travel while awaiting visa

[Nancy63 0]

Can you travel to the States while awaiting K3 Spouse visa?

[fantonledzepp 159]

Sure you can, just be prepared to show a lot of strong ties back in your home country.

Edited June 1, 2013 by fantonledzepp

[canadian_wife 1,791]

Yes, but entrance and duration of stay is never a guarantee.

Does the beneficiary have a tourist visa or is from a VWP member country?

good luck

[Edemardil 0]

Forums are not always the best places for answers. My wife is from Iceland, a VWP country, and we are awaiting the now, sequester based, long i130 process (they are REALLY backed up right now). I was told that if she entered the country they would put her back on the plane. No if's and's or but's about it. They can even suspend your petitions or visas for Visa Fraud. I have no clue where the other guys got their information but mine is directly from USCIS.

[lost_at_sea 995]

Forums are not always the best places for answers. My wife is from Iceland, a VWP country, and we are awaiting the now, sequester based, long i130 process (they are REALLY backed up right now). I was told that if she entered the country they would put her back on the plane. No if's and's or but's about it. They can even suspend your petitions or visas for Visa Fraud. I have no clue where the other guys got their information but mine is directly from USCIS.

You should read the 100s of posts from folks who do exactly what USCIS apparently told you you could not do. I myself have travelled to the USA during pending petitions on VWP.

[Edemardil 0]

You should read the 100s of posts from folks who do exactly what USCIS apparently told you you could not do. I myself have travelled to the USA during pending petitions on VWP.

Well then enlighten us on how you did it? Did you just lie when they asked at the TSA checkpoint if you had a petition being processed in your name? Did you have a return ticket?

[lost_at_sea 995]

Well then enlighten us on how you did it? Did you just lie when they asked at the TSA checkpoint if you had a petition being processed in your name? Did you have a return ticket?

lol. Nope, no lying involved. Had a return ticket, travelled VWP and said exactly who I was visiting. A petition pending is actually GOOD evidence that you're not intending to immigrate illegally. No further questions asked.

I believe you have either been misinformed by someone who didn't know what they were talking about, or the USCIS agent you spoke to failed to understand what you were asking and gave you the wrong information.

Have a read of this thread with people logging their experiences of visting with pending petitions: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/67796-yes-you-can-visit/

Edited June 24, 2013 by lost_at_sea

[NikLR 13,220]

I travelled to see my husband 3 times. Each time I specifically said I was visiting my husband. I had proof of ties to Canada but was never asked to show them. Granted it is up to the individual CBP officer to let you through or not, but many many many people visit all the time.

[Darnell 8,478]

Well then enlighten us on how you did it? Did you just lie when they asked at the TSA checkpoint if you had a petition being processed in your name? Did you have a return ticket?

I never rely on TSA for anything.

CBP? Sure. But TSA? F(Ck no.

[TBoneTX 43,375]

*** Thread moved from K-3 Process forum to General Immigration Discussion -- topic of travel applies to more than one visa type. ***

[syvpeppy 1]

I am inquiring about the same question - travel from Canada to USA to visit my husband.

USCIS advised me to call US Customs for a more accurate answer.

US Customs said:

- I can visit the USA for up to six months at a time, any time; however,

- Expect to be scrutinized more at border crossings, and

- Provide proof of permanent residency maintained in Canada, and

- Provide proof of employment (still ongoing in Canada)

Also, even though you are allowed under the above conditions, it is still up to the "whim" of the border guard/agent whether he/she allows you to enter the USA.

Edited July 1, 2013 by syvpeppy

[Mrsrwhite 5]

I traveled to the US three times (once before my NOA1 and 2 times after) and on all occasions was asked and I told immigration officer the purpose was to visit my husband. One each occasion I made sure to have have proofs of returning home but was never asked for anything. I was however asked why i did not live with my husband, so i informed them that we were currently going through the petition process. No hassle!

[NickD 202]

Guess that depends on whether you are here awaiting forever for you AOS interview, can apply for an I-131 Travel Document for reentry into the US for only $445.00. Use your foreign passport for everything else. This will eventually be replaced by a green card, and a conditional one at that. Then you will find you will be travelling with that and that one year extension notice. And if your ten year card hasn't come in yet, with an I-551 stamp in your foreign passport.

If you are coming here, say on a B1/B2 visa, must show your return ticket and receive an I-94 that limits your stay here, if asked why are you coming, can say to see friends, relatives, or a tourist. If specifically asked if you are coming here to marry a US citizen, that is when if you are better answer, yes. You better be on the plane home before your I-94 expires, If you want to stay longer, can file an I-539, if you overstay your I-94, forget about ever coming here. This form is only $375.00, plus a couple bucks more from the airlines to change your return date. Being facitous on this statement.

Vast majority of illegals here are due to slightly overstayed visas, like 30 or more years on that. Since the feds aren't doing anything about this, states took over, like fining a company $17,000.00 in Wisconsin for hiring what they call a non-documented person. Up to the employer to figure that out. Unless if in Wisconsin, you are Land O' Lakes owning a huge bunch of corporate farms taken over from farmers that could no longer to pay their property taxes. That can have as many of three illegals, that is families to run these farms without getting into any trouble.

Makes you wonder who is running this country. No workers compensation, no health insurance, love a family with a bunch of kids, US citizens anyway to also work in these farms. If you get hurt, your fired.

[Anna Grant 169]

Forums are not always the best places for answers. My wife is from Iceland, a VWP country, and we are awaiting the now, sequester based, long i130 process (they are REALLY backed up right now). I was told that if she entered the country they would put her back on the plane. No if's and's or but's about it. They can even suspend your petitions or visas for Visa Fraud. I have no clue where the other guys got their information but mine is directly from USCIS.

I have traveled 5 times from the UK to the US (also a VWP country) - 3 times before we submitted our K1 petition and twice afterwards. I always answered the questions I was asked truthfully. I have always carried proof of my ties to the UK but have never been asked to sow it. All I have ever been asked to show is my return ticket.

There are 100s of people who have traveled to the US whilst going through their approval - many, many of them have got in with no or little problem. If you are denied entry, it will not affect your petition.