Does automatic revalidation apply to K1?

[Stephen11 0]

Hi,

I recently entered the country on a K1 visa and me and my fiancee have a 3 day cruise to mexico planned with some family. I've read up about automatic revalidation, however i can't get a concrete answer on whether automatic revalidation applies to the K1 visa. Some places say it does, while others are unsure.

Should i call the immigration office and/or the cruise line for more information? Does anyone have any experience with this?

Thanks, Stephen

Edited October 19, 2016 by Stephen11

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

You should NOT go on the cruise.

K-1 is a one-time use visa.

While there is a little-known law on the books that border patrol can revalidate a K-1 in extreme emergencies, going on a cruise will not count.

If you leave the country you'll be stuck outside and you'll have to start the immigration process over.

[Georgia16 2,858]

Agree.... Do not go on that cruise.

You know you can't get back in on your K-1 again, why risk it?

[LionessDeon 2,060]

Wasn't there a couple where the spouse was here on a K1 from Russia? They went on a honeymoon cruise and they would not allow her re entry into USA and she had to go back to Russia?

[Anitafeliz 1,133]

Get AP first the cruise can wait you can have more in the future.

[Laurel0708 21]

I know. It sucks. I looked into going on a cruise with my fiance as well. We could go on the cruise, but we would only be able to get off on one of the stops. We decided that there are so many neat places in the US (he has never seen snow) that we should explore his new country. Maybe for our one year anniversary we could go on a cruise.

[LionessDeon 2,060]

It's not just about the stops during cruise. It is also getting back into USA after ship comes back into port. You have to go through immigation and they look at everything. You've already used your K1 visa once to get into country...what are you going to use to get in again after the cruise?

[Boiler 43,430]

I have seen some people have success before the 90 days are up and assuming they have not married getting the Consulate that issued the K1 to re issue it for the unexpired portion.

Good luck!

[khwaidee1 196]

We had a 551 stamp due USCIS error on the GC. Well, it expired so we got another 551 stamp. Well, on disembarkation from our cruise at the Port of Los Angeles, our genius CBP Officer only saw the first cancelled 551 and made us wait for well over an hour to get her supervisor to discuss denial of entry. I finally interceded and told them to turn 4 pages back to the new 551. It is my understanding the K1 is a shot deal and I have never heard of "revalidation". Given our experience with CBP, with a valid 551 I would have to say, the cruise will have to wait.

Edited October 19, 2016 by khwaidee1

[Adil & Jeanne 296]

yes, my brother in law was going to take his Russian wife on a honeymoon cruise (K 1 ) visa along with her parents who came for the wedding

they paid for 4 tickets and when they went to board the ship were told "the wife would not be allowed back in if she left the country"

the travel agency said nothing about this and when trying to get the money back, no luck

[jpiz777 3]

I would like to take my fiancée on a cruise too, but the one time entry to the US on a K1 means we're going to have to wait.

[soulstriker 274]

i dont understand why anyone would risk their k1 just to go on a boat and look at water , there 50 states , tons of nice areas in the country to see , when u have greencard cruise as much as u want

[N-o-l-a 7,167]

yes, my brother in law was going to take his Russian wife on a honeymoon cruise (K 1 ) visa along with her parents who came for the wedding

they paid for 4 tickets and when they went to board the ship were told "the wife would not be allowed back in if she left the country"

the travel agency said nothing about this and when trying to get the money back, no luck

Well, anyone who has read about the K1 should know that you need AP to re-enter the country. I'm not sure why anyone would book a cruise after coming in on a K1 and before receiving AP. It is just negligent. At least the cruise ship staff warned them, which they shouldn't have had to do in the first place.

If anyone else feels they must take a cruise immediately after entering the US, perhaps they should look into a CR1.

[Ketsuban 1,034]

yes, my brother in law was going to take his Russian wife on a honeymoon cruise (K 1 ) visa along with her parents who came for the wedding

they paid for 4 tickets and when they went to board the ship were told "the wife would not be allowed back in if she left the country"

the travel agency said nothing about this and when trying to get the money back, no luck

Mainly because it's not the travel agency's responsibility. I'm not surprised they wouldn't refund the money.

[Rc123rc 528]

Hi,

I recently entered the country on a K1 visa and me and my fiancee have a 3 day cruise to mexico planned with some family. I've read up about automatic revalidation, however i can't get a concrete answer on whether automatic revalidation applies to the K1 visa. Some places say it does, while others are unsure.

Should i call the immigration office and/or the cruise line for more information? Does anyone have any experience with this?

Thanks, Stephen

Short answer. No. Get married, apply for AOS, EAD and Advanced Parole and then take the cruise. Your K-1 expired as soon as you touched U.S. soil at POE. They won't let you back in the country without an AP.