Traveling to the US with the entire family and pending I-130

[emelielindgren 3]

Yes I understand that our dog is a red flag, however, we travel with him everywhere, he has a pet passport and Sweden is a country free of rabies so there's no control at all, he does not even need a vet exam - he is good to go.. We don't have anyone that will look after him for that long, we love him, but his kind of a handful.. And no kennel will keep him for that long.. We are THAT family, that treats our dog like his one of our kids.. If you're used to travel with animals, it's just as easy as bringing and extra bag.. Just difficult to explain that I guess.. It would be harder for us to find someone to watch him than it is to bring him if I put it like that.

[christeen 966]

Well, you asked if you would have a problem traveling with your entire family with pending I130... Then yes, with the dog you will have a big issue and very possibly be turned away. That is your choice but know the risks.

if you insist on the animal, I would suggest a shorter vacation without the dog in the USA, or pick another destination to travel as the dog is a HUGE, GIGANTIC red flag that you intend to immigrate (and as difficult as it is to explain to us, it will be 100 x more difficult to convince immigration ). Remember... You have an I130 pending and you have to convince them that you do not plan to immigrate on your vacation... Bringing your family pet certainly looks like you are here to stay as most folks do not arrive the USA with their pets for vacation...

[JA_Martinez 81]

I think everyones being a bit overzealous about the puppy thing......i didnt see if you responded about whether youre trying to come on thw VWP or a visitor visa. I have had attys say that bringing an animal on a visitor visa might look suspicious, but on a VWP uou travel on only your passports. Granted the IO will question everything but if you have everything documented and have return flights booked for all of you including the puppy AND they can see you have employment and commitments to return, unless they have some notion you're looking shady I think its not going to be as big of a red flag as everyones telling you. I would strongly suggest again to contact the embassy and or even the IO airport in Sweden and ask them directly! VJ is a group of people with a vast amount of knowledge for sure but there are some issues you need to not rely on here as gospel simply because we ONLY have experiences.

[emelielindgren 3]

I think everyones being a bit overzealous about the puppy thing......i didnt see if you responded about whether youre trying to come on thw VWP or a visitor visa. I have had attys say that bringing an animal on a visitor visa might look suspicious, but on a VWP uou travel on only your passports. Granted the IO will question everything but if you have everything documented and have return flights booked for all of you including the puppy AND they can see you have employment and commitments to return, unless they have some notion you're looking shady I think its not going to be as big of a red flag as everyones telling you. I would strongly suggest again to contact the embassy and or even the IO airport in Sweden and ask them directly! VJ is a group of people with a vast amount of knowledge for sure but there are some issues you need to not rely on here as gospel simply because we ONLY have experiences.

Yes vwp:) never had a problem before.. And I believe it's more commen than people think to travel with their pets:) we have nothing to hide, they can refuse me on a feeling, I get that.. But we are a regular, middle class family, and it would be a very cold person sending a family with two infant children back on the airplane.. Getting refused with the vwp is not common at all if you've never misused it in the past..

[christeen 966]

No, you are correct in that refusal is not common for the average family traveling VWP with dog, however you now have immigrant intent (filed your I130) so your circumstances have changed and you are no longer an average vacationing family. You stated in your post that you would be "horrified" if they turned you away... And asked if it would raise red flags... Answer is yes, it will raise red flags... You have a pending immigrant application, USC husband, 2 USC children and are bringing your dog, all added together are red flags. You wanted input, well, that is mine. Odds are, You might be perfectly ok with no issues (especially with your evidence and the fact you are from a very low fraud consulate) however, there is a risk and you should be prepared for,that. I am not judging, I totally get traveling with pets, extended vacations etc... But dont count on immigration officials being warm hearted as a basis for not turning you away. If they believe there is a chance you will decide to stay and adjust status, they will turn you away. Again, might be a worst case scenario, but it is a possibility and I think you Should be well prepared to plead your case or have a plan b if it happens.

[Ketsuban 1,034]

I remember watching a video of a girl who came over on a B2 to visit her brother. She'd brought all her things with her, but the clincher was that she'd also brought her cat with her. All that CBP kept saying was "she's brought her cat so she's obviously staying".

Every case is different though. People are denied entry for even mentioning girlfriends/boyfriends, but tons of others including myself get in. It depends on who you see at the border.

Edited November 23, 2013 by Ketsuban

[LoveMyTico 999]

IDK, maybe its just me..... but why .... why why would you even take the chance of bringing the dog if you have so much riding on it? If you have 2 small children and would hate to be turned away.... is it worth the risk....?????? Maybe you'll get through but on the slim chance you don't..... You'll be kicking yourself.

leave the dog at home.... or don't stay so long. I'm sure you can find someone to board him for a couple of weeks.

I had to laugh at the passport for the dog.. Really? Did I read that correctly??? I never heard of it.... then again, I wouldn't ever travel with my dog.

Is this dog one of the little dogs that travels in a carry-on or is it a big dog?

[apple21 953]

There's no amount of advice that VJ members can give to reassure that you'll get in. It's all on the CBP officer's hand.

If it's me, I would ask the grandparents to visit Sweden instead.

[emelielindgren 3]

He is a small dog:) he can travel both in the cabin or be checked, longer flights we normally check him.. Yup passport:) always stay at hotels that allows dogs:) brought him with is to Spain this summer..

However I think our plans might have changed as my I-130 took a surprising turn and got approved today... Nvc next and it is very possible that I can get my interview booked within two months, and there won't be an issue.. However it would still put things off a little as we aren't ready to move just yet.. It will prob take us 4-6 months to get everything ready to go.. Am I allowed to leave the US if I enter on my spouse visa in end of January? Again, tons of research to be made.. Can't wait till next year this time and I can look back at this and say, thank god that's in the past.

[LoveMyTico 999]

He is a small dog:) he can travel both in the cabin or be checked, longer flights we normally check him.. Yup passport:) always stay at hotels that allows dogs:) brought him with is to Spain this summer..

However I think our plans might have changed as my I-130 took a surprising turn and got approved today... Nvc next and it is very possible that I can get my interview booked within two months, and there won't be an issue.. However it would still put things off a little as we aren't ready to move just yet.. It will prob take us 4-6 months to get everything ready to go.. Am I allowed to leave the US if I enter on my spouse visa in end of January? Again, tons of research to be made.. Can't wait till next year this time and I can look back at this and say, thank god that's in the past.

[christeen 966]

Big Congrats on the approval... That should solve some of your dilemma! Yes, you can travel after entering on your spouse visa, the stamp in your passport serves as your temp I551 (GC) so you can travel and return freely...

[SennaBrigante 92]

Congrats!!

And I totally get the doggy passport but I think that's only used in Europe. In the US you just need up to date vaccination records and an exit permit from the country of departure.

Good luck!

[christeen 966]

Congrats!!

And I totally get the doggy passport but I think that's only used in Europe. In the US you just need up to date vaccination records and an exit permit from the country of departure.

Good luck!

They actually have a "pet passport" here too... I looked into one for my cat when I was in Europe for a year...

[Lainie B 465]

While waiting for the I-129f approval I visited my fiance (now husband) and I brought a puppy. It wasn't even mentioned. I don't think CBP even knew about it.

[Ryan H 3,834]

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