Visit to US booked befor interview date - ok to still go?

[LaniLin 4]

Hello, I searched but didn't find an exact question like mine. Would love to hear from anyone who has been in this situation. We booked a visit to the US to travel there for Christmas, with a return flight in January where we will return to Israel and wait for the green card before moving. At the time of booking our trip we had not even submitted all documents to NVC etc. Since then, documents have been submitted, fees have been paid and we just received the email that case is complete and we are now waiting on a date for the interview. I got nervous about our upcoming trip when I read "Please do NOT make any travel arrangements, sell property, or give up employment until you have received an immigrant visa from the U.S. Embassy/Consulate General.". 

 

Based on other timelines, there is no way we would miss the interview by traveling when we planned while we wait for the interview date, and if for some reason they scheduled it for a time during our trip my husband would just change his return flight to make it back early for the interview. Is it still OK to travel to the U.S. for our visit? This was always just planned as a visit. Will my husband be stopped at customs? Or will we be OK to go forward with our travel plans?

[RPC 67]

3 hours ago, LaniLin said:

Hello, I searched but didn't find an exact question like mine. Would love to hear from anyone who has been in this situation. We booked a visit to the US to travel there for Christmas, with a return flight in January where we will return to Israel and wait for the green card before moving. At the time of booking our trip we had not even submitted all documents to NVC etc. Since then, documents have been submitted, fees have been paid and we just received the email that case is complete and we are now waiting on a date for the interview. I got nervous about our upcoming trip when I read "Please do NOT make any travel arrangements, sell property, or give up employment until you have received an immigrant visa from the U.S. Embassy/Consulate General.". 

 

Based on other timelines, there is no way we would miss the interview by traveling when we planned while we wait for the interview date, and if for some reason they scheduled it for a time during our trip my husband would just change his return flight to make it back early for the interview. Is it still OK to travel to the U.S. for our visit? This was always just planned as a visit. Will my husband be stopped at customs? Or will we be OK to go forward with our travel plans?

Hi LaniLin, I'm in the same situation right now. If it gives you any relief, I've been to the US twice since we started the process, and haven't had any issues on arrival.

[aaron2020 11,651]

You are fine.  Enjoy your trip to the US.  

 

If asked, tell CBP that your husband is traveling to the US for vacation and intends to return home for his visa interview.  

 

P.S.  He would return to home to interview for an immigrant visa.  He gets the green card after he enters the US and is inspected by CBP.  He is not going home for a green card before he moves.  US embassies/consulates do not issue green cards.

[LaniLin 4]

2 hours ago, RyanCassidy said:

Hi LaniLin, I'm in the same situation right now. If it gives you any relief, I've been to the US twice since we started the process, and haven't had any issues on arrival.

Thanks! Yeah, we have traveled to the US as well during the process. I guess I just got nervous when they specifically said in the latest communication to not make travel plans. But sounds like they mean travel plans for the permanent move so we should be good!

1 hour ago, aaron2020 said:

You are fine.  Enjoy your trip to the US.  

 

If asked, tell CBP that your husband is traveling to the US for vacation and intends to return home for his visa interview.  

 

P.S.  He would return to home to interview for an immigrant visa.  He gets the green card after he enters the US and is inspected by CBP.  He is not going home for a green card before he moves.  US embassies/consulates do not issue green cards.

Thanks for responding! And for the clarification.