Hi folks,

I'd like to go to Puerto Rico and perhaps even the US Virgin Islands for my honeymoon soon after I marry without Advance Parole and before I apply for an AOS. I'm entering the US on a KI visa.

From reading the posts, it's fine to go to both since it is US territory.

BUT has anyone ACTUALLY been and come back? Any issues? Advice?

Cheers!

There is potential for issue, even though it's small.

Say the plane has to make a landing for some reason, and temporarily lands in non-US territory. Legally, you've left the US and therefore abandoned your AoS application.

The risk is small, but the consequence can be huge.

Please check the state dept site again, I think the US Virgin Island requires a passport, so they may require a visa for all international visitors.

Roxcie

I was planning on doing the same thing with my future wife but i called the State dept and they informed me that we should stay within the continental US territory. She said that if we go to puerto rico or virgin islands that we are at the mercy of the border patrol officer. Please do not risk it.

Where does Hawaii fall into this? It is outside the continental US, but still a state. I am under the impression that Hawaii should be fine, and that is why we are going to avoid the caribbean even though it is a shorter flight.

The same risk of landing in a non-us area still applies.

we had our hooney moon in PR from Australia took the follwing stops over here Australia, guam, hawaii, texas, new jwersey, NYC, and Puerto RIco and there was no problem with that what so ever

K1 has different rules. You only get to enter once , If you leave before AP/greencard you have to start all over. They would have to be certain that the flight back was not a mixed status flight ( containing people from other stopovers ) also . If the flight contains people from other starting points everyone will be checked at immigration and problems could happen.

I would wait until after you have filed for AOS and have recieved NOA1. My husband and I went to St. Croix through Puerto Rico and while we had no problems going there (just showed drivers licenses), we were stopped on the way back. The officer took all our documents (passports, marriage certificate, NOA1, transfer notice), asked us a bunch of questions and hemmed and hawed before he let us through. It was kind of stressful, and I'm not sure I'd try it again without AP or Green Card.

Hawaii would be a much safer bet (and prettier!), but...still. I'd hold off on a honeymoon until you file for AOS.

I'm wondering if the difference with Hawaii and the Territories is just that...Hawaii is a U.S. state. Just curious...

On the original topic though, we decided to honeymoon stateside...didn't want to risk anything. IMHO.

Travel to and from the territories is not a problem for USCs or Green Card holders, though they may stop GC holders as well. With my friends and myself (all USCs), we simply showed our drivers licenses, they asked if we were citizens and let us through. However, with my husband he had to show proof of legal residence, proof that he was adjusting status, that we were married, etc.

It's border control into the United States, really. Since the USVI and Puerto Rico are surrounded by non-US territories, it would be fairly easy to go through the USVI or Puerto Rico if they didn't have those controls.

Hawaii is one of us, though. I haven't traveled there with my husband, but it acts just like any other airport in the continental US except they have a lot more searches for smuggling agriculture it seems.

Hawaii is a US State, you need anything you would need (ID wise) to go to any other state in the USA.

I went for my Honeymoon went to 2 of the islands.

My Husband lived in Puerto Rico for 2 years as a USC, I went w/o anything but what I went to any other state with and had no problems.
Puerto Rico unbeknowst to most is pratically considered another state as far as US travel goes. HOWEVER, any of the Virgin Islands will require a passport and immigration check...

Thanks everyone for your comments. I flew to and back from San Juan, PR from Chicago 2-8 Sept with no problems. I flew with United and was not asked for my ID nor passport at any point other than to simply get past the security check with my boarding pass.

To avoid all possible problems go to Key West! It is like paradise there too and very romantic.