emma.c.winter

Hi All,

We are also looking at the Consular spouse visa route and I've read that it would be difficult for me to visit on an ESTA/Tourist visa whilst this process is pending. Can anyone advise?

Emma

Noorah101

You are allowed to visit each other. How difficult it will be depends on your past travel history.

Rene

emma.c.winter

Thank you Rene, do you mean if I have travelled backwards and forwards a few times this will be seen as a positive?

Emma

Pulaski

I visited the US during my CR-1 visa application without any issues, or even additional questions at the time of entry.

It is commonly reported on-line that visits aren't allowed, but that simply isn't true. Some just say it is "frowned upon" or "not advised", but I am not aware of any basis for that opinion either, other than maybe personal anxiety.

Noorah101

Could go either way, depending on length of visits and time spent away between visits. The best one can predict is that it will keep working until it doesn't. But visiting IS allowed.

Rene

S Folinsky

To be precise. she is allowed to board the airplane, fly to a port of entry, and then ASK to enter the US. It is then up to the airport guard whether to admit or not. People who are denied admission do not bother to post here.

I will point out that it is a bad idea to lie to an Immigration Officer, a bad idea indeed. a refusal of admission for failure to satisfy the officer that one is admissible does not prejudice a consular visa application/ Refusal of admission on an an out and out lie DOES prejudice a consular application.

Pulaski

I think that is one piece of advice that everyone here has always agrees on "lying to an immigration officer is always a really bad idea!"

RICH

I agree with the others. As long anyone can honestly apply/receive an ESTA there is no issue. However an ESTA holder may be denied at entry for almost any reason.
What Folinsky said about prejudicial is important, but what the others said is also true. It works until it doesn't! ( I did a couple of pre esta visits during my K1 application 20 years ago with no problems FWIW).
ETA Just checking you are a UK citizen or otherwise eligible for ESTA since you mentioned Tourist visa?

emma.c.winter

Thank you, this is reassuring :-)

emma.c.winter

Ok thank you

emma.c.winter

thank you, this is reassuring!

emma.c.winter

Yes I'm a UK citizen