Visit US while IR-1/CR-1 is being approved

[AnniewithaV 0]

We have recently gotten our NOA that they have received our Petition. Does anyone know if you can visit the US while this is in progress?

[Inky 1,111]

Yes you can. You just need to bring ties to your country showing you have to return.

People - especially from Canada. Travel back and forth during the process quite frequently.

[AnniewithaV 0]

Thank you for your quick reply! I was worried I wouldn't be able to go to our home for a year.

[muzk2012 1]

if it was from some other country .. than i would think not but since its canada i dont think you will have a hard time ...

lucky you ... i want my wife to come here while im enrolled in classes over the summer while her I-130 is in process but its alot harder because she resides in bahrain

[AnniewithaV 0]

haha I wouldn't say lucky me. We have already gone through the K1 Visa process was approved got married and unfortunately I had to leave to attend court and they removed my visa and now we are starting all over again.

[AnniewithaV 0]

My husband went to the border prior to me driving there to find out if I could visit for the weekend. They will not allow me to enter even just to visit until there's been a change in status.

[mr.4800.miles 0]

The NVC received my IR1/CR1 application on May 14th and I travelled to the US after this and had no problems at all. I told the TSA officer I was there to visit my wife and that was pretty much it. I had documents with me to prove my commitments back in the UK as a backup but these weren't needed.

[jaycali 415]

It's fully legal! You just have to satisfy them that you don't intend to stay and adjust status.

I've entered the US three times on the VWP after I got married, twice after filing the I-130. No problems what so ever. First entry they asked if I had friends or family in the US, I said wife, no problem. On my second entry they never even asked who I was visiting, only how long I was staying. Third entry I entered with my wife at the same booth and it was a complete non-issue to my surprise. I did bring evidence of ties, but it was never needed. Just never lie to them and you'll be fine.

Edited June 10, 2012 by jaejayC

[Ryan H 3,897]

I told the TSA officer

Wrong agency, you would have been speaking with an officer from CBP (Customs and Border Protection; not the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).