Visiting Visa While IR1-CR1 Is Pending

[piches 0]

hi, I could really use your help!

my husband (an American citizen) and i (a foreign citizen with a tourist visa) applied for a green card 3 months ago, got NOA1 and now our application is pending.

We are planning a trip to the states in July for 6 weeks. After that I'm going back to my home country to complete the green card process and my studies and he is staying in the states because he is starting to go to the university.

Most of the situations I read in the threads are people coming to visit their wife\husband.

Did anyone here arrived together with their American spouse? Did anyone that arrived together with their American spouse went back to his home country after their vacation but the American spouse stayed?

Do you think it's better if we will arrive separately?

In addition, I don’t have a job but I'm starting my second degree in my home country and I have bank account , cell bill accounts and a flight ticket back to my home country, but no apartment lease, is that enough?

We just want to go on vacation together before we will be separate for a few month and this is so stressful!

[altito 63]

hi, I could really use your help!

Did anyone here arrived together with their American spouse? Did anyone that arrived together with their American spouse went back to his home country after their vacation but the American spouse stayed?

As I posted before, I flew in/out to/from the US together with my spouse (the US Citizen). I think it is irrelevant whether you arrive separated or not while you are able to show your ties to your origin country.

Regarding to your return back home without your spouse, the immigration authorities will be never concerned when we are talking about you to leave the country. As a matter of fact, your spouse is the American citizen and can remain in the country freely. In your case, just make sure your visa permit as a tourist (90 days) is not exceeded.

[waitingscene 0]

I traveled to the US with my wife after the NOA1 and there was no problem. So we planned another trip (this time longer, basically the whole summer) that we're set to leave for in a few weeks. But, now we've received her NOA2, so our application should be arriving at NVC, though we haven't gotten a # from them yet.

Would it be a problem for her to be in the US during this time?

If her parents (who she lives with) were to forward any information from NVC/consulate to her would she be able to carry out the visa process while vacationing in the states?

I'm getting really anxious about all this. Any advice would be helpful.

[casualsurfer 25]

I traveled to the US with my wife after the NOA1 and there was no problem. So we planned another trip (this time longer, basically the whole summer) that we're set to leave for in a few weeks. But, now we've received her NOA2, so our application should be arriving at NVC, though we haven't gotten a # from them yet.

Would it be a problem for her to be in the US during this time?

If her parents (who she lives with) were to forward any information from NVC/consulate to her would she be able to carry out the visa process while vacationing in the states?

I'm getting really anxious about all this. Any advice would be helpful.

LOL I'm in the same boat and was about to post the same question.

Has anyone had experience visiting the states with NOA2 but before NVC stage is complete? We got the NOA2 a couple of weeks ago and it'll be at least another 90 days before the interview, so I'm curious whether anyone's ever been here while the NVC stage is pending?

Thanks.

[CanGirl 95]

LOL I'm in the same boat and was about to post the same question.

Has anyone had experience visiting the states with NOA2 but before NVC stage is complete? We got the NOA2 a couple of weeks ago and it'll be at least another 90 days before the interview, so I'm curious whether anyone's ever been here while the NVC stage is pending?

Thanks.

I visited with my NOA2 for 2 weeks. Border patrol asked me who I was visiting and I told him my husband. He asked why we were separated and I told him that I was waiting on my visa to be approved. I told him I had my approval for the initial petition and showed him my NOA2. He also wanted to see my return ticket. That was all he asked me for.

[Hotter Otter 1,211]

I traveled to the US with my wife after the NOA1 and there was no problem. So we planned another trip (this time longer, basically the whole summer) that we're set to leave for in a few weeks. But, now we've received her NOA2, so our application should be arriving at NVC, though we haven't gotten a # from them yet.

Would it be a problem for her to be in the US during this time?

If her parents (who she lives with) were to forward any information from NVC/consulate to her would she be able to carry out the visa process while vacationing in the states?

I'm getting really anxious about all this. Any advice would be helpful.

I was in the US with my wife while my file was at NVC, I simply took all the documents I needed for the IV packet with me to the US (my birth certificate, police certificate etc) and we posted them together which actually saved us 4-5 days over posting them from the UK. So make sure she brings them with her or gets her parents to mail them to her. I also did the DS260 while in the US because I knew all of the information I needed.

[tim131 14]

I am visiting my wife next month, I know I will be fine going through the POE, but I am still nervous for some reason... I have my NOA2, will have a letter from my employer, maybe a letter from my Dad saying I live with him and am expected back on x date like in my letter from my job, Some payslips, hotels and other reservations (We are travelling all around Florida for a few weeks - so have booked hotels, theme park tickets, concerts etc - hoping they will all help) - any reassuring words, would be gratefully received

[B & G 200]

I am visiting my wife next month, I know I will be fine going through the POE, but I am still nervous for some reason... I have my NOA2, will have a letter from my employer, maybe a letter from my Dad saying I live with him and am expected back on x date like in my letter from my job, Some payslips, hotels and other reservations (We are travelling all around Florida for a few weeks - so have booked hotels, theme park tickets, concerts etc - hoping they will all help) - any reassuring words, would be gratefully received

I have travelled twice to the US before we received our NOA2. Planning on visiting on June 5th again. With all the documentation you have I don't see a problem of you proving that you will be returning back home.

Thats if you even go into a secondary interview. Also long as you don't have many lengthy and frequent visits to the US, I don't see a problem of you being denied!

Good luck!

[tim131 14]

I have travelled twice to the US before we received our NOA2. Planning on visiting on June 5th again. With all the documentation you have I don't see a problem of you proving that you will be returning back home.

Thats if you even go into a secondary interview. Also long as you don't have many lengthy and frequent visits to the US, I don't see a problem of you being denied!

Good luck!

Thanks for that

I have only visited twice in the last year or so, April for 3 weeks and September for 3 weeks, nothing since then, always returned home - so I guess that is a good track records - been to the states twice before that maybe 5/10 years ago and returned fine

Yeah, I hope it will be all grand, just my luck if I get into secondary - but as you say, I should be fine with all the above.

Thanks again

[B & G 200]

Thanks for that

I have only visited twice in the last year or so, April for 3 weeks and September for 3 weeks, nothing since then, always returned home - so I guess that is a good track records - been to the states twice before that maybe 5/10 years ago and returned fine

Yeah, I hope it will be all grand, just my luck if I get into secondary - but as you say, I should be fine with all the above.

Thanks again

Your track record sounds just fine! Don't see you having any problems. Keep us updated!

[tim131 14]

Your track record sounds just fine! Don't see you having any problems. Keep us updated!

I will indeed, and likewise, yourself! Good Luck

[B & G 200]

Thank you and will do!

[cyndifig 0]

Hello everybody! Im waiting on IR1-CR1 and I have to travel constantly to the U.S. due to work and of course visit my husband and never had any trouble with that. I wont lie about that everytime that the officer ask me about who i am going to visit, I will be a little nervous and you can see how their faces change when i say im going to visit my husbad, but telling the truth will always be the best policy. My answer is: We are waiting for our papers to be done but now i have a work to come back in my country! and they will let me know, without any dramatic situation.

[myImmiAdvisor 0]

I visited my wife while waiting to have my consular interview in Australia scheduled. Once this was scheduled I flew back to Sydney, Australia to have the interview.

At the time I was worried that I would get turned around at my port of entry to the US (Dallas, TX) but I had no problems. I just explained I was visiting my wife while awaiting an interview date for IR-1 visa.

[chiggy 2]

Hi all, this is my first post.

I visited my wife literally as much as I could during the application process:

I went to the States in May 2013 on a J1 Visa and we got married during that time, June 10th. The J1 visa was a summer exchange programme that students can take for the summer and work. I had just graduated from University that May so was still applicable for the visa. Essentially it was something we did so that we could spend more time together.

We sent the I-130 off as soon as we were married. The J1 visa lasted till October 2013 at which point I stopped working at the summer job I had been at and returned to the UK for 1 week. I then went back to the states under the VWP and stayed for 89 days. I was barely questioned at all at the POE.

After the 89 days I returned for a week again and once more, flew back to the States for a further 89 days. The border control questions were a bit less relaxed but I just told the truth, that my permanent residence remained in the UK and that I was simply visiting. When this 89 days were up, I returned to the UK with my wife and it coincided nearly perfectly with my interview date at the US embassy.

Visa accepted, now waiting to fly back with my wife in hand!

It did feel that I was cheating the system a bit, but as far as I am aware, no rules were broken. I think my wife and I have spent no more than three weeks apart since we were married...

Hope this helps someone