To travel or not to travel?That is the question.

[lynndy38 64]

OK final attempt at getting a clear answer.

I'm married to a US citizen we are currently going through the CR1 process,filed yesterday(only been married 3 weeks)so we're waiting on the NOA1 to come through after which our plan was to have me visit the US for 8 weeks(am not currently working)

I know youve just seen two huge red flags!!!!

8 weeks is a long time,and the lack of evidence for my ties to the US........I will have my rental property contract,plus a contract with my local housing office stating the date I am coming over to the US and the date they want me back,plus my 13 year old son expects me back in time for christmas!!!!

When my husband returned after our wedding he flew into NC via Philidelphia airport and asked the POE officers what he thought my chancers were being granted entry,the officer said he couldnt see any problem so now my hubby is convinced I'll be fine....I however am not. Ive read so many horror stories re trying to visit a spouse during visa process,noone seems to have a definate answer.I feel sick thinking about being faced with an angry officer and interrogation. Eric cannot visit me due to his work commitments(he is a chiropractor with his own clinic.) but we would love to spend some time together seeing as we only had 3 days after we married before he had to return to the States. I have never overstayed when Ive visited, I come,spend money as a tourist and leave......and will continue to do so until I am legally able to stay.

I am aware it is a privilage to visit Eric during this process,could I have your opinion?

Edited August 15, 2012 by lynndy38

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Travel! Most people have no problems. Here is a thread from the K-1 forum (slightly different situation, but mostly similar) full of people and their successful experiences traveling. http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/67796-yes-you-can-visit/

I think you have been reading the wrong threads, because it is rarely an issue. It is a common trap for a new person to read horror stories and not understand how the situation differs from their own. Also, keep in mind that people in those horror stories rarely tell the whole story. I hope that thread with positive information helps you calm down

Edited August 15, 2012 by Harpa Timsah

[dwheels76 5,459]

I see no issue you are from UK you have been through before. Having a son to come back home to is a great plus so bring the things u say and all should be well. You know America loves UK folk.

**And stop reading those horror stories. Gives you nightmares u know.

[Harsh_77 716]

Its your personal call to travel or not to.

Technically there is nothing wrong, it is not going to impact your existing application in any ways.

The only thing is you have to be prepared if you are not granted entry.

Also the fear you have about facing an angry immigration officer is not true… some can have an attitude but overall not all of them are bad.

You can give a shot and see how it goes.

Edited August 15, 2012 by Harsh_77

[Caribbean Pirate 9]

My husband and I visited the US several times during the process, even during NVC. We had all of our documents ready to prove ties to home but were never asked for anything. Go for it!

[lynndy38 64]

When I saw I had replies I was scared to look!!!!

Thankyou so much guys!!!!

My husband keeps telling me to stop reading horror stories on here,as for not expecting angry POE officers Im afraid I've experienced just one that was awful enough to me twice to put me off ALL of them.

The officer works at Raleigh,Durham International North Carolina, where hubby lives but Im avoiding him and going through PHL even though this will mean two take offs, Im terrified of flying,my doctor has to give me meds to help me stay relaxed enough to get on the plane thats how much I want to try and see my husband!!!!!!

[cathy2904 97]

I think you will be ok. I had an issue at Atlanta the last time I visited before we were married. I was taken into secondary processing and questioned but my return ticket seemed to convince the officer and he let me in, although with a warning that I would not be allowed in again on the VWP.

One way to be certain without having to do a transatlantic crossing would be to take a flight via Ireland. You can do POE at Irish airports.

Edited August 15, 2012 by cathy2904

[pushbrk 12,093]

When I saw I had replies I was scared to look!!!!

Thankyou so much guys!!!!

My husband keeps telling me to stop reading horror stories on here,as for not expecting angry POE officers Im afraid I've experienced just one that was awful enough to me twice to put me off ALL of them.

The officer works at Raleigh,Durham International North Carolina, where hubby lives but Im avoiding him and going through PHL even though this will mean two take offs, Im terrified of flying,my doctor has to give me meds to help me stay relaxed enough to get on the plane thats how much I want to try and see my husband!!!!!!

If you have a history of travel to the US with no problems, that makes a difference compared to coming for your first visit.

[Harsh_77 716]

When I saw I had replies I was scared to look!!!!

Thankyou so much guys!!!!

My husband keeps telling me to stop reading horror stories on here,as for not expecting angry POE officers Im afraid I've experienced just one that was awful enough to me twice to put me off ALL of them.

The officer works at Raleigh,Durham International North Carolina, where hubby lives but Im avoiding him and going through PHL even though this will mean two take offs, Im terrified of flying,my doctor has to give me meds to help me stay relaxed enough to get on the plane thats how much I want to try and see my husband!!!!!!

Peronally I would not even do that.... I would directly fly into Raleigh.

What are the odds of getting the same officer.... personally I have never encountered the same officer ever.

[Jasontnyc 9]

I think you will be ok. I had an issue at Atlanta the last time I visited before we were married. I was taken into secondary processing and questioned but my return ticket seemed to convince the officer and he let me in, although with a warning that I would not be allowed in again on the VWP.

One way to be certain without having to do a transatlantic crossing would be to take a flight via Ireland. You can do POE at Irish airports.

Good advice but not all flights do POE from Ireland anymore. Half of the Boston flights do and half in the US for instance. Aer Lingus can tell you by flight number though.

[pushbrk 12,093]

Peronally I would not even do that.... I would directly fly into Raleigh.

What are the odds of getting the same officer.... personally I have never encountered the same officer ever.

Chances vary based on the traffic through the airport. Raleigh doesn't get a lot of international arrivals, so not a lot of officers.

[lynndy38 64]

Ive had the same guy twice, thw two other times I had different officers and no problem

The last time this particular officer saw me he said in a raised voice, " I remember you!What are you doing coming back?I can send you back tonight!" He's sent me to secondary twice and each time his supervisor(also always the same guy) told me he was never going to refuse me entry and didn't even question me! Its like he enjoys watching me turn into an emotional wreck!!!

So Im now scared to death of RDU.

Thankyou all so much for the input and support.

[Ivy. 113]

Hi lynndy38!

I am in a.. sort of, similar situation. I married a US citizen and I plan to visit him in the US. The difference is, we didn't even file for IR-1/CR-1 yet since I do not plan to move to the US before I graduate.

I have been in and out of the US 3 times already and I am flying again tomorrow.

I am hoping there will be no problems at POE. If you want, I will come back here to tell you how it went and what they asked me!

Good luck and I hope your visa process is a speedy one!

[lynndy38 64]

Hi Ivy,

How wonderful you're getting to see your other half tomorrow!!!!

I am sooooooooooo jealous!!

I would appreciate it very much if you'd share your POE experience with me. Have a safe journey and a wonderful time in the US!!!

[JP and Tee 13]

hi lynndy38,

you're going for 8 weeks, im planning to visit for 5+ months! So a lil worried about the trip :s

I have a tourist visa (valid for 6 months per stay). I live with my parents, a freelancer who works from home and don't own property, so am a little worried that the CBP would think I dont have enough ties to home country.

So im going to

- bring our NOA

- mention that we are hvg the interview in Malaysia so I'd have to go back,

- tell them that I've never overstayed during my previous visits to the US (8+ times in the last 4 years).

- show them my return ticket to Malaysia with date before the 6 months is up.

Hopefully that'll be enough and they'd let me in!

Good luck, do share your experience when you go through! I've always gone through ORD, the officers are nice, not so scary. The only 'difficult' CBP officer was in San Fran, because i visited in dec then again in march, so probably the proximity of the two visits. He asked me who i was visiting (my bf at the time) and how much money i had, how come I visited so often (i said im a school teacher so we get a lot of breaks hehe) but in the end he let me in, phew!

I always print my flight itin, I find that it helps. Once I didnt, but I had it in my phone so I just showed that to the CBP and she let me through.