pennadutch

This is off topic to the original question, but I am interested in hearing more about that grant and the preparation you did. Could you please tell me more about it as my fiance is interested in begining his studies at some point after arriving. Maybe you could message me if it's too off topic.

Thanks!

Kim

I'd like that message too! My fiance is interested in going to grad school as well.

Does anyone know if other EU citizens can take advantage of this? For example, if my Dutch fiance took a hop from Amsterdam to Dublin, then flew from Dublin to the States, could he go through immigration in Ireland? If he was denied, he would still lose the airfare, but it would save the 20 hour journey to Alaska!

Hi VJ,

*My apologies in advance for such a long post*

I've read through a lot of discussions in this forum, and it seems there is some difference of opinion. I hope you guys can weigh in a little on my situation. I'm sorry if I give too many details - just want to get the best advice! I met my boyfriend online in January of 2010. I live in Pittsburgh, and he is from the Netherlands. Currently we are both students and will both graduate in June. I have a part-time job here, and he works for a call-center. Neither of us owns a home or has any significant savings - we are students! When we first 'met' we were just chat-friends, as I was seeing someone else at the time. However, that relationship ended in March, and he came to visit me - as just friends - and see the US on his summer holiday in August of 2010. He entered through JFK on the VWP, had the standard questions, and was given entry relatively easily. He stayed three weeks, and during that time a romantic interest developed.

We decided to see each other again at the end of October. His fall break was a week and mine was only three days, so it was easier for him to come here. There are no direct flights from Amsterdam to Pittsburgh, so we chose the cheapest flight with the shortest travel time. That time, his POE was in Memphis. The IO only took a quick look at his passport, asked the address where he would be staying, and said 'Welcome Back'. He stayed for 10 days, and returned to the Netherlands. I visited him in Europe during our winter break and had an amazing time.

Keeping with the approximately-every-two-months visit schedule, he is back in Pittsburgh visiting again (another school break for him). This time, his POE was Minneapolis. His entry was not so smooth, and has got us kind of worried. When he gave the officer his passport, he was asked gruffly, “This is the third time you’re here in less than a year. What is in the United States for you?” He answered that he was visiting friends and that he really likes Pittsburgh, he’s a student and has the opportunity now so he’s taking advantage of it to travel often. He was then asked how he paid for the trip, and he told him he had a job. A second officer was waved over, and he was taken into a separate room. Again, he was asked why he was coming to the US for the third time, he gave the same answer. He was asked, “What kind of friends? Where did you meet them?” He said the internet. The IO then asked if his friends lived with their parents, and he said *she* lives on her own. This caught the IO’s attention and he asked if there was any romantic interest. He was very nervous, and said no, not yet, just friends (when he told me this, I thought ‘uh-oh. Is this going to be bad news for later?’) After a bag inspection, a few more questions, lots of typing, and some long stares, his passport was stamped and he was allowed to go to his gate.

Now come the questions. I am planning to visit him in Europe over my spring break at the end of April. My father lives in Alaska and owns two properties. He offered to let me and my boyfriend stay in his house for the summer (approximately 2 months, beginning the end of June, leaving in Aug/ Sept.) in exchange for me occasionally babysitting my little sister and helping with home renovations. He would provide us with food and let us borrow his second car. We thought this would be a great way to spend some time together before fully committing to the K-1 and marriage. After this last experience, we are worried that he might be denied entry. Tickets to Alaska are a lot more expensive than tickets to Pittsburgh. My dad has offered to help with the costs, but we don’t want to throw money away. At this point neither of us has a job lined up. My field is more limited than his, and I’m currently searching for jobs in both Europe and the US. I know a lot rides on the mood of the IO that particular day, but is it possible that he’s been ‘flagged’ and will automatically be denied 4 months from now? Should he tell them that since his last entry, a romantic interest has developed? Could he just say that his friend’s father has offered him a place to stay and that he will be on a fishing, hiking, etc. holiday? Will a good record of leaving on time help his case? Could this affect the K-1 visa in the future, after I have full time employment and am able to provide proof of support?

Thanks for any advice you can offer!