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Kit Huber

My B1/B2 expired. Can I renew my tourist visa while waiting for I-130?

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

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Kit Huber Apprentice

Kit Huber   15

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Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Philippines
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Hi all. Just want to get some advice here. (If this is a duplicate post, feel free to close this. I'd appreciate a redirect)

 

Due to having followed our (unhelpful) lawyer's advice, my husband and I decided to let my B1/B2 tourist visa expire last September. The reason for this was because I have an existing application for a spouse visa (I-130) in December. It didn't make sense to renew when I was 'only waiting a few months'. However, Nebraska (our service center) has been really slow and to date we are past the processing timeframes. My husband just got off the phone with our lawyer and we were given disheartening news: she 'thinks' we will wait months more for the consular process to begin.

 

So now my dilemma: does it make sense for me to explore renewing my tourist visa? There is a quicker turnaround for application and approval as a tourist. I can't stand not being with my  husband and not having the option to visit him. Will it complicate matters that I am applying as a tourist once more while I have existing paperwork as a spouse?  Thanks for any and all advice.

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Ryan H Grand Master

Ryan H   3,812

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Filed: Lift. Cond. (apr) Country: China
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You wouldn't "renew" your tourist visa, you would be applying for a new one.  Having a US Citizen spouse essentially supersedes ties to your own country making the chances of obtaining a new tourist visa difficult.

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

 

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Kit Huber Apprentice

Kit Huber   15

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Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Philippines
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18 minutes ago, Ryan H said:

You wouldn't "renew" your tourist visa, you would be applying for a new one.  Having a US Citizen spouse essentially supersedes ties to your own country making the chances of obtaining a new tourist visa difficult.

Ah. I didn't think of it that way. Thanks for the insight!

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Karim mohamed Contributor

Karim mohamed   0

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I think you could renew. I had experience when I had been renewed my last b1b2 visa 2 years ago and before I apply for I 130 I sent my passport by mail to the embassy for renewing and  that r know my spouse and my daughter are amircan (ds260) so my visa had issued after the consular riquire an interview 

 

Good luck 

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