Visiting Visa While IR1-CR1 Is Pending

[Boiler 45,777]

18 minutes ago, Stuwoolf said:

Thank you.

 

With a 6 months window that will be perfect....gives my wife to be some time to experience the wet cold and damp Scottish weather. She will soon realise that warmer climes are better for her Panamanian blood lol.

 

On that note, once a US Visa is issued would I/we be free to travel and live anywhere in the US? That is, would we be permitted to move from say New Jersey (her family live there) and live in Florida?

Of course

 

I think the winters in NJ are worse than Scotland btw.

[Stuwoolf 44]

1 minute ago, Boiler said:

Of course

 

I think the winters in NJ are worse than Scotland btw.

Thank you

 

lol Yes I am sure you are right about NJ winters. 

 

Your input on this thread has cleared up a huge number of things for me. I cant thank you enough.

[Roper-Harrison 19]

30 minutes ago, Boiler said:

Is it lifed ie has a validity of 6 months from date of issue to complete immigration?

As one of the conditions of issuing the visa the beneficiary is required to undergo a medical exam by a doctor designated by the Consulate. The medical, once completed, is valid for six months. If the medical expires the visa cannot be used without special permission. Might mean you start over again.

[Roper-Harrison 19]

30 minutes ago, Stuwoolf said:

On that note, once a US Visa is issued would I/we be free to travel and live anywhere in the US? That is, would we be permitted to move from say New Jersey (her family live there) and live in Florida?

The visa is issued to cross a national border. Once in the US you do not need a visa to travel anywhere inside the country's boundaries.

[Stuwoolf 44]

4 minutes ago, Roper-Harrison said:

As one of the conditions of issuing the visa the beneficiary is required to undergo a medical exam by a doctor designated by the Consulate. The medical, once completed, is valid for six months. If the medical expires the visa cannot be used without special permission. Might mean you start over again.

Thank you.

 

That is an important piece of info.

 

The info on this thread is helping me to formulate the best opyion for me and my wife-to-be.

 

Thank you very much for your help. Appreciated.

[Roper-Harrison 19]

 

 

20 minutes ago, Stuwoolf said:

That is an important piece of info.

You can find all the info about the visa-side of this process here: https://uk.usembassy.gov/visas/family-immigration/how-to-apply-2/

[NSB 1]

On 8/30/2017 at 11:50 PM, Boiler said:

Any reason you need a B and could not use the VWP?

I am not a German Citizen, I was studying my Masters here (Student visa) and Now started working

[fiskefillet 1]

On 29/08/2017 at 2:27 PM, Michael2017 said:

I also went to Mexica for a small trip, coming back was a long wait on the border, but no problem with the CBP. 

They simply do not stamp your passport so your ESTA admission duration stays just the same.

Okay thanks for the quick response. Any need for me to bring my ESTA paper or any other evidence of my ties to my home country, when going back to the US later today?

[Michael2017 368]

Just now, hwbertel said:

Okay thanks for the quick response. Any need for me to bring my ESTA paper or any other evidence of my ties to my home country, when going back to the US later today?

You need or dont need the same documents as if coming from e.g. Europe. However, as you are already admitted, it is not that hard to pass. Taking Esta print out is not needed but cant hurt, same with the ties. Normally will be trouble free, they just make sure you are the correct person and not a stolen passport is used...

[kimfrombabylon 17]

Just a datapoint for people in this situation, since me and my husband were both really nervous about a visit. We're waiting for NOA2 and he's never visited for longer than 21 days. Last month I wanted him to go to a family event with me, and we wanted to spend Thanksgiving together- a 10 week visit. He retired from his job to come here and moved in with his parents to save money while we wait for the process to finish. So he didn't have some of the "ties" evidence, and all we had was our NOA1. We both worried that it wouldn't be easy to get in because of those factors.

 

However, he had no problem and they didn't look at his NOA1 and he's visiting now and we can spend Thanksgiving together before he goes home for hopefully/sadly his last Xmas in the UK. So if anyone is in the same boat where circumstances dictate your ties to home be severed early, it seems like at least in some cases you can still visit. It was such a relief because we missed one another terribly and he's obviously bored waiting for his visa and not having much to do all day at home. Now he cooks and stuff while he visits so we're both temporarily happy. I hope that things start moving before he leaves and it's not a long long wait for post NOA2 stuff and that we don't get a RFE. 

 

Good luck, everyone <3

[Michael2017 368]

Hi,

 

just a further update. I am in F2A and since a while we are doing about 2.5 months in, 5 to 6 months out and 2.5 months in.

I just entered again recently and had no problems what so ever. I was never asked about the visa process, thus I assume, as long as the NVC stage is not yet on, the CBP does not have automatic notifications of the ongoing visa process. Of course, If I were asked I would answer honestly, but no CBP evern asks anything related to that.

[Long Beach 4]

On 3.10.2017 at 6:36 PM, Michael2017 said:

Hi,

 

just a further update. I am in F2A and since a while we are doing about 2.5 months in, 5 to 6 months out and 2.5 months in.

I just entered again recently and had no problems what so ever. I was never asked about the visa process, thus I assume, as long as the NVC stage is not yet on, the CBP does not have automatic notifications of the ongoing visa process. Of course, If I were asked I would answer honestly, but no CBP evern asks anything related to that.

I have a IR1 pending and just NOA1 so far.

Going through immigration was no problem so far. It´s just important to tell the CBP the truth and be honest. These guys feel it when you start to "tell them a story".

Binding ties to your home-country are important as long your GC hasent been granted. When you have a job at home everything will be fine.

 

The CBP also knows when you are married to a US-citizen you have a right to apply for a GC. Therefore, be honest and tell them the truth and you will be fine.

[MalachiPDX 111]

6 hours ago, Long Beach said:

I have a IR1 pending and just NOA1 so far.

Going through immigration was no problem so far. It´s just important to tell the CBP the truth and be honest. These guys feel it when you start to "tell them a story".

Binding ties to your home-country are important as long your GC hasent been granted. When you have a job at home everything will be fine.

 

The CBP also knows when you are married to a US-citizen you have a right to apply for a GC. Therefore, be honest and tell them the truth and you will be fine.

IMO ... Of course be 100% truthful but as with all US authorities do not give extra information unless requested. My wife visited 3 times before the GC. She always said she was on vacation and visiting friends and family. When asked about her family she said husband and sister in law. The ONLY time they even asked anything about immigration is he asked "did you bring your birth certificate?" She responded with "No , why would I? The USCIS has all the documents they need already" , which seemed fine for the CBP. 

[MalachiPDX 111]

15 minutes ago, UsSwedlover said:

IMO ... Of course be 100% truthful but as with all US authorities do not give extra information unless requested. My wife visited 3 times before the GC. She always said she was on vacation and visiting friends and family. When asked about her family she said husband and sister in law. The ONLY time they even asked anything about immigration is he asked "did you bring your birth certificate?" She responded with "No , why would I? The USCIS has all the documents they need already" , which seemed fine for the CBP. 

 Looks like I cant edit. She never said friends and family, she said friends and my husband. My apologies. 

[Ryan H 3,818]

~~~Non-English post removed; if you wish to use a language other than English, please do so in the regional forums only.~~~