We are planning a visit home ASAP.