Likelihood of Tourist Visa while CR-1 is processing

[AmerAus 0]

My Australian husband and I got married in Italy last month and are just starting the CR-1 process, which our attorney has advised us takes 5-6 months.

The problem is that we naively had planned a reception in the U.S. for August, and have already paid deposits and family members have bought plane tickets. I have read threads that you can't come in on a tourist visa once the CR-1 process is started, but that there are cases of getting it approved if you can show ties to your current country and show supporting docs that you do not intend to stay (we can show his contract, provide a letter from his company, show assets in Saudi, etc.). Also, since he is from a VWP country, how does that affect needing to apply for a visa?

My husband is ex- Australian military, and on contract in Saudi Arabia through next April, so we should have no problem showing he is not intending to stay until April, but what is the most surefire process to get this done? and if we DO get a visa approved, what area chances he could still be turned away at the boarder?

Any advisement would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[sachinky 464]

He can enter on the VWP as long as he can show ties to Australia. Jobs, lease, bank account etc.

[In_AR_From_TX 0]

From what I have been told I would not expect a visa to be issued to your husband once the CR1 process has begun, sorry.

[Darnell 8,478]

Since he doesn't need a tourist visa to enter the USA (his country, Australia, is part of Visa Waiver Program)

then he MUST carry all of that 'evidence' with him on the plane ride over to USA, and be prepared to SHOW it at the CBP inspection point at the POE. IMO, the crucial bit of 'evidence' is going to be the work contract with a letter for the vacation time (from the HR department), along with everyhing else.

Good Luck !