Rinehart

Understand what your saying it is unfortunate that many others make it harder for ones who are actually just wanting to visit.

Yes married to USC when applied for tourist visa and told the CO we were married. Yes AP just under 60 days and was approved. I understand what your saying regarding CBP questioning staying and doing AOS but that is impossible as have significant ties and duties to attend to in my country. Also the fact the I-130 is through consular processing so required to be in my country for that to be processed. Thank you I will take a look at this thread also.

Thank you I will take a look at the topic thread.

Hi Looking for someone who may have been in a similar situation. I was issued a B2 visa about a year ago but have not used it our circumstances changed and we were not able to use the B2 it was issued for 5 years I came to realize. We have applied for an I-130 and hoping to visit family and friends nothing else will the B2 be denied on entry based on the fact that there is an I-130 processing? Has anyone travelled using an B2 while having an I-130 processing. Have significant ties back to my home country but scared that with I-130 processing is it a red flag. Any help or guidance appreciated.

Thank you for a bit more clarification on this. I did not realise any of this I wish I had found this forum earlier to have a better understanding of the whole process. I just thought I was applying for a tourist visa that allowed longer stay. It makes sense now why they are doing the background check too having previously lived in 2 other countries.

Thank you for your reply. Oh geez the blackhole? I guess all I can do is sit and wait for it to be processed. As i understand now it's a background / security check they are running correct? I don't understand how you mean applying for the B2 after having an ESTA is a risky move why so? From my understanding the B2 is still a tourist visa but just for a longer amount of time than the ESTA which is what I needed for this trip as my son has special needs and we would not be able to do everything we wish to do in a shorter period of time as he gets quiet overwhelmed if we do too much and he needs a structured schedule with periods of rest in between sightseeing and travelling. What is an IV? I don't understand why applying for a longer tourist visa after an ESTA and if you get denied you loose your ESTA why? I've never overstayed any visa at all and have always left before they expired. I have proof of strong ties back to Australia and offered documents during the interview but was told they were not needed. Sorry I'm not quiet understanding this. I'm a little confused. Have I done something wrong during this process?

Thank you I looked up the DS5535 it seems to be a background / security check is that correct? I guess all I can do now is sit and wait for it to be processed.

Hi I applied for a B2 Visa and was asked 3 questions was not asked to provide any documentation that I had prepared and when I offered it was told it was not needed. The 3 questions were: What is the purpose of your trip? Do you require more than the 90 day ESTA Visa? You have held an Immigrant visa before haven't you? I answered all truthfully. Purpose of the trip to visit family for sightseeing and an extended stay. Yes require longer than 90 days as my husband has long service leave and we haven't seen his family in over 7 years so we planned to stay longer and travel around sightseeing various places with them. As well as visiting friends in the USA. Yes I held a Green Card in the past and relinquished it the Consular Officer asked when and I told him in 2009 I think it was and was relinquished and I have the paper work would you like to see he it he says no not needed. Hands me a piece of paper and says you need to answer these additional questions and email them to this email address. Flips the page over and says I'm giving you back your passport today and when asked send it to this address. The additional questions were like they were doing a background check wanted the last 15 years of travel history, family details, last 15 years of employment history, last 15 years of every address I've lived at and prior passport numbers. Has anyone else had a similar situation happen and if so how long did the administrative process take and what was the outcome? Thank you.