Can I Visit the U.S. While Waiting for My Immigrant Visa?

Here’s a question I’m often asked:

I am married to a U.S. citizen. He has started the process for me to get a green card by filing a Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative. Once it’s approved by USCIS, I will apply for an immigrant visa at the U.S. Embassy in my home country. Can I visit America while I’m waiting for an immigrant visa? I currently have a valid B1/B2 (visitor for business or pleasure) visa.

One variation on this question is that that the individual doesn’t hold a B1/B2 visa but instead seeks to enter as a visitor under the visa waiver program, also known as Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), or as a Canadian citizen without a visa.

In most cases, visiting the U.S. with a visa or a visa waiver is OK while an I-130 is pending or while waiting for an immigrant visa. Still, there is some level of risk of that you will not be admitted or will be removed (deported). Those risks may be very low or significant, depending on your individual circumstances.

The Requirement of Nonimmigrant Intent

To enter the U.S. as a visitor, you must prove to a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer at the port of entry that that you (a) are not an intending immigrant, (b) have an unabandoned foreign residence, and (c) are coming to the U.S. temporarily.[1] This set of requirements is often loosely described as “nonimmigrant intent.” Here’s what these requirements mean:

  • Not being an “intending immigrant” means that on this particular trip you intend to limit your activities to what is allowed for visitors and not immigrate.[2]
  • An unabandoned foreign residence means that you have a home in a foreign country. You need not own the home. You must intend to return there as your principal, actual dwelling place after visiting America.[3]
  • Coming to the U.S. temporarily means for a limited time, not indefinitely.

The CBP Officer’s Concerns

You don’t need to volunteer to the CBP officer that you have a U.S. citizen spouse and a green card in process. But the officer may be able to tell from available databases. If so, the CBP officer’s concern is likely to be that you may be seeking to “jump the line,” i.e., intending to move to the U.S. without waiting the 6-12 months or so it may take to get the immigrant visa. CBP keeps an eye out for people posing as mere visitors who actually intend to move to the U.S. and to file with USCIS a Form I-485, Application to Adjust Status, to get a green card without the need to leave the country.[4] CBP also keeps an eye out for people posing as mere visitors who actually intend to give up their residence abroad and live in the U.S. until their immigrant visa appointment.

Ability to Overcome the CBP Officer’s Concerns

There is no magic list of documents you can show the officer to guarantee your entry. There are no magic words you can say either. That’s because the CBP officer will decide whether you qualify to enter based on the totality of the circumstances. Some key factors include:

  • Your ability to explain the limited purpose and duration of your proposed stay in the U.S.
  • Whether you and/or your U.S. citizen spouse are employed abroad.
  • Whether you have children enrolled in school abroad.
  • Whether you own or rent a home abroad.
  • Holding a return ticket abroad.
  • Prior visa refusals or immigration violations.
  • Whether your travel patterns make it appear that you are trying to live in the U.S. prior to issuance of the immigrant visa. (For example, you previously stayed in the U.S. for the entire period allowed by CBP, left just briefly, and then came back for a long period).
  • Whether it appears you are trying to move your personal belongings to the U.S., either in your luggage or shipped separately.
  • Whether your demeanor and/or inconsistencies in your story cause the officer to doubt your credibility

Weighing the Risks and Benefits

The main risk of trying to enter as a visitor while your green card is in process is that instead of admitting you, the officer may question you in detail in a room called “secondary inspection.” The officer may then ask you to withdraw your application for entry or may order you deported. The legal basis for that decision would likely be one of the following:

  • You have made a willful misrepresentation, i.e., lied to the officer.[5] This could include lying about whether you are married to a U.S. citizen, the purpose of your trip, or how long you intend to remain in the U.S.; or
  • You lack valid entry documents, in that you intend to immigrate but lack an immigrant visa.[6]

If you are ineligible for admission for one of those reasons, the officer may as a matter of discretion ask you whether you are willing to withdraw your application for admission. Or the officer may deport you. That is called “expedited removal,” a procedure that allows CBP officers to official to summarily remove a noncitizen without a hearing before an immigration judge.[7]

Expedited removal carries a 5-year bar to reentering the U.S. This means that you cannot re-enter the U.S. for a period of 5 years unless you apply for and are granted permission to reapply for admission (Form I-212).

If the basis of the expedited removal is misrepresentation, then a lifetime bar to entry also applies, unless you apply for and are granted a waiver.

As mentioned at the outset, the level of risk is different for each person It may be anywhere from very low to significant, depending on your individual circumstances. You should realistically analyze the risks and benefits to determine whether to make the trip. Our law firm is available to help you decide and to advise you about CBP procedures, what evidence to carry, and how to answer the CBP officers’ questions in a way that is both truthful and helpful to seeking entry.

Endnotes

  1. INA § 101(a)(15)(B). See also INA § 214(b) (“Every alien [other than H-1B, L, or V nonimmigrants] shall be presumed to be an immigrant until he establishes to the satisfaction of the consular officer, at the time of application for a visa, and the immigration officers, at the time of application for admission, that he is entitled to a nonimmigrant status.”)
  2. Letter, LaFleur, Business and Trade Services, Benefits Branch, INS, HQ 1815-C (June 18, 1996) (approved I-140 “may not be, in and of itself” a reason to deny TN admission). See Matter of H-R-, 7 I. & N. Dec. 651 (Reg. Comm’r 1958) (Applicant withdrew immigrant visa application in order to more quickly obtain visitor’s visa. Six months after entering U.S., he applied for adjustment of status. Held: “The fact that the applicant previously expressed a desire to enter the United States as an immigrant–and may still have such desire–does not of itself preclude the issuance of a nonimmigrant visa to him nor preclude his being a bona fide nonimmigrant” for purposes of adjustment.); Matter of Wellhofer, 12 I. & N. Dec. 522 (Reg. Comm’r 1967) (following Matter of H-R-).
  3. See INA § 101(a)(33) (defining “residence”).
  4. Don’t view your trip to the U.S. as an opportunity to adjust status. As mentioned below, a willful misrepresentation to CBP may lead to a lifetime bar on returning to the U.S. Further, even if you don’t make a misrepresentation to CBP, a preconceived intent to immigrate after entering as a visitor is a negative discretionary factor which could lead USCIS to deny of adjustment. See Matter of Cavazos, 17 I. & N. Dec. 215 (BIA 1980) (Respondent was admitted as a nonimmigrant visitor for pleasure with a border crossing card. He married a U.S. citizen the same day. Assuming he had a preconceived intent to remain permanently at the time of entry as a nonimmigrant, it is INS policy per OI 245.3(b) that an adjustment applicant should not be denied as a matter of discretion solely on this basis where substantial equities are present in the case. Here, the U.S. citizen wife and child are substantial equities. Notably, the respondent was not charged with any fraud or misrepresentation.); Matter of Ibrahim, 18 I. & N. Dec. 55 (BIA 1981) (limiting Cavazos’ holding to immediate relatives). The State Department takes a slightly different approach to evaluating cases where an individual has entered as a visitor and then files an I-485. According to State Department policy, if within 90 days of entry a person engages in conduct inconsistent with representations made to CBP, such as by engaging in unauthorized employment or filing for adjustment of status, there is a presumption that the individual prior representations were willful misrepresentations.
  5. INA § 212(a)(6)(C).
  6. INA §212(a)(7).
  7. See INA § 235(b)(1).

49 responses to “Can I Visit the U.S. While Waiting for My Immigrant Visa?”

    1. Simon Pacis Avatar
      Simon Pacis

      Hi

      Thank you for this article! Going to visit on ESTA with pending I-130. Married to USC who lives with me in Denmark. We just signed a lease for an apartment that’s set to start right after we arrive back home from the US. Our stuff has already been moved there. I have a letter of leave from my boss and an ID card for the university where I work as a consultant.

      On arrival at POE should I volunteer the info that I have pending I-130? Will it make me seem suspicious if I don’t mention it and the officer asks about it?

      Thank you in advance. Nervous I will not be let in. Will be staying for 88 days, visiting wife’s grandparents and road tripping with friends.

      1. Gary Chodorow Avatar

        Simon: The general rule about being interviewed by immigration officials is to listen closely to the question asked and answer the exact question, nothing less and nothing more. There are exceptions to that general rule, of course. I’m not hearing in your question any compelling reason to affirmatively raise the issue of the pending I-130 with the CBP officer, but I couldn’t give advice on that topic without learning all the facts in the context of a consultation, such as your wife’s ties to Denmark, your history of travel to the U.S., and you plans for additional U.S. travel after this trip.

        1. Simon Pacis Avatar
          Simon Pacis

          Hi

          Thank you so much for your response. This makes great sense! Have a great day!

          – Simon

        2. Simon Pacis Avatar
          Simon Pacis

          For anyone interested, we went through a CBP pre-clearance today at an airport in Canada.

          The officer first asked when we last had been to the US, and what our plans were. Then I volunteered the fact that I had a pending I-130, and he said to make sure to not overstay then, because that would mess with my future prospects.

          And then he let us go!

          Just if anyone is worried, easy-going officers do exist. Best of luck, and thank you for this article!

  1. Jesse Avatar
    Jesse

    Hi,

    USCIS has just issued a receipt notice for the I-130 my US citizen husband has filed on my behalf.

    I am a UK citizen. I would like to visit the US with him for 6-8 weeks in March 2019 on my valid ESTA.

    At the proposed time of entry, I will be unemployed and living with my parents but will be in the final stages of preparing to depart for Nepal for a fixed term Volunteer position with an NGO that begins June 2019.

    My questions is, will a job offer letter for the position (stating a June 2019 start date) and proof of booked flights to Nepal (departing from the UK) be enough to prove that I only intend to visit my husband and not side-step the waiting process of the CR-1 visa?

    Thank you for any help.

    1. Gary Chodorow Avatar

      Jesse: As mentioned above, there is no magic list of documents you can show the officer to guarantee your entry. That’s because the CBP officer will decide whether you qualify to enter based on the totality of the circumstances. (See the above list of some other potentially relevant circumstances). In any case, important commitments outside the U.S. scheduled to take place after the visit to the U.S. can be compelling. Other examples of such commitments we’ve seen include, for example, a wedding, a medical licensing examination, and the opening reception for a solo art exhibit.

  2. Shashi Avatar
    Shashi

    Hello, you say ” The officer may then ask you to withdraw your application for entry or may order you deported.” The cost of withdrawing the application is only the cost of the plane ticket. But deportation comes with a 5 year bar to re entry. The consequences are drastically different in severity. Can the officer just deport you without giving you the option to withdraw your application?

    1. Gary Chodorow Avatar

      Yes, it is a matter wholly within the officer’s discretion to offer an applicant for admission the option of withdrawing their application.

  3. Marty Avatar
    Marty

    Hi,

    Thank you for your helpful article. Is a valid B1/B2 visa invalidated by filing an I-130 (i.e., requiring the filing of a new B1/B2 visa application if you want to visit the U.S. prior to immigrating)?

  4. Michelle Esteves Avatar
    Michelle Esteves

    I will be applying for a green card for my stepdaughter. She already has a b1/b2 visa and has been to the US a couple of times. I’m reading this article to help decide whether I should have her visit while she waits for the green card.

    1. Gary Chodorow Avatar

      Michelle: Feel free to let me know if you have any follow-up questions.

  5. Raphael Avatar
    Raphael

    My father, mother and 3 brothers are in the USA. I am 34 years old. In 2016 my father filled an I-130 for me, and I’m waiting to immigrate. In the meantime, can I visit the U.S. for a two-week religious summer camp? I was denied a visitor’s visa in 2011 when I was single. Now, I am married, working and have 4 kids who goes to school. My husband has been to the U.S. two times, once with an F-1 visa and once with a B-2 visa. What are my odds of getting a B-2 visa?

    1. Gary Chodorow Avatar

      Raphael: Sounds like your odds of proving nonimmigrant intent have improved. Still, the consular officer’s decision will be based on the “totality of the circumstances,” most of which are unknown to me at this point. You may want to consult with our firm or another immigration attorney to evaluate your odds.

    2. Carmen Avatar
      Carmen

      I’m a US citizen. I filed an I-130 for my unmarried 28 years old son, and I’m wondering if there is form that I can fill out for my son to come to US and wait here for his papers? because the proceeding time is about 5 years.

      1. Gary Chodorow Avatar

        Unfortunately, no, there is no visa specifically designed to allow a person waiting for their priority date to become current to stay in the in the U.S. until then. You can always scan the types of available nonimmigrant visas to see if your son qualifies for one: Quick Reference to Nonimmigrant Visas.

  6. Mohammed Avatar
    Mohammed

    Hi: I have a green card. My wife and child are in India, and I plan to file I-130s on their behalf. Can they apply for visitors visas then upon arrival in the U.S. file with USCIS Forms I-485, Applications to Adjust Status?

    1. Gary Chodorow Avatar

      Mohammed: See footnote 4 above.

  7. Candice Avatar
    Candice

    I’m a US citizen. I filed an I-130 for my Canadian husband 4 months ago. We want to move from Canada to the States in a few months but the application has not yet been approved. Is that allowed?

    1. Gary Chodorow Avatar

      Canadians don’t need visas to visit the U.S. But if he applies at a port of entry for authorization to enter as a visitor, he would be denied if CBP determines he really intends to “move” to the U.S. See the above paragraph on The Requirement of Nonimmigrant Intent.

  8. Peter Möller Avatar
    Peter Möller

    Hello,

    thank you for the helpful article! I just want to make sure about our case, even though it sounds like the answer is pretty straightforward, still…. :

    I am a German citizen, my wife is American and our small son has both citizenships. My wife filed the I-130 form back in April, we received the notification that the form had reached its destination at the Frankfurt Consulate, but nothing more so far, so the case is still pending.

    My wife will soon start Law school in the US and move with our son from Germany, where we currently live. We had initially planned for me to just come with them to the US on the ESTA program and wait there until the visa appointment takes place in Frankfurt (provided it does not take longer than 90 days). But from reading your article and others it sounds like this would not be a good idea – am I right about this?

    Thanks in advance for any help!! It is much appreciated.

    As an aside (not sure if you have any knowledge about that): Do you have an idea about how long we can still expect the whole process to take on average, having filed in Frankfurt, Germany? One finds quite conflicting information on the internet about this.

    Thanks and best regards

    Peter

    1. Gary Chodorow Avatar

      Peter: ESTA can be used to visit the U.S. while an immigrant visa application is pending, if you meet all requirements for admission. Also, I do think you should contact the U.S. Consulate in Frankfurt because it’s unusual for them to have an applicant’s file for months without contacting them.

  9. Luis M Avatar
    Luis M

    Hello, thank you for such an insightful article.
    I was informed the NVC has received my approved inmigrant visa petition from USCIS. I am in the process of submitting all the documentation and will wait for the interview at the embassy.
    Is there any risk with the greencard if I travel to the US with an ESTA? Do you know if this could possibly delay or affect the process?
    I would be in the US three weeks to attend two weddings.
    Thank you in advance,
    Luis

    1. Gary Chodorow Avatar

      Luis: See the above paragraph on “Weighing the Risks and Benefits”

  10. Brian Avatar
    Brian

    Hi,
    I’m a U.S. citizen. My mother is a French citizen. I filed a I-130 for her back in April. It’s still pending, so I doubt she’ll be able to immigrate by December, when my wife are I are expecting a new born. What are the odds that my mother can enter under the Visa Waiver Program to visit for a month. She’s been visiting us every year since 2010 twice a year for about 2 months each times. She’s never had any trouble with immigration agents in the past.

    1. Gary Chodorow Avatar

      Take a look at the above list of factors related to whether an individual can prove nonimmigrant intent. How does she score?

  11. Brian Avatar
    Brian

    Thank you

  12. Marzee Avatar
    Marzee

    Hi
    I am an indian citizen, I am a Doctor working in a reputed Hospital in the UK on a tier 2 visa and live in a rented place.
    My spouse lives in New York, he is a UK citizen and a Doctor, also working in a reputed hospital and living in a rented apartment. He has petitioned for my i-130 and approval is pending.

    My question is that i am required to take the USMLE exams to start my career in the future, in the US as a Doctor.
    I have a valid visitor visa for USA already, one i had applied for last year, with my parents, when i was single, purely with a leisurely vacation visit.
    Can i visit the US now to take my USMLE exam on basis of my valid visit visa, showing that i have return tickets booked and an approved leave for the duration, from my employer hospital?
    And this trip would by no means cost me a hard time with my green card process?
    I would appreciate any help in this regard.
    Thankyou.

    1. Gary Chodorow Avatar

      Marzee: Taking the USMLE is a valid reason to enter the U.S. with a B visa. As to whether you are likely to be admitted versus excluded for failure to prove nonimmigrant intent, see the list of “key factors” above.

  13. Andy Rehn Avatar
    Andy Rehn

    Hello,

    I am an American citizen living in France. I filed an I-130 for my wife in May 2018, it was cleared in June 2019 and passed on to the NVC. Last week we received a message saying that we are documentarily approved and it has been sent to the US Embassy in Paris. We don’t have an interview date yet, but are planning to visit my family at the beginning of September.

    My wife has a valid ESTA and we have return tickets for the beginning of December. Should she and our son (US citizen) risk travelling in September or just wait it out for the interview?

    Thank you

    1. Gary Chodorow Avatar

      Andy: The decision whether to seek admission as a visitor while an immigrant visa application is pending is very fact specific.specific. See the list of factors in the above section, “Ability to Overcome the CBP Officer’s Concerns.” In a close case, you can always schedule a consultation with our law firm for specific guidance.

  14. Magda Avatar
    Magda

    Hi, I have a few questions regarding the visa that me and my fiancé should apply for. My fiancé is a US citizen- born in California. We are engaged and have been together for over 2 years. In those two years we have visited 8 countries together and I have been to US 3 times on my B2 visa. I hold a polish passport but I lived in UK for 7 years and Ireland for 2 years, I now hold the infinite right to remain- settle status in United Kingdom. I have a full time job in London and I’m renting a flat. We are either planning to get married in UK or California, can you please advise which visa we will have to apply for, if I will be able to still visit him on b2 visa whilst paperwork is processing and which country would be better to get married in for us? Is CR1 visa the best choice or should we apply for k3 or finance visa first?

  15. Allsaint George Avatar
    Allsaint George

    I have gone for 2 to 3 interview at the Embassy here in Ghana I have all my documents in check they said I should get another sponsor with the case on processing is taking too long is 5 years now , can I get visitor visa to visit US? Before my case is finally approved? Please give your advice thank you very much for your help

    1. Gary Chodorow Avatar

      Allsaint: Your ability to qualify for a vistor’s visa would depend on whether you overcome the CBP officer’s above-listed potential concerns.

  16. VS Sudh Kom Avatar
    VS Sudh Kom

    I have got a denial for I-485 as I was not in the country while adjudication. I am an actor and work in India and frequently keep travelling back and forth. Unfortunately, I could not be at the time of adjudication. my H4 got expired and before the renewal happened, they have denied. Tried an MTR but they dismissed as abondonment in the first place. However, My wife works in the US and I possess a B1/B2. Planning to apply for I-824. So, just wanted to know whether I could travel for shorter periods of time whenever possible to meet my wife?

    1. Gary Chodorow Avatar

      If you were to apply for admission as a visitor, in deciding whether to admit you the officer would weigh the factors listed above in “Ability to Overcome the CBP Officer’s Concerns”. You need to weigh the risks and benefits of applying for admission as listed above. If you would like help, feel free to schedule a consultation.

  17. Madina ahmad Avatar
    Madina ahmad

    I am green card holder and my spouse is waiting for his immigration visa appointment. He is documentary qualified since July 16,2020. Can he apply for visit visa to meet me.

    1. Gary Chodorow Avatar

      Madina: That is a good question but is not addressed in this article. For more information about the key requirement of proving nonimmigrant intent to the consular officer, see Proving Nonimmigrant Intent for a U.S. Visa.

  18. MM Ahmed Avatar
    MM Ahmed

    I am a US citizen and applied for I-130 petition for my 4 year old son (I do not meet the requirements to apply for CRBA). Can he be granted a B2 visa to come with me to the states while his immigration papers are pending?

    1. Gary Chodorow Avatar

      MM Ahmed: A key issue, were you to apply for a B2 visa for your son, would be whether he can prove nonimmigrant intent, as discussed above.

  19. DN Ahmad Avatar
    DN Ahmad

    Hello,
    I have a pending I-130 petition from my husband ( we applied in July 2021) , my husband and my kids are US citizens, last month I was able to have a visitor visa, the consulate at the embassy did actually ask me why don’t we live in the states since my husband is a US citizen, I said the truth which is we will be travelling for only 2 weeks vacation in spring, and then we are coming back to our country until my immigrant visa gets approved.
    My question is, will there be any difficulties at the airport for me to enter the states? Or any possibilities that I will not be admitted?

    Thanks a lot.

    1. Gary Chodorow Avatar

      DN: The CBP officer at the port of entry may have the same concern about your nonimmigrant intent that the consular officer expressed. The fact that you persuaded the consular officer is a good sign that you may be able to persuade the CBP officer.

    2. Ernana Fredericks Avatar

      My kids are in the USA on non-immigrant visas and awaiting immigrant visa appointments abroad. Can they stay whiles waiting?

      1. Gary Chodorow Avatar

        Ernana: The answer to this question will depend on the specific facts. In some cases, it may be possible to remain in the U.S. by applying for adjustment of status (i.e., green cards) with USCIS. In other cases, it may be possible to request an extension of the children’s current nonimmigrant status from USCIS. I recommend scheduling an appointment with our firm (or another firm) to discuss the best strategy.

  20. Hopeful Kiwi Avatar
    Hopeful Kiwi

    I am from New Zealand and my husband is a lawful permanent resident in the US, who has returned there for work. I am still in New Zealand. We filed an i-130 in January 2023 and the USCIS online portal says that this will be processed in approx. 4 months. I have already visited the US using ESTA twice this year and it has not been a problem as I have brought sufficient evidence of non-immigrant intent.

    My question is regarding what happens after the i-130 is approved. I understand from the Visa Bulletin that priority dates are currently only being processed for Sep 2020 and earlier (for F2A family second preference visa – spouse of LPR), and so it is likely that when my i-130 is approved, I would have to wait some time for a visa appointment at the Consulate in New Zealand. Would I still be able to enter with ESTA in the same way as I currently do with the pending i-130, after it’s been approved and I am waiting for the priority date to become current? Or would the approval of the i-130 mean I could no longer travel or enter the US as a visitor? Your guidance on this would be greatly appreciated, as I’m struggling to find the information on this online. Thank you!

    1. Gary Chodorow Avatar

      There is no bar on entering the U.S. as a visitor after an I-130 is approved and while waiting for an immigrant visa. Mere approval of an I-130 is unlikely to significantly impact “The CBP Officer’s Concerns” as outlined above.

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