POE Dilemma

[coffiluvr 0]

Here's my situation...I'm holding a CR1 visa and will be flying last week of February. I worked in Middle East for 3 years and had a credit card and loan with a certain bank. Unfortunately, I stopped paying because I had to go back to my home country. I read somewhere that defaulted debt in Mid-East is considered criminal and I believe that background/name checks are done in all levels (USCIS,NVC and beneficiary's consulate) before the petition/visa approval and I was able to get a Police Clearance from that country and then I was approved of visa without any additional checks or review. If it's really a criminal offense, it would have shown up during the checks since they're doing mostly checks on applicants, am I right? So, now that I have the visa and ready to fly, do you think I will have a problem with my POE? Will this be a reason for them to deny me entry? I'm really getting paranoid and I really need any inputs, guys. Thank you.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

The middle-east has absolutely nothing to do with your immigration to the USA. If you were trying to go to the middle-east you might have trouble, but as it's the US then no.

You received a clear police check from the middle-east you stated which means you passed that part of the application which was making sure you are of sound character (i.e. no bad crimes or anything against you). You are also right, if it really IS a criminal offence it would have come up on your check so I wouldn't worry about that. You can probably never go there again though unless you pay off your debt and I'm betting your credit rating is shot there too.

So no, you won't have any issues at your US POE in terms of the middle-east thing, they have nothing to do with your USA immigration now that you got a clear police check from them.

p.s. Now that I'm in the US and not Australia I am STILL paying my bills there. I hope for your sake you're able to settle that debt at some stage and clear your name/record. It's the reason why it's getting difficult for foreigners to get things in other countries. A friend couldn't get a pre-paid phone in India even though she has an indian passport because they still consider her a foreigner and foreigners get phones, or credit cards and run off without paying their bills...

Edited January 12, 2010 by Vanessa&Tony

[coffiluvr 0]

The middle-east has absolutely nothing to do with your immigration to the USA. If you were trying to go to the middle-east you might have trouble, but as it's the US then no.

You received a clear police check from the middle-east you stated which means you passed that part of the application which was making sure you are of sound character (i.e. no bad crimes or anything against you). You are also right, if it really IS a criminal offence it would have come up on your check so I wouldn't worry about that. You can probably never go there again though unless you pay off your debt and I'm betting your credit rating is shot there too.

So no, you won't have any issues at your US POE in terms of the middle-east thing, they have nothing to do with your USA immigration now that you got a clear police check from them.

p.s. Now that I'm in the US and not Australia I am STILL paying my bills there. I hope for your sake you're able to settle that debt at some stage and clear your name/record. It's the reason why it's getting difficult for foreigners to get things in other countries. A friend couldn't get a pre-paid phone in India even though she has an indian passport because they still consider her a foreigner and foreigners get phones, or credit cards and run off without paying their bills...

Thank you Vanessa. Yes, that's what I'm planning to do. Even my husband suggested it. So when I'm settled there financially, I'll start paying my debt in Mid-East. Thank you for making me feel better (for a while. :-)

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Thank you Vanessa. Yes, that's what I'm planning to do. Even my husband suggested it. So when I'm settled there financially, I'll start paying my debt in Mid-East. Thank you for making me feel better (for a while. :-)

I paid the first $1K off my credit card just a couple of days ago.. so you're not alone in the debt department. Months of being unemployed drew a large debt so it's a fantastic feeling of accomplishment. I'm excited for you to get it all settled and get YOURSELF settled to start your new life

Edited January 12, 2010 by Vanessa&Tony

[v333k 59]

Here's my situation...I'm holding a CR1 visa and will be flying last week of February. I worked in Middle East for 3 years and had a credit card and loan with a certain bank. Unfortunately, I stopped paying because I had to go back to my home country. I read somewhere that defaulted debt in Mid-East is considered criminal and I believe that background/name checks are done in all levels (USCIS,NVC and beneficiary's consulate) before the petition/visa approval and I was able to get a Police Clearance from that country and then I was approved of visa without any additional checks or review. If it's really a criminal offense, it would have shown up during the checks since they're doing mostly checks on applicants, am I right? So, now that I have the visa and ready to fly, do you think I will have a problem with my POE? Will this be a reason for them to deny me entry? I'm really getting paranoid and I really need any inputs, guys. Thank you.

As long as you don't show tendency to do similar things here, I think the US will not care that much. As suggested by others, once you are here, contact your bank and work it out with them.