IR-1 Approved, despite Travel Ban and without residence in country of interview!

Hi everyone,

I just wanted to share my story, perhaps it can encourage someone else.

I'm a US citizen and I married a woman from Myanmar. Most of our marriage, she has been living abroad in Thailand on a Volunteer Visa, but during our interview she was on a tourist visa in Thailand.

First, I hope this encourages anyone who has an Immediate Relative Visa with a relative in one of the countries covered by the travel ban. We submitted a lot of evidence and it paid off.

Second, if anyone is dealing with issues interviewing in a country where your spouse doesn't have citizenship or a permanent visa, we didn't have to meet that qualification in our case. On our I-130, we put my wife's home country of Myanmar, but found that the NVC put us in Bangkok. We had to make a decision well ahead of time about what type of visa my wife would be on in Thailand during the interview and we chose Tourist Visa due to cost. A few months later, the new policy about adjudicating immigrant visas only in countries where they have citizenship or long term residency came out. We also got an email on October 21st asking for evidence. Thankfully, it did not apply to us! My wife interviewed in Bangkok on 11/25 on a tourist visa, and it was no problem. I realize the policy does say after November 1st, so I am assuming it means interview SCHEUDLED after November 1st, not taking place after November 1st.

I also realize that there have been news developments about travel ban countries in just the last few days, but for now, I'm hoping for the best outcomes for all of you.

March 25, 2024 - I-130 received by USCIS

June 10, 2025 - I-130 Approved

June 15, 2025 - Case transferred to NVC

August 28 2025 - All documents submitted to NVC

September 18 2025 - Documentarily Qualified

September 25 2025 - Interview scheduled for November 25th at Bangkok Embassy

November 25th 2025 - Visa Approved!

November 30th 2025- Passport w/visa received by spouse in the mail.