Does Travel History Matter? CR1

[wanderlust88 17]

I have a question about whether travel history matters at any point in the CR1 process. I don't mean overstaying in US but traveling to countries that may not be viewed favorably. E.g. I want to tour Turkey but I've been told by some that if you have a Turkey entry stamp or visit visa in your passport, you are refused US visit visa (B1/B2). Does it also affect CR1 applications? Are there any other countries that should be avoided (besides the obvious ones that are currently war zones!).

[MadTurk 0]

Yes please don't come to Turkey

 

[NikLR 13,227]

No it doesnt matter. 

 

Also dont believe everything you hear in regards to us visas... Most people havent a clue. 

Edited September 2, 2017 by NikLR

[wanderlust88 17]

1 hour ago, NikLR said:

No it doesnt matter. 

 

Also dont believe everything you hear in regards to us visas... Most people havent a clue. 

well these are people with first hand experience. when i entered US on my B1/B2 a few months ago, i was asked by the CBP officer if I've travelled to Lebanon/Sudan/Yemen/Syria/Iran - so looks like travel history does matter to some extent :-/

[JFH 12,190]

Travel to certain MENA countries makes people from VWP countries ineligible for the VWP. That was put into place by the Obama administration before everyone starts jumping around that Trump did that (I'm not a Trump supporter, just like to keep things factual, unlike most news sources!). 

 

Bear in mind that they will conduct full background checks if they feel it necessary - not just your travel history but your work history, social media activity, political associations, etc. 

 

I have never heard of a Turkish stamp causing a visa to be denied. I have the following stamps in my passport and was admitted under the VWP over 40 times and approved for an immigrant visa with no issues: China (I've had 5 Chinese visas), Russia, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, UAE, Turkey, Singapore (multiple times), Malaysia, Hong Kong (multiple times), Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand (multiple times), India (multi-entry business visa), Costa Rica, Trinidad, Barbados, Morocco, Egypt, Canada (multiple times), Tahiti, and I have been to many other countries that don't stamp EU passports. I work for an airline so I have flown a lot. The only comment made at the immigrant visa interview is that I must be good at packing a bag!

Edited September 2, 2017 by JFH

[geowrian 22,337]

It isn't a cause for a denial, but they may ask you about your travels and what you were doing there, where you stayed, etc. This goes for travel to any country (my fiancee was asked about this in detail for a 1-time few days trip to India), but I would suspect some countries may raise more questions than others.

 

Also, some travel may result in extended AP for security checks (or being requested to complete the new DS-5535). There's no fixed rules (at least publicly) on what triggers these checks (travel, work experience in some industries, military participation, etc.).

Edited September 2, 2017 by geowrian

[wanderlust88 17]

2 hours ago, geowrian said:

Also, some travel may result in extended AP for security checks (or being requested to complete the new DS-5535). There's no fixed rules (at least publicly) on what triggers these checks (travel, work experience in some industries, military participation, etc.).

that's interesting and i guess that's what i was trying to determine. i suppose some destinations would raise a question mark if not a red flag and they may want to investigate further, thus delaying the process. i guess it's not worth the risk at this stage!

[wanderlust88 17]

2 hours ago, JFH said:

Travel to certain MENA countries makes people from VWP countries ineligible for the VWP. That was put into place by the Obama administration before everyone starts jumping around that Trump did that (I'm not a Trump supporter, just like to keep things factual, unlike most news sources!). 

 

yeah i'm aware of that but one of the countries i was asked about (lebanon) by CBP is not on that list of MENA countries, so i guess their criteria changes from time to time. i also had a valid B1/B2 and was not traveling on VWP, so i had gone through the embassy visit and interview process for the non-immigrant visa.