Visa Waiver people--seeking your recent experiences visiting your spouse in U.S.

[Fitzy 2]

Hello all,

I realise this question is asked CONSTANTLY, but my husband and I are desperately trying to decide if he should risk coming to visit me in the U.S. while his CR1 is processing (we are still awaiting NOA2). He is an Irish citizen, thus on the Visa Waiver Program, and it seems that many of you on VWP have successfully visited your spouse while the CR1 is being processed.

I am just seeking your personal stories. I would appreciate any anecdotes, words of caution, words of advice, etc. Has anyone on VWP visited their spouse in the U.S. recently, and if so...What was your experience?

Here are some specifics about our case:

1.) He has absolutely no intention of staying in the U.S. to adjust status.

2.) To provide support for #1, he will provide the immigration officer with the deed to the house he owns, proof of long-term employment (with a date that he is expected to return to work), bank statements for his accounts in Ireland, return ticket, etc.

3.) He will fly out of Dublin so he can be processed through immigration on the Ireland side. This way, if he is refused entry, he won't have to turn around and fly 8 hours back to Ireland.

Many thanks in advance for all of the advice, encouragement, and laughs on VJ (could do without some of the drama but, eh, it keeps life interesting).

Keep it coming!

-J

[yohino 22]

I visited my husband on the VWP in april and the only thing I brought with me was copies of our NOA's, NVC bills payed and my interview e-mail. They were never asked for though but a good idea to have as much evidence of you doing it "the right way" as possible.

The officer asked me what I was doing in the US, I said I was visiting my husband. She asked if he was a USC, I said yes. She then looked suspicious at me and asked how long I was staying. I said, only for 3 weeks as I had my visa-interview to go to.

She said, OK, let me in without looking at anything I had with me.

So if you bring atleast a NOA1 with all the rest of the evidence that he is returning (as you listed) he should be able to come over! He's lucky to be able to be processed in Ireland, shorter way home if he would be denied, which I doubt!

Good Luck!

[Fitzy 2]

I visited my husband on the VWP in april and the only thing I brought with me was copies of our NOA's, NVC bills payed and my interview e-mail. They were never asked for though but a good idea to have as much evidence of you doing it "the right way" as possible.

The officer asked me what I was doing in the US, I said I was visiting my husband. She asked if he was a USC, I said yes. She then looked suspicious at me and asked how long I was staying. I said, only for 3 weeks as I had my visa-interview to go to.

She said, OK, let me in without looking at anything I had with me.

So if you bring atleast a NOA1 with all the rest of the evidence that he is returning (as you listed) he should be able to come over! He's lucky to be able to be processed in Ireland, shorter way home if he would be denied, which I doubt!

Good Luck!

Yohino,

Many thanks for your reply! This is very helpful. Hope you are enjoying your new life in the States.

-J

[tigger 0]

Hello all,

I realise this question is asked CONSTANTLY, but my husband and I are desperately trying to decide if he should risk coming to visit me in the U.S. while his CR1 is processing (we are still awaiting NOA2). He is an Irish citizen, thus on the Visa Waiver Program, and it seems that many of you on VWP have successfully visited your spouse while the CR1 is being processed.

I am just seeking your personal stories. I would appreciate any anecdotes, words of caution, words of advice, etc. Has anyone on VWP visited their spouse in the U.S. recently, and if so...What was your experience?

Here are some specifics about our case:

1.) He has absolutely no intention of staying in the U.S. to adjust status.

2.) To provide support for #1, he will provide the immigration officer with the deed to the house he owns, proof of long-term employment (with a date that he is expected to return to work), bank statements for his accounts in Ireland, return ticket, etc.

3.) He will fly out of Dublin so he can be processed through immigration on the Ireland side. This way, if he is refused entry, he won't have to turn around and fly 8 hours back to Ireland.

Many thanks in advance for all of the advice, encouragement, and laughs on VJ (could do without some of the drama but, eh, it keeps life interesting).

Keep it coming!

-J

Hi. I am living in California and my husband is living in Dublin, Ireland. We have a pending I130 as well as I129F. Last July, he visited me with a tourist visa. He had no problems entering the US. He enjoyed three weeks of Northern California and returned to Dublin and is waiting patiently for the applications to be processed.

[msd 3]

Wow cool, I didn't know you could go through immigration in Dublin. That is cool!! So he can call you and tell you how it was.

I visited my husband in May and had no problems at all. Was REALLY REALLY nervous at the immigration port.

But the person (a guy in his early 30s I guess) Was very friendly. He asked me what I'm doing here and if I'm travelling alone. I told him I'm visiting my husband and he seemed to be surprised because I must look young to him.

He just wanted to see my itinerary with the date I was leaving and asked where I was headed and what my husband works. I told him he's in the army and he asked if I know his MOS. I didn't know the number and letter combo but I know the unit and he was happy with that.

I didn't have to show any binding ties to my country. But just in case I had packed a letter from my University stating that I have to return to finish my degree and achieve my title.

My word of advice to him: don't be too nervous. It's really not necessary. Those people are nice and for the most part understanding to your situation. Especially if he can go through immigration in Ireland that should take away some of his worries.

Also, don't offer to show binging ties freely, ONLY when you are asked for it!

Oh and have him take the NOA1 with him. That couldn't hurt either.

I think the people there see it on the computer if you filed for an immigrant visa, because the IO just asked me if my husband is going to move to germany and I said no he is going to be stateside for a while. He didn't even bother asking how I was planning on coming to live with my husband.

I can almost promise you that everything will be good if he is truthful to any question asked and stays calm.

Good luck!

[Fitzy 2]

Hi. I am living in California and my husband is living in Dublin, Ireland. We have a pending I130 as well as I129F. Last July, he visited me with a tourist visa. He had no problems entering the US. He enjoyed three weeks of Northern California and returned to Dublin and is waiting patiently for the applications to be processed.

Hi Tigger!

Thanks so much for your reply. I'm happy to hear that your husband was able to visit you--I bet it was hard for him to return to the rain and wind in Dublin after being in Cali for three weeks. The best of luck to you both...hang in there!

-J

[Fitzy 2]

Wow cool, I didn't know you could go through immigration in Dublin. That is cool!! So he can call you and tell you how it was.

I visited my husband in May and had no problems at all. Was REALLY REALLY nervous at the immigration port.

But the person (a guy in his early 30s I guess) Was very friendly. He asked me what I'm doing here and if I'm travelling alone. I told him I'm visiting my husband and he seemed to be surprised because I must look young to him.

He just wanted to see my itinerary with the date I was leaving and asked where I was headed and what my husband works. I told him he's in the army and he asked if I know his MOS. I didn't know the number and letter combo but I know the unit and he was happy with that.

I didn't have to show any binding ties to my country. But just in case I had packed a letter from my University stating that I have to return to finish my degree and achieve my title.

My word of advice to him: don't be too nervous. It's really not necessary. Those people are nice and for the most part understanding to your situation. Especially if he can go through immigration in Ireland that should take away some of his worries.

Also, don't offer to show binging ties freely, ONLY when you are asked for it!

Oh and have him take the NOA1 with him. That couldn't hurt either.

I think the people there see it on the computer if you filed for an immigrant visa, because the IO just asked me if my husband is going to move to germany and I said no he is going to be stateside for a while. He didn't even bother asking how I was planning on coming to live with my husband.

I can almost promise you that everything will be good if he is truthful to any question asked and stays calm.

Good luck!

Hi MSD,

That's very helpful, thanks! Yeah, it is pretty cool that immigration can be sorted on the Dublin side...but we're still so nervous. Thanks for all of your advice. It looks like your interview is coming up soon? The best of luck to you. It'll be great!

Take care,

-J

[CanadianRedneck 8]

Ok, here's what I'd like to know..I got my NOA1..july 19th.and I've gone across a few times to visit my wife..and I've come back every time. My wife is starting to make good money now..during my visit..is there any way I can stay longer and wait this whole thing out? AOS? or jeopardize the whole filing?

[msd 3]

Hi MSD,

That's very helpful, thanks! Yeah, it is pretty cool that immigration can be sorted on the Dublin side...but we're still so nervous. Thanks for all of your advice. It looks like your interview is coming up soon? The best of luck to you. It'll be great!

Take care,

-J

Thank you! And be sure to let us know how everything goes.