Travel to the U.S. while paperwork is in process?

[elhenry]

Hello,

my husband has filed I-130 in Feb 2007 and I-129F in April 2007 to bring our girls and me over to the states.
By looking at the visa waiting time I can see that the whole process takes about 6 months.
Now my question: Can I travel to the states on a tourist visa while all the paperwork is still in process? Or should I better wait over here in Germany? I am about to go crazy without him!

Thx

[Amir]

If you mean travel to the US on a nonimmigrant visa, such as a visitor visa, the answer is NO because you have already declared yourself an intending immigrant in I-129F and I-130.

I-130 processing takes years, but he can also file K-3 for you and K-4 for your girls to bring you there in 6 months or so.

[elhenry]

If you mean travel to the US on a nonimmigrant visa, such as a visitor visa, the answer is NO because you have already declared yourself an intending immigrant in I-129F and I-130.

I-130 processing takes years, but he can also file K-3 for you and K-4 for your girls to bring you there in 6 months or so.

Isn't that what he done by filing I-130 and I-129 (K3/K4)?

[elhenry]

Are you a German Citizen? Germans can travel to US without Visa I thought ?? The Visa waiver program.

Yes, normally I can travel to the U.S. without a visa through the Visa Waiver Program. But will they let me in the country in this situation - while I supposed to wait on my paperwork here in Germany.

[elhenry]

I dont see why not. Your allowed to travel around for many reasons while all this is going on. Your in a whole different situation. On the visa waiver program , you have to show roundtrip ticket before entering US right? As long as your going back and intend to go through the normal process, why wouldn't you be allowed to come for business/pleasure whenever you feel like . I can tell you this, if you are German, English, Canadian, Australian, or Japanese, you probably wont have a problem. To find out to be 100% sure, email the US embassy there and ask them, here is the link to their website : http://usembassy.state.gov/ . Click on the embassy closest to where you live , look how to email them and ask.

OK, I will check. Thank you for your help.

[CharlieAK]

The consulate in Frankfurt usually answers that they "don't recommend" travelling to the US during the processing of the K-1/K-3 visa.

BUT: It is NOT forbidden, and I know of many people from Germany who have visited their spouses/fiances without any problems.

If you travel, you should maybe take some "binding ties" with you that show that you want to return to Germany after your visit (e.g. rental agreement, work contract, etc.)

Personally, I would also take your visa paperwork, because it also shows that you are "doing it the right way" and that you are planning on going back to your homecountry to receive the visa.

Are you planning on travelling alone or with your daughters? If you went alone, there would be another binding tie to Germany

In short: No one can guarantee you entry, but judging from people's experience, you probably won't have any problems visiting your spouse during the visa process. It's up to you to decide whether that's good enough for you

Have a nice trip,

Charlie

[Jules]

same situation for me

The consulate in Frankfurt usually answers that they "don't recommend" travelling to the US during the processing of the K-1/K-3 visa.

BUT: It is NOT forbidden, and I know of many people from Germany who have visited their spouses/fiances without any problems.

If you travel, you should maybe take some "binding ties" with you that show that you want to return to Germany after your visit (e.g. rental agreement, work contract, etc.)

Personally, I would also take your visa paperwork, because it also shows that you are "doing it the right way" and that you are planning on going back to your homecountry to receive the visa.

Are you planning on travelling alone or with your daughters? If you went alone, there would be another binding tie to Germany

In short: No one can guarantee you entry, but judging from people's experience, you probably won't have any problems visiting your spouse during the visa process. It's up to you to decide whether that's good enough for you

Have a nice trip,

Charlie

Im in the same situation. I think it's nerve-wrecking because there is no real yay or nay answer. i know of binding ties, i have a lease, a bank account statement, a job offer. should that be good? what else can be a binding tie? im SO SCARED of being denied!!!!!!!!!!

[Jules]

charlieak i keep reading this post of urs. it cheers me up so much. im going to the us on sunday and im all worried that i could get denied because im currently waiting on my k3 visa. reading what u said makes me thinkk, i can show them employment letter, bank statement, etc. and i will tell them that all i want (NEED!) is to spend time with my husband. im just hoping for the best and getting hope from ur post! THANKS!

The consulate in Frankfurt usually answers that they "don't recommend" travelling to the US during the processing of the K-1/K-3 visa.

BUT: It is NOT forbidden, and I know of many people from Germany who have visited their spouses/fiances without any problems.

If you travel, you should maybe take some "binding ties" with you that show that you want to return to Germany after your visit (e.g. rental agreement, work contract, etc.)

Personally, I would also take your visa paperwork, because it also shows that you are "doing it the right way" and that you are planning on going back to your homecountry to receive the visa.

Are you planning on travelling alone or with your daughters? If you went alone, there would be another binding tie to Germany

In short: No one can guarantee you entry, but judging from people's experience, you probably won't have any problems visiting your spouse during the visa process. It's up to you to decide whether that's good enough for you

Have a nice trip,

Charlie