Traveling Abroad (CR-1 Processing for Beneficiary)

[bobby_kvisa 7]

I am planning possibly to take a trip with my wife to Thailand or Malaysia or the Maldives. My wife lives in India and I do not want to apply for a tourist visa for her while the CR1 is ongoing.

So those countries I mentioned offered Visa On Arrival programs where she will gain entry to the country at the airport (visa on arrival).

A small concern that I have is that if we take a trip abroad - even if just for 10 days - is that something we will get questioned about at the interview? We do not know anybody in those countries and it would just be like the second part of our honeymoon.

I talked to a friend of mine who is somewhat knowledgeable in immigration matters. He mentioned it is possible the Embassy may ask questions about what we did overseas, where we went, why we decided to travel and who we knew in that country. Since we do not know anyone over in those countries - my concern is simply that Embassy will be looking for some type of proof that we were there only for tourist purposes, and may suspect what we did on that trip until we provide tourist proof.

This is just a minor concern - but I would like to hear from others and their opinions or experiences on this.

[Harsh_77 716]

No - I think your friend is wrong, you can take as many trip as you want out of US and US immigration does not care about it.

Infact as far I know during her CR1 interview they ask have you 2 met since your marriage, I am assuming you went back to US after the wedding.

Such trips would infact show that this marriage was not just for the purpose of immigration and there are no ill itentions.

I was in UK for business and infact my wife came to see me and spend time with me in UK.

I dont think you have to worry about anything, only thing is you might wanna check if you can travel to Maldavies(assuming you have a US passport)special permission from home minstry from Delhi is required for non Indian citizen to travel to Maldvies.

My 2 cent would be enjoy your vaccation togeather. I am sure other ppl can let you know if I am wrong.

[canadian_wife 1,808]

Techically, they can ask you anything they want. But why would visiting your wife in a third country be a bad thing? In fact, it will bolster the validity of your relationship if you ask me. If you are that concerned about it, take lots of pictures, get brochures of the places you are visiting and if asked at the interview (which I doubt you will be) say "we were there for tourist purposes, here are some pictures of the sites we saw, here is the hotel receipt of where we stayed, here are some brochures of places we went to, we had a lovely time"

Now, if you were vacationing in say...North Korea, or Afghanistan or, say...the caves in Pakistan then you might get more scrutiny over those location because obviously the US is sensitive to those regions for political reasons. But you'll be fine

Good luck

[inloveVEN 46]

Hi

Proably you will. Be asked for.

But as far as your only intention is to take a tourist trip to travel with your whife you dont have something to care.

And if you need a tourist visa for those contrys you need to file for that because if you dont have it you wont be able to travel to thosse contrys

I dont know if i got you, but there is any reason to think that, ? some times if you travel to a contry that is totally againstUSA it is hardky advisable not to travel to there, like a terroist contry or something like that.

Can you please be more specific if you are worryed for something in particular?

Edited July 26, 2010 by inloveVEN

[bobby_kvisa 7]

Most likely we will be going to Thailand - but I am really just trying to clarify what the Embassy may ask for and what to show them if they ask.

I know that some VJers have in fact traveled with their beneficiary to a third location or country before the interview, but I am just staying on the side of caution to make sure I take into consideration what my friend mentioned.

My real concern is simply that the Embassy will want to establish intent and ask us to describe our trip to Thailand.

I know I am probably reading into this way to much - but the Embassy cannot verify what we did in Thailand - and we cannot obtain a police clearance from a third country like Thailand for a 10-day trip. So I posted my question to get an idea of how to present and establish intent of our trip to Thailand.

All of your suggestions make sense - and actually I would not have thought to save the Travel Brochures or Maps as an evidence to present.

Thanks so much !

[LotofPatience 65]

Most likely we will be going to Thailand - but I am really just trying to clarify what the Embassy may ask for and what to show them if they ask.

I know that some VJers have in fact traveled with their beneficiary to a third location or country before the interview, but I am just staying on the side of caution to make sure I take into consideration what my friend mentioned.

My real concern is simply that the Embassy will want to establish intent and ask us to describe our trip to Thailand.

I know I am probably reading into this way to much - but the Embassy cannot verify what we did in Thailand - and we cannot obtain a police clearance from a third country like Thailand for a 10-day trip. So I posted my question to get an idea of how to present and establish intent of our trip to Thailand.

All of your suggestions make sense - and actually I would not have thought to save the Travel Brochures or Maps as an evidence to present.

Thanks so much !

It should not be a problem if you stay less than 6 months there. PCC is required if you are in a country for more than 6 months.

During our previous I-130 process, my wife had been in Malaysia and Singapore for vacation. There was no issues during the immigrant visa processing for her.

Loto