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Peterygrace

Connection Flight in the States

By Peterygrace in Tourist Visas

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Peterygrace Contributor

Peterygrace   0

Posted
Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Ecuador
 Timeline
Posted

My Ecuadorian fiancee is flying from Quito to Guatemala but there is a connection through Atlanta. She will just be in the airport on her way to Guatemala. Is that a problem? Will she be allowed to enter Atlanta?

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tasakchy Explorer

tasakchy   9

Posted
Filed: FB-4 Visa Country: Bangladesh
 Timeline
Posted

If she does not have a green card then she will need a transit visa. Anyone traveling through the US will need to be legally able to enter the US.

She will need to apply for a Transit Visa if she doesn't have any other visa allowing her to enter the US:

http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/other/transit.html

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TBoneTX Grand Master

TBoneTX   42,988

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Ecuador
 Timeline
Posted (edited)

*** Thread moved from K-1 Process forum to the Tourist Visas forum. ***

[Moderator hat off]

Some U.S. airports have a self-contained international terminal, and it's possible that she would not have to leave there and go through Customs & Immigration in order to catch her connecting flight to Guatemala. You'd better check as to whether this is the case in Atlanta.

On its face, it seems inefficient to fly from Quito all the way to Atlanta and then halfway back down. What's up with that, and why was this itinerary booked before checking on the U.S.-entry requirements?

Edited by TBoneTX

06-04-2007 = TSC stamps postal return-receipt for I-129f.

06-11-2007 = NOA1 date (unknown to me).

07-20-2007 = Phoned Immigration Officer; got WAC#; where's NOA1?

09-25-2007 = Touch (first-ever).

09-28-2007 = NOA1, 23 days after their 45-day promise to send it (grrrr).

10-20 & 11-14-2007 = Phoned ImmOffs; "still pending."

12-11-2007 = 180 days; file is "between workstations, may be early Jan."; touches 12/11 & 12/12.

12-18-2007 = Call; file is with Division 9 ofcr. (bckgrnd check); e-prompt to shake it; touch.

12-19-2007 = NOA2 by e-mail & web, dated 12-18-07 (187 days; 201 per VJ); in mail 12/24/07.

01-09-2008 = File from USCIS to NVC, 1-4-08; NVC creates file, 1/15/08; to consulate 1/16/08.

01-23-2008 = Consulate gets file; outdated Packet 4 mailed to fiancee 1/27/08; rec'd 3/3/08.

04-29-2008 = Fiancee's 4-min. consular interview, 8:30 a.m.; much evidence brought but not allowed to be presented (consul: "More proof! Second interview! Bring your fiance!").

05-05-2008 = Infuriating $12 call to non-English-speaking consulate appointment-setter.

05-06-2008 = Better $12 call to English-speaker; "joint" interview date 6/30/08 (my selection).

06-30-2008 = Stokes Interrogations w/Ecuadorian (not USC); "wait 2 weeks; we'll mail her."

07-2008 = Daily calls to DOS: "currently processing"; 8/05 = Phoned consulate, got Section Chief; wrote him.

08-07-08 = E-mail from consulate, promising to issue visa "as soon as we get her passport" (on 8/12, per DHL).

08-27-08 = Phoned consulate (they "couldn't find" our file); visa DHL'd 8/28; in hand 9/1; through POE on 10/9 with NO hassles(!).

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Unidentified Mentor

Unidentified   2,930

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Sweden
 Timeline
Posted

*** Thread moved from K-1 Process forum to the Tourist Visas forum. ***

[Moderator hat off]

Some U.S. airports have a self-contained international terminal, and it's possible that she would not have to leave there and go through Customs & Immigration in order to catch her connecting flight to Guatemala. You'd better check as to whether this is the case in Atlanta.

On its face, it seems inefficient to fly from Quito all the way to Atlanta and then halfway back down. What's up with that, and why was this itinerary booked before checking on the U.S.-entry requirements?

It's one of this instances where you're forced to go to a destination just because it's the home of the airline. For example: flying from Sweden to US with Turkish gives you a detour to Turkey. Delta Airlines has a hub in Atlanta.

I agree on the not very smart move of not checking if she would be able to enter the US.

She does not have an approved K1 visa. She has just applied for one but has not received NOA2 yet.

That's irrelevant. Check if she needs a transit visa or not. Application fee seems to be $160, probably would have been cheaper to go with a different airline and skipped the US.

http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/other/transit.html





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KierenHby Experienced

KierenHby   897

Posted
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Timeline
Posted (edited)

Quito to Guatemala via the US sounds odd, irrespective of traveler's US visa requirement. The flight route seems nowhere near US airspace.

Edit: Even if it is travel via hub, cannot check-in or board the flight to Atlanta without a valid visa.

Edited by KierenHby

USCIS

January 16, 2015 I-130 Mailed, Chi lockbox January 20, 2015 Priority Date, January 21, 2015 NOA1 notice date, Assigned VSC, January 23, 2015 Check Cashed, electronically March 5, 2015 NOA2

NVC

March 27, 2015 NVC received April 6, 2015 Case#, IIN# assigned April 8, 2015 Paid AOS + IV fee Invoices May 5, 2015 AOS + IV package submitted May 11, 2015 Scan Date

June 11, 2015 DS-260 submitted June 25, 2015 False checklist (for ds260).. hello? June 30, 2015 Answered checklist Aug 5, 2015 Escalated to Supervisor review Aug 13, 2015 Case Complete

Consular

Sept 10, 2015 Interview Scheduled Sept 11, 2015 P4 Letter received Sept 21, 2015 file In transit from NVC Sept 23, 2015 file at Embassy

Sept 28, 2015 Medical Oct 14, 2015 Biometrics Oct 15, 2015 Interview (Approved) Oct 19, 2015 IV visa Issued Oct 23, 2015 Passport Pickup

POE

Nov 2, 2015 Entered the US Nov 16, 2015 Applied for SSN, walk-in Nov 20, 2015 Social Security Card recd Jan 15, 2016 GC received

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Unidentified Mentor

Unidentified   2,930

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Sweden
 Timeline
Posted (edited)

Quito to Guatemala via the US sounds odd, irrespective of traveler's US visa requirement. The flight route seems nowhere near US airspace.

Edit: Even if it is travel via hub, cannot check-in or board the flight to Atlanta without a valid visa.

Delta has a hub in Atlanta and fly that route that was mentioned all the time. Check Delta's website.

Edit: That's what we've been saying :)

Edited by Maria&Seve




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KierenHby Experienced

KierenHby   897

Posted
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Timeline
Posted

I am aware Delta has a hub in Atlanta (I'm a Delta Skymiles member and flown thru Atlanta many times).

My comment pertains to the availability (or lack thereof) and cost-effectiveness of flights between those two countries for travelers lacking a US visa.

USCIS

January 16, 2015 I-130 Mailed, Chi lockbox January 20, 2015 Priority Date, January 21, 2015 NOA1 notice date, Assigned VSC, January 23, 2015 Check Cashed, electronically March 5, 2015 NOA2

NVC

March 27, 2015 NVC received April 6, 2015 Case#, IIN# assigned April 8, 2015 Paid AOS + IV fee Invoices May 5, 2015 AOS + IV package submitted May 11, 2015 Scan Date

June 11, 2015 DS-260 submitted June 25, 2015 False checklist (for ds260).. hello? June 30, 2015 Answered checklist Aug 5, 2015 Escalated to Supervisor review Aug 13, 2015 Case Complete

Consular

Sept 10, 2015 Interview Scheduled Sept 11, 2015 P4 Letter received Sept 21, 2015 file In transit from NVC Sept 23, 2015 file at Embassy

Sept 28, 2015 Medical Oct 14, 2015 Biometrics Oct 15, 2015 Interview (Approved) Oct 19, 2015 IV visa Issued Oct 23, 2015 Passport Pickup

POE

Nov 2, 2015 Entered the US Nov 16, 2015 Applied for SSN, walk-in Nov 20, 2015 Social Security Card recd Jan 15, 2016 GC received

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Unidentified Mentor

Unidentified   2,930

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Sweden
 Timeline
Posted

I am aware Delta has a hub in Atlanta (I'm a Delta Skymiles member and flown thru Atlanta many times).

My comment pertains to the availability (or lack thereof) and cost-effectiveness of flights between those two countries for travelers lacking a US visa.

Good for you.

Am I the only one who doesn't find it odd? Sure, it's a bit fishy that someone who just happens to have a fiance in the states decided to do a layover in the states... But not thinking they need a visa? I think it gets more and more common today when people don't book trips through travel agencies who tell them they need a visa and help them do everything. I'm so used to be able to fly wherever I want without a visa because of the European Union I would have no idea if/when it's needed.

Yes, it's weird that they booked the flight and then realized they might need a visa and came here asking. It would have been better (and cheaper) to ask first book later.





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KierenHby Experienced

KierenHby   897

Posted
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Timeline
Posted

Agreed!

Btw, just noticed your location listed as Burke, VA. I'm located very close to Burke too. Not to hijack from the thread's topic :)

USCIS

January 16, 2015 I-130 Mailed, Chi lockbox January 20, 2015 Priority Date, January 21, 2015 NOA1 notice date, Assigned VSC, January 23, 2015 Check Cashed, electronically March 5, 2015 NOA2

NVC

March 27, 2015 NVC received April 6, 2015 Case#, IIN# assigned April 8, 2015 Paid AOS + IV fee Invoices May 5, 2015 AOS + IV package submitted May 11, 2015 Scan Date

June 11, 2015 DS-260 submitted June 25, 2015 False checklist (for ds260).. hello? June 30, 2015 Answered checklist Aug 5, 2015 Escalated to Supervisor review Aug 13, 2015 Case Complete

Consular

Sept 10, 2015 Interview Scheduled Sept 11, 2015 P4 Letter received Sept 21, 2015 file In transit from NVC Sept 23, 2015 file at Embassy

Sept 28, 2015 Medical Oct 14, 2015 Biometrics Oct 15, 2015 Interview (Approved) Oct 19, 2015 IV visa Issued Oct 23, 2015 Passport Pickup

POE

Nov 2, 2015 Entered the US Nov 16, 2015 Applied for SSN, walk-in Nov 20, 2015 Social Security Card recd Jan 15, 2016 GC received

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Peterygrace Contributor

Peterygrace   0

Posted
Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Ecuador
 Timeline
  • Author
Posted

Thank you all for the comments. We are flying through a friend who works for delta and the flight is standby. Not booked yet even though the flight is tomorrow. I wanted to reach out to you guys first. I'll check the delta website.

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Unidentified Mentor

Unidentified   2,930

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Sweden
 Timeline
Posted

Thank you all for the comments. We are flying through a friend who works for delta and the flight is standby. Not booked yet even though the flight is tomorrow. I wanted to reach out to you guys first. I'll check the delta website.

If it's tomorrow you can forget it. She needs a transit visa.





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az2014 Community Regular

az2014   381

Posted
Filed: Timeline
Posted (edited)

I made this mistake last year. Flew to Mexico with Virgin from UK and my flight back was via Atalanta with Delta.

I never realised I needed a visa just to transit (non vwp EU pp holder), can't think of any other country that also does this? I got denied at the check in desk, had to splash out £400 on a single ticket back via Germany. Learnt the hard (and expensive) way!

I must have been blinded by love as I was going to see my future USC girlfriend so I just booked the ticket without even thinking :D

Edited by az2014
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Unidentified Mentor

Unidentified   2,930

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Sweden
 Timeline
Posted

Agreed!

Btw, just noticed your location listed as Burke, VA. I'm located very close to Burke too. Not to hijack from the thread's topic :)

Not to hijack from the threads topic either, but that's cool! Small world ;)





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TBoneTX Grand Master

TBoneTX   42,988

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Ecuador
 Timeline
Posted (edited)

By the way, the VERY best fare- and route-search site that I've found is this:

http://matrix.itasoftware.com/

I use it first and all the time. Have done so for years.

Edited by TBoneTX

06-04-2007 = TSC stamps postal return-receipt for I-129f.

06-11-2007 = NOA1 date (unknown to me).

07-20-2007 = Phoned Immigration Officer; got WAC#; where's NOA1?

09-25-2007 = Touch (first-ever).

09-28-2007 = NOA1, 23 days after their 45-day promise to send it (grrrr).

10-20 & 11-14-2007 = Phoned ImmOffs; "still pending."

12-11-2007 = 180 days; file is "between workstations, may be early Jan."; touches 12/11 & 12/12.

12-18-2007 = Call; file is with Division 9 ofcr. (bckgrnd check); e-prompt to shake it; touch.

12-19-2007 = NOA2 by e-mail & web, dated 12-18-07 (187 days; 201 per VJ); in mail 12/24/07.

01-09-2008 = File from USCIS to NVC, 1-4-08; NVC creates file, 1/15/08; to consulate 1/16/08.

01-23-2008 = Consulate gets file; outdated Packet 4 mailed to fiancee 1/27/08; rec'd 3/3/08.

04-29-2008 = Fiancee's 4-min. consular interview, 8:30 a.m.; much evidence brought but not allowed to be presented (consul: "More proof! Second interview! Bring your fiance!").

05-05-2008 = Infuriating $12 call to non-English-speaking consulate appointment-setter.

05-06-2008 = Better $12 call to English-speaker; "joint" interview date 6/30/08 (my selection).

06-30-2008 = Stokes Interrogations w/Ecuadorian (not USC); "wait 2 weeks; we'll mail her."

07-2008 = Daily calls to DOS: "currently processing"; 8/05 = Phoned consulate, got Section Chief; wrote him.

08-07-08 = E-mail from consulate, promising to issue visa "as soon as we get her passport" (on 8/12, per DHL).

08-27-08 = Phoned consulate (they "couldn't find" our file); visa DHL'd 8/28; in hand 9/1; through POE on 10/9 with NO hassles(!).

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