Visiting Visa While IR1-CR1 Is Pending

[Ryan H 3,812]

Can I apply for B tourist visa for him?

No, he must do that on his own.

[stevana 5]

Just came back from visiting my husband in the state for 5 days. POE: LAX, CA. Immigration officer was very nice. Only things he really asked were the purpose of my visit and the length of stay. Good luck everyone !

[Chaneydic1333 29]

So guys my wife and I are planning for her to try for a visa for the purposes of coming to my graduation next June with i-130 pending. She gave birth to our son a couple of months ago and should have a CRBA by January. What are her chances? And would it help to take her son who is a US citizen with her for the interview? She has a good job and she will return and then come back through the i-130. Your urgent help is needed ?

[SamPon 0]

Has anyone ever come across any problems going through Orlando(MCO) while visiting after petitioning? We are hoping for my husband to visit for 70 days.

[Ryan H 3,812]

So guys my wife and I are planning for her to try for a visa for the purposes of coming to my graduation next June with i-130 pending. She gave birth to our son a couple of months ago and should have a CRBA by January. What are her chances? And would it help to take her son who is a US citizen with her for the interview? She has a good job and she will return and then come back through the i-130. Your urgent help is needed ?

Her chances are next to nil. Having a US Citizen spouse AND child are stronger ties to the US than Ghana. This will supersede any ties she may have to Ghana.

[Homer Simpson 7]

Hi I would like to share with you my latest experience.

since I am a Canadian, I am automatically exempted from the normal visa process and can enter USA through any port of entry with a 6 month visa on the spot. my wife who is a U S C moved to the states with our daughter to establish domicile and I am still in Canada busy with work and doing final things here and there preparing for the move and waiting my interview hopefully soon.

over the years I was going back and forth to the states like trips to the supermarket visiting my in laws at least 40 times since 2002. with approx. average length of 5 day stay.

all these visits I used to approach the border and answer the usual answers, citizenship?, how long?, where to stay in the US?...... thanks!!

with an average time at the border gate of 3-6 minutes including waiting in line.

even now since we applied for my IR1 in February 2014 I have been to the states 5 times already and no problem.

ONLY in the last time about 3 weeks ago I had to go take care of my daughter for 4 days since my wife was busy with her dad in the hospital, so I had to take care of our daughter, take her to school, and so on.

I was stopped on the border for 40 minutes, and had to go through a brief interview. the officer didn't ask me about any proofs about the return but rather was trying to assure my identity.

during my 9 hours drive after that I was thinking why did they stop me for the first time EVER in my life.

I realized that this was the first trip after I sent my visa application to the NVC and after paying the fees. and apparently my whole information is on their screen at the border about my pending application for IV from A to Z.

I asked him after the interview why did you stop me this time and if it will affect my application, since I have never been denied entry to the US. he said we just wanted to see you and make sure about a few things since your application was approved and it is just the matter of time to get your GC.

I told him (in my mind) it would be crazy for me to throw all this time, and fees in the garbage and turn into an illegal alien in the USA and apply all over again aside from adding an illegal status to myself!!. I knew in advance on a phone call to the USCIS last march that I can visit the USA but it is up to the discretion of the border officer to allow me in during the process of my application. but it looks like they wanted to assure my identity since I used to live in the states about 20 years ago, but never had any issues with immigration then or now. they asked me did you live in the states, I said yes, did you work in the states, I said yes, legally with work permit, where did you live, I answered with places and approx. times.

I believe if you are truthful about the answers it shouldn't be a problem because they have anything on their system anyway, and as long as you don't have a lot of luggage or not turning up with a U haul truck at the border you should be fine.

[louise81 0]

Good experience at JFK. Was traveling to US with my husband - me moving back to the US and him coming to help me move and stay through the holidays. Immigration officer was pretty friendly - he just asked what I was doing and then asked my husband how long he'd be staying and what he did for a living. He didn't ask if we were married so may not have even realized.

[seavan123 1]

Hi,

I'm in a similar situation to yourself. Have paid the AOS and IV fees and my last scan date was Oct. 22/14..now just waiting to see if my case is complete. I came down from Vancouver, BC to Seattle, WA on the bus last night and am planning to stay with my husband (USC) for about two weeks.

I was not questioned as long as you at all. Max 1 minute. Just asked where i was going, who I was seeing and how often I saw him...so I'm not sure that the border agents actually do see any of the application info.

I think it just depends on who you get. It seems extremeley rare for them to turn Canadians away (that are not suspicious or lying).

For the next little while, I am planning to spend most of my time in Seattle until my case is approved. I do plan to travel up to Canada every two weeks-1month for a few days. Ill post if there's any trouble.

Hi I would like to share with you my latest experience.

since I am a Canadian, I am automatically exempted from the normal visa process and can enter USA through any port of entry with a 6 month visa on the spot. my wife who is a U S C moved to the states with our daughter to establish domicile and I am still in Canada busy with work and doing final things here and there preparing for the move and waiting my interview hopefully soon.

over the years I was going back and forth to the states like trips to the supermarket visiting my in laws at least 40 times since 2002. with approx. average length of 5 day stay.

all these visits I used to approach the border and answer the usual answers, citizenship?, how long?, where to stay in the US?...... thanks!!

with an average time at the border gate of 3-6 minutes including waiting in line.

even now since we applied for my IR1 in February 2014 I have been to the states 5 times already and no problem.

ONLY in the last time about 3 weeks ago I had to go take care of my daughter for 4 days since my wife was busy with her dad in the hospital, so I had to take care of our daughter, take her to school, and so on.

I was stopped on the border for 40 minutes, and had to go through a brief interview. the officer didn't ask me about any proofs about the return but rather was trying to assure my identity.

during my 9 hours drive after that I was thinking why did they stop me for the first time EVER in my life.

I realized that this was the first trip after I sent my visa application to the NVC and after paying the fees. and apparently my whole information is on their screen at the border about my pending application for IV from A to Z.

I asked him after the interview why did you stop me this time and if it will affect my application, since I have never been denied entry to the US. he said we just wanted to see you and make sure about a few things since your application was approved and it is just the matter of time to get your GC.

I told him (in my mind) it would be crazy for me to throw all this time, and fees in the garbage and turn into an illegal alien in the USA and apply all over again aside from adding an illegal status to myself!!. I knew in advance on a phone call to the USCIS last march that I can visit the USA but it is up to the discretion of the border officer to allow me in during the process of my application. but it looks like they wanted to assure my identity since I used to live in the states about 20 years ago, but never had any issues with immigration then or now. they asked me did you live in the states, I said yes, did you work in the states, I said yes, legally with work permit, where did you live, I answered with places and approx. times.

I believe if you are truthful about the answers it shouldn't be a problem because they have anything on their system anyway, and as long as you don't have a lot of luggage or not turning up with a U haul truck at the border you should be fine.

[Strangest 0]

Please, my wife is a USC, she just traveled back to the states in September in order to establish domicile, since we have been living together in Nigeria for long though with no kids but miscarriage. we will be filing for the I-130 soon. I wish to visit and return back to my country Nigeria while I wait for the CR-1 visa. Should I go for B1/B2 first? Will it be legal?

Please, my wife is a USC, she just traveled back to the states in September in order to establish domicile, since we have been living together in Nigeria for long though with no kids but miscarriage. we will be filing for the I-130 soon. I wish to visit and return back to my country Nigeria while I wait for the CR-1 visa. Should I go for B1/B2 first? Will it be legal?

[Ryan H 3,812]

Please, my wife is a USC, she just traveled back to the states in September in order to establish domicile, since we have been living together in Nigeria for long though with no kids but miscarriage. we will be filing for the I-130 soon. I wish to visit and return back to my country Nigeria while I wait for the CR-1 visa. Should I go for B1/B2 first? Will it be legal?

You can apply for a tourist visa but the chances of you being granted one are virtually nil.

[Strangest 0]

You can apply for a tourist visa but the chances of you being granted one are virtually nil.

Thanks again Ryan H

.if am denied, will it affect my CR-1?

[dwheels76 5,468]

Thanks again Ryan H

.if am denied, will it affect my CR-1?

Not at all.

[Strangest 0]

Not at all.

Okay, thanks...

Not at all.

Okay, thanks...

[Norwegian 12]

I would like to add that you can also apply for or renew a tourist visa when you have immigration pending, with the same considerations above.

Could you please elaborate on this?

[Ketsuban 1,034]

Could you please elaborate on this?

You're free to apply for or renew a tourist visa when you have an immigrant visa pending. There are no laws restricting it. However, the chance of actually receiving the visa is quite low and for a VWP-eligible candidate means they won't be able to use the VWP for a long time/ever again. So for yourself, Norwegian, I would visit on the VWP unless you are otherwise unable to.