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millionlights

Travel to the US and return while waiting for immigrant visa?

By millionlights in IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures

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millionlights Rookie

millionlights   0

Posted
Filed: Timeline
Posted

I know there are already a lot of topics on this and I've read many threads but the details are different in each situation and I couldn't find one that matched mine.

I am a Canadian citizen who married my husband, a US citizen. We have applied for an IV via the I-130 petition since we were already married. We are now on the last steps -- I have to go through a medical exam and then do my interview at the Embassy in Montreal which I already have a date for. My question is-- am I allowed to legally visit my husband, AND COME BACK HOME before my interview? There was a note in the embassy specific guidelines that said not to make travel plans outside of Canada. Is this just because they hold my passport at the embassy to put an IV sticker on it and mail it back to my home address? Or will visiting him actually affect my chances of getting my visa approved at the consulate? My visit will only last two weeks.

Any help/advice appreciated!!

Lakehouse Rising Star

Lakehouse   293

Posted
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Canada
 Timeline
Posted

I would believe that the reference to not making travel plans is regarding the post interview time frame only, and not to make your plans to immigrate until the approval is final.

Visiting the US during immigration is possible, and since you've read the threads, I don't need to repeat the importance of having some strong documents for ties to Canada.

On my recent trip to see my US husband, I had the paperwork for ties to Canada, and was surprised to find the Border officer ask me if I had any of the Immigration paperwork/ proof with me.... I laughed and said it never occurred to me, and that all the forums talk about ties to Canada. I had no trouble getting through to the US, but just a tip that they could request proof that the immigration process is underway also.

Enjoy your visit!

"If you are not willing to learn, no one can help you. If you are determined to learn, no one can stop you."

"Life is not what it's supposed to be. It's what it is. The way you cope with it is what makes the difference."

Beneficiary - Applying for CR1/IR1 (but also played the K3 card prior to understanding it may be phased out.)

2013: July 20: I-130 sent (Chicago lockbox)

July 24: I-130 NOA1

July 24: I-129F sent (Dallas Lockbox)

Aug 2: I-129F NOA1

Aug 12: Alien Registration Number was changed, I-129F.

2014: Jan 28/29/30: - 3 transfer notices for I-130 and I-129F.

Feb 3 - Hard copy arrived -Notice of transfer to Texas stating Jan 29th.

Feb 10 - NOA2

Feb 27 - email stating I-130 being sent to NVC from TSC.

March 6 -NVC received our case.

April 7 - CASE NUMBER yay! IIN and BIN obtained and email given.

April 9 - DS261 available and filled in online.

April 9 - AOS not yet payable but visible.

April 10 - email regarding NVC case number and access to DS261 received/ email regarding AOS received and paid.

April 11 - AOS sent by snail mail.

April 14 - AOS arrived per mail tracking.

April 15 - IV bill received via email, IV bill paid/ in process, IV package sent.

April 18 - IV bill showing paid/ DS-260 available and done!

- AOS scanned into their system.

April 21 - IV package arrived per mail tracking.

April 24 - IV scanned into their system.

May 2 - False checklist for IV documents= AOS approval.

May 13 - NVC rep reported ? missing Police certificate via my phone call.

- Supervisor review initiated.

May 14 - Checklist for Police certificate came via email.

- Sent checklisted documentation priority post!

May 15 - Package delivered per mail tracking.

May 19 - Case COMPLETE!! Police certificate found by NVC:)

May 28 - Case complete email arrived.

May 30 - Assigned Interview date!

June 2 - Interview letter arrived via email.

June 11- Medical appointment Surrey, BC

July 8 - Interview in Montreal!! APPROVED!!!!!!!! July 10 - Visa package and passport in hand!! July 23 - POE!!

Ms Hogan Proficient

Ms Hogan   296

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Canada
 Timeline
Posted

I went back and forth many times throughout our process. :)

USCIS - 40 DAYS
2012-10-30: FedEx delivered I-130 to Chicago Lockbox Mail Room
2012-11-01: NOA1 by email - MSC
2012-11-02: $420 (x3) debited from our account
2012-11-05: NOA1 hard copies received, Priority Date 2012-10-30
2012-12-11: NOA2

NVC - 26 DAYS
2013-01-02: Rec'd case#, IIN, BIN & OPTIN emails for EP sent
2013-01-03: Submitted DS-261 (x3)
2013-01-07: AOS bills invoiced and paid & OPTIN for EP accepted for each of us
2013-01-08: AOS bills appear as paid & AOS packages sent by email
2013-01-08: IV bill invoiced & paid (kids' only)
2013-01-09: IV bill appears as paid (kids' only)
2013-01-09: IV Package emailed & DS-260 submitted online (kids only)
2013-01-11: AOS received -notified by email
2013-01-11: IV bill invoiced & paid (for me)
2013-01-14: IV bill appears as paid (for me)
2013-01-14: IV Supporting Docs received for kids - notified by email
2013-01-14: IV Package emailed & DS-260 submitted online (me only)
2013-01-18: IV Supporting Docs received for me - notified by email
2013-01-18: Son#1 CASE COMPLETE - Son#2 checklist - saying $ on I-864 don't match tax return (but they do)-resubmitted
2013-01-23: AOS 2nd submission for Son #2 received - notified by email
2013-01-25: My CASE COMPLETE
2013-01-28: ALL 3 OF OUR CASES ARE NOW COMPLETE
2013-02-06: Packet 4 Received by email

MEDICAL ~ CONSULATE ~ POE REMOVAL OF CONDITIONS - 160 DAYS NATURALIZATION
2013-02-13: Medicals 2014-12-17: Delivered to California Lockbox 2015-12-15: Delivered to Phoenix Lockbox
2013-03-06: Interview 2014-12-19: 1 I-751 + 3 Biometrics Fees debited from our account 2015-12-16: Fees charged to Credit Card
2013-03-08: Visas in-hand 2014-12-22: Received NOA1 by mail. Receipt Date: 2014-12-17 2015-12-17: NOA
2013-03-12: Paid USCIS Immigrant Fee 2014-12-24: Received Biometrics Appointment Letter 2016-01-02: Biometrics Letter 2016-01-11: Biometrics
2013-03-14: POE 2015-01-06: Biometrics 2016-02-15: In Line for Interview 2016-02-19: Letter
2013-03-25: SSNs arrived 2015-05-27: Approved 2016-03-22: Interview
2013-04-01: Green Cards arrived 2015-06-03: New Green Cards arrived 2016-04-15: Oath Ceremony

millionlights Rookie

millionlights   0

Posted
Filed: Timeline
  • Author
Posted

Thanks so much for your input!! I'll make sure to bring my immigration documents with me!!

On my recent trip to see my US husband, I had the paperwork for ties to Canada, and was surprised to find the Border officer ask me if I had any of the Immigration paperwork/ proof with me.... I laughed and said it never occurred to me, and that all the forums talk about ties to Canada. I had no trouble getting through to the US, but just a tip that they could request proof that the immigration process is underway also.

Enjoy your visit!

 
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