Jesse+Blaise

Hi Everyone, 
 
Somebody passed this thread onto me when I was searching for answers regarding US entrance while waiting for the I-130 to be processed. I thought I would share my experience (along with my circumstances) in the hopes of guiding anyone in a similar situation. 
 
ABOUT ME:
-UK Citizen
-Multiple US entries over the past 7 years. 
-One J1 visa for temporary study (backed out of course and didn't finish VISA time)
-One F1 visa for Masters study (backed out again for multiple reasons and din't finish VISA time)
-Married my US Citizen finance before departing the US after leaving my masters program. 
 
The Entry situation:
-Like most of us, I wanted to visit my Husband while our I-130 was processing. My situation was that I was technically going to be unemployed while in the US (72 day stay) as I was going to be visiting before heading to Nepal for a fixed term volunteering position. So I didn't have a permanent job to offer a letter. Because of all the back and forth with moving, I was living with my parents and so also didn't have a lease. I basically had nothing to show ties to the UK. What I did have was a tentative job offer letter from a charity that didn't confirm my acceptance of the position and a flight itinerary for flights leaving the UK to travel to Kathmandu, Nepal. 
 
I decided that was enough for me to try my luck. I flew to Chicago O'Hare on March 8th and had to wait in the customs line for 1hr 45 mins. It was a long wait. When I got to the desk the CBP officer asked me multiple questions, including:
 
-Where are you travelling to today? (Kansas City)
-How long do you intend to stay (72 days)
-What is the reason for your travel (to visit my husband)
{Pause for typing and system checks}
-Have you ever studied in the US? (Yes, I have had a J-1 and an F-1 visa for studying, both of which I backed out of)
-When did you and your husband get married? (October 23rd 2018)
-What do you do for work? (I'm currently unemployed but am starting a fixed term volunteering position in Nepal on May 29th)
{Paused again -for a long time- to do more typing and check a system)
*Asked me to take the photo
**Asked me to do the four fingers
***Asked me to do the thumb
****Stamped Passport and sent me on my way. 
 
The CBP officer was extremely polite and had a nice tone (which is not something I was expecting). He did ask me more questions than I was expecting but nothing I didn't prepare myself for. 
 
For anyone that is considering entering the US and doesn't have a lot of evidence tying them to their country, I would say that travelling on an ESTA, which is what I did this time around, gives you a good chance of entering. If you feel as though you do want evidence of intent to stay for a temporary visit, I would say that proof of future plans (flights, vacations, appointments) might be enough to sway a CBP officer if you catch someone who is having a bad day. I had print outs of everything ready to go in case this happened, but didn't need to present any of it. Good luck to anyone who is thinking of entering.  it's not as scary as it may seem  
 
DISCLOSURE: This is an account of my situation, which I am posting for people who may have a similar situation revolving around reduced ties to their country. No information here is in any way 100% proof that you will gain entrance. 
 
 
 
 
 

Hi Everyone, 
 
Somebody passed this thread onto me when I was searching for answers regarding US entrance while waiting for the I-130 to be processed. I thought I would share my experience (along with my circumstances) in the hopes of guiding anyone in a similar situation. 
 
ABOUT ME:
-UK Citizen
-Multiple US entries over the past 7 years. 
-One J1 visa for temporary study (backed out of course and didn't finish VISA time)
-One F1 visa for Masters study (backed out again for multiple reasons and din't finish VISA time)
-Married my US Citizen finance before departing the US after leaving my masters program. 
 
The Entry situation:
-Like most of us, I wanted to visit my Husband while our I-130 was processing. My situation was that I was technically going to be unemployed while in the US (72 day stay) as I was going to be visiting before heading to Nepal for a fixed term volunteering position. So I didn't have a permanent job to offer a letter. Because of all the back and forth with moving, I was living with my parents and so also didn't have a lease. I basically had nothing to show ties to the UK. What I did have was a tentative job offer letter from a charity that didn't confirm my acceptance of the position and a flight itinerary for flights leaving the UK to travel to Kathmandu, Nepal. 
 
I decided that was enough for me to try my luck. I flew to Chicago O'Hare on March 8th and had to wait in the customs line for 1hr 45 mins. It was a long wait. When I got to the desk the CBP officer asked me multiple questions, including:
 
-Where are you travelling to today? (Kansas City)
-How long do you intend to stay (72 days)
-What is the reason for your travel (to visit my husband)
{Pause for typing and system checks}
-Have you ever studied in the US? (Yes, I have had a J-1 and an F-1 visa for studying, both of which I backed out of)
-When did you and your husband get married? (October 23rd 2018)
-What do you do for work? (I'm currently unemployed but am starting a fixed term volunteering position in Nepal on May 29th)
{Paused again -for a long time- to do more typing and check a system)
*Asked me to take the photo
**Asked me to do the four fingers
***Asked me to do the thumb
****Stamped Passport and sent me on my way. 
 
The CBP officer was extremely polite and had a nice tone (which is not something I was expecting). He did ask me more questions than I was expecting but nothing I didn't prepare myself for. 
 
For anyone that is considering entering the US and doesn't have a lot of evidence tying them to their country, I would say that travelling on an ESTA, which is what I did this time around, gives you a good chance of entering. If you feel as though you do want evidence of intent to stay for a temporary visit, I would say that proof of future plans (flights, vacations, appointments) might be enough to sway a CBP officer if you catch someone who is having a bad day. I had print outs of everything ready to go in case this happened, but didn't need to present any of it. Good luck to anyone who is thinking of entering.  it's not as scary as it may seem  
 
DISCLOSURE: This is an account of my situation, which I am posting for people who may have a similar situation revolving around reduced ties to their country. No information here is in any way 100% proof that you will gain entrance. 
 
 
 
 
 

Hi Everyone, 
 
Somebody passed this thread onto me when I was searching for answers regarding US entrance while waiting for the I-130 to be processed. I thought I would share my experience (along with my circumstances) in the hopes of guiding anyone in a similar situation. 
 
ABOUT ME:
-UK Citizen
-Multiple US entries over the past 7 years. 
-One J1 visa for temporary study (backed out of course and didn't finish VISA time)
-One F1 visa for Masters study (backed out again for multiple reasons and din't finish VISA time)
-Married my US Citizen finance before departing the US after leaving my masters program. 
 
The Entry situation:
-Like most of us, I wanted to visit my Husband while our I-130 was processing. My situation was that I was technically going to be unemployed while in the US (72 day stay) as I was going to be visiting before heading to Nepal for a fixed term volunteering position. So I didn't have a permanent job to offer a letter. Because of all the back and forth with moving, I was living with my parents and so also didn't have a lease. I basically had nothing to show ties to the UK. What I did have was a tentative job offer letter from a charity that didn't confirm my acceptance of the position and a flight itinerary for flights leaving the UK to travel to Kathmandu, Nepal. 
 
I decided that was enough for me to try my luck. I flew to Chicago O'Hare on March 8th and had to wait in the customs line for 1hr 45 mins. It was a long wait. When I got to the desk the CBP officer asked me multiple questions, including:
 
-Where are you travelling to today? (Kansas City)
-How long do you intend to stay (72 days)
-What is the reason for your travel (to visit my husband)
{Pause for typing and system checks}
-Have you ever studied in the US? (Yes, I have had a J-1 and an F-1 visa for studying, both of which I backed out of)
-When did you and your husband get married? (October 23rd 2018)
-What do you do for work? (I'm currently unemployed but am starting a fixed term volunteering position in Nepal on May 29th)
{Paused again -for a long time- to do more typing and check a system)
*Asked me to take the photo
**Asked me to do the four fingers
***Asked me to do the thumb
****Stamped Passport and sent me on my way. 
 
The CBP officer was extremely polite and had a nice tone (which is not something I was expecting). He did ask me more questions than I was expecting but nothing I didn't prepare myself for. 
 
For anyone that is considering entering the US and doesn't have a lot of evidence tying them to their country, I would say that travelling on an ESTA, which is what I did this time around, gives you a good chance of entering. If you feel as though you do want evidence of intent to stay for a temporary visit, I would say that proof of future plans (flights, vacations, appointments) might be enough to sway a CBP officer if you catch someone who is having a bad day. I had print outs of everything ready to go in case this happened, but didn't need to present any of it. Good luck to anyone who is thinking of entering.  it's not as scary as it may seem  
 
DISCLOSURE: This is an account of my situation, which I am posting for people who may have a similar situation revolving around reduced ties to their country. No information here is in any way 100% proof that you will gain entrance. 
 
 
 
 
 

You're most welcome. Praying that the timeline stays the same if not shorter. Il keep this thread posted if there are any developments. 

Hi Everyone!
 
I-130 sent December 7th, NOA1 received December 13th
 
UK citizen...Nebraska Service Center.