Entry to US while awaiting C-R1

[S.J.R 1]

I've read conflicting things on this and a lot are old post so an updated response would be appreciated. S/O are about to file for C-R1 Visa. I have a backstory of our situtation and questions to follow. I would appreciate any advice/experiences/support.

 

January of this year we applied for a Tourist Visa for myself as S/O job is seasonal and lasts for 6 months. Hence why we thought the 6 month Visa would be a good option for us as we could then come home to Scotland at the same time when his work season/my visa ended. Naive as we were we saw no problems and prepared with what we thought was sufficiant evidence. I was denied on the basis- Not enough ties - and sent home confused and disappointed.

 

Fast forward to a month before S/O was the head home in April and we decided that we should try an ESTA as spending any time together was all we really wanted. This too was denied on the basis of the denied Visa.

 

We spent four months apart but on S/O's arrival back home when driving through the Alaska border he explained the situation to a BO. They said if we appeared with evidence he would be happy to let us through. So we did just that, throwing all our cards on the table knowing it was a risk. I flew to Canada in July and we came equipped with tenfold more evidence. With hundreds of pages in order we explained the situation from the get go. The Officers on duty tried everything to overturn our no to a yes but after 5 emotional hours the outcome had not chnaged and I was denied entry. We decided to continue with our travels in Canada, we married in Jasper, Alberta with a few family members present and had a beautiful trip and time together. Upon having to leave for home in September we decided to call the Officer that had been so helpful the day of my denial. He said with C-R1 Visa in hand he would be more than happy to let us through when we eventually return. (Some light in a confusing and lonely situation) I suppose my question that stands;

• Once we start the process, if at any point we want for me to visit is it worth me trying for an ESTA again despite the previous denials? Or
• should we just try and stick it out with our travels together, time S/O can visit me here in the UK? 

 

I would appreciate any similar stories. This process has been lonely for us and any advice anyone can offer or similar experiences is so greatly appreciated.

[geowrian 22,338]

* Moved from Progress Reports to Process & Procedures *

* Removed several duplicate posts. I understand the site was having issues at the time, but please refrain from posting more than once on the same topic. *

Edited September 27, 2019 by geowrian

[geowrian 22,338]

24 minutes ago, S.L.R said:

• Once we start the process, if at any point we want for me to visit is it worth me trying for an ESTA again despite the previous denials? Or

You can try again, but I would not expect a change anytime soon, sorry.

 

24 minutes ago, S.L.R said:

• should we just try and stick it out with our travels together, time S/O can visit me here in the UK? 

Meeting outside the US is likely your only option, and it is highly encouraged to continue to do so while going through the process.