Can we be together in the states while waiting for the visa?

[stoogenmeyer 0]

Yes. We understand your predicament. You only have a tourism visa, so you may only visit as a tourist for the maximum amount of time allotted to you (about 6 months, I'm guessing).

You cannot stay in the USA indefinitely as a tourist. You will be granted a period of stay when you enter the USA, it may only be a few days, it may be up to 6 months. If you immigrate on a tourist visa you will be committing visa fraud and can get yourself a 10 year US ban for doing so.

Wow, I did not realize that. Thank you for clarifying what might have otherwise been a very big problem later on.

[canadian_wife 1,818]

I think a common misconception is that because the tourist visa is good for 10 years, that is how long you are able to stay in the US. this is incorrect. Maximum time given at CBP is typically 6 months, then you must return

good luck

[scholozy 8]

Aye I did make things confusing with how I worded what I said. I meant to say, once you submit your I-130, you typically can't have the alien travel to america. When I said get your passport ready I meant that as you should prepare to travel a lot if you wish to see each other, or you will have a lonely year apart waiting for the process to be completed. Sorry for the confusion :-)

[tehans 52]

If I understand correct you ca direct consular file at the US consulate in the country you are residing in now, insead of mailing the I-130 to the US. This can reduce your wait from 6-12 months to 1-2 months. Check the DCF forum on this site.

[salboreni 12]

From personal experience, I married my husband in September of 2012....I went to the U.S Embassy and talked to the consulate..made my husband an appointment, but he was denied because he has intentions of immigrating to the U.S. I was advised to go back to the U.S and file his I130 which I did. Chances are if you applied for a tourist visa, you will also be denied because you will eventually immigrate to the U.S. Seems these days the fiance visa is faster than the IR1 or CR1, because when your spouse enters the U.S....he/she is automatically a permanent resident..unlike the fiance.

[NikLR 13,227]

If I understand correct you ca direct consular file at the US consulate in the country you are residing in now, insead of mailing the I-130 to the US. This can reduce your wait from 6-12 months to 1-2 months. Check the DCF forum on this site.

DCF is not widely available.

It is no longer available for Israel.

http://jerusalem.usconsulate.gov/immigrant_visas.html

However they will be using the online forms starting Sept 1, 2013!! YAY!