Filing I-130 January, 2014

[Nordic Tim 95]

HI

HAD MY I-130 APPROVED MAY 10 2014 IN THE VERMONT SERVICE CENTER...

THEY RECEIVED MY PETITION FEB 26 2014

STILL WAITING MY NVC NOTICE

JUST WANTED TO UPDATE ALL OTHER FILERS, NOT SURE IF I RECEIVED EXPEDITED PROCESSING BECAUSE MY WIFE IS FROM THE PHILIPPINES BUT I AM GLAD MY CASE IS MOVING ALONG

Congrats!! Sounds like you were auto-expedited. Yay!!!

[Roonie 0]

Roonie why can't you and your wife see each other? My husband is Belgian and he is here in the States with me for 3 months. They didn't give him a hard time when he entered the country in Philadelphia because he had proof that we filed the I-130. In my opinion it just provides extra proof that the marriage is bona fide. We now have plane tickets and pictures that he can take to his appointment as proof. Why would you possibly be denied entry? Have you visited each other too often?

[Roonie 0]

Actually it was my immigration lawyer who scared me and told me that there might be a possibility for a denial. Canadians belong the to visa waiver program which entitles us to enter the US for Non immigrant purposes only. What I was told was that the border agent might think that I have intentions to 'visit' my wife till I get my application approved (upto 6 months), which technically is visa fraud.

My lawyer said that he has many clients who have been denied entry at the border and it makes the whole process a lot longer and harder. Just playing it safe I guess!

[Ryan H 3,812]

Canadians belong the to visa waiver program which entitles us to enter the US for Non immigrant purposes only. !

Strictly speaking, Canada is not a visa waiver program participant country, citizens of Canada are covered by different legislation.

[BatmanFlow 481]

Actually it was my immigration lawyer who scared me and told me that there might be a possibility for a denial. Canadians belong the to visa waiver program which entitles us to enter the US for Non immigrant purposes only. What I was told was that the border agent might think that I have intentions to 'visit' my wife till I get my application approved (upto 6 months), which technically is visa fraud.

My lawyer said that he has many clients who have been denied entry at the border and it makes the whole process a lot longer and harder. Just playing it safe I guess!

I filed for my CR1 in January. Been back to visit my wife 3 times already. All three times they asked me questions and i answered honestly and had no issues.

[Tala202 27]

Actually it was my immigration lawyer who scared me and told me that there might be a possibility for a denial. Canadians belong the to visa waiver program which entitles us to enter the US for Non immigrant purposes only. What I was told was that the border agent might think that I have intentions to 'visit' my wife till I get my application approved (upto 6 months), which technically is visa fraud.

My lawyer said that he has many clients who have been denied entry at the border and it makes the whole process a lot longer and harder. Just playing it safe I guess!

1. Canada isn't on the visa waiver. It's in a weird different world all in its own right. I like to think of it as something like an auto-B2, because they stamp it as such sometimes. Either way, it's different from the VWP.

2. Your lawyer is needlessly freaking you out. I've visited my husband 4 times since we filed without any issues. They questioned me a bit more than before, but they asked for my return ticket and letter of enrolment and I went through just fine. Only in one case was I asked for anything related to the I-130. In any case, they don't care if you stay up to 6 months, because that's what Canadians are allowed. They care about you going to the US to adjust (i.e. stay indefinitely); as long as you prove you're coming back, you have a good chance. BUT if you do get denied, it won't affect your visa at all. Nothing to lose really. O and try to keep your visit short.

[Married4Life13 38]

My husband is from Belgium which is a VWP country. His current stay is for 3 months and there have been no issues. They did ask him a few more questions at the airport but they were convinced he was going back home after this visit. I also think your lawyer is over reacting a bit.

[KodiakBehr 2]

Actually it was my immigration lawyer who scared me and told me that there might be a possibility for a denial. Canadians belong the to visa waiver program which entitles us to enter the US for Non immigrant purposes only. What I was told was that the border agent might think that I have intentions to 'visit' my wife till I get my application approved (upto 6 months), which technically is visa fraud.

My lawyer said that he has many clients who have been denied entry at the border and it makes the whole process a lot longer and harder. Just playing it safe I guess!

You're playing it safe, sure, but I think you might be a little over-cautious on that one. I've never known a border guard to deny entry on the basis of being married to an American unless your visit duration raises suspicions. A weekend at a time is pretty normal. A two-month "visit" and you run the risk of suspicion that you have found work on the wrong side of the border and are more likely to be denied. I've been at this for a while and have never had an issue at the border.

[Laura_S 2]

I crossed the canadian-american boarder today. And have three times since we have been married. Today was the first time I was asked if we have applied for our visa.
I thought the same thing about not being able to see him during the entire process. but thats not true. They won't deny you unless you are being mysterious. Just tell them the truth and it will all work out

[red_tree 16]

My wife lives in Japan and we've never tried that, but our lawyer said just "Whether try to enter US or not, it depends on you. But as far as I could say, all our clients, who tried to travel to US, could enter with no problem as a fact."

A lawyer can never say "You can enter" considering his responsibility. Also we can't say because if the probability is 0.1%, when an immigration officer decides "No", there's no way just go back to our country from an US airport

In my opinion, if your country is nearby US and the cost is not so high for u, it's definitely worth trying

[Roonie 0]

Thank you very much for all your input guys. I will definitely planning a visit to see my wife for a week.

I will keep you posted once I cross the border.

[Tala202 27]

Thank you very much for all your input guys. I will definitely planning a visit to see my wife for a week.

I will keep you posted once I cross the border.

Good luck! I'm planning to head over on Wednesday. I'll let you know how that goes. Hopefully they won't be too tough on us

[dee&vee 79]

Thank you very much for all your input guys. I will definitely planning a visit to see my wife for a week.

I will keep you posted once I cross the border.

I was there couple weeks ago. It was a breeze going through. Just usual where/why/and how long you going for questions. Just answer what they ask and don't lie to them and you should be fine.

[Tala202 27]

I was there couple weeks ago. It was a breeze going through. Just usual where/why/and how long you going for questions. Just answer what they ask and don't lie to them and you should be fine.

Just wondering, when they ask for the purpose of your visit, what do you say? I've always said "to visit my husband", but maybe there's a better way to answer that? E.g. what if you just say "to visit"? (I'm being so paranoid right now)

Edited May 27, 2014 by Tala202

[dee&vee 79]

Just wondering, when they ask for the purpose of your visit, what do you say? I've always said "to visit my husband", but maybe there's a better way to answer that? E.g. what if you just say "to visit"? (I'm being so paranoid right now)

I just say to visit my SO and in laws, alternatively you could say just to visit family but don't lie if they ask who. They don't seem to bother me visiting once in a while. From what I have heard, they start digging in deep if someone is visiting too frequently without good reason. It all really is subjective and everyone has different stories. I just don't bother thinking abt "what If" scenarios. If you have never over stayed or done anything illegal, there's nothing to worry abt.