Can my spouse visit US while waiting for interview?

[chris413 20]

We are currently waiting for NVC to process my wife’s visa and schedule an interview in the Philippines. In the meantime I must return to the US for work and I am wondering if there would be any problem with my wife going with me and our daughter using her tourist visa.

The plan was for her to visit for a few months being we do not know when the embassy will reopen and return to the Philippines for her interview.

Would this cause any problems or are there chances she would be denied entry to the US?

 

[Just Paul 4,591]

14 minutes ago, chris413 said:

I am wondering if there would be any problem with my wife going with me and our daughter using her tourist visa.

No problem having an existing VISA.

15 minutes ago, chris413 said:

are there chances she would be denied entry to the US?

The chance always exists.  The regular rules of tourist visa apply - needs to show ties back to the Philippines / she isn't coming here to adjust.

[chris413 20]

7 minutes ago, Paul & Mary said:

No problem having an existing VISA.

The chance always exists.  The regular rules of tourist visa apply - needs to show ties back to the Philippines / she isn't coming here to adjust.

Need to show ties back to the Philippines at the time of arrival? Don’t you usually do this when applying for the VISA?

Is a return flight enough to show upon arrival?

[Just Paul 4,591]

5 minutes ago, chris413 said:

Need to show ties back to the Philippines at the time of arrival? Don’t you usually do this when applying for the VISA?

Intent is determined at the POE. Spouses visit all the time.  She needs to explain that she is visiting and will return to the Philippines for her job /etc.

[Greenbaum 12,258]

6 hours ago, chris413 said:

We are currently waiting for NVC to process my wife’s visa and schedule an interview in the Philippines. In the meantime I must return to the US for work and I am wondering if there would be any problem with my wife going with me and our daughter using her tourist visa.

The plan was for her to visit for a few months being we do not know when the embassy will reopen and return to the Philippines for her interview.

Would this cause any problems or are there chances she would be denied entry to the US?

 

Our experience is that it is hard for a Filipino to get a visitor's visa as many cannot show the number one reason for returning to the IO and that is strong ties to her homeland which will show a strong cause for the individual to return to the Philippines. Strong ties are family, land ownership, a business, or a professional job. It's been our experience that all these items are taken into consideration and not just one will suffice a visitor visa. 

 

Also, there is a sub-forum for the Philippines here on VJ that you should be a part of. It's a good place to read what others are experiencing which will only prepare you for your interview and answer questions such as this one. @Hank_ is the resident expert and can detail additional information on your question.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/forum/129-philippines/

[chris413 20]

5 hours ago, Greenbaum said:

Our experience is that it is hard for a Filipino to get a visitor's visa as many cannot show the number one reason for returning to the IO and that is strong ties to her homeland which will show a strong cause for the individual to return to the Philippines. Strong ties are family, land ownership, a business, or a professional job. It's been our experience that all these items are taken into consideration and not just one will suffice a visitor visa. 

 

Also, there is a sub-forum for the Philippines here on VJ that you should be a part of. It's a good place to read what others are experiencing which will only prepare you for your interview and answer questions such as this one. @Hank_ is the resident expert and can detail additional information on your question.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/forum/129-philippines/

Thank you for sharing. I do want to clarify my wife already has a visitors visa and has been to the US many times. We just do not know how they will handle her entering while the spousal visa is processing... and now we are not sure if they will even allow her to leave the Philippines with the COVID situation.

I will look for more info in the Philippines forum

[Greenbaum 12,258]

7 minutes ago, chris413 said:

Thank you for sharing. I do want to clarify my wife already has a visitors visa and has been to the US many times. We just do not know how they will handle her entering while the spousal visa is processing... and now we are not sure if they will even allow her to leave the Philippines with the COVID situation.

I will look for more info in the Philippines forum

Our experience here in VJ is that K-1 who travels on an ESTA visas enters unabated and I have seen nothing that would be different for your wife on a CR-1. Good luck and stay engaged. 

[millefleur 5,037]

**Moved from IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures to PHIL forum; OP may get quicker answers there**

[flicks1998 1,044]

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Edited June 20, 2020 by flicks1998

[BlinkerFluid 7]

She will probably have much more difficulty leaving PH like you said, then entering the USA, unless you are living in Manila and leaving from NAIA flying non stop to USA. Travel restrictions between LGU's are crazy restrictive, confusing, and change by the day. Typical clearances will require chest X-ray, medical exam, and medical clearance from the barangay just to leave (Joint Task Force Covid Shield - travel authority document). But other LGU's may require more where she is entering. I don't know the requirement for entering the NCR Manila, or if there is a quarantine requirement as well. And now Cebu went back to ECQ form GCQ so flying out of Cebu is yuk. Hope she finds her way to you with her existing visa. 

 

we are all waiting...😔

[chris413 20]

44 minutes ago, MM&HM said:

She will probably have much more difficulty leaving PH like you said, then entering the USA, unless you are living in Manila and leaving from NAIA flying non stop to USA. Travel restrictions between LGU's are crazy restrictive, confusing, and change by the day. Typical clearances will require chest X-ray, medical exam, and medical clearance from the barangay just to leave (Joint Task Force Covid Shield - travel authority document). But other LGU's may require more where she is entering. I don't know the requirement for entering the NCR Manila, or if there is a quarantine requirement as well. And now Cebu went back to ECQ form GCQ so flying out of Cebu is yuk. Hope she finds her way to you with her existing visa. 

 

we are all waiting...😔

We're in Manila so hopefully that makes things easier. Not sure we will be able to find a non stop flight with the limited departures but maybe that will change by August.

Thanks for the input

[flicks1998 1,044]

3 hours ago, chris413 said:

We're in Manila so hopefully that makes things easier. Not sure we will be able to find a non stop flight with the limited departures but maybe that will change by August.

Thanks for the input

I am managing all of our business travelers worldwide.  I highly suggest you do the direct Manila to LA flight on PAL.  Maybe there is an SFO option as well or Seattle.  You would need to check.  Even if you hate PAL (which I do) and even if California is not an easy location for you compared to your final destination, DO NOT connect at this time in another country.  I cannot stress that enough in todays travel environment.  I could list 10 reasons on why not to transit.  

[Hank_ 9,173]

On 6/20/2020 at 2:43 PM, chris413 said:

Thank you for sharing. I do want to clarify my wife already has a visitors visa and has been to the US many times. We just do not know how they will handle her entering while the spousal visa is processing... and now we are not sure if they will even allow her to leave the Philippines with the COVID situation.

I will look for more info in the Philippines forum

Being your wife has a tourist currently that remove one hurdle  Entry into the USA is always at the discretion of the CBP agent, being she has traveled many times it probably won't be an issue.   

Were you processing the IR/CR-1 during the previous visits?

 

 

[chris413 20]

57 minutes ago, Hank_ said:

Being your wife has a tourist currently that remove one hurdle  Entry into the USA is always at the discretion of the CBP agent, being she has traveled many times it probably won't be an issue.   

Were you processing the IR/CR-1 during the previous visits?

 

 

We were not. This is our first time visiting during the process

[chris413 20]

1 hour ago, flicks1998 said:

I am managing all of our business travelers worldwide.  I highly suggest you do the direct Manila to LA flight on PAL.  Maybe there is an SFO option as well or Seattle.  You would need to check.  Even if you hate PAL (which I do) and even if California is not an easy location for you compared to your final destination, DO NOT connect at this time in another country.  I cannot stress that enough in todays travel environment.  I could list 10 reasons on why not to transit.  

hmm good idea. I think PAL flys direct to NY which would be closest for me

care to share the top reasons not to layover in another country even if its not banned?