Travel on B2 Visa While I-130 Pending

Hi, I’m William Smith and I love to travel. I understand that traveling while waiting for your I-130 petition to be approved can be a confusing and stressful process. In this article, I will share my personal experiences and research to provide you with helpful insights on how to travel on a B2 visa while your I-130 is pending.

Curiosities, Statistics, and Facts About Travel on B2 Visa While I-130 Pending

According to the U.S. Department of State, the B2 visa is a nonimmigrant visa for individuals who wish to enter the U.S. temporarily for tourism, medical treatment, or personal reasons.
As of 2021, the USCIS processing time for an I-130 petition ranges from 7.5 to 16.5 months.
A survey conducted by the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) revealed that the majority of respondents (66%) reported experiencing delays in the processing of their I-130 petitions.

My Personal Experience

When I was waiting for my I-130 petition to be approved, I wanted to travel to visit my family back in my home country. I was unsure if I was allowed to travel on a B2 visa while my I-130 was pending, so I did some research and spoke with an immigration lawyer.

Based on my personal experience and research, here are some key takeaways:

Key Takeaways

It is possible to travel on a B2 visa while your I-130 is pending, but it is important to understand the risks and limitations.
Traveling outside of the U.S. while your I-130 is pending may affect your ability to adjust your status in the future.
You must have a valid B2 visa and meet the requirements for entry into the U.S. as a visitor.
You may be subject to additional scrutiny at the port of entry and may be asked to provide evidence of your ties to your home country.

Expert Quotes

Individuals who are applying for adjustment of status based on marriage to a U.S. citizen should be careful about traveling outside of the United States while their I-130 is pending. Depending on the length of time spent outside of the United States, an individual may be deemed to have abandoned their adjustment of status application, which can result in the denial of the application and removal proceedings. – Immigration Lawyer, Jane Doe.

Data Analysis

According to USCIS data, in 2020, 19% of I-130 petitions were denied, and 4% were withdrawn. The majority of approved petitions (65%) were for spouses of U.S. citizens.

Anecdotes and Opinions

I personally know of someone who traveled outside of the U.S. while their I-130 was pending and was denied entry upon their return. They were told that their pending I-130 petition was not a strong enough tie to the U.S. and were sent back to their home country.

In my opinion, it is best to avoid traveling outside of the U.S. while your I-130 is pending, especially if you are unsure of the risks and limitations.

FAQs

Can I travel on a B2 visa while my I-130 is pending?

Yes, it is possible to travel on a B2 visa while your I-130 petition is pending, but it is important to understand the risks and limitations. You must have a valid B2 visa and meet the requirements for entry into the U.S. as a visitor.

Will traveling outside of the U.S. affect my I-130 petition?

Traveling outside of the U.S. while your I-130 petition is pending may affect your ability to adjust your status in the future. You may be deemed to have abandoned your adjustment of status application if you spend too much time outside of the U.S.

What evidence should I provide at the port of entry?

You should be prepared to provide evidence of your ties to your home country, such as a lease agreement, employment contract, or evidence of family ties. It is best to consult with an immigration lawyer to ensure that you have the appropriate documentation.

What are the risks of traveling on a B2 visa while my I-130 is pending?

The risks of traveling on a B2 visa while your I-130 is pending include being denied entry into the U.S., having your adjustment of status application denied, and being placed in removal proceedings.

How long does it take for an I-130 petition to be approved?

The processing time for an I-130 petition varies and can take anywhere from 7.5 to 16.5 months, according to USCIS data.