Can't do tourist visa if I file for I-130?

[tomrith 0]

Hello - I am newly wed and am ready to send the I-130 for my wife.

Since the process takes a few months, can I get her here on a tourist visa? Not to stay here permanently but to lessen the months of separation?

Thanks

[Transborderwife 4,666]

It depends on a lot of factors. The main ones are where she's from and her ties to her home country.

[tasakchy 9]

You can file an I-129F and have your wife arrive on a K-3 visa as a non-immigrant. Then, once her I-130 is approved, she can adjust status in the US.

[canadian_wife 1,791]

What country is she from? How old is she (yes it matters) and what ties does she have to her home country? A good job? A solid bank account? A lease/mortgage?

good luck

[mamoye 0]

_{it depends totally on the consular officer .i was in the same position.my wife provided all that they needed to show ties to home country but they denied her the visa anyways so I had to take some time off from work and spend some time with her instead .today we are on the last step of the process}

_{you could try it wont hurt your i130 application but then again I heard horror stories .spouses being refused entry at the airport .that was one thing that made me not try again that route .I've been back twice to visit my wife just to alleviate the pain of being away from her and spent some good quality time .}

_{I suggest you go visit her while you case is pending instead of taking a chance with a tourist visa,and just be patient and wait for your i130 to be approved}

[newacct 688]

You can file an I-129F and have your wife arrive on a K-3 visa as a non-immigrant. Then, once her I-130 is approved, she can adjust status in the US.

K-3 is obsolete. It's effectively impossible to get a K-3, and even if she gets it, it's worse than coming on the immigrant visa.

[NikLR 13,220]

You can file an I-129F and have your wife arrive on a K-3 visa as a non-immigrant. Then, once her I-130 is approved, she can adjust status in the US.

K3 is virtually obsolete with less than 1% being granted.

[MandM's 0]

Hello - I am newly wed and am ready to send the I-130 for my wife.

Since the process takes a few months, can I get her here on a tourist visa? Not to stay here permanently but to lessen the months of separation?

Thanks

Hey, I hade the same problem. I had steady job in my country but 6+ months without seeing my husband was way to much. So 5 months after filing I went for a short visit. I had no problems on the border, mainly because I've never overstayed and I'm employed in an international company on a permanent contract. But it was risky - I was kind of prepared I might be going back home in the next fligh back.

It is for sure worth trying, but as everyone else is writing: it depends if she has some established ties in her home country and for how long she is planning to come to US.

good luck!

[Ryan H 3,790]

Moved from IR-1/CR-1 Process & Procedures to Tourist Visas forum.

[Boiler 43,436]

You can certainly try.

Edited July 24, 2015 by Boiler