Husband from Russia visiting me in USA (no pending Cr1 paperwork)

[GreyGergei 0]

Hello,

My spouse and I married last October but we haven't started any of the CR1 paperwork and are considering waiting and doing the IR1 later.

 

During this time, my husband wants to try to apply for a tourist visa to come visit me in the US for a few months end of this year. My stepson would be coming with him.

 

I am concerned because he is from Russia and with the war, I feel he may be more scrutinized. I am also unsure what he can say when he arrives. He has family in Florida (and I'm in Minnesota) so I'm wondering if he can say he's here to visit family, in general?

 

My husband does have a business in Russia so he has every intent on returning there. And my stepson has school. I am sure we can get documents from both of them showing their intent to return but just looking to see if anyone has any guidance.

 

We would also plan to purchase round trip flights to help show our good intentions.

 

Edited May 12, 2022 by GreyGergei

[Mike E 11,739]

11 minutes ago, GreyGergei said:

I'm wondering if he can say he's here to visit family, in general?

He is required to state his marriage status, name his spouse, and name his closest relatives who live in the US.  
 

Set the war aside … he and your step son are unlikely to be approved for a visitor visa.  It is slightly less unlikely if he just applies. 
 

Since he has a visa exemption for Cuba take the opportunity to meet him there.  Since he can pay for everything it should be fine for an American to visit Cuba: family visit 
 

 

Edited May 12, 2022 by Mike E

[Rocio0010 5,579]

8 minutes ago, GreyGergei said:

he's here to visit family, in general?

Lying by omission= not a good idea!

[JeanneAdil 6,492]

  the CBP will assume intentions are to AOS in the USA (especially since u did not do the CR1 petition)

 

 

[Dashinka 24,489]

Overall, getting a B2 will be extremely tough not necessarily because he is Russian, but because he is in Russia.  Moscow is only taking emergency appointments for B2 applications, and I am not sure about going to another consulate (Warsaw possibly, but wait time is 140 days).  Personally, I think it will be tough with a USC spouse, but he certainly can try.  As to the CR1/IR1, I would start that process very soon.  With the processing times, and the need to go to Warsaw for the interview, there is a good chance it could be 18+ months to get that visa, and even if it is still prior to October 2023, he can delay his entry until after your 2 year wedding anniversary to avoid the ROC/I751 process and get a 10 yr GC.

 

Good Luck!

[Dashinka 24,489]

This may be a relevant thread for a B2 from Russia or Belarus.  I forgot to mention in my previous response, but I agree with the others, he would need to disclose his marital status on the B2/DS160 anyway.  You do not want to lie there as it could bring big headaches when the spousal visa application comes around.

 

 

[Boiler 45,468]

They can certainly apply and it is not impossible for them to be approved.

 

Is there any particular reason you have yet to file their I 130's?

[GreyGergei 0]

Thank you all.

 

He is Armenian and his friend( who is also is Armenian and lives in Russia) was able to get the tourist visa in Armenia a couple of weeks ago.  My husband's situation is only different in that he is married to me, a US citizen.

[Crazy Cat 41,837]

25 minutes ago, GreyGergei said:

We would also plan to purchase round trip flights to help show our good intentions.

That doesn't really show good intent since almost all genuine visitors have return/onward tickets.  Besides, return tickets are extremely easy to cancel.  

2 minutes ago, GreyGergei said:

My husband's situation is only different in that he is married to me, a US citizen.

That is an extremely strong tie.....to the US.

[GreyGergei 0]

4 minutes ago, Boiler said:

They can certainly apply and it is not impossible for them to be approved.

 

Is there any particular reason you have yet to file their I 130's?

My husband was the one who was postponed it as we were concerned with travelling to the US if we started paperwork (I'm not sure why we thought that). And also he's been extremely busy with his business and now the war.  We're just not sure when/what to do next but miss each other terribly.

 

I am unable to travel as well, as I recently became a caregiver to an injured family member.

 

But appreciate all the replies. Will keep researching.

[GreyGergei 0]

15 minutes ago, Dashinka said:

Overall, getting a B2 will be extremely tough not necessarily because he is Russian, but because he is in Russia.  Moscow is only taking emergency appointments for B2 applications, and I am not sure about going to another consulate (Warsaw possibly, but wait time is 140 days).  Personally, I think it will be tough with a USC spouse, but he certainly can try.  As to the CR1/IR1, I would start that process very soon.  With the processing times, and the need to go to Warsaw for the interview, there is a good chance it could be 18+ months to get that visa, and even if it is still prior to October 2023, he can delay his entry until after your 2 year wedding anniversary to avoid the ROC/I751 process and get a 10 yr GC.

 

Good Luck!

Thank you, this is great information!

[Dashinka 24,489]

3 minutes ago, GreyGergei said:

Thank you all.

 

He is Armenian and his friend( who is also is Armenian and lives in Russia) was able to get the tourist visa in Armenia a couple of weeks ago.  My husband's situation is only different in that he is married to me, a US citizen.

Well, as others have said, he will have to disclose his marital status on the DS160 and list you as his closest relative.  It is not inconceivable that he could be approved for a B2, but who knows.  

[Boiler 45,468]

2 minutes ago, GreyGergei said:

My husband was the one who was postponed it as we were concerned with travelling to the US if we started paperwork (I'm not sure why we thought that). And also he's been extremely busy with his business and now the war.  We're just not sure when/what to do next but miss each other terribly.

 

I am unable to travel as well, as I recently became a caregiver to an injured family member.

 

But appreciate all the replies. Will keep researching.

There is nothing to research, if you want a visa you apply and see.

[Rocio0010 5,579]

1 minute ago, GreyGergei said:

(I'm not sure why we thought that).

Because you guys thought that if you started your application, you're showing immigrant intent (which you are), and that makes it more challenging for a B1/B2 visa to be approved. But in reality, what makes it harder is the fact that he has a USC wife. Whether you sent the application or not is irrelevant.

Just now, Dashinka said:

but who knows.

Like we say here "stranger things have happened"

[Dashinka 24,489]

1 minute ago, Rocio0010 said:

Because you guys thought that if you started your application, you're showing immigrant intent (which you are), and that makes it more challenging for a B1/B2 visa to be approved. But in reality, what makes it harder is the fact that he has a USC wife. Whether you sent the application or not is irrelevant.

Completely agree, the CO's are already required to assume immigration intent for everyone.  Having a USC spouse makes that bar even higher.

Edited May 12, 2022 by Dashinka