Well we Did It!. Mel went home to Malaysia in January, I filed the I-130 "stuff" and then we immediately started worrying about her coming back into the US in April on her B2. I went down last week, she said her goodbyes, and we arrived at LAX yesterday (4/30) all worried about her being denied entry. We came prepared with a copy of the I-130 packet, her pay stubs, return tickets for three weeks hence, a reasonable story as to why she came back after only four months away, and so forth. Fully expecting a second interview, I had book our flight back to Portland Oregon for the next day so that we would not have the pressure of "please hurry because we will miss our connecting flight" anxiety.
Based on our experience when returning from a cruise to Mexico in January, we went directly to the "Non US Citizens" line and, waited about 30 minutes in the queue.
The agents first comment was "If you guys had gone to the US line you would have been out of here by now!" My response was "I though we had to be in this line because she is not a resident" "Nope, she is traveling with you and you could have used the US line." Took her picture, got her prints, stamped her I-94 for 180 days, "Welcome to the US; Next." Less than about 3 mintues, kind of anticlimactic actually !!! (but in a really good way)
One really doesn't know why it went so smoothly, perhaps because this is her fourth entry to the US? Who knows, but she is here.
I suppose that the take away is (1) be prepared (2) travel through a POE that handles lots of people (3) stand in the right line.
regards, Brian and Mel
Full Version: Entry with B2 while I30 Pending
VisaJourney.com > Marriage Based Immigration (K1, K2, K3, etc) to the USA > K-3 Spouse Visa General Discussion
QUOTE(Brian&Mel @ May 1 2008, 03:06 PM) 
Well we Did It!. Mel went home to Malaysia in January, I filed the I-130 "stuff" and then we immediately started worrying about her coming back into the US in April on her B2. I went down last week, she said her goodbyes, and we arrived at LAX yesterday (4/30) all worried about her being denied entry. We came prepared with a copy of the I-130 packet, her pay stubs, return tickets for three weeks hence, a reasonable story as to why she came back after only four months away, and so forth. Fully expecting a second interview, I had book our flight back to Portland Oregon for the next day so that we would not have the pressure of "please hurry because we will miss our connecting flight" anxiety.
Based on our experience when returning from a cruise to Mexico in January, we went directly to the "Non US Citizens" line and, waited about 30 minutes in the queue.
The agents first comment was "If you guys had gone to the US line you would have been out of here by now!" My response was "I though we had to be in this line because she is not a resident" "Nope, she is traveling with you and you could have used the US line." Took her picture, got her prints, stamped her I-94 for 180 days, "Welcome to the US; Next." Less than about 3 mintues, kind of anticlimactic actually !!! (but in a really good way)
One really doesn't know why it went so smoothly, perhaps because this is her fourth entry to the US? Who knows, but she is here.
I suppose that the take away is (1) be prepared (2) travel through a POE that handles lots of people (3) stand in the right line.
regards, Brian and Mel
Based on our experience when returning from a cruise to Mexico in January, we went directly to the "Non US Citizens" line and, waited about 30 minutes in the queue.
The agents first comment was "If you guys had gone to the US line you would have been out of here by now!" My response was "I though we had to be in this line because she is not a resident" "Nope, she is traveling with you and you could have used the US line." Took her picture, got her prints, stamped her I-94 for 180 days, "Welcome to the US; Next." Less than about 3 mintues, kind of anticlimactic actually !!! (but in a really good way)
One really doesn't know why it went so smoothly, perhaps because this is her fourth entry to the US? Who knows, but she is here.
I suppose that the take away is (1) be prepared (2) travel through a POE that handles lots of people (3) stand in the right line.
regards, Brian and Mel
Well done guys!!! Have a super time together. Oh, have you noticed that CSC has been approving January filers (February NOA1's) ????
Hope you guys are ready for NVC, as it looks like your time is coming soon, hopefully while you guys are together so you can celebrate
If you haven't prepared, I've got a lot of the stuff you need on this thread
http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=124755
Well done again and hopefully hear you have an approval soon xx
QUOTE(KipandSarahJayne @ May 1 2008, 07:24 AM)
QUOTE(Brian&Mel @ May 1 2008, 03:06 PM)
Well we Did It!. Mel went home to Malaysia in January, I filed the I-130 "stuff" and then we immediately started worrying about her coming back into the US in April on her B2. I went down last week, she said her goodbyes, and we arrived at LAX yesterday (4/30) all worried about her being denied entry. We came prepared with a copy of the I-130 packet, her pay stubs, return tickets for three weeks hence, a reasonable story as to why she came back after only four months away, and so forth. Fully expecting a second interview, I had book our flight back to Portland Oregon for the next day so that we would not have the pressure of "please hurry because we will miss our connecting flight" anxiety.
Based on our experience when returning from a cruise to Mexico in January, we went directly to the "Non US Citizens" line and, waited about 30 minutes in the queue.
The agents first comment was "If you guys had gone to the US line you would have been out of here by now!" My response was "I though we had to be in this line because she is not a resident" "Nope, she is traveling with you and you could have used the US line." Took her picture, got her prints, stamped her I-94 for 180 days, "Welcome to the US; Next." Less than about 3 mintues, kind of anticlimactic actually !!! (but in a really good way)
One really doesn't know why it went so smoothly, perhaps because this is her fourth entry to the US? Who knows, but she is here.
I suppose that the take away is (1) be prepared (2) travel through a POE that handles lots of people (3) stand in the right line.
regards, Brian and Mel
Based on our experience when returning from a cruise to Mexico in January, we went directly to the "Non US Citizens" line and, waited about 30 minutes in the queue.
The agents first comment was "If you guys had gone to the US line you would have been out of here by now!" My response was "I though we had to be in this line because she is not a resident" "Nope, she is traveling with you and you could have used the US line." Took her picture, got her prints, stamped her I-94 for 180 days, "Welcome to the US; Next." Less than about 3 mintues, kind of anticlimactic actually !!! (but in a really good way)
One really doesn't know why it went so smoothly, perhaps because this is her fourth entry to the US? Who knows, but she is here.
I suppose that the take away is (1) be prepared (2) travel through a POE that handles lots of people (3) stand in the right line.
regards, Brian and Mel
Well done guys!!! Have a super time together. Oh, have you noticed that CSC has been approving January filers (February NOA1's) ????
Hope you guys are ready for NVC, as it looks like your time is coming soon, hopefully while you guys are together so you can celebrate
If you haven't prepared, I've got a lot of the stuff you need on this thread
http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=124755
Well done again and hopefully hear you have an approval soon xx
Sarah,
Yeah...we have been offline for about a week because Brian was down in KL for a visit. Was reading the January filer thread and was suprised to see so many approvals. I hope ours is going to follow suit soon.
I remember you said that you will be visiting your hubby soon, any update on that plan? We were very worried but the process only took about 10 minutes. So, maybe you should give it a try. You should try a busy POE like LAX or JFK, they tend to have many international travellers. There were about 9 lines opened yesterday and it was all full except for the US citizen lines!!!
Good luck and hope you'll hear some good news soon!
Mel
Thank guys, but I'm just going to wait it out now. Kip looks like he's coming over in July which will be great and a real break in the wait.
I also think VSC will start approving the I-130's in 6 weeks or so, then after that it should be quite fast. I'm just trying to get everything together now for NVC and interview .... while getting rid of unnecessary stuff. It's actually amazingly time consuming
I also think VSC will start approving the I-130's in 6 weeks or so, then after that it should be quite fast. I'm just trying to get everything together now for NVC and interview .... while getting rid of unnecessary stuff. It's actually amazingly time consuming
Mel and Brian,
I was about to PM you guys to find out how things went at the POE. Happy to hear that it was easy, hope you enjoy your time together !!
Would have done the same if not because of the recent cancer scare that I had to go through. Anyway, going to visit US in a few weeks time. Am considering flying into LA too, for the same reason you mentioned. :-)
Leah
I was about to PM you guys to find out how things went at the POE. Happy to hear that it was easy, hope you enjoy your time together !!
Would have done the same if not because of the recent cancer scare that I had to go through. Anyway, going to visit US in a few weeks time. Am considering flying into LA too, for the same reason you mentioned. :-)
Leah
QUOTE(Todd-Leah @ May 4 2008, 01:00 AM)
Mel and Brian,
I was about to PM you guys to find out how things went at the POE. Happy to hear that it was easy, hope you enjoy your time together !!
Would have done the same if not because of the recent cancer scare that I had to go through. Anyway, going to visit US in a few weeks time. Am considering flying into LA too, for the same reason you mentioned. :-)
Leah
I was about to PM you guys to find out how things went at the POE. Happy to hear that it was easy, hope you enjoy your time together !!
Would have done the same if not because of the recent cancer scare that I had to go through. Anyway, going to visit US in a few weeks time. Am considering flying into LA too, for the same reason you mentioned. :-)
Leah
Leah,
We are glad that we made it through as we were nervous about it.
When will you be flying to US? And where will you be?
Keep in touch.
Mel
QUOTE(Brian&Mel @ May 7 2008, 05:37 AM)
QUOTE(Todd-Leah @ May 4 2008, 01:00 AM)
Mel and Brian,
I was about to PM you guys to find out how things went at the POE. Happy to hear that it was easy, hope you enjoy your time together !!
Would have done the same if not because of the recent cancer scare that I had to go through. Anyway, going to visit US in a few weeks time. Am considering flying into LA too, for the same reason you mentioned. :-)
Leah
I was about to PM you guys to find out how things went at the POE. Happy to hear that it was easy, hope you enjoy your time together !!
Would have done the same if not because of the recent cancer scare that I had to go through. Anyway, going to visit US in a few weeks time. Am considering flying into LA too, for the same reason you mentioned. :-)
Leah
Leah,
We are glad that we made it through as we were nervous about it.
When will you be flying to US? And where will you be?
Keep in touch.
Mel
Hey everyone,
I'm a Malaysian too applying for K-3 visa. Haven't been very active due to travelling back and forth and weddings to attend to.
Anyways, I just got back from the US (went through Newark because hubby lives in NY) and this is my second entry using tourist visa (first was in Jan). Took only a couple minutes for the usual stuff, fingerprints, etc and I was done!
Anticipated a lot of questions though!I do not have my timeline updated but just to let you guys know where I'm at right now. We just had our US wedding reception (after 8 months of marriage) and after I left to return to KL, he received requests from NVC to send in he I-864 and DS-230 (a couple days in between). So today he is sending the DS-230 in and I guess the next step is to just wait and see.
My aim is to be able to be with him in the States by our first anniversary (July 14th). But from what I've read, it takes a couple of weeks for them to process those two documents (I-864 and DS-230) and after case complete, they will schedule the medical checkup and interview only a month after.
Right now, I'm wondering if I should just go there using my B visa and come back right before my medical checkup and interview. What do you think?
QUOTE
Leah,
We are glad that we made it through as we were nervous about it.
When will you be flying to US? And where will you be?
Keep in touch.
Mel
We are glad that we made it through as we were nervous about it.
When will you be flying to US? And where will you be?
Keep in touch.
Mel
Mel,
I am hoping to fly by the end of May if everything goes well. Will be in IL, 1 hour from Chicago. I have not seen my husband for sOoooo long, since Oct 2006........it's time to be together.
Enjoy your time.
Leah
QUOTE(julietom @ May 9 2008, 05:32 AM)
Hey everyone,
I'm a Malaysian too applying for K-3 visa. Haven't been very active due to travelling back and forth and weddings to attend to.
Anyways, I just got back from the US (went through Newark because hubby lives in NY) and this is my second entry using tourist visa (first was in Jan). Took only a couple minutes for the usual stuff, fingerprints, etc and I was done! Anticipated a lot of questions though!
I do not have my timeline updated but just to let you guys know where I'm at right now. We just had our US wedding reception (after 8 months of marriage) and after I left to return to KL, he received requests from NVC to send in he I-864 and DS-230 (a couple days in between). So today he is sending the DS-230 in and I guess the next step is to just wait and see.
My aim is to be able to be with him in the States by our first anniversary (July 14th). But from what I've read, it takes a couple of weeks for them to process those two documents (I-864 and DS-230) and after case complete, they will schedule the medical checkup and interview only a month after.
Right now, I'm wondering if I should just go there using my B visa and come back right before my medical checkup and interview. What do you think?
I'm a Malaysian too applying for K-3 visa. Haven't been very active due to travelling back and forth and weddings to attend to.
Anyways, I just got back from the US (went through Newark because hubby lives in NY) and this is my second entry using tourist visa (first was in Jan). Took only a couple minutes for the usual stuff, fingerprints, etc and I was done!
Anticipated a lot of questions though!I do not have my timeline updated but just to let you guys know where I'm at right now. We just had our US wedding reception (after 8 months of marriage) and after I left to return to KL, he received requests from NVC to send in he I-864 and DS-230 (a couple days in between). So today he is sending the DS-230 in and I guess the next step is to just wait and see.
My aim is to be able to be with him in the States by our first anniversary (July 14th). But from what I've read, it takes a couple of weeks for them to process those two documents (I-864 and DS-230) and after case complete, they will schedule the medical checkup and interview only a month after.
Right now, I'm wondering if I should just go there using my B visa and come back right before my medical checkup and interview. What do you think?
Hello, Julie,
Nice to know another Malaysian on VJ!
Did you stay in NY for 6 months?
I don't know how long the NVC will take, if it takes 2-3 months, if I am in your position, I will probably wait till the medical and interview, then only go.
I am expecting to receive our I-130 approval and the paperwork goes to NVC while I am visiting, will either stay for 6 months or until the interview, whichever comes first. If the whole process takes about 12 months from filing I-130, will probably get to spend CNY at home and leave for US after that. : -)
Leah
QUOTE(Todd-Leah @ May 9 2008, 11:34 PM)
QUOTE(julietom @ May 9 2008, 05:32 AM)
Hey everyone,
I'm a Malaysian too applying for K-3 visa. Haven't been very active due to travelling back and forth and weddings to attend to.
Anyways, I just got back from the US (went through Newark because hubby lives in NY) and this is my second entry using tourist visa (first was in Jan). Took only a couple minutes for the usual stuff, fingerprints, etc and I was done! Anticipated a lot of questions though!
I do not have my timeline updated but just to let you guys know where I'm at right now. We just had our US wedding reception (after 8 months of marriage) and after I left to return to KL, he received requests from NVC to send in he I-864 and DS-230 (a couple days in between). So today he is sending the DS-230 in and I guess the next step is to just wait and see.
My aim is to be able to be with him in the States by our first anniversary (July 14th). But from what I've read, it takes a couple of weeks for them to process those two documents (I-864 and DS-230) and after case complete, they will schedule the medical checkup and interview only a month after.
Right now, I'm wondering if I should just go there using my B visa and come back right before my medical checkup and interview. What do you think?
I'm a Malaysian too applying for K-3 visa. Haven't been very active due to travelling back and forth and weddings to attend to.
Anyways, I just got back from the US (went through Newark because hubby lives in NY) and this is my second entry using tourist visa (first was in Jan). Took only a couple minutes for the usual stuff, fingerprints, etc and I was done!
Anticipated a lot of questions though!I do not have my timeline updated but just to let you guys know where I'm at right now. We just had our US wedding reception (after 8 months of marriage) and after I left to return to KL, he received requests from NVC to send in he I-864 and DS-230 (a couple days in between). So today he is sending the DS-230 in and I guess the next step is to just wait and see.
My aim is to be able to be with him in the States by our first anniversary (July 14th). But from what I've read, it takes a couple of weeks for them to process those two documents (I-864 and DS-230) and after case complete, they will schedule the medical checkup and interview only a month after.
Right now, I'm wondering if I should just go there using my B visa and come back right before my medical checkup and interview. What do you think?
Hello, Julie,
Nice to know another Malaysian on VJ!
Did you stay in NY for 6 months?
I don't know how long the NVC will take, if it takes 2-3 months, if I am in your position, I will probably wait till the medical and interview, then only go.
I am expecting to receive our I-130 approval and the paperwork goes to NVC while I am visiting, will either stay for 6 months or until the interview, whichever comes first. If the whole process takes about 12 months from filing I-130, will probably get to spend CNY at home and leave for US after that. : -)
Leah
I only stayed in the US for two weeks. I'm still working in KL so I can't really take a long vacation. Plus, I last visited him in Jan, and he came over for the Malay traditional wedding reception in March so it's not that bad.
He's willing to pay for my ticket if I can get away right before the interview. I guess we'll see how it goes at that time. I'm anticipating them to contact me the second week of June for an interview in July. Maybe somewhere in between I can get away for 2 weeks or so.
Have fun in the States!! Take a lot of photos and spend quality time together...
QUOTE(Todd-Leah @ May 9 2008, 11:34 PM)
QUOTE(julietom @ May 9 2008, 05:32 AM)
Hey everyone,
I'm a Malaysian too applying for K-3 visa. Haven't been very active due to travelling back and forth and weddings to attend to.
Anyways, I just got back from the US (went through Newark because hubby lives in NY) and this is my second entry using tourist visa (first was in Jan). Took only a couple minutes for the usual stuff, fingerprints, etc and I was done! Anticipated a lot of questions though!
I do not have my timeline updated but just to let you guys know where I'm at right now. We just had our US wedding reception (after 8 months of marriage) and after I left to return to KL, he received requests from NVC to send in he I-864 and DS-230 (a couple days in between). So today he is sending the DS-230 in and I guess the next step is to just wait and see.
My aim is to be able to be with him in the States by our first anniversary (July 14th). But from what I've read, it takes a couple of weeks for them to process those two documents (I-864 and DS-230) and after case complete, they will schedule the medical checkup and interview only a month after.
Right now, I'm wondering if I should just go there using my B visa and come back right before my medical checkup and interview. What do you think?
I'm a Malaysian too applying for K-3 visa. Haven't been very active due to travelling back and forth and weddings to attend to.
Anyways, I just got back from the US (went through Newark because hubby lives in NY) and this is my second entry using tourist visa (first was in Jan). Took only a couple minutes for the usual stuff, fingerprints, etc and I was done!
Anticipated a lot of questions though!I do not have my timeline updated but just to let you guys know where I'm at right now. We just had our US wedding reception (after 8 months of marriage) and after I left to return to KL, he received requests from NVC to send in he I-864 and DS-230 (a couple days in between). So today he is sending the DS-230 in and I guess the next step is to just wait and see.
My aim is to be able to be with him in the States by our first anniversary (July 14th). But from what I've read, it takes a couple of weeks for them to process those two documents (I-864 and DS-230) and after case complete, they will schedule the medical checkup and interview only a month after.
Right now, I'm wondering if I should just go there using my B visa and come back right before my medical checkup and interview. What do you think?
Hello, Julie,
Nice to know another Malaysian on VJ!
Did you stay in NY for 6 months?
I don't know how long the NVC will take, if it takes 2-3 months, if I am in your position, I will probably wait till the medical and interview, then only go.
I am expecting to receive our I-130 approval and the paperwork goes to NVC while I am visiting, will either stay for 6 months or until the interview, whichever comes first. If the whole process takes about 12 months from filing I-130, will probably get to spend CNY at home and leave for US after that. : -)
Leah
I only stayed in the US for two weeks. I'm still working in KL so I can't really take a long vacation. Plus, I last visited him in Jan, and he came over for the Malay traditional wedding reception in March so it's not that bad.
He's willing to pay for my ticket if I can get away right before the interview. I guess we'll see how it goes at that time. I'm anticipating them to contact me the second week of June for an interview in July. Maybe somewhere in between I can get away for 2 weeks or so.
Have fun in the States!! Take a lot of photos and spend quality time together...
[/quote]
Hey everyone,
I'm a Malaysian too applying for K-3 visa. Haven't been very active due to travelling back and forth and weddings to attend to.
Anyways, I just got back from the US (went through Newark because hubby lives in NY) and this is my second entry using tourist visa (first was in Jan). Took only a couple minutes for the usual stuff, fingerprints, etc and I was done! Anticipated a lot of questions though!
I do not have my timeline updated but just to let you guys know where I'm at right now. We just had our US wedding reception (after 8 months of marriage) and after I left to return to KL, he received requests from NVC to send in he I-864 and DS-230 (a couple days in between). So today he is sending the DS-230 in and I guess the next step is to just wait and see.
My aim is to be able to be with him in the States by our first anniversary (July 14th). But from what I've read, it takes a couple of weeks for them to process those two documents (I-864 and DS-230) and after case complete, they will schedule the medical checkup and interview only a month after.
Right now, I'm wondering if I should just go there using my B visa and come back right before my medical checkup and interview. What do you think?
[/quote]
Hi there...
Welcome to VJ. And it's always nice to have another Malaysian around.
How long have you been submitted your paperworks? It would be good if you can update your timeline as VJ use that as an indicator for the rest of us.
Hmmmm...July 14th seem to be too ambitious. But I know US Embassy in KL is pretty efficient. So you'll never know. If you can afford another plane ticket, why not? I would like to spend as much time as possible with my husband.
Anyway, keep us posted.
Regards,
Mel
Hey everyone,
I'm a Malaysian too applying for K-3 visa. Haven't been very active due to travelling back and forth and weddings to attend to.
Anyways, I just got back from the US (went through Newark because hubby lives in NY) and this is my second entry using tourist visa (first was in Jan). Took only a couple minutes for the usual stuff, fingerprints, etc and I was done!
Anticipated a lot of questions though!I do not have my timeline updated but just to let you guys know where I'm at right now. We just had our US wedding reception (after 8 months of marriage) and after I left to return to KL, he received requests from NVC to send in he I-864 and DS-230 (a couple days in between). So today he is sending the DS-230 in and I guess the next step is to just wait and see.
My aim is to be able to be with him in the States by our first anniversary (July 14th). But from what I've read, it takes a couple of weeks for them to process those two documents (I-864 and DS-230) and after case complete, they will schedule the medical checkup and interview only a month after.
Right now, I'm wondering if I should just go there using my B visa and come back right before my medical checkup and interview. What do you think?
[/quote]
Hi there...
Welcome to VJ. And it's always nice to have another Malaysian around.
How long have you been submitted your paperworks? It would be good if you can update your timeline as VJ use that as an indicator for the rest of us.
Hmmmm...July 14th seem to be too ambitious. But I know US Embassy in KL is pretty efficient. So you'll never know. If you can afford another plane ticket, why not? I would like to spend as much time as possible with my husband.
Anyway, keep us posted.
Regards,
Mel
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