Travelling on tourist visa whilst waiting for I-130

[rightsided 4]

9 minutes ago, Budzmaroo said:

Does this mean that the cbpo called some family and friends and asked them about it? I really don’t have the intention of cheating the system. My husband who is a medical doctor (apparently has a very toxic work schedule), wants to spend time with me and our daughter. He already took all his 15 days off in a year to see our daughter in July 2021 so there’s really no way of him coming over to Canada. I am scheduled to return after a month of visit because I want to get things situated here first before I get called for an interview in Montreal (interview requirements, my bills and accounts here). My husband actually wanted our USC daughter there for good and I’m the only one coming back if I allow him to. My in laws are there and are willing to take care of our baby so I can do things for myself here in Canada. I don’t have anybody by the way to ask to take care of my daughter here, so we are kind of considering it. I am just not sure if cbpo will be well accepting of it even though our daughter is an American citizen. Even though my conscience is clean, I am still anxious that I will be denied entry. 

They confiscated her phone and saw messages between her and her friends/family.

I don't think you have anything to worry about. Good luck to you!

[Budzmaroo 26]

28 minutes ago, JD2 said:

I think you'll be fine because you're from a wealthy country.  Please let us know how it goes.  My wife wants to visit and I think she'll be fine because she has a career and plenty of ties but I still worry because India isn't 1st world.

Will surely let you know how it goes for me and my daughter.

[Budzmaroo 26]

25 minutes ago, rightsided said:

They confiscated her phone and saw messages between her and her friends/family.

I don't think you have anything to worry about. Good luck to you!

Yeah, I don’t have those stuffs because I don’t have any intent of doing so. Thank you for your response. I appreciate it well.

[Rjjens2022 16]

My Wife has no issues when she visited while we wait on the I-130. I think the reason is because she has been back and forth several times and we have demonstrated we follow the rules and leave when CBP tells us to.

[Injy 0]

Thank you so much for having this thread. I'm traveling to see my husband for a month this August. I read almost all your comments in here but I have 1 more question. When the immigration officer asks me about the purpose of the visit, do I need to "come clean" about me being on a pending petition-i130 process or I shouldn't volunteer to say anything unless he specifically asks?.

I read somewhere that me not bringing it up myself may make them suspect that I was sneaking in to adjust status and that it's better to tell the officer about it and even give them my receipt number even before they ask about it.

 

[Chancy 6,241]

9 hours ago, Injy said:

When the immigration officer asks me about the purpose of the visit, do I need to "come clean" about me being on a pending petition-i130 process or I shouldn't volunteer to say anything unless he specifically asks?

 

Answer questions truthfully, but no need to volunteer information that is not asked.  It would be a good idea to bring a copy of your I-130 receipt notice, just in case the CBP officer brings up the need for a spouse visa.  But if it is not brought up, no need to present the receipt notice.

 

[bartek_rdz 2]

Hello everyone,

 

I have an interview for CR1 visa scheduled in few weeks at the consulate in Montreal. I was wondering, if my visa is approved can I travel to US as a tourist after my interview (without activating my CR1 visa)?

 

I have a valid B2 visa and a proof of ties for return to Canada. I planned to visit my wife before I received a letter with my interview date and have already booked plane tickets and time off work. I honestly didn't expect to receive the letter for another couple of months! I am very happy that things are moving forward faster than I expected, just trying to find a way not to forfeit plane ticket fares. I've heard that I could activate my CR1 visa and go visit my spouse but that could have potential implications if I still have to go back and work in Canada (which I do).

 

Thanks!

[Allaboutwaiting 2,503]

58 minutes ago, bartek_rdz said:

Hello everyone,

 

I have an interview for CR1 visa scheduled in few weeks at the consulate in Montreal. I was wondering, if my visa is approved can I travel to US as a tourist after my interview (without activating my CR1 visa)?

 

I have a valid B2 visa and a proof of ties for return to Canada. I planned to visit my wife before I received a letter with my interview date and have already booked plane tickets and time off work. I honestly didn't expect to receive the letter for another couple of months! I am very happy that things are moving forward faster than I expected, just trying to find a way not to forfeit plane ticket fares. I've heard that I could activate my CR1 visa and go visit my spouse but that could have potential implications if I still have to go back and work in Canada (which I do).

 

Thanks!

Depends if you need to surrender the visa at the interview -some IO's ask your to, some don't-.

 

And I don't think it would be a big issue if you need to wrap up things at your current job once you activate your GC.

[Troy B 223]

My wife and I and just travelled from Brazil via Chicago.    The flight was an hour late, reducing our layover from 3:40 to 2:40,  keeping in mind in at least Chicago, the cut-off time for re-checking bags is 50 minutes.   They asked for her passports (one with the tourist visa, and her current passport), and what she was doing,  she said enjoying her holidays.  They responded okay,  and gave her the full 6 months stamp in her passport, though we intend on returning back to Brazil in late March.

[glenn0 10]

My wife applied for B2 and CR-1 at the same time.  She overstayed an ESTA by a few hours due to a weather delay so could not get another.  She tried twice for a B2 visa in Vienna and was denied both times without explanation.  Terrible system and people.

[Ron31 0]

Hello everyone,

hope you’ll are doing fine. I had a question about staying in United States. I have B1/B2 visa for 10 years (till 2027) and I have filled spouse visa green card I-130 in November. So, my question is can I stay more than 6 months in the United States if my application is still pending?

[JD2 71]

4 minutes ago, Ron31 said:

Hello everyone,

hope you’ll are doing fine. I had a question about staying in United States. I have B1/B2 visa for 10 years (till 2027) and I have filled spouse visa green card I-130 in November. So, my question is can I stay more than 6 months in the United States if my application is still pending?

You'd have to leave per the admit until date on the I-94.  I believe you could file for an extension using I-539

[Michael2017 368]

There are some things to consider. First, as soon as the CBP officer saw I have a pending F2A application, he started to ask about my wife. When did you get married, where, what does she work etc., almost like a F2A visa interview at the embassy. Secondly, during my actual F2A visa interview the exact same questions were asked. Some of them are so specific that I figured there is a relation. I had the same thing with 3 different CBP officers. Thus, if you visit during the processing time and CBP officers are aware, they will gather information about your relationship which will be verified during the visa interview at the embassy. Of course, if you have a good and real relationship there is nothing to worry. I was just a bit surprised that I had not to talk about my visit but about my relationship to CBP. I am not very active anymore on this forum but please make sure that active users make other users aware. 

 

Edited April 15, 2022 by Michael2017

[Teb&Steb 3]

Hi all

I am planning a trip to visit friends and family in the US with my USC husband in late June/early July. As I have a pending i-130, what would the best evidence be to equip myself with at the border if I am questioned? I will use the VWP/ESTA to enter and will have a wedding invitation for July which we are planning to attend, along with a letter from my employer in Australia which states that I am currently a permanent employee. I have no intention on staying on illegally as I don't want to jeopardise our application in any way, we still permanently live in Australia and I also work in the legal industry so I know the importance of following the rules! 

[JD2 71]

14 minutes ago, Teb&Steb said:

Hi all

I am planning a trip to visit friends and family in the US with my USC husband in late June/early July. As I have a pending i-130, what would the best evidence be to equip myself with at the border if I am questioned? I will use the VWP/ESTA to enter and will have a wedding invitation for July which we are planning to attend, along with a letter from my employer in Australia which states that I am currently a permanent employee. I have no intention on staying on illegally as I don't want to jeopardise our application in any way, we still permanently live in Australia and I also work in the legal industry so I know the importance of following the rules! 

Proof of your residence, return flight, and proof of finances to cover the cost of the trip