Ollie7

Correct, traveled to the US by providing:
 
ESTA Marriage certificate Spouse passport copy  
 

I brougt everything, but in Rome check-in  they looked only at US passport copy and marriage certificate, after took my luggages (the big one, but also the hand luggage - remind it!). JFK airport was empty, maybe 50 people in the plane, same security and temperature controls. 

I made It! Now boarding in a few minutes. 

If you have a valid B1/B2 you do not need be ESTA 

Thank you! Sure I will inform you. About B1/B2 Visa, I asked for 2 years ago, since my husband moved to NY I started to travel very often, it's the best solution if you are not resident yet.  

I'm in the same situation, and leaving tomorrow  from Rome to NY(I hope!). In fact my husband called CPB at NY JFK airport yesterday, and they told him the same, to bring his passport copy and our marriage certificate, and to go very early. As they suggested him,  I should ask to contact the local RCLG, if some problems. About Esta, do you think it's necessary? Because  I already have a B1/B2 Visa. 

Hello all,
 
Im from the UK, currently here in the UK and my wife is in the US. We have a CR1 application in progress and haven't seen each other since January, I'm sure many others have been in similar situations and know how tough this can be. Does anyone know if its possible or even have experience with applying for an ESTA and then visiting the US at this time? And if so if you have any advice or tips that would be fantastic and greatly appreciated. I have no intention of overstaying, I just simply want to see my wife for a few weeks then come back home to complete the rest of the application. I did have the idea of flying via Dublin as they have pre-clearance and I figured it would be best to find out I can't enter whilst at Dublin airport rather than when reaching the airport in the US. Also not sure if it makes any difference but this would be my first trip to the US (we met, lived together and married in a 3rd country neither the UK or US).
 
Thank you very much! any experience or advice is appreciated.
Ollie

You have to re-apply for an ESTA.
 
Once approved, you can book your flights, ensuring you get to the airport very early with supporting documents:
 
1) Marriage License
2) Copy of your spouse's passport
 
Someone will check them at the airport and allow you to proceed to the gate.
 
That's what worked for me.
 
Cheers.

My wife is an ESTA holder and we both live abroad.  Both traveled in and out of US after submitting 130 last September once so far with no issues, pre corona.
 
Goodluck!

I visited several times from the UK whilst the I-130 was being adjudicated but that was 4 years ago before Coronavirus had even been heard of. 
 
Your ties are not very strong. A return ticket is a legal requirement of the VWP so that counts for nothing. Every single person who entered on the VWP and overstayed had a return ticket as without a return ticket they would not have been able to board the plane in the first place. 
 
Working remotely - you already know that you can’t do that while you are visiting, I assume. 
 
All you do is buy a ticket and take your chances. No entry is ever guaranteed to VWP or B-2 people. An approved ESTA of visit visa does not guarantee admission. 

I am in the same position as you... I have got a letter signed by my boss and my landlady starting I am expected back at work on X date and that I am still an active tenant with a deposit a X address, alongside a return ticket. Hopefully will be OK. 
 
Re coronavirus - yes, it does say spouses are exempt. I hope they don’t expect spouses to already have green cards though as we would be vetoed. I’ve tried phoning my airline but they were so bombarded I couldn’t get though. Will phone the embassy tomorrow and report back on any info I get. It’s a case of proving that we are actually married to US citizens and confirmed we are allowed to travel. My flight is booked for March 28th and seems to still be running. For now..

My husband visited for a month a while back on VWP. He was pulled into secondary questioning for a while, probably as he wasn’t working in his country at the time, but ultimately he was let in after he mentioned we are going through the visa process to the second officer (first officer didn’t give him a chance to say anything after he said no about work!). But in the end of it all they let him through and stamped his passport. Coming from the UK I don’t think you should have too much trouble so long as you are honest though of course anything can happen

Hi, I Recently travelled to the us from the uk (8th feb-23rd feb) on an ESTA. We had just received an RFE so I was worried I might have a problem entering, but I had no problem whatsoever, wasn’t even questioned about it. I think as long as you have a return flight you will be fine. 

hope this helps 

You can visit. Traveling on ESTA is recommended. Denial is always a possibility. No harm on pending i130 if denied ESTA/entry.

Sounds like a very sensible plan. The separation is hard but almost all of us have been through a period of time apart and we have all lived to tell the tale. I always think if military spouses can cope with the separation and the not knowing whether the spouse will return alive or in a casket then we can get through it too. 

I'm not sure why you seem so pessimistic about this, though maybe that wasn't your intent?
 
I've read up on my consulate and they are pretty lax about the proof for domicile. However, I already have plenty of evidence (voting records, drivers license, bank accounts, a car title, renewing of professional license in a state, etc.) So, yes, I may not know what they will ask of me, but I have plenty of evidence ready.

It could be, but everyone's thoughts and situations are different. I don't want to be separated from my spouse and we have a way to make it all work without putting ourselves in a hard situation.  For some, it may be necessary, but to people who might have the option to stay together of course they are going to take that. 

Wouldn’t it be more prudent to let the US citizen spouse move a few months ahead of the non-US citizen spouse to:
1. Establish domicile.
2. Sign lease or buy houses, get bank accounts, find a job...
 
Separation will only be few months.

There are also financial requirements that you will want to investigate.  As she is sponsoring you, she will need adequate US-based income, or a joint sponsor who is a USC or LPR.

I'm in the process of doing exactly that now. It should be fine and I've read a few other cases on VisaJourney of people successfully doing that. 
 
The only thing is you will have to prove U.S. Domicile for your U.S. wife. You have to show that she always intended on coming back to the U.S. (things like voting records, driver's license, bank accounts in the states, etc. will show this). Other than that, you'll deal with the consulate for interview in your country (Thailand I'm assuming? Are you teachers perhaps?)
 
 

Hello Hannah,
 
That's great to hear! Were you able to submit evidence of the marriage with it online? (e.g pictures of you together, social media posts, rent contracts with both names on etc.) And if so how did you do it?
 
Thank you!
 
Ollie