ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresNew to this forum + Need some help

Hi everyone. This is my first post in VisaJourney. I'm a little nervous because my fiance (haha it still makes me giggle each time I use this word) and I decided that we would be pursuing a K-1 visa without any professional assistance (i.e. expensive attorneys). I just want to do everything perfectly and this site seems very helpful and friendly so I decided to just take the plunge. :-)

We are preparing our I-129F package and I have a few questions:


1. Letter of intent to marry:

United States Department of Homeland Security
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
[ADDRESS OF FILING LOCATION] --> Should we put the Texas lockbox address here, or can we put the USCIS address in Vermont since it's closer to Massachusetts (where my fiance lives)?

2. G-325A:

My address and occupation cannot fit in one line, will this be accepted?

Posted Image



3. I-134:

What should my fiancé be starting to prepare/gather for the I-134 this early? Or is this unadvisable since these documents have a specific validity period?


Apologies if these are answered in a FAQ somewhere already, I tried my best to exhaust VisaJourney's resources before posting.

Thanks in advance for any help. :-)

L




Welcome to VJ!
LeatherneckMalePhilippines2012-03-25 23:45:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresnew here.. :)

If your fiancée filed the petition before the two of you met there is very little chance it will be approved; maybe even none.


I put my money on, "maybe even none."
LeatherneckMalePhilippines2012-03-28 13:55:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresAffidavit of Support

Thanks, guys! My fiance will be sending another set of documents later (March 29 - US time) through FedEx. My interview will be on April 10. Do you think I will receive it on or before April 3?


That should be more than enough time to receive your documents.
LeatherneckMalePhilippines2012-03-29 19:57:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresAffidavit of Support
The USPS is not the problem -- the problem is the Philippine postal service/system. One should never send important documents from the U.S. to the Philippines via the postal system. Whatever the cost of sending documents via DHL, FedEx or UPS -- it is well worth every dollar, piece-of-mind, priceless!
LeatherneckMalePhilippines2012-03-28 23:53:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresquestion about fiancee child

So your saying just wait till after i do all the AOS and then adopt her? Or can i do this before the AOS to do the adoption thing? Thanks


Either way.
LeatherneckMalePhilippines2012-03-20 01:06:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresquestion about fiancee child

Don't know if this question ever been asked in the K-1 form? But i have already filed for my fiancee and her daughter just waiting the NOA 2 but my question is how can or can i give my new daughter my last name? Do i have to wait till we do all the AOS? I know my fiancee gets my last name when we marry but i also want my new daughter to have my last name too. Any help/info on this will be greatly be appreciated. :thumbs:


Adoption or a change of name by a court proceeding (according to your state's laws) is the legal means to give your fiancee's daughter your last name. The AOS docs have to reflect K2's legal last name -- you can not change the child's last name by AOS.
LeatherneckMalePhilippines2012-03-19 06:33:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresMet Online Last Year

Ain't that the truth..... :lol:


:yes: Yeap - but it sure is quite humbling when your woman knows a thing-or-two.
LeatherneckMalePhilippines2012-04-06 22:49:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresMet Online Last Year

thanks for the quick reply, i guess we were confused because of the rule that we read in the requirements for k-1 visa where we should have met within the last 2 years coz he keeps on telling me that we should file after the 2 YEAR rule, is he correct? Coz as far as I understand the "must have met within the last 2 years" we surely meet that requirement already, right?


Tell your bf to listen to you - you had the correct understanding of the 2 year requirement. :D

Guys, we think we know everything!
LeatherneckMalePhilippines2012-04-06 22:35:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresEmbassy Manila Packet

Fiancee did not receive the letter from the Embassy in Manila stating that she can now pay the k-1 visa fee and schedule the interview. I called the Manila Embassy and was told that as long as she has the letter that the NVC sent me stating that i-129f petition was sent to the Embassy she can schedule the interview. Also I sent an e-mail to the NVC and the reply back also stated thet i-129f petition was sent to Embassy in Manila. She paid the k-1 visa fee and scheduled the interview appointment. Can she enter the Embassy with the interview appointment confirmation, my letter from the NVC and the e-mail reply from NVC?


Any forthcoming letter from USEM might arrive well after your fiancee is in the U.S., if it ever arrives at all. Now that you have the NOA2, you can move forward with the medical, the interview and the CFO counseling session. She needs the interview appointment confirmation - the other two items you mentioned are not needed to get her into the Embassy. The following documents must be provided on the day of the interview also.
LeatherneckMalePhilippines2012-04-10 11:36:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK-2 specifics?

Yes, you are very right! Your fiancee has to pay $350 each for visa (1 K-1 and 2 K-2); each of them will also pay for medical exam at SLEC. The K-2 will use same Case Number as your Fiancee. And, definitely they should have the same date and time of interview. They need to fill out each document needed for interview. I just hope that you listed all her kids in the petition. Good luck to you guys and God bless ! :)


:thumbs:
LeatherneckMalePhilippines2012-03-04 03:42:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresPetition returned to USCIS
You're welcome OP.


LeatherneckMalePhilippines2011-10-12 00:02:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresPetition returned to USCIS
Sorry to hear this has happened to you and the man you love...I wish you well as you proceed.
LeatherneckMalePhilippines2011-10-11 23:23:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresLetter from embassy
When the passport/immigration packet is delivered to your fiance by 2GO, it will be clearly marked not to open.
LeatherneckMalePhilippines2012-04-11 23:45:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresQuick(est) time for NAO2 (not expedited and not deployed)
Probably closer to the 6 than the 4, but have no expectations on your end, if you hit the 6 month mark, start making some noise.

There have been K1s that have reached the 195-200 day mark.
LeatherneckMalePhilippines2012-04-11 23:55:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresRFE RESPONSE
Give USCIS the time and courtesy to complete the process, its too early to get a congresscritter involved. I understand your petition has been delayed as a result of the lag time between RFE and RFE response, but that 60 days reply is the standard boiler plate from USCIC.
LeatherneckMalePhilippines2012-04-12 17:00:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduressending K1 Packet to benefeciary????

I am not sure which service I will use yet. However, I am sending the petition along with everything else needed. I don't think being prepared can be overstated in these circumstances. Sure, it is expensive, but that is what it takes to avoid unnecessary risks. There is a reason it is suggested in the guides. The beneficiary needs to know as much about the petition as the petitioner does.


:thumbs:One can never be too prepared - the beneficiary should be as familiar with the I-129F petition and all other documents as the petitioner.
LeatherneckMalePhilippines2012-04-12 16:54:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduressending K1 Packet to benefeciary????
If you ask, the overwhelming majority would tell you not to even think about sending important documents via USPS to the Philippines.

If those docs never arrive, you'll be pissed, then surely the second time you'll use FedEx, so you'll actually spend $130 ($100-FedEx + $30 USPS) instead of the $100 it would have cost the 1st time to send the docs. Now you're negative $30.00 + your time and effort. How much is piece of mind worth to you?
LeatherneckMalePhilippines2012-04-12 13:51:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresMaybe the first person to try this but

Thanks Ryan. Pretty much as I thought. The person would get a day in court and only if convicted would the rest apply. If, on the other hand, they convince the judge/jury of their innocence due to extenuating circumstances, etc. then no conviction happens and they stay. Gotta be convicted to apply punishment.

"...the court in which such conviction is had..."



Yes you get a day in court, before an immigration judge that has probably heard every imaginable excuse, reason, sob story and 'the dog ate the I-129F instructions and we didn't know' nonsense known to man.

Considering I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiance(e) is in black bold letters in the top right corner of the petition, alien fiance(e) or fiance(e) is mentioned in bold black letters 13 other times, the same is mentioned again in regular type 2 times. Whereas husband, wife/spouse is mentioned 2 times.

I think a fraud conviction for entering the country as a married person would take about a New York minute, once you admit you signed the I-129F with the word alien fiance(e) or fiance(e) screaming at you for a total of 15 times on the form.
LeatherneckMalePhilippines2012-04-14 18:59:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresMaybe the first person to try this but

NO!!!!!!!!!!!

A K-1 visa is a Fiance(e) visa for getting married in the USA. You get married before arriving in the USA kiss the K-1 visa goodbye and be ready to start over for a IR/CR -1 visa. Tell her you CAN NOT marry before arriving in the USA. unless she is ready to wait another 6-8 months to a year before being together in the States.

And no you are not the first to have this VERY bad idea.


:thumbs: Immigration fraud is not worth it, nor is there a statue of limitations. What you get away with in 2012, could get your soon to be wife deported in 2, 3, 10 or 20 years from now.
LeatherneckMalePhilippines2012-04-13 23:38:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresVisa overstay advice

I am a US citizen and I recently filed and received approval for fiance visa from the USCIS. My fiance is now filling out forms requested by the US Consulate in India. One of the forms is the DS-156.

Question 38, bullet four is the source of worry for me.

"Have you ever violated the terms of a US visa, or been unlawfully present in, or deported from, the United States?"

When she was a minor she overstayed a visit visa that was supposed to last 6 months. She came to the US in '97 and left in '03. She was a minor the entire time. When she left in 2003, she was 14 years old. So the fact is she violated the terms of a US visa. We are planning to answer with the truth and say yes. My questions for the community are:


1. Is this a red flag and a potential denial scenario?
2. If not, are there any proactive steps I can take, like filling out additional forms to avoid any delay in the application process?
3. Does anyone know the specific law that states minors won't be penalized for any laws broken while a minor in the states?
4. If somebody has been thru a smiliar situation can you tell me the timeline for your process?
5. Would we be better off anwering no?
6. Any suggestions, advice or any additional information would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance for any help received.


Here you are:
INA Section 212 (6)©(i)


© Misrepresentation.-

(i) In general.-Any alien who, by fraud or willfully misrepresenting a material fact, seeks to procure (or has sought to procure or has procured) a visa, other documentation, or admission into the United States or other benefit provided under this Act is inadmissible


INA Section 212 (9)(B)(iii)(I)


(B) 13 ALIENS UNLAWFULLY PRESENT.-

(i) In general.-Any alien (other than an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence) who-

(I) was unlawfully present in the United States for a period of more than 180 days but less than 1 year, voluntarily departed the United States (whether or not pursuant to section 244(e)) prior to the commencement of proceedings under section 235(b)(1) or section 240, and again seeks admission within 3 years of the date of such alien's departure or removal, or

(II) has been unlawfully present in the United States for one year or more, and who again seeks admission within 10 years of the date of such alien's departure or removal from the United States,is inadmissible.

(ii) Construction of unlawful presence.-For purposes of this paragraph, an alien is deemed to be unlawfully present in the United States if the alien is present in the United States after the expiration of the period of stay authorized by the Attorney General or is present in the United States without being admitted or paroled.

(iii) Exceptions.-

(I) Minors.-No period of time in which an alien is under 18 years of age shall be taken into account in determining the period of unlawful presence in the United States under clause (I).


LeatherneckMalePhilippines2011-10-17 15:01:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresVisa overstay advice

I am a US citizen and I recently filed and received approval for fiance visa from the USCIS. My fiance is now filling out forms requested by the US Consulate in India. One of the forms is the DS-156.

Question 38, bullet four is the source of worry for me.

"Have you ever violated the terms of a US visa, or been unlawfully present in, or deported from, the United States?"

When she was a minor she overstayed a visit visa that was supposed to last 6 months. She came to the US in '97 and left in '03. She was a minor the entire time. When she left in 2003, she was 14 years old. So the fact is she violated the terms of a US visa. We are planning to answer with the truth and say yes. My questions for the community are:


1. Is this a red flag and a potential denial scenario?
2. If not, are there any proactive steps I can take, like filling out additional forms to avoid any delay in the application process?
3. Does anyone know the specific law that states minors won't be penalized for any laws broken while a minor in the states?
4. If somebody has been thru a smiliar situation can you tell me the timeline for your process?
5. Would we be better off anwering no?
6. Any suggestions, advice or any additional information would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance for any help received.


BY ALL MEANS...ANSWER TRUTHFULLY! A misrepresentation, an omission or a lie will get you a quick denial!

No denial, it happened when she was a minor- minors do not accure unlawful presence. 18 1/2 is a problem.
LeatherneckMalePhilippines2011-10-17 14:04:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresVisa overstay advice
Wait, wait, wait, was she 14 years old when she left the country or was she 14 when she arrived? It was not clear to me, it does make a big difference.
LeatherneckMalePhilippines2011-10-17 13:59:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresVisa overstay advice
Minors under the age of 18, there is no unlawful presence counted against her.
LeatherneckMalePhilippines2011-10-17 13:57:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresNOA2 received 3/20/12 but as of 4/18/12 NVC has not received Petition Filing
The CRBA must be executed in country -- before a Consular Officer. Either you or your fiancee must personally be present with the application and relevant documents in hand, you do not have to personally be there.


Unsigned, completed Application for CRBA (form DS-2029). Only the child's biological parent or legal guardian, preferably the U.S. citizen parent, can apply for a CRBA. Either parent, including a non-U.S. citizen parent, may execute and sign this application form before a Consular Officer. If it will be signed and executed by a legal guardian, a special power of attorney from the parent(s) or guardianship affidavit must be submitted. Please read and follow the "Instructions Page of the CRBA form" when filling it out. Complete items 1-15 but do not sign this form until you are standing before the Consular Officer during your appointment at the Embassy. Click here for the application for Consular Report of Birth Abroad (form DS-2029).
LeatherneckMalePhilippines2012-04-19 01:20:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresNOA2 received 3/20/12 but as of 4/18/12 NVC has not received Petition Filing
Assuming that you're a US citizen, your child will not need a visa -- just a passport. Which the baby will be eligible for once you do a CRBA. Read this and this.

It's likely to be completed by June -- unless they just can't locate your file, which has happened. Just stay on them (NVC) daily until you're undated that your file has arrived.
LeatherneckMalePhilippines2012-04-19 00:29:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresUSEM Interview
Congratulations!
LeatherneckMalePhilippines2012-04-23 22:24:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures5-14 days review
Do not get stuck on the 5-14 days, that's a goal, not a promise. It could take longer than 14 days. If you don't have your visa in 14 days, then follow up.
LeatherneckMalePhilippines2012-04-23 19:30:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresnoa2 gathering documents..

YES, I RECEIVE THE HARD COPY OF NOA2 FROM USCIS ALREADY BUT THEY JUST FORWARDED TO NVC.. MY QUESTION IS, IF I CAN SEND THE AFFIDAVIT OF SUPPORT, LETTER OF INTENT, G325A, I-129F COPY EMPLOYMENT LETTER, ITR, BANK STATEMENT, PAYSTUB, PROOF OF ONGOING RELATIONSHIP TO HER NOW? SO U MEAN TO SAY I WILL WAIT FOR THE NVC TO RECEIVE MY NOA2 BEFORE I WILL SEND THE PACKAGE REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR My FIANCEE IN THE PHILIPPINES?


Also, your fiancee will need these documents the day of the interview.
LeatherneckMalePhilippines2012-04-25 03:42:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWife did not make it past homeland and got k-1 cancelled

Seems the white flag was waved rather easily :unsure:


OP must've been in total disbelief at what was happening and surely caught off guard. It would've hurt like hell to know my fiancee was detained -- but a few hours of detention would've bought some time to find out what was happening.

Considering the cost it's going to take to unwind this mess, it would've been cheaper for the OP to fly to Korea and accompany his fiancee to the U.S., especially with her not speaking English.
LeatherneckMalePhilippines2012-04-26 12:55:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWife did not make it past homeland and got k-1 cancelled

Agree with others. This is sad to hear, and truly sorry, but you either need more information or you're not telling us something.

I wouldn't do anything else until you know with certainty why she was made to return. It certainly wasn't for indiscriminate reasons, though the information you give doesn't add up to much. For myself, I wouldn't let my wife/fiance be sent back on a plane without raising bloody hell, scared or not; at the very least get answers. Not an indictment of your actions, just I find it odd you have no clue why she was sent back, when she was right there with you.

Don't waste your time doing anything else until you get the reasons for the denial of entry.


Agreed. With my game face on, diplomatic in demeanor and speech, but firmly requesting to speak to the head honcho.

No way in hell would I have paid for a return ticket.

It's roughly 1:00 PM Eastern -- I sure hope the OP has been burning up the phone lines seeking answers and getting to the bottom of this drama.
LeatherneckMalePhilippines2012-04-26 12:00:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWife did not make it past homeland and got k-1 cancelled

I find it hard to believe that at LAX there are no Korean speaking interpreter or CPB officers. If her English was so bad, why not ask for someone who speaks Korean? If it was so bad I think they would offer that service without her even asking.

And I find it highly strange to wear a ring meant to signify marriage before you are married. That goes against the whole point.


You ripped the thoughts right from my head as I was about to post the very same. Anybody that has ever arrived at TBIT (Tom Bradley International Terminal), knows the CBP uniformed personnel can resemble a U.N. special session at times, surely there had to be a Korean speaking officer there or one they could easily reach. You can spit in any direction and hit a Korean speaking traveler/citizen waiting to clear immigration or customs.

Something went terribly sideways in this case. I can only imagine the sheer trauma the poor woman must've experienced as she endured the 9th degree grilling.

Edited by Leatherneck, 26 April 2012 - 10:24 AM.

LeatherneckMalePhilippines2012-04-26 10:18:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresUSEM Administrative review
Many people before you have experienced the same. Look at the bright side, your visa application was not denied, so be patient and wait for the review to be completed. Once they're done with the review, your visa will be delivered, no one here can tell you how long that will take.
LeatherneckMalePhilippines2012-04-24 02:00:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresManipulate Layover Time for K-1 Entry

Morro Bay! Brings back memories ... always used to go camping with my family
there when I was a little girl ... loved the doughnut shop with the decor they
hadn't changed since the 1950s :dance:


Would that be the Cerro Alto Campground (along Morro Creek) off Hwy 41 between Morro Bay and Atascadero?

Never had the doughnuts, (Ocean Front, is the place you speak of, right?) I was usually in a hurry and running through Morro Bay to get to Atascadero or headed up the coast. But I always found time to stop at that avocado farm on Hwy 41to buy avocados but the case. yum-yum!

Will try the doughnuts on the next trip.
LeatherneckMalePhilippines2012-02-08 14:08:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresManipulate Layover Time for K-1 Entry

Yes it would be great and good for her to not to have to put her butt back into another airline seat for a several hours. Besides, you'll be in the Big Apple, why hurry back to NC? Once you're back in NC, that is home and you probably will not travel again for awhile.

And do a little research about the food in NYC, take her to Katz's Deli or to Stage Deli and let her see a NYC style deli sandwich, let her experience real pastrami NYC style...of course you'll have to help her eat it!

il Laboratorio del Gelato is just nearby...there she can probably have her first taste first taste of gelato, a nice treat after a huge a pastrami or corned beef sandwich.


I fixed it.
LeatherneckMalePhilippines2012-02-08 13:41:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresManipulate Layover Time for K-1 Entry

I think it will still be better going to JFK.. The layover is less than 2 hours and like you said, someone would need a minimum regardless of the POE.

I think I will stay a day in JFK, maybe we can visit the statue of liberty. Don't you think that will kind of be symbolic for her LOL


Yes it would be great and good for her to not to have to put her butt back into another airline seat for a several hours. Besides, you'll be in the Big Apple, why hurry back to NC? Once you're back in NC, that is home and you probably will not travel again for awhile.

And do a little research about the food in NYC, take her to Katz's Deli or to Stage Deli and let her see a NYC style deli sandwich, let her experience real pastrami NYC style...of course you'll have to help her eat it!

il Laboratorio del Gelato is just nearby...there she can probably have her first taste gelato, a nice treat after huge a pastrami or corned beef sandwich.

Edited by Leatherneck, 08 February 2012 - 01:24 PM.

LeatherneckMalePhilippines2012-02-08 13:18:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresManipulate Layover Time for K-1 Entry

This would be so perfect! Asking 750 for this flight, but of course she doesn't have visa in hand, yet.

06:10 AM
10:30 AMDEPART: Manila, Ninoy Aquino Intl
ARRIVE: Detroit, Detroit MetroPosted ImageDelta Air Lines
Flight 630
Economy ClassStops: 1
12:14 PM
01:59 PMDEPART: Detroit, Detroit Metro
ARRIVE: New York City, John F KennedyPosted ImageDelta Air Lines
Flight 3354
Economy Class


Yeah it would be nice to arrive at JFK with some daylight in your face.
LeatherneckMalePhilippines2012-02-08 13:07:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresManipulate Layover Time for K-1 Entry

Just curious what flight goes from manila to jfk. I know of no direct flight, so she is going to be stopping somewhere anyway. Unless your talking about a flight to maybe hong,japan or korea, and then directly to jfk. You can also check flights (if you havent already) manila-japan-poe detroit, then to NC. The manila to detroit is same plane, and poe in detroit is easy. Anyway good luck, and best advise was already said dont book until visa in hand!!!


That seems to be the experience of the VJ'ers that make the connection to NC, good point.
LeatherneckMalePhilippines2012-02-08 12:52:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresManipulate Layover Time for K-1 Entry

I second this recommendation. If you can arrange the time, I would make a trip out of it for at least a couple days. For my wife and stepdaughter I drove a rented minivan from Washington State to LAX to pick them up. We spent that first night in So Cal and took a couple days to make the drive home, They saw some scenery and got acquainted. Raleigh is a lot shorter drive than that. Yes, I've made that drive too. :-) And many more.




Now that is a beautiful drive, especially if you took the 101, the scenery starts to change the moment you get out of Thousand Oaks from that steep downgrade and enter Camarillo and it just gets better through Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo, then the scenery gets downright breath taking out of Morro Bay along the coast through Monterey. Now the 5 is nothing exciting until you are well beyond Sacarmento.
LeatherneckMalePhilippines2012-02-08 12:43:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresManipulate Layover Time for K-1 Entry

Hi, My POE was at JFK in August 2011. I had a 2hr.55min layover...At customs it took 15 mins total with the fingerprinting, going through my documents, asking me questions, etc... When I arrived at my gate I had 40 mins to spare for my flight to NC. Good Luck :)


You did get lucky on that one, you must've been at the front of the pack to pull that one off or arrived at an odd time. Because 15 minutes at JFK is certainly not the norm. I'm not mad at ya, that was good for you.

In the case of the OP, he was originally allowing only 2 hrs for the connection, which would mean a missed flight in his fiancee's case even if she had the lucky 15 minute experience as you had.

Edited by Leatherneck, 08 February 2012 - 12:23 PM.

LeatherneckMalePhilippines2012-02-08 12:18:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresManipulate Layover Time for K-1 Entry

I know JFK well. Connecting times can be brutal. You need more than 2 hours. Four would be a minimum to be safe. As others pointed out, she needs to clear immigration, get her papers, then baggage, then customs, and there is no way you can be there. You will first see her coming out of the secure area with a ton of baggage. I do not know what airline she is flying on but I would bet she will arrive in the main international terminal, but may have to go to another terminal to pick up the connecting flight to NC. That is not difficult, but for a person not familiar with JFK, it can be very daunting. You must be there for her. Period.

Now a suggestion. I suspect you both will want to be "back home" as soon as possible, but have you considered taking your time doing this? She will be arriving in NY, one of the greatest cities in the world ( I am a New Yorker :) ) so why not take a day or two to see this city? The ride back to NC passes our Capital, and can be a great time to talk in the car while driving through some beautiful countryside. When will she have the chance to do this again?



:thumbs::thumbs:
Now that is a great idea, gotta give ya 2 thumbs up an that one. I didn't even think about adding in a day or so of site seeing in the Big Apple, OP might as well since he's there with his fiancee, I think she would enjoy that.

That would save a trip back (and money) to NYC. Except for taking her back to Manhattan in December to see the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center and to experience NYC during the holidays. Huh, no disrespect to New Yorkers, NYC is a great city, but to me the only time I like to go there is during the holidays...the only times New Yorkers seem to lighten up a bite.

Oh but the idea of driving back, that is a long drive back to NC. Although I've done it many times when I only had 72 or a 96 hours for the round trip. But overall a good idea to stay and see NYC.
LeatherneckMalePhilippines2012-02-08 12:12:00