Visiting US on ESTA after interview is scheduled

[HKC 1]

Hello,

 

The title is pretty much it. My wife (Korean, currently living in Korea) got her interview scheduled early April. Can she visit the States (where I live) on ESTA around late Febuary-ish? I’ve heard of people visiting US on ESTA while I-130 is pending (and we did it as well) but I haven’t heard of it while its during NVC stage or after the interview is scheduled.

 

Thank you in advance.

[Boiler 45,449]

I do not see the difference and why it would be relevant 

[HKC 1]

43 minutes ago, Boiler said:

I do not see the difference and why it would be relevant 

We thought since DS-260 is already filed (where we declare the most recent trip to US) it may be different

[Boiler 45,449]

6 minutes ago, HKC said:

We thought since DS-260 is already filed (where we declare the most recent trip to US) it may be different

They often need updating 

[Cw1977 100]

1 hour ago, HKC said:

Hello,

 

The title is pretty much it. My wife (Korean, currently living in Korea) got her interview scheduled early April. Can she visit the States (where I live) on ESTA around late Febuary-ish? I’ve heard of people visiting US on ESTA while I-130 is pending (and we did it as well) but I haven’t heard of it while its during NVC stage or after the interview is scheduled.

 

Thank you in advance.

I visited (a business trip) on ESTA whilst my interview was pending. Had no issues at all - no one even mentioned it (I did use global entry though, but this wouldn’t change anything/my entry status)

[Dashinka 24,481]

33 minutes ago, HKC said:

We thought since DS-260 is already filed (where we declare the most recent trip to US) it may be different

She can update the travel information at the interview.  There is no restrictions to US travel with the proper visa during the NVC/Consulate stage.

 

Good Luck!

[HKC 1]

7 hours ago, Cw1977 said:

I visited (a business trip) on ESTA whilst my interview was pending. Had no issues at all - no one even mentioned it (I did use global entry though, but this wouldn’t change anything/my entry status)

Did you get to update your travel history during the interview?

[Cw1977 100]

1 hour ago, HKC said:

Did you get to update your travel history during the interview?

I didn’t technically update anything. They just asked me when the last time I saw my wife was and last time I was in the US. I told him and it obv matched what was on his screen so all was good. Literally that was the total of the convo

[NorthByNorthwest 347]

13 hours ago, HKC said:

The title is pretty much it. My wife (Korean, currently living in Korea) got her interview scheduled early April. Can she visit the States (where I live) on ESTA around late Febuary-ish? I’ve heard of people visiting US on ESTA while I-130 is pending (and we did it as well) but I haven’t heard of it while its during NVC stage or after the interview is scheduled.

 

I visited the US on ESTA (for work) the week before my scheduled K-1 interview in Tokyo, zero issues. If anything, having that interview scheduled was a pretty compelling reason for me to go back, but it didn't even come up.

 

By then I had a total of 20+ visits to the US on ESTA, they might have more questions for a beneficiary with very few or no prior US visits, but I don't see why they'd throw up roadblocks for someone that has gone through the hoops up to that point.

[Redro 4,611]

On 1/17/2024 at 1:46 PM, HKC said:

Did you get to update your travel history during the interview?

I interviewed for my CR1/IR1 visa in Korea and the one question they asked was "have you traveled any where in the last 6 months".

I believe it is a fairly standard question. 

You are always allowed to update the DS260 during the interview. 

[IWander 589]

1 hour ago, Redro said:

I interviewed for my CR1/IR1 visa in Korea and the one question they asked was "have you traveled any where in the last 6 months".

I believe it is a fairly standard question. 

You are always allowed to update the DS260 during the interview. 

Yes

[HKC 1]

On 1/17/2024 at 12:36 PM, Cw1977 said:

I didn’t technically update anything. They just asked me when the last time I saw my wife was and last time I was in the US. I told him and it obv matched what was on his screen so all was good. Literally that was the total of the convo

I see. Thank you for your response. We are also being extra careful because she just got a new passport as well (ESTA already approved but never entered with the new passport). She entered couple times with her old passport w/ ESTA but I don't think the new passport should make a difference..?

Thank you to others as well who replied!

Edited January 20 by HKC