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Filed: Timeline
Posted (edited)

So I'm going to be embarking on quite the "risky" VWP visit next month. My job required a 2 month notice, and I always assumed I'd have my interview done by the end of July/early August. Wife is coming here for a big family vacation in the beginning of August and the plan was always for us to return to the US together after the vacation during mid August.

Well, the only panel physician in Norway recognized by the US embassy is on vacation until August, and due to delays at the NVC it doesn't look like I'll have an interview date til some time in early September. Tickets are purchased already, and my wife and I have been mentally fixed on early August for the last 3 months.

Our combined patience is depleted. So what to do?

I'll be returning with her in mid August, staying for 2 - 3 weeks on the VWP, and then returning for a week or two for the interview. Then, if all goes well (knock on wood), I'll return for good with the visa in hand.

The risky part is this:

I'll be arriving at the POE in mid August at the same booth as my wife, with no job back home to show for, and nothing else to really show other than an NOA1, NOA2, interview date, three previous short VWP entries (during the immigration process) and a return ticket in time for the interview. I know there are absolutely no guarantees when it comes to CBP, but has anyone been in a similar situation?

Edited by jaejayC
Filed: AOS (apr) Country: Australia
Timeline
Posted

I have been in and out numerous times on vwp for longer periods than a few weeks and have never been asked anything much. I did not have a job the last 2 times I entered nor did I have strong ties to home.

This is just my personal experience, but... I don't see too many vwp entrants who are turned away or even questioned.

The fact you have your Noa2 I believe looks good for you as you have already done so much it doesn't make much sense to not go back.

We became a couple : 2011-05-29
I visited him : 2011-10-28 - 2011-11-17
He visited me (and my crazy family) : 2012-02-05 - 2012-02-17
I-129F Sent : 2012-02-05
I-129F NOA1 : 2012-02-14
I entered on VWP to stay 3 months: 2012-04-11 - 2012-07-03
---
Went to get my medical done for interview in Australia (much cheaper in the US and I was already here):2012-05-20
Medical issue diagnosed
K-1 petition cancellation request sent to CSC : 2012-06-01
Married: 2012-06-21
Filed for AOS : 2012-08-08
NOA1 : 2012-08-10
Biometrics : 2012-09-14
EAD approved : 2012-10-16
Applied for SSN : 2012-11-01
Received SSN : 2012-11-13
Received interview notice :2012-12-27
Interview- APPROVED :2013-01-28
Green card received :2013-02-04
Baby girl born :2013-03-09

Filed for ROC :2014-12-05
NOA :2014-12-11
Biometrics : 2015-01-15

ROC Approval : 2015-05-14

Filed: Timeline
Posted (edited)

I have been in and out numerous times on vwp for longer periods than a few weeks and have never been asked anything much. I did not have a job the last 2 times I entered nor did I have strong ties to home.This is just my personal experience, but... I don't see too many vwp entrants who are turned away or even questioned.The fact you have your Noa2 I believe looks good for you as you have already done so much it doesn't make much sense to not go back.

Thanks. I have been to the US on the VWP probably around 20 times, never overstayed or done anything illegal. I've also held 3 different student visas. I've entered three times on the VWP since I got married to my USC wife and didn't run into any trouble at all. The smoothest entry of all time was when I entered with my wife back in May.

I've never been asked to show any proof of ties or anything, but I've always been able to, should the issue arise. This is the first time I'll be entering with nothing to show for except a return ticket, multiple previous short trips, an NOA1, NOA2 and hopefully an interview letter. I'll be entering with my wife, at the same booth.

I guess my question is, which you answered too, is if an NOA2, return ticket, interview letter and printed email correspondence with the NVC is considered "good evidence" of intent to return. Makes sense to me, as I have no idea why anyone in their right mind would try to adjust status 2 - 3 weeks before their immigrant visa interview.

Edited by jaejayC
Filed: AOS (apr) Country: Australia
Timeline
Posted

I guess my question is, which you answered too, is if an NOA2, return ticket, interview letter and printed email correspondence with the NVC is considered "good evidence" of intent to return. Makes sense to me, as I have no idea why anyone in their right mind would try to adjust status 2 - 3 weeks before their immigrant visa interview.

Yes that would seem silly! :devil:

We became a couple : 2011-05-29
I visited him : 2011-10-28 - 2011-11-17
He visited me (and my crazy family) : 2012-02-05 - 2012-02-17
I-129F Sent : 2012-02-05
I-129F NOA1 : 2012-02-14
I entered on VWP to stay 3 months: 2012-04-11 - 2012-07-03
---
Went to get my medical done for interview in Australia (much cheaper in the US and I was already here):2012-05-20
Medical issue diagnosed
K-1 petition cancellation request sent to CSC : 2012-06-01
Married: 2012-06-21
Filed for AOS : 2012-08-08
NOA1 : 2012-08-10
Biometrics : 2012-09-14
EAD approved : 2012-10-16
Applied for SSN : 2012-11-01
Received SSN : 2012-11-13
Received interview notice :2012-12-27
Interview- APPROVED :2013-01-28
Green card received :2013-02-04
Baby girl born :2013-03-09

Filed for ROC :2014-12-05
NOA :2014-12-11
Biometrics : 2015-01-15

ROC Approval : 2015-05-14

  • 4 weeks later...
Filed: Timeline
Posted

Ok, update.

I'm now safely in LA with my wife!

The entry was extremely smooth. We entered together at LAX. Told the officer we're married. Conversation went like this:

Cbp: You guys live in Norway?

Me: i do.

My wife: i live in the US.

Cbp: do you have a green card?

Me: no I'm just visiting this time, but we have an immigrant visa case with the NVC. My interview is in about a month.

Cbp: ok, what's that visa called again?

Me: CR1.

Cbp: right. So are you staying here for that interview or are you returning?

Me: I'm going back for the interview.

Cbp: ok, do you have a copy of your return ticket i could see?

Me: here. (gave the officer my iPhone with the itinerary email open)

Cbp: thanks. How much money do you guys have?

My wife: $300 cash..

Cbp: you're supporting him for a month on $300?

My wife: no, we both have credit cards and atm cards.

Cbp: *laughs* ok, welcome to the US, I'll see you again next month!

Posted

Yay!

I hate it when they ask how much money I have. I use my atm card to get foreign currency, so when I travel, I generally have no money. I go get money at the airport. So, they ask me how much money I have on me, it's zero! I feel like they should ask a slightly different question.

AOS for my husband
8/17/10: INTERVIEW DAY (day 123) APPROVED!!

ROC:
5/23/12: Sent out package
2/06/13: APPROVED!

Filed: Timeline
Posted (edited)

Hahaha Harpa I couldn't agree more. I never carry cash on me.

It was a very courteous and straightforward conversation. The officer was pretty stern, but I felt like the questions were mostly just formality really. Never at one point did I feel like I might be denied entry or sent to secondary.

Just wanted to share, since I know other VJers might be visiting the US to wait out their interview too.

This has been my 4th entry since getting married to a USC. On the last two occasions I've entered the POE with my wife at the same booth, as one family. All entries have been smooth as ever. It's my understanding that as long as you're courteous, and your story would add up to any reasonable individual, your experience at POE is nothing to worry about.

I've never been asked to show any documentation, other than my e-return ticket. Still, always carry documentation with you!

Edited by jaejayC
Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Wales
Timeline
Posted

I have done something similar, but did not go through the same line.

I went through the Non USC, non LPR line.

“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.”

 
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