How many of you have had success (or not) visiting your spouse in USA?

[MPGGPM 0]

This question gets asked so often on these forums, that I think it would be helpful to get a better idea of the actual number and the "success rate" of people who have been able to enter the USA and visit their spouse or loved(legally of course:) during the immigration process.

My wife has been here twice, both times with very few questions asked at the POE.

[almaty 19]

a strange poll..good luck with it ..

[MPGGPM 0]

a strange poll..good luck with it ..

You don't find polls on cat litter and BJ's to be a bit....uh...off base?

Hmm.......

Not to mention some other recent topics on these forums ranging from lack of sex to another discussing a sore butt. ..................

Well.... I'd say this poll pales in comparison to some other recent topics lately

In either case, with this being such a constant topic on VJ, and since many people are afraid of even "trying" to get into the USA to visit , I think it would be useful information to a lot of people. There is a lot of misinformation and misunderstandings regarding this issue out there, and it would be good to get a better sense of what the actual data is.

[almaty 19]

a strange poll..good luck with it ..

You don't find polls on cat litter and BJ's to be a bit....uh...off base?

Hmm.......

Not to mention some other recent topics on these forums ranging from lack of sex to another discussing a sore butt. ..................

Well.... I'd say this poll pales in comparison to some other recent topics lately

In either case, with this being such a constant topic on VJ, and since many people are afraid of even "trying" to get into the USA to visit , I think it would be useful information to a lot of people. There is a lot of misinformation and misunderstandings regarding this issue out there, and it would be good to get a better sense of what the actual data is.

i think it willl be useful to you,,,

[peejay 327]

Even though I knew that my wife (then fiancee) wasn't going to get a tourist visa from the US embassy in Minsk I ponied up the non-refundable $100 application fee and instructed her to try anyway. She was kind of bummed out at the time because we had been apart for quite a while and the K-1 was taking forever. The success rate for getting a tourist visa is less than 10% and she was denied. It was a waste of my money, but it got her mind off of us being apart for the time it took to deny her a tourist visa.

Anyway, there is a big difference in fiance(e)s from the EU, Canada, western Europe, etc. and those from eastern Europe, the former USSR, etc.

When you have to have an impossible to get visa just to get on the airplane, playing games with US immigration to sneak a visit with your fiance(e) is not an option.

Only people that live in countries that can visit the USA without a visa can play those kind of games and sneak in a visit.

[Welshcookie 17]

Only people that live in countries that can visit the USA without a visa can play those kind of games and sneak in a visit.

I fail to see why you think those of us who are able to travel for visits to US are 'playing games' or 'sneaking' I feel sorry for everyone who has a spouse/SO from those countries where travel visas are denied, it isn't fair, but it doesn't mean that those from countries that are able to make perfectly legal visits are doing anything wrong.

[Cdnwmn 0]

First visit in November 2001, flew out of Toronto airport. Had my then 10 1/2 year old son with me. Asked purpose of trip by female customs officer. Answered, "Visit with fiance for a week." I was then asked how long I had known him and I responded. She asked where my son's father was and if he was aware that his son was coming for a visit. I produced a letter from my son's father. She asked my son when the last time was that he had seen his father and my son told her the day before. She let us through.

Second time I came in April 2002 out of Toronto on my own. Asked by male customs officer purpose of my trip. Answered, "To visit for a week." He asked if I was planning on conducting any business while in the U.S. I said, "No." Wished me a good trip and sent me on my way. I had proof of ties to Canada on me just in case.

No playing games or being sneaky on my part. They asked, I answered. If they had turned me away, so be it.

[MPGGPM 0]

Even though I knew that my wife (then fiancee) wasn't going to get a tourist visa from the US embassy in Minsk I ponied up the non-refundable $100 application fee and instructed her to try anyway. She was kind of bummed out at the time because we had been apart for quite a while and the K-1 was taking forever. The success rate for getting a tourist visa is less than 10% and she was denied. It was a waste of my money, but it got her mind off of us being apart for the time it took to deny her a tourist visa.

Anyway, there is a big difference in fiance(e)s from the EU, Canada, western Europe, etc. and those from eastern Europe, the former USSR, etc.

When you have to have an impossible to get visa just to get on the airplane, playing games with US immigration to sneak a visit with your fiance(e) is not an option.

Only people that live in countries that can visit the USA without a visa can play those kind of games and sneak in a visit.

My wife's not from a visa waiver country. I'm not saying it's easy, but it IS possible.

But....I understand your frustration VERY well. This whole process is a lesson in frustration and really tests one's patience. Lord knows mine has been...........many times.

But, depending on your circumstances, your luck, and mainly................your persistance (that's a biggy)......it can be done.

It's good to see that so far.....the success rate has been 100% (except there was one instance I read earlier today in the k-1 forum, which was quite negative, which doesn't show up on this poll).

It's reassuring, because my wife and I are not done with this process yet, and might have to endure another "nail biting" and excruciatingly monotonous wait ..........in the hopes that she gets through again.

[Hannah and Grant 0]

This is an -excellent- poll.

I've been dying for some statistics with this, since my husband and I decided it was worth a shot.

I understand that every case and every immigration officer is different, but its nice to know the success rate is higher than the denial rate....

I'll be able to vote in this poll the day after tomorrow. (Unless I'm in jail in LA somewhere).

Immigration officers are human too...

There has to be some compassion in there somewhere.

People keep voting!

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

I answered for my wife (I'm the USC). She did not try to visit. I used to visit her though, in Canada. When I re-entered, I've been in secondary twice. Questioned, car searched, the whole nine yards.

[Hannah and Grant 0]

Interesting.

You mean all of these questions, etc were when you tried to re-enter Canada?

God I'm nervous.....

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Interesting.

You mean all of these questions, etc were when you tried to re-enter Canada?

God I'm nervous.....

That's not what I said. The questions were by the Americans when I was re-entering the US from Canada. I am the USC.

And don't be nervous. Unless you're young, brown and male like I am, you've got nothing to worry about. Heck, even if you were, you'd still have nothing to worry about unless you had something to worry about.

[Hannah and Grant 0]

Apologies, I misread there.

I'm hoping I have nothing to worry about, though that doesn't seem to stop me!

[Nessa 23]

I never tried.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Apologies, I misread there.

I'm hoping I have nothing to worry about, though that doesn't seem to stop me!

The day it does stop you, that's the day you've got something to worry about!