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Amanda25

Can I visit the USA while waiting for the processing of my IR-1/ CR-1 visa?

By Amanda25 in IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures

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Amanda25 Newbie

Amanda25   0

Posted
Filed: Timeline
Posted

Hi,

I'm a Canadian citizen & my fiancé is American. I will move to the US by a Spousal visa, after our wedding. Before my move to the US & before I receive my spousal visa, will I be allowed to visit my husband in the USA (using my Canadian passport) while my IR-1/ CR-1 visa application is being processed i.e. before approval of the visa (Just to visit for a short while & then come back to Canada, with no intention to stay in the US)? Or will I not be allowed in the US until my visa is approved?

speedwell Proficient

speedwell   224

Posted
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: United Kingdom
 Timeline
Posted (edited)

Hi,

I'm a Canadian citizen & my fiancé is American. I will move to the US by a Spousal visa, after our wedding. Before my move to the US & before I receive my spousal visa, will I be allowed to visit my husband in the USA (using my Canadian passport) while my IR-1/ CR-1 visa application is being processed i.e. before approval of the visa (Just to visit for a short while & then come back to Canada, with no intention to stay in the US)? Or will I not be allowed in the US until my visa is approved?

No, you may visit. Make sure you bring evidence that you have ties to Canada that will necessitate you coming back, such as a letter of leave from your work naming a day you must be back by, or property you must take care of, etc. Bring evidence of your specific itinerary in the US if possible to show you have a plan to return. Bring a copy of your notice of acceptance of your I-130 to show you are in the system and doing things legally (so far). Definitely have a return plane ticket, though that's not enough by itself. Have a plan to return in a reasonable "visit length" time, and DO call it a visit, not "I'm going to live with my fiancé...". Remember it's not a TV courtroom, and you are presumed to be an intending immigrant unless you can prove different.

Edited by speedwell

I'm a dual US/Hungarian citizen (both by birth; Hungarian citizenship verification TBA), and my husband is a dual British/Irish citizen (by treaty) from Northern Ireland. We are atheists.

All advice is given pursuant to the Disclaimer that you may read at the bottom of each forum page.

LATEST STEPS:

28 Jun 2013: POE Houston

08 Jul 2013: SSN received (at SSA office)

07 Aug 2013: Green Card received

27 Feb 2014: Whoa, life happened. Planning move "back home" together to Republic of Ireland by end of April.

29 Apr 2014: POE Dublin through Heathrow

15 May 2014: Received formal residency/work permission (GNIB card with Stamp 4, one year renewable) for the ROI

For my FULL timeline, see my "About Me" page.


For small creatures such as we, the vastness is bearable only through love. (Carl Sagan)

speedwell Proficient

speedwell   224

Posted
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: United Kingdom
 Timeline
Posted

Thanks. You referred to "fiancé" in your response. Just to be clear: So can I visit even after marriage? i.e. We will be getting married in Canada & so I will be applying for a spousal visa. I want to know if as his wife (after marriage)...so NOT fiancé, can I visit him in the US (which the spousal visa is in progress)?

Yes, my husband visited me. Same rules apply. :)

I'm a dual US/Hungarian citizen (both by birth; Hungarian citizenship verification TBA), and my husband is a dual British/Irish citizen (by treaty) from Northern Ireland. We are atheists.

All advice is given pursuant to the Disclaimer that you may read at the bottom of each forum page.

LATEST STEPS:

28 Jun 2013: POE Houston

08 Jul 2013: SSN received (at SSA office)

07 Aug 2013: Green Card received

27 Feb 2014: Whoa, life happened. Planning move "back home" together to Republic of Ireland by end of April.

29 Apr 2014: POE Dublin through Heathrow

15 May 2014: Received formal residency/work permission (GNIB card with Stamp 4, one year renewable) for the ROI

For my FULL timeline, see my "About Me" page.


For small creatures such as we, the vastness is bearable only through love. (Carl Sagan)

speedwell Proficient

speedwell   224

Posted
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: United Kingdom
 Timeline
Posted

can i visit too or it only applies to Canadians?

Hi, Teague! If someone already has a visa to enter the US as a visitor, or if they have another sort of visa and want to visit their spouse while in the US (on business for example), or if they can enter on the Visa Waiver Program, then they can visit too. :) I hope you and your sweetie get some good time together, you deserve it.

I'm a dual US/Hungarian citizen (both by birth; Hungarian citizenship verification TBA), and my husband is a dual British/Irish citizen (by treaty) from Northern Ireland. We are atheists.

All advice is given pursuant to the Disclaimer that you may read at the bottom of each forum page.

LATEST STEPS:

28 Jun 2013: POE Houston

08 Jul 2013: SSN received (at SSA office)

07 Aug 2013: Green Card received

27 Feb 2014: Whoa, life happened. Planning move "back home" together to Republic of Ireland by end of April.

29 Apr 2014: POE Dublin through Heathrow

15 May 2014: Received formal residency/work permission (GNIB card with Stamp 4, one year renewable) for the ROI

For my FULL timeline, see my "About Me" page.


For small creatures such as we, the vastness is bearable only through love. (Carl Sagan)

furc Apprentice

furc   0

Posted
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Finland
 Timeline
Posted

You can visit while it is being processed, I have visited several times and in fact I am visiting right now. :)

Married: 27.11.2011

USCIS:
16.07.2012 - I-130 Sent

21.07.2012 - NOA1
01.04.2013 - NOA2 (254 Days)

NVC:
19.04.2013 - Case # ,INN #
19.04.2013 - DS-3032 Sent

30.04.2013 - AOS Paid

01.05.2013 - DS-3032 Accepted

03.05.2013 - IV Paid
06.05.2013 - IV & AOS Appears as PAID
10.05.2013 - NVC AOS Received
14.05.2013 - NVC IV Received (Stuck in customs for 10 days sad.png )

18.06.2013 - Requested expedite due to NVC error

25.06.2013 - Expedite granted

02.07.2013 - Interview Assigned

Post-NVC:
18.06.2013 - Medical
23.07.2013 - Interview, approved! (368 days from NOA1)
XX.XX.XXXX - POE

bsd058 Proficient

bsd058   296

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Canada
 Timeline
Posted

wow.. how will i know if i am eligible for that waiver? thanks

http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/without/without_1990.html

 

IR-1 Visa Timeline (Service Center: Vermont)

image.png.806852c45242bc72b5f44a862566bdaf.png

 

N-400 Timeline (Field Office: Orlando, FL) & Voter Registration (Online)

image.png.c85e21010f669e0303f6fafb51f19f82.png

 

Passport Timeline (Submitted at USPS, Standard Processing, Standard Delivery, Locator number: 51) & SSA Update & Naturalization Certificate Receipt

 

03/23/2022: Application for passport submitted at USPS facility under standard processing.

04/04/2022: Status changed to “The U.S. Department of State has received your application for your passport book on 04/04/2022. We're now reviewing your application and supporting documents...Your application locator number is 51*******.”

04/04/2022: Check for passport cashed.

05/03/2022: Status changed to "The U.S. Department of State approved your application for your passport book. We're now printing your passport book and preparing to give it to you. You should receive your passport book on or around 05/09/2022."

05/05/2022: Passport Received.

05/09/2022: SSA Citizenship Status Updated.

05/25/2022: Naturalization Certificate received in mail.

 

Ms Hogan Proficient

Ms Hogan   295

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Canada
 Timeline
Posted

Hi,

I'm a Canadian citizen & my fiancé is American. I will move to the US by a Spousal visa, after our wedding. Before my move to the US & before I receive my spousal visa, will I be allowed to visit my husband in the USA (using my Canadian passport) while my IR-1/ CR-1 visa application is being processed i.e. before approval of the visa (Just to visit for a short while & then come back to Canada, with no intention to stay in the US)? Or will I not be allowed in the US until my visa is approved?

I visited almost every other weekend the entire time we were waiting.

wow.. how will i know if i am eligible for that waiver? thanks

Teague, I'm sorry but I don't think that the Philippines is included in the Visa Waiver Program. You would need to apply for a visitor's visa in order to visit.

USCIS - 40 DAYS
2012-10-30: FedEx delivered I-130 to Chicago Lockbox Mail Room
2012-11-01: NOA1 by email - MSC
2012-11-02: $420 (x3) debited from our account
2012-11-05: NOA1 hard copies received, Priority Date 2012-10-30
2012-12-11: NOA2

NVC - 26 DAYS
2013-01-02: Rec'd case#, IIN, BIN & OPTIN emails for EP sent
2013-01-03: Submitted DS-261 (x3)
2013-01-07: AOS bills invoiced and paid & OPTIN for EP accepted for each of us
2013-01-08: AOS bills appear as paid & AOS packages sent by email
2013-01-08: IV bill invoiced & paid (kids' only)
2013-01-09: IV bill appears as paid (kids' only)
2013-01-09: IV Package emailed & DS-260 submitted online (kids only)
2013-01-11: AOS received -notified by email
2013-01-11: IV bill invoiced & paid (for me)
2013-01-14: IV bill appears as paid (for me)
2013-01-14: IV Supporting Docs received for kids - notified by email
2013-01-14: IV Package emailed & DS-260 submitted online (me only)
2013-01-18: IV Supporting Docs received for me - notified by email
2013-01-18: Son#1 CASE COMPLETE - Son#2 checklist - saying $ on I-864 don't match tax return (but they do)-resubmitted
2013-01-23: AOS 2nd submission for Son #2 received - notified by email
2013-01-25: My CASE COMPLETE
2013-01-28: ALL 3 OF OUR CASES ARE NOW COMPLETE
2013-02-06: Packet 4 Received by email

MEDICAL ~ CONSULATE ~ POE REMOVAL OF CONDITIONS - 160 DAYS NATURALIZATION
2013-02-13: Medicals 2014-12-17: Delivered to California Lockbox 2015-12-15: Delivered to Phoenix Lockbox
2013-03-06: Interview 2014-12-19: 1 I-751 + 3 Biometrics Fees debited from our account 2015-12-16: Fees charged to Credit Card
2013-03-08: Visas in-hand 2014-12-22: Received NOA1 by mail. Receipt Date: 2014-12-17 2015-12-17: NOA
2013-03-12: Paid USCIS Immigrant Fee 2014-12-24: Received Biometrics Appointment Letter 2016-01-02: Biometrics Letter 2016-01-11: Biometrics
2013-03-14: POE 2015-01-06: Biometrics 2016-02-15: In Line for Interview 2016-02-19: Letter
2013-03-25: SSNs arrived 2015-05-27: Approved 2016-03-22: Interview
2013-04-01: Green Cards arrived 2015-06-03: New Green Cards arrived 2016-04-15: Oath Ceremony

Ryan H Grand Master

Ryan H   3,834

Posted
Filed: Lift. Cond. (apr) Country: China
 Timeline
Posted

Moved from Progress Reports to Process & Procedures.

Our journey:

Spoiler

September 2007: Met online via social networking site (MySpace); began exchanging messages.
March 26, 2009: We become a couple!
September 10, 2009: Arrived for first meeting in-person!
June 17, 2010: Arrived for second in-person meeting and start of travel together to other areas of China!
June 21, 2010: Engaged!!!
September 1, 2010: Switched course from K1 to CR-1
December 8, 2010: Wedding date set; it will be on February 18, 2011!
February 9, 2011: Depart for China
February 11, 2011: Registered for marriage in Wuhan, officially married!!!
February 18, 2011: Wedding ceremony in Shiyan!!!
April 22, 2011: Mailed I-130 to Chicago
April 28, 2011: Received NOA1 via text/email, file routed to CSC (priority date April 25th)
April 29, 2011: Updated
May 3, 2011: Received NOA1 hardcopy in mail
July 26, 2011: Received NOA2 via text/email!!!
July 30, 2011: Received NOA2 hardcopy in mail
August 8, 2011: NVC received file
September 1, 2011: NVC case number assigned
September 2, 2011: AOS invoice received, OPTIN email for EP sent
September 7, 2011: Paid AOS bill (payment portal showed PAID on September 9, 2011)
September 8, 2011: OPTIN email accepted, GZO number assigned
September 10, 2011: Emailed AOS package
September 12, 2011: IV bill invoiced
September 13, 2011: Paid IV bill (payment portal showed PAID on September 14, 2011)
September 14, 2011: Emailed IV package
October 3, 2011: Emailed checklist response (checklist generated due to typo on Form DS-230)
October 6, 2011: Case complete at NVC
November 10, 2011: Interview - APPROVED!!!
December 7, 2011: POE - Sea-Tac Airport

September 17, 2013: Mailed I-751 to CSC

September 23, 2013: Received NOA1 in mail (receipt date September 19th)

October 16, 2013: Biometrics Appointment

January 28, 2014: Production of new Green Card ordered

February 3, 2014: New Green Card received; done with USCIS until fall of 2023*

December 18, 2023:  Filed I-90 to renew Green Card

December 21, 2023:  Production of new Green Card ordered - will be seeing USCIS again every 10 years for renewal

 

NikLR Grand Master

NikLR   13,232

Posted
Filed: Lift. Cond. (apr) Country: Canada
 Timeline
Posted

Thanks. You referred to "fiancé" in your response. Just to be clear: So can I visit even after marriage? i.e. We will be getting married in Canada & so I will be applying for a spousal visa. I want to know if as his wife (after marriage)...so NOT fiancé, can I visit him in the US (which the spousal visa is in progress)?

Yep you can. I visited my husband 3 times after we were married, twice of which was during the process. I just bring proof that I'm returning like a return ticket, a letter from my employer saying when I'm due back at work, and some bills. I always say that I'm visiting my husband when I go through customs and sometimes you get a few more questions like "where did you meet?" and "what do you do?" or "What does he do?" Don't worry about it too much. It's not that big of a deal, I promise. :) There are occurances of people being denied but generally that's if they don't bring proof of ties to Canada (or their home country) or try to stay for a very long time like the whole 180 days.

You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.  - Dr. Seuss

 

 
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