Yes, you can visit!

[Mike E 11,739]

10 hours ago, RandomGirl0509 said:

I have a pending I-130 form from my USC husband. My student visa has been approved

Congratulations. I am in shock.

 

What port of entry will you use?

Edited May 20, 2023 by Mike E

[RandomGirl0509 5]

9 hours ago, Mike E said:

Congratulations. I am in shock.

 

What port of entry will you use?

thank you! Me too haha 

George Bush Intercontinental Airport (Houston, TX)

[RandomGirl0509 5]

On 5/20/2023 at 8:16 AM, Mike E said:

Congratulations. I am in shock.

 

What port of entry will you use?

Updates!!

I arrived in USA on May 22, Houston airport. Officer only asked me about my student visa, no more. I'm ready for start my PhD 😊😊

[TheGreatHB 4]

I visited on ESTA countless times since 2021. November 2021, Jan 2022, May 2022, June/July 2022, August 2022, November 2022, February 2023.

 

November 21 and Jan 22 were pre-K1 application. May and June were after submitting i129f. Aug 22-Feb 23 were all 2-3 month trips. All of the prior trips were a week or two.

 

All week or two trips were no trouble going through and visiting.

 

November 2022, the officer didn't ask me a single question. He just took my passport and took my picture. He seemed to be doing that to everyone. Not one question, not one word.

 

Feb 2023, I was threatened with being sent home by the officer and then got sent to secondary and the guy who let me in was a sweetheart.

 

Just be aware when going through on a long visit. You'll get a lecture most of the time but there's a good chance you'll get in. Be prepared for a secondary or being sent home.

[Mike E 11,739]

8 minutes ago, TheGreatHB said:

prepared for a secondary or being sent home.

And be prepared for an expedited removal and ban.

 

[millefleur 5,046]

**One hijack post removed. Please start your own thread if you have your own question.**

 

 

VJ Moderation

[SunnyIceCream 0]

Does it make a difference if the USC is traveling with the partner? We both live in the Netherlands and are visiting my family for my cousin's wedding. We both have return tickets and other proof of ties to where we live. We filled back in July 2022, and just got our NOA2 a couple of weeks ago. This flight was booked months ago and we're worried about CBP. He's Brazilian and has had a tourist visa since 2018 - visited 3 times before with no issues/overstaying. We're visiting for 28 days, is this considered a long stay? We went once in December 2022 (after NOA1) and didn't even know it could cause possible issues. At the time we just went through the standard questions (reason for visit, how long) and got stamped in. 

 

We thought our petition would get approved later as the estimates were 16 months, so we didn't think this trip would be an issue. We haven’t even gotten word from the NVC yet, and we didn’t choose our approval date but now we're unsure and worried it could cause problems. 

[Eddie101 87]

Visited for 3 weeks with NOA2. Officer was really friendly wished us all the best! No problems at all.

[Ann P 1]

Sharing my most recent experience. 

My fiance is in the US and I'm from Japan. I have an existing US travel visa and has traveled in the US before. I was a bit anxious of visiting in general. I prepared all the suggested documents, proof of house rental or ownership, employment certificate, and bank certificate. 

 

When I entered the US, I told them Im visiting my boyfriend. I didnt say fiance. Officer asked if we were engaged. i said yes. He also asked when we plan to get married, I said we havent set a final date yet and still planning. 

After that, no major questions and he just said welcome back. 

 

In general, if you have good travel history then it's not going to be a problem. 

 

Some tips:

1. Even if you have traveled to the US before, just be extra prepared with supporting documents. I didn't have to show it but it gave me peace of mind.

2. Do not overshare. Just answer the question straight without volunteering info that is not needed. 

3. I think it pays to dress properly. This is just me. But i wanted to look professional to create a good impression.

 

Hope that helps! 

[brasileiro 2]

Yes, you can visit. There should be some type of paperwork involved for the specific country but nothing out of the ordinary.

[LiamH 0]

I wanted to share my experience for those checking out this thread.

My fiancee is a US Citizen, and I'm from the UK. I did have existing travel to the US before this, so good record on leaving the country. I had taken financial documents to show financial ties to the UK + Signed employment letter from my job just incase. I flew into Boston Logan, and when at the CBP Officer, I was only asked three questions:

Why I was visiting, for how long and some of the plans I had while there. To which I answered.

I was never asked to see documents, return tickets or anything. I was welcomed in (again) and everything went smoothly! (Funnily, I get the Spanish inquisition more at Heathrow I ever get at the Port of Entry for another country!)

So long as you're polite and have a good travel history? I think you'll be fine! (Politeness is definitely key!) 

[Boiler 45,382]

Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition.

[SundryCoder 10]

I chose to go through a lawyer for my process and he advised me to be mindful of the amount of times the visitations occur in the United States. 
My lawyer said they look at the overall amount of time visiting over a period of visits within a year. 
As the original post alluded to, they will always assume someone is trying to circumvent the system.
My lawyer also said he can provide a letter to help justify that we are proceeding according to law and the petitioner will return home but that even with this he has witnessed people get deported.

It will always depend on the person at the port of entry and what they think is unreasonable.

Wishing everyone luck on their journey

[Boiler 45,382]

Sadly we come across a lot of weird comments from Lawyers.

[SundryCoder 10]

Well sadly, some of them weird comments are true.  
It does depend on the person doing the interview at the gate.  
I've heard the problems from my fiancee even before we knew each other she had problems just coming to tour.