Visiting the US during the CR-1 Process

[Falstaff 0]

Hi everyone, want to introduce myself. First off, I want to thank everyone that posts on the board and takes time out of their busy schedules to help complete strangers out. It reaffirms my belief that people are generally decent and good. I've learned a lot about the previously unknown visa process just by reading the FAQs and searching through posts. This site and the people who post here are awesome.

I met my fiancée on a flight from Japan to the US last Christmas and we've been flying back and forth visiting each other ever since (6 round trips and counting). We intend on getting married in the Fall and starting the CR-1 process then. Since my fiancée is a citizen of a visa waiver country (she's Japanese) she's never had a problem entering the US to visit me.

I don't believe she will have a problem visiting me once I start the CR-1 visa process as she's Japanese, holds down a job, and owns a condo in Tokyo. But I wanted to confirm this with others on the board. Has anyone else had a spouse from a visa waiver country come and visit the US during the CR-1 process?

Thanks in advance!

Best,

Falstaff.

[Seija 0]

We did last Month. My wife had a tourist visa interview. had a good case, with ties to country. but as soon as she said that her husband lives in the US, they did not bother to look at her documents and rejected it. Albeit, Russia is not a waiver country. that's what I've been told. we were disapointed but still keeping the hope alive that soon all of this waiting will be over. There is nothing wrong with trying. all they can say is no.

[CanuckGurl 3]

This is from my own experience only (disclaimer over).

After we got married I was no longer permitted to enter the USA until we got the NOA1, I was then permitted to enter but only for a limited amount of time (approx 6 weeks).

After the NOA2 was issued I was no longer permitted to enter the USA at all. I am now at the Interview stage so I should be able to enter the US again shortly.

Sadly it is entirely up to the border guard and what kind of day they are having that will determine if you are permitted entry or not - proof of a job, bank account balances and proof of residence were all in hand and I was still denied entry on two separate occassions.

Hope things go smoothly for you and your loved one.

[Falstaff 0]

Seija and CanuckGurl thanks for the replies. CanuckGurl, I assume that the border agents looked up your visa status in the system and therefore flagged you for no entry? I'm very surprised by this. Is the US government really concerned that there's an influx of illegal immigration by...Canadians? I don't understand our government sometimes.

Falstaff

[keysjangle 145]

CanuckGirl, what airport did you go through? Pearson gave me trouble for the first time in June and I hadn't even started the process yet. I was still allowed through at primary because of documents I had with me but I still got lectured.

[MyCupOfTea 0]

I visited my husband in May for a month during our wait for the NOA2 and got through the border control at Tampa airport fine. I had brought a whole folder of evidence that I was going back to England- letter from employer, bank account details, appointment letters for when I returned etc. They never asked for any of it and told me to have a great time. I think it just depends on the officer but if you have evidence with you, you should be fine. Good luck, and hope you have a great time together.

[CDN2US 10]

While waiting for NOA2, my husband visited for about 5 weeks, and then he went home again. He was allowed entry with no issue. He's waiting for NVC completion before he makes another visit. I'll have gone up twice before he visits again.

What CanuckGirl said:

Sadly it is entirely up to the border guard and what kind of day they are having that will determine if you are permitted entry or not

That's entirely true. In 20 years of traveling between US/Canada, my husband has never been able to predict with any accuracy what kind of border crossing experience he will have. We have found that traveling via air yields a smoother interaction, presumably because they just don't have the time to really harass anyone.