Visit on Tourist Visa While Awaiting Interview Date

[carlinface 0]

My wife has a valid tourist visa. Is there any reason why she cant visit me in the USA while we are waiting in line for our interview date (IR1)?

[Harsh_77 718]

There is no reason and technically she is allowed to visit you with and existing visa.

The only advice I have is ask her to have proof of strong ties to home country or she could be refused entry at POE.

Also it can depend on where you guys are in CR1 process.

[missphilly 1]

My wife has a valid tourist visa. Is there any reason why she cant visit me in the USA while we are waiting in line for our interview date (IR1)?

Tourist Visa from what country?

[Boiler 47,083]

Turkey?

Passport and ticket would help.

[pushbrk 13,498]

My wife has a valid tourist visa. Is there any reason why she cant visit me in the USA while we are waiting in line for our interview date (IR1)?

No reason she can't but if asked, "What is the purpose of your visit?" she were to answer, "I'm visiting my husband." she is unlikely to be admitted. Best to give a truthful but more generic answer, like "holiday" or "visiting friends" or "going to Disney" etc.

[velrich 50]

No reason she cant visit. I have been there at least 10 times since since i got married and part of that time is during my current IR1 process.

Whenever I come to POE they ask:

1. what is the purpose of your visit? answer: vacation

2. do you have relatives here? yes

sometimes they ask 'what relatives' I say 'my husband and my sister'.

[pushbrk 13,498]

No reason she cant visit. I have been there at least 10 times since since i got married and part of that time is during my current IR1 process.

Whenever I come to POE they ask:

1. what is the purpose of your visit? answer: vacation

2. do you have relatives here? yes

sometimes they ask 'what relatives' I say 'my husband and my sister'.

It is helpful if you have already visited several times and left on time each time.

[ShawnL 0]

Has anybody had any experience of being refused entry at POE? Other than by land, from Canada or Mexico. My wife is from China. If she comes on tourist visa (she has a valid tourist visa) while waiting on I-130, and refused entry, then what I am going to do? Buying her an one way return ticket as the return flight of the round trip ticket won't work anymore? It is going to be costly.

Edited September 2, 2012 by ShawnL

[pushbrk 13,498]

Has anybody had any experience of being refused entry at POE? Other than by land, from Canada or Mexico. My wife is from China. If she comes on tourist visa (she has a valid tourist visa) while waiting on I-130, and refused entry, then what I am going to do? Buying her an one way return ticket as the return flight of the round trip ticket won't work anymore? It is going to be costly.

It may or may not be costly but there is nothing you can do about that. If she is refused entry, you will not see her at all. Any costs would be something dealt with later. Generally, the airline that brings them, just takes them back where they came from. Airlines know this is a possibility with all international travel. If you want to know how a particular airline deals with this situation, contact the airline directly.

[ShawnL 0]

Thanks, Pushbrk! You are always very helpful.

I am evaluating whether I should visit her or she visits me in lunar new year. She can visit me longer than I can as she is a teacher and will have winter recess. On the other hand, she has the risk of being refusing entry.

I have read Saylin's horrifying story of being refused entry at Canada-US border. My wife has visited US once on tourist visa and returned home on time. She also has a job and a daughter in China, so maybe she will have better luck than Saylin had.

[pushbrk 13,498]

Thanks, Pushbrk! You are always very helpful.

I am evaluating whether I should visit her or she visits me in lunar new year. She can visit me longer than I can as she is a teacher and will have winter recess. On the other hand, she has the risk of being refusing entry.

I have read Saylin's horrifying story of being refused entry at Canada-US border. My wife has visited US once on tourist visa and returned home on time. She also has a job and a daughter in China, so maybe she will have better luck than Saylin had.

All that counts for her. On the other hand, if you haven't been to China for Spring Holiday, you're missing something pretty special.

Edited September 3, 2012 by pushbrk

[Ryan H 3,857]

I have read Saylin's horrifying story of being refused entry at Canada-US border. My wife has visited US once on tourist visa and returned home on time. She also has a job and a daughter in China, so maybe she will have better luck than Saylin had.

The first time Saylin was refused entry by CBP, that refusal was proper (she had told the officer she was planning to stay permanently but didn't have the proper visa at that time). It would appear the circumstances surrounding that first refusal got her flagged by CBP and hence the subsequent entry refusals. It's worth noting that Saylin learned about all the necessary requirements after that first refusal of entry and continues to pay forward what she learned.

On the other hand, if you haven't been to China for Spring Holiday, you're missing something pretty special.

Agree!