hey Alice. I applied for my esta 1 month after filing my i130 and it was approved. I travelled on it and then randomly the night before I travelled on it a second time it was cancelled. I reapplied overnight and it's approved again. You just need to travel with a lot of documents to prove you have ties to your home country.

My brothers was denied over and over again because I had filed for him. They declined the visitor visa stating an open petition for him even though he has strong ties back home.

@Orla M and @ND K Thank you very much for sharing your experiences.

you will get denied instantly.

Denied

@Sergio, did you apply for it, and it was denied?

@ Alice Smith: You can always try to get B1-B2 Visa Regardless I-130 approval you have Humantarian Reason to prove at Visa Interview. My Parents had I-130 approval and when they appeared for an Interview they denied the case but my parents reappeared for Interview with Reason saying my Son in USA We want to see him and he cannot travel because of work 2nd thing your son can also explain about Visa Bulletin situation which is stuck Since September 2021 They can deny only if your Son doesn't have legitmate proof to go back to the Home country or Adjustment Status Visa is in Progress and you cannot afford his expenses for USA visit

My parents had Visitor Visa prior to getting Green Card and I-551 and visited US twice and stayed 6 months

They usually deny the case first time because USCIS wants to check whether Applicant really want to visit USA for meeting parents or have some other purpose when you apply second time they will ask why you want to Visit you must be saying the same reason if you change your statement then there is no Visa also when you apply 2nd time you will pay the fees again to reappear it's source of Income for USCIS so they have to deny some applications then they will approve:)

I applied while I was a student in Canada but got denied twice in my home country and once in Canada. And that's when I questioned the officer if I will ever get a chance to have a visitor visa. And he said to work and establish your ties in the country where you live. True enough on my 4th try after taking another program in Canada I got approved.