Travel while visa is being processed

[Sirupy Tuna 0]

As far as I can tell from all the CR-1 information I've been chewing thruogh lately, I (the beneficiary) don't actually have to turn in my passport before the final interview. Is that correct?

So I am wondering, is it possible for me to enter the US during any of the previous steps of the Visa processing? My American fiancé and I are contemplating getting married and filing 1-130 in October, but I already have a ticket to visit him in Wisconsin for Christmas - something I would hate to miss.

Also, can someone here tell me about their experience with the medical exam in Denmark? What does it entail? How much does it cost?

[Tike 0]

As far as I can tell from all the CR-1 information I've been chewing thruogh lately, I (the beneficiary) don't actually have to turn in my passport before the final interview. Is that correct?

So I am wondering, is it possible for me to enter the US during any of the previous steps of the Visa processing? My American fiancé and I are contemplating getting married and filing 1-130 in October, but I already have a ticket to visit him in Wisconsin for Christmas - something I would hate to miss.

Also, can someone here tell me about their experience with the medical exam in Denmark? What does it entail? How much does it cost?

My husband and I have been wondering the same. We are both living in Finland at the moment but my job in the US will begin as of March 1 2012, hopefully the visa will be granted by then. However, I did ask the embassy about his traveling rights during the visa processing time and they said that my husband is allowed to visit me in the US as a tourist, through the ESTA program, for 90 days at a time during this visa process. As far as I know they will not need my husbands passport until the final interview. The medical exam in Finland costs 480 € (!!!!!) and can be only be performed by an authorized physician. I found this info on the US Helsinki embassy website some time ago. I just found this website regarding Denmark: http://travel.state.gov/pdf/medical/CPN-MED-ENGL-0001-1106.pdf

This webpage is pretty good: http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info/info_3739.html

It seems like it has been around 2000 DK which is below 300 € if I am not mistaken so much cheaper than here. Denmark also seems to have 4 authorized doctors, Finland has one!!

We started the I-130 this summer and I suggest you start compiling the needed documents asap so everything is ready as soon as you're married. I guess you husband will have to do most of the work Will you be married in Denmark or the US?

GOOD LUCK!!!

[Sirupy Tuna 0]

Will you be married in Denmark or the US?

We are only now starting to form this new plan, so we have not decided on that yet. But I think the US is the most likely option.

When I first called the Embassy in Copenhagen about getting a visa a couple of years ago because I wanted to take leave from my studies and spend a year with my furure husband, I learned that there is no such thing as a let's-see-if-the-relationship-goes-well-visa and was recommended the K-1 route. In the end I got a tourist visa and have been thinking along the lines of K-1 ever since. But now I realise that CR-1 is not so lenghthy as it used to be, and, after all, much less costly. So we are now trying to get a grasp of this whole new plan. We did not really think we were going to marry till next summer :-)

Are you asking because there is something I should be aware of?

Well, thanks for the input. I'll see what I can find on the website.

[Done--Really 331]

If you plan to get marreid in the US, there are usually only two ways to do it--get a K-1 visa and then adjust status in the US after you are married or get married (it doesn't matter where) and complete the CR-1 process OUTSIDE the US. To come to the US on a tourist or business or student visa with the INTENT of STAYING after getting married is usually viewed as visa fraud, and can result in being banned from the US for life, so let's hear more about your plans so you don't do something with irrevocable consequences.

Edited September 9, 2011 by magical

[Sirupy Tuna 0]

If you plan to get marreid in the US, there are usually only two ways to do it--get a K-1 visa and then adjust status in the US after you are married or get married (it doesn't matter where) and complete the CR-1 process OUTSIDE the US. To come to the US on a tourist or business or student visa with the INTENT of STAYING after getting married is usually viewed as visa fraud, and can result in being banned from the US for life, so let's hear more about your plans so you don't do something with irrevocable consequences.

We are considering getting married in the US in October and then filing the I-130. This would be a short stay, as I have only one week of break from my studies in October. After the wedding I return home to Denmark while the visa is processed, I am clear on that. Wouldn't it be OK to physically mail the form while I am still in the US though? As long as I go home from my tourist stay as planned? And would it be OK for me to make another 3-week tourist trip for Christmas (with no intent of staying) while the CR-1 visa is being processed?

Basically my fiancé and I have known each other since 2004, and have been a couple since 2008. We are now making the first steps towards my immigration, but I won't be done with my studies till June, so we have time, so to speak. We never before considered the option of CR-1, however, so this is all new. I am just trying to plan the year ahead :-)

[Done--Really 331]

Yes--you can certainly mail in the paperwork beofre you return--that would be great since the sooner you send it in, the sooner you will be approved !!!

As far as returning for Christmas, you may need a ton of documentation showing strong ties to home, so bring lots of stuff to "prove" you will go home. The odds of being turned back are very small, but not zero, so be prepared for the worst.

[Sirupy Tuna 0]

Yes--you can certainly mail in the paperwork beofre you return--that would be great since the sooner you send it in, the sooner you will be approved !!!

As far as returning for Christmas, you may need a ton of documentation showing strong ties to home, so bring lots of stuff to "prove" you will go home. The odds of being turned back are very small, but not zero, so be prepared for the worst.

Thanks again, this is very helpful!

By proof you mean stuff like: return ticket, proof of my studies going on through June, future rent bills and such? Other ideas?

[Tike 0]

This is what I asked the consulate in Helsinki:

"During this visa processing time, is my husband allowed to visit me in

the US as a tourist? This would mean that he could come and visit me

during the time we wait for his visa to become available and would

make to situation a bit more bearable."

This is their reply:

"He may use the visa waiver program via ESTA approval for max 90 day stay.

Best, US consulate."

So as far as I understand it seems to be fine. During my last visits to the US I have entered the US as a Finnish citizen with an EU passport (my US passport had expired), no one has ever asked me anything about where i am staying and why. Last time I think the guy asked me "Business or pleasure?", I said pleasure and welcomed me to the US. I don't know anyone from Finland who has ever had any problems going through immigration. But bringing documents along is always a good idea.

The reason I asked about where you will marry is consular filing is apparently much easier and faster. But if your fiance is in the US it's not possible to do that. I don't know what procedure is best for you since I have not looked into K-1's since my husband and I have been married for a few years here in Finland so we don't have that option. However, when looking at the prices I think the CR-1 is cheaper (could be wrong) and you get work permits and all immediately. If you choose this route I think you can apply for the visa in Denmark and have the medical there etc. I am pretty sure that it is faster and easier to do in Denmark than in the US, it is definitely faster and easier doing these things in Finland and I imagine the same goes for the other Nordic countries. If you marry in October and you plan to study in Denmark until June next year I would guess that the odds are very good you will get your visa by then. I would start collecting the necessary paper work that is needed for the I-130 (your birth certificate etc.).

Lycka till, som man säger på svenska!

[Moomin 292]

They're currently changing the procedure in Denmark regarding visa applicants and interviews along with medical. Everything they receive after December will be handled by the Embassy in Stockholm - just to let you know that any feedback you're going to get might be outdated. Here's the link: http://denmark.usembassy.gov/immigrant_visas.html

The Medical.. Currently there are two places in Denmark to have the medical examination however this might change too. If they stick to the two places you'll pass with flying colours. They are kind indeed, and it is more about just answering yes/no, blood sample, vision, tranferring your vaccination record. Some months ago I payd 1500 dkr for the medical and then 580 dkr for the xray. I thought about putting it up on the wall since it is quite expensive to just have laying around. Anyways - they only need the xray to check for TB and once they have done that, they hand you a sealed envelope with a cd-rom and the xray in.

As far as I can tell from all the CR-1 information I've been chewing thruogh lately, I (the beneficiary) don't actually have to turn in my passport before the final interview. Is that correct?

So I am wondering, is it possible for me to enter the US during any of the previous steps of the Visa processing? My American fiancé and I are contemplating getting married and filing 1-130 in October, but I already have a ticket to visit him in Wisconsin for Christmas - something I would hate to miss.

Also, can someone here tell me about their experience with the medical exam in Denmark? What does it entail? How much does it cost?