Travel to the US before interview?

[Holly and Patrick 3]

Hello,

We just found out yesterday that the October interview dates are all booked at the London embassy, so it looks as though we won't be hearing from the NVC for a while or getting a date earlier than November.

Obviously we weren't happy to hear this news, so we've started to think about ways to see each other if it's going to be another 6-8 weeks until her interview. This morning we came up with the idea of having Holly in the UK come over to visit me in the US for 3 weeks or so in October. It would be great for her to see the house that we've bought and she's never seen, and it would really help us to have some time together.

What do you think -- should we try to have her come to the US for a visit? We know that border control is often very difficult in these circumstances, so obviously we'd get anything and everything we could together showing that she's coming back to the UK, but we don't want to hurt or delay our immigration procedure.

Any thoughts?

[Christanj 0]

In the end, unfortunately, no one can give you a yes or no answer to this question.

There is no rule which says if you have a visa application pending you cannot travel to the USA.

The only advice I could give is to weigh up all the usual factors, such as length of the proposed trip, how long it has been until your spouse last visited etc. The decide whether it is worth the risk. If you do decide to go for it I would make sure you bring evidence that would be useful to prove intent to return to the uk, I would have thought an impending interview in London would be quite cogent evidence.

Whatever you decide good luck for the rest of your journey

[Christanj 0]

The decide whether it is worth the risk.

Excuse my bad proof reading, it was meant to read: you decide whether it is worth the risk.

[Steph1988 11]

i asked the same post a few back, turns out that yes you can, its called the B2 visa, costs, an about 18days from time of appying, u gotta go for an interview, but it can be done, apply at belfast, takes 4days to process, the only down side is, theres a strong chance you'd get rejected, as you have a pending immigrant visa, but its always worth a shot, we were going to but decided itd be best just to hang on those few extra weeks an save some more $ good luck though guys !

i asked the same post a few back, turns out that yes you can, its called the B2 visa, costs, an about 18days from time of appying, u gotta go for an interview, but it can be done, apply at belfast, takes 4days to process, the only down side is, theres a strong chance you'd get rejected, as you have a pending immigrant visa, but its always worth a shot, we were going to but decided itd be best just to hang on those few extra weeks an save some more $ good luck though guys !

[Ryan H 3,834]

i asked the same post a few back, turns out that yes you can, its called the B2 visa, costs, an about 18days from time of appying, u gotta go for an interview, but it can be done, apply at belfast, takes 4days to process, the only down side is, theres a strong chance you'd get rejected, as you have a pending immigrant visa, but its always worth a shot, we were going to but decided itd be best just to hang on those few extra weeks an save some more $ good luck though guys !

OP's wife does not need to apply for a B2 visa if she is eligible to use the VWP.

Obviously we weren't happy to hear this news, so we've started to think about ways to see each other if it's going to be another 6-8 weeks until her interview. This morning we came up with the idea of having Holly in the UK come over to visit me in the US for 3 weeks or so in October. It would be great for her to see the house that we've bought and she's never seen, and it would really help us to have some time together.

What do you think -- should we try to have her come to the US for a visit? We know that border control is often very difficult in these circumstances, so obviously we'd get anything and everything we could together showing that she's coming back to the UK, but we don't want to hurt or delay our immigration procedure.

Any thoughts?

OP, are you and your wife familiar with the ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization), an ESTA must be granted before travel on the VWP (Visa Waiver Program). Your wife should bring ties to the UK in the event CBP asks to see them.

[Steph1988 11]

OP's wife does not need to apply for a B2 visa if she is eligible to use the VWP.

OP, are you and your wife familiar with the ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization), an ESTA must be granted before travel on the VWP (Visa Waiver Program). Your wife should bring ties to the UK in the event CBP asks to see them.

true sorry forgot about the VWP as we cant use it but yes your right the VWP is free an can be granted withing seconds

[JoannaV 174]

It should be simple as pie. You're visiting for a normal amount of time and obviously haven't been spending a lot of time in the US. It should be pretty obvious that, if you're only a few weeks away from visa approval, that you wouldn't have any plans to immigrate fraudulently. The visa interview is your number one reason to return to the UK! Of course, no-one can guarantee that you won't meet a not-so-nice officer and be interrogated further, and have reason to produce proof of other ties to the UK. But the odds of actually being denied entry are very very very extra very small.

Personally I never had trouble despite visiting for several longer trips in a short space of time :-)

[karen201 0]

HI, I travelled this summer for 6 weeks. my petition was approved and my case was at nvc. I didn't had any problem. officer just asked me few questions like how long i am here for and who i am here to see..Just be honest

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

I agree with everything Joanna said....short trip, you don't go that often. You probably won't be asked anything other that what is the purpose of your trip (business or pleasure) and how long.

[MyCupOfTea 0]

Hello,

We just found out yesterday that the October interview dates are all booked at the London embassy, so it looks as though we won't be hearing from the NVC for a while or getting a date earlier than November.

Obviously we weren't happy to hear this news, so we've started to think about ways to see each other if it's going to be another 6-8 weeks until her interview. This morning we came up with the idea of having Holly in the UK come over to visit me in the US for 3 weeks or so in October. It would be great for her to see the house that we've bought and she's never seen, and it would really help us to have some time together.

What do you think -- should we try to have her come to the US for a visit? We know that border control is often very difficult in these circumstances, so obviously we'd get anything and everything we could together showing that she's coming back to the UK, but we don't want to hurt or delay our immigration procedure.

Any thoughts?

You should be completely fine. I went for a month in May/June between NOA1 and NOA2 and had no problems. Just take some evidence of your return to the UK and if they question you just explain that after all this time and money applying for your visa why would you try to enter fraudulently now!

Re. the interview- I just sent an email to get an earlier date and now have my interview on October 6th instead of 14th. They seem to be fine about you moving the date if you want to get an earlier one eventually.

[Krikit 1,165]

Most people from the UK visit successfully throughout the process, so have a good time.

Here is a link with some helpful information. It specifies K-1 but is applicable to all:

Visitation FAQ's

Moving from IR-1/CR-1 Process to General Immigration Discussion.

[Holly and Patrick 3]

Just to update everyone, we decided to go for it and I went over for 2 weeks, we had no problems and had a wonderful time together, good luck everyone!