Applying for a B visa while waiting for I-130 approval

[Dewald & Brittney 46]

Hello everyone,

 

I would like to go visit my wife in the US and have an appointment for a B visa interview in March. What I would like to know is what supporting documents to take that can help me prove that I intend to return to South Africa. I figured that since we started the CR1 visa process here in South Africa, that might be a form of proof that I will have to return to SA to complete the interview etc. My purpose for travel is a) to spend some time with my wife, and b) to help her move from Western NY to TN as she is a teacher and is waiting for a job to start in the coming school year.  Any extra information would be appreciated.

[SalishSea 18,072]

26 minutes ago, Dewald & Brittney said:

Hello everyone,

 

I would like to go visit my wife in the US and have an appointment for a B visa interview in March. What I would like to know is what supporting documents to take that can help me prove that I intend to return to South Africa. I figured that since we started the CR1 visa process here in South Africa, that might be a form of proof that I will have to return to SA to complete the interview etc. My purpose for travel is a) to spend some time with my wife, and b) to help her move from Western NY to TN as she is a teacher and is waiting for a job to start in the coming school year.  Any extra information would be appreciated.

Chances of getting the B visa are low.  You will need to prove strong ties to SA, and  having a spouse in the US makes that difficult.

[aaron2020 11,651]

Returning to interview is not a tie your country since you can adjust status in the US.

 

A job.  A job that you have to return to is probably a good indication that you aren't using the visitor visa to immigrate early and just return to SA for your interview.  

[millefleur 5,047]

@Kor2USA has some experience getting a B visa in a similar situation (also from SA.)

 

I think as long as you don't mind risking the $160 and attending the interview, it's worth a try. Worst case scenario is you get denied, it won't have any affect on your pending immigrant case.

[Dewald & Brittney 46]

Thanks everyone. My family owns a farm here and I'm a beneficiary of the trust which owns the land along with some other properties here. I also work on the farm and own some cattle. Hopefully that will help to show ties as I don't plan on selling anything until I am sure my CR1 is approved. Thanks for the speedy replies so far. Looking forward to getting more information from you all.

[Boiler 45,907]

No harm trying

[Redro 4,611]

I interviewed for my B visa in South Korea before I met my (now) husband. 

But, just be very clear about your intentions. In my experience, they like to grill you about your life in SA and will repeatedly ask you about your plans on return. 

I had a lot of supporting documentation to show I intended to return to South Korea but I never actually had a chance to show my documents. 

Everyone I know back home has managed to get the B1/B2 visa.

I only know of two cases that were denied. The one case finally managed to get a B visa after a third interview (while a CR1 was pending). 

 

 

Edited February 24, 2022 by Kor2USA

[SarahStanton 0]

11 hours ago, Dewald & Brittney said:

Hello everyone,

 

I would like to go visit my wife in the US and have an appointment for a B visa interview in March. What I would like to know is what supporting documents to take that can help me prove that I intend to return to South Africa. I figured that since we started the CR1 visa process here in South Africa, that might be a form of proof that I will have to return to SA to complete the interview etc. My purpose for travel is a) to spend some time with my wife, and b) to help her move from Western NY to TN as she is a teacher and is waiting for a job to start in the coming school year.  Any extra information would be appreciated.

Hey there. How long after submitting your application for B visa were you able to secure an interview. I have thought of trying to apply for one too, but haven’t been able to find out how long the wait time is- have just assumed due to covid it would be months.  Thanks! 

[Redro 4,611]

2 minutes ago, Sarahmayhepburn said:

Hey there. How long after submitting your application for B visa were you able to secure an interview. I have thought of trying to apply for one too, but haven’t been able to find out how long the wait time is- have just assumed due to covid it would be months.  Thanks! 

Cape Town has a wait time of 153 days

Johannesburg has a wait time of 60 days 

Durban had a wait time of 180 days

You can apply for the visa and then just check every day for available appointments as sometimes people cancel... 

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/wait-times.html

[Dewald & Brittney 46]

15 hours ago, Kor2USA said:

I interviewed for my B visa in South Korea before I met my (now) husband. 

But, just be very clear about your intentions. In my experience, they like to grill you about your life in SA and will repeatedly ask you about your plans on return. 

I had a lot of supporting documentation to show I intended to return to South Korea but I never actually had a chance to show my documents. 

Everyone I know back home has managed to get the B1/B2 visa.

I only know of two cases that were denied. The one case finally managed to get a B visa after a third interview (while a CR1 was pending). 

 

 

Thanks for the information. It's very reassuring to know that some people have had success with it. I will do as you suggested and just be very clear about everything.

[Dewald & Brittney 46]

12 hours ago, Sarahmayhepburn said:

Hey there. How long after submitting your application for B visa were you able to secure an interview. I have thought of trying to apply for one too, but haven’t been able to find out how long the wait time is- have just assumed due to covid it would be months.  Thanks! 

Hi. I started filing my application the moment SA was taken off the ban list in November and then I checked for interview dates everyday until I found one that was decent. The first that opened up were in September, but as time went by some opened up sooner. Eventually I found one for the 7th of March and snatched it up.

[Redro 4,611]

9 hours ago, Dewald & Brittney said:

Hi. I started filing my application the moment SA was taken off the ban list in November and then I checked for interview dates everyday until I found one that was decent. The first that opened up were in September, but as time went by some opened up sooner. Eventually I found one for the 7th of March and snatched it up.

Please report back after interview. I'd be interested to hear what the process is like in SA. 

[Dewald & Brittney 46]

On 2/25/2022 at 4:47 PM, Kor2USA said:

Please report back after interview. I'd be interested to hear what the process is like in SA. 

Sorry for taking so long to reply. I have the interview on Monday morning so I will be sure to post here what the result is.

[Dewald & Brittney 46]

Hey everyone here is the first update.

 

I managed to forget to print a copy of my wife's passport and our marriage certificate. At the moment my passport is held by the consulate and I was asked to just email the additional documents to the address provided by the consular officer. During my interview the officer didn't ask for my letter of invitation. The officer also asked me whether I plan to immigrate to the US, I responded by showing him my CR1 receipt notice. I recently accepted a job offer to go back to Thailand to teach while I wait for my CR1 visa process to complete and I discussed that with him as it contradicted my DS application information filed in November 2021. Personally I think that the CR1 receipt in conjunction with job offer in Thailand helped to show that I don't intend on jumping the queue by applying for AoS in the US. No further questions were asked about it afterwards.

 

Throughout the interview I responded quickly and truthfully to any questions asked and the officer was quite helpful. Questions included what my wife's profession was, where she worked, what work I do, where our marriage is licensed, etc.. I am optimistic as the act of taking my documents and asking me to submit the additional information is better than an outright rejection.

 

TL:DR. Make sure you remember to bring a copy of your spouse's passport and your marriage certificate when applying for a B visa on the grounds of visiting your wife.

 

I will update once I receive more information.

Edited March 7, 2022 by Dewald & Brittney

[Dewald & Brittney 46]

Hey everyone, here is the second update.

 

It took about a week for the the consular email service to forward the documents to the consular officer. This happened on Friday the 11th. I just checked the CEAC website and it seems like my application has moved from "Refused" to "Administrative Processing". According to the US Embassy in Japan's website this status is used for one of two things, either they need more documents (I doubt it because I was refused at first in order to submit more documents), or the visa has been issued, but not yet printed. I should know within two days so I will update one last time in the next few days. Here are some screenshots: