Charmily

Hi All,  I thought I'd share my story. 
 
I searched long and hard to find any information on entering the USA on an ESTA once you have the K1 Visa in your passport. All UK citizens, let me tell you, IT CAN BE DONE
 
I second guessed myself and whether this was possible for a long time and found very little evidence out there for or against apart from warnings so I did it myself. 
 
I received my K1 visa on April 13th 2018. And booked my return flight to Fort Lauderdale airport that same day. 
 
On April 20th 2018, I was lucky to have my girl hold my hand the whole way but I can tell you that an ESTA is not a Visa and therefore does NOT get cancelled when you are given a K1 visa in your passport. 
 
Its very reasonable to tell the officer that you are coming in to plan your wedding. Why should we not have the right to enjoy planning our day with our future wife/husband. 
 
They will take you into secondary. They will want you to have a return ticket. And of course if your spouse is with you or can meet you at the airport that is a plus. I even had letters written from my employer, parents, spouses parents, evidence of multiple leaving gatherings when I returned to England, but they looked at none of this. 
 
Be confident in who you are and take as much evidence as you can. Then when you make it through share your experience and encourage others to do the same because it is not against the law. 
 
Just because we Brits fell in love with the most amazing American Man or Women does not mean that we have to suffer for it. 
 
Enjoy your love! And have a Fab Wedding Day! 

Hi, 
 
Approved March 1st. We are a August 31st filler.  
 
good luck! 

Any august 31sts approvals!? 

Hi, 
 
Approved March 1st. We are a August 31st filler.  
 
good luck! 

I just downloaded this app!!
 
Thanks so much I was trying to figure it out too! 
 
So glad you asked... we got approved!!!! Best app I've ever downloaded
 
August 31st filler!! 

I just downloaded this app!!
 
Thanks so much I was trying to figure it out too! 
 
So glad you asked... we got approved!!!! Best app I've ever downloaded
 
August 31st filler!! 

I just downloaded this app!!
 
Thanks so much I was trying to figure it out too! 
 
So glad you asked... we got approved!!!! Best app I've ever downloaded
 
August 31st filler!! 

Thanks for your support! Good luck to you both!! And all couples!! Keep the faith!!
 
I hope that we will all be approved and that one day we can meet people from this thread in our US states to share stories and support each other in person  
 
I will hopefully marry in july 2018 and be based in south florida (boca raton) if anyone is near by and wants to share experiences and meet up in the future  
 
 
 

Thanks for your support! Good luck to you both!! And all couples!! Keep the faith!!
 
I hope that we will all be approved and that one day we can meet people from this thread in our US states to share stories and support each other in person  
 
I will hopefully marry in july 2018 and be based in south florida (boca raton) if anyone is near by and wants to share experiences and meet up in the future  
 
 
 

WE WERE APPROVED!!!!!!!! Call Tier 2! Many got done yesterday!!!!!!

Congrats! 🌷

Awesome! So happy for you! 

I just downloaded this app!!
 
Thanks so much I was trying to figure it out too! 
 
So glad you asked... we got approved!!!! Best app I've ever downloaded
 
August 31st filler!! 

I just downloaded this app!!
 
Thanks so much I was trying to figure it out too! 
 
So glad you asked... we got approved!!!! Best app I've ever downloaded
 
August 31st filler!! 

I just downloaded this app!!
 
Thanks so much I was trying to figure it out too! 
 
So glad you asked... we got approved!!!! Best app I've ever downloaded
 
August 31st filler!! 

I just downloaded this app!!
 
Thanks so much I was trying to figure it out too! 
 
So glad you asked... we got approved!!!! Best app I've ever downloaded
 
August 31st filler!! 

Just downloaded it, thank you!
 
Great tips hahah
 
Good luck to each and every one of you!

Hi,
 
I have read and searched lots of forums am facing the reoccurring issue of can you visit the USA once you have your K1 visa. Has anybody else recently done this (not whilst the K1 is pending). 
 
On the ESTA FAQs ... it says If applying for a B-2 visa, you will be required to furnish evidence of your residence outside the United States to which you intend returning at the end of your temporary stay. Although a pending immigrant or fiancé(e) visa application is not necessarily conclusive evidence of intent to abandon a U.K. residence, it is a factor considered by consular officers reviewing a visa application. If you are unable to convince the consular officer reviewing the application that you do not intend abandoning your residence, you will not be issued a visa.
https://uk.usembassy.gov/visas/immigrant-visa-faqs/applying-for-an-immigrant-or-fiancee-visa-2/
 
It only describes a pending application not a granted. I know every case is different and up to the consular officer but experience or stories of people that have done this would be appreciated. 
 
Here someone from the UK who says it is possible and has done it but that it is stressful! 
 
A post I found:
 
Just an update for future travellers,
I landed at SFO a couple of nights ago and handed the border officer my passport with the K1 page visible. I explained that I had the K1 visa, but that I wanted to use it in January and that this trip was just a visit. The officer asked why I didn't want to use the visa right away. I explained that there was a few things I needed to do back home towards my phd before I could be free to move permanently to the USA. He said that makes sense.
The officer was really nice, as usual for SFO. He said it would be no problem, but they would need to ask a few more questions and take a look at the documents I brought, so he sent me to secondary.
I handed my passport to the officers in the secondary interview waiting area. I explained the situation and he said that it would be no problem. His exact words were "you're free to choose which one you want to use". This is the same as what we were told over the phone by immigration at the airport and in person by officers at the airport when my partner returned home in August.
We got talking about the visa, they said I'd get the K1 pack soon, I replied that I had it right here with me just in case and they both chuckled. Anyway I took a seat and waited for my name to be called. It took about 40 minutes, then I simply approached the desk and they handed back my passport stamped with the VWP entry clearance stamp. It was smiles all around, the officer said congratulations and "see you in January". It was such a great feeling 
I wasn't asked to present any documents and had no probing questions. The officers were all very nice and professional. Man I love this country! What a contrast from the s*** storm of abuse my partner got from the Heathrow border officers when she came to visit.
Anyway, thanks for everyone's advice.
And in return, my advice for future travellers is to try and avoid doing what we did, as it was worrying (but I do worry more than the average person). If you decide to go for it, remember that the officer at the airport has absolute power. Prepare your evidence in advance (to give yourself confidence if nothing else) be polite and respectful. Be prepared to wait and go home with a smile if necessary (don't do anything to compromise your marriage visa)!
 
Thanks

Hi, 
 
August 31st filler here 
 
Thanks everyone for this awesome forum it really helps clarify so much that you cannot find anywhere else on the web
 
Keep up the positive vibes 

Hi, 
 
August 31st filler here 
 
Thanks everyone for this awesome forum it really helps clarify so much that you cannot find anywhere else on the web
 
Keep up the positive vibes 

Hi, 
 
August 31st filler here 
 
Thanks everyone for this awesome forum it really helps clarify so much that you cannot find anywhere else on the web
 
Keep up the positive vibes 

Hi, 
 
August 31st filler here 
 
Thanks everyone for this awesome forum it really helps clarify so much that you cannot find anywhere else on the web
 
Keep up the positive vibes 

Hi, 
 
August 31st filler here 
 
Thanks everyone for this awesome forum it really helps clarify so much that you cannot find anywhere else on the web
 
Keep up the positive vibes 

Hi, 
 
August 31st filler here 
 
Thanks everyone for this awesome forum it really helps clarify so much that you cannot find anywhere else on the web
 
Keep up the positive vibes 

Just an update for future travellers,
I landed at SFO a couple of nights ago and handed the border officer my passport with the K1 page visible. I explained that I had the K1 visa, but that I wanted to use it in January and that this trip was just a visit. The officer asked why I didn't want to use the visa right away. I explained that there was a few things I needed to do back home towards my phd before I could be free to move permanently to the USA. He said that makes sense.
The officer was really nice, as usual for SFO. He said it would be no problem, but they would need to ask a few more questions and take a look at the documents I brought, so he sent me to secondary.
I handed my passport to the officers in the secondary interview waiting area. I explained the situation and he said that it would be no problem. His exact words were "you're free to choose which one you want to use". This is the same as what we were told over the phone by immigration at the airport and in person by officers at the airport when my partner returned home in August.
We got talking about the visa, they said I'd get the K1 pack soon, I replied that I had it right here with me just in case and they both chuckled. Anyway I took a seat and waited for my name to be called. It took about 40 minutes, then I simply approached the desk and they handed back my passport stamped with the VWP entry clearance stamp. It was smiles all around, the officer said congratulations and "see you in January". It was such a great feeling
I wasn't asked to present any documents and had no probing questions. The officers were all very nice and professional. Man I love this country! What a contrast from the s*** storm of abuse my partner got from the Heathrow border officers when she came to visit.
Anyway, thanks for everyone's advice.
And in return, my advice for future travellers is to try and avoid doing what we did, as it was worrying (but I do worry more than the average person). If you decide to go for it, remember that the officer at the airport has absolute power. Prepare your evidence in advance (to give yourself confidence if nothing else) be polite and respectful. Be prepared to wait and go home with a smile if necessary (don't do anything to compromise your marriage visa)!