Can you leave and re-enter the US while on a K1 visa?

[uktousa13 0]

I have a friend's wedding in the UK that I hope to attend which will, unfortunately, fall after my wedding but before any change of status paperwork can get done. What this means is that I'll be leaving and returning to the US while still on a K-1, albeit only for a weekend. Is there any reason why this should be a problem? I'll be returning before the end of 90 days after my initial entry to the US so in theory I should still be able to return even if I was not married but I thought it was worth checking there wasn't some "one entry to the country only" limitation on the visa.

[SteveKarlaMayer 21]

Unfortunately, you can't do that. K1 visa is only 1 entry visa. Which means, you can't leave outside the US territory unless you already have green card or advance parole. They won't let you enter the USA once you travel outside its territory while holding only a K1 visa.

[shell20 746]

I am not an authority on this topic, but I do know the K1 is a once only use visa. I was advised by my lawyer that I would need to file some kind of form when I got there, (don't know which one) so if there was an emergency I could fly home and not be denied entry upon my return. . I'm sure someone on this forum will be able to give you more of a definitive answer to your question.

[Kisturia 7]

MrsMayer is correct! You can enter the US on a K1 only once!

You can file for Advance Parole to be able to reenter the US (You have to file and receive the AP BEFORE you leave the country!). But usually it takes up to 90 days to get the AP. You can only expedite it if you had an emergency and having to attend a wedding isn't considered an emergency at all.

Your options:

- travel to the US on your visa AFTER your friend's wedding

- travel to the US as planned and don't go to your friend's wedding

- travel to the US, get married, leave the country to attend your friend's wedding and have your spouse file I-130 and wait another 8-12 months for the new visa before you will be able to return to the US (I don't think you wanna do that)

Edited January 22, 2014 by Kisturia

[Zedayn 485]

I have a friend's wedding in the UK that I hope to attend which will, unfortunately, fall after my wedding but before any change of status paperwork can get done. What this means is that I'll be leaving and returning to the US while still on a K-1, albeit only for a weekend. Is there any reason why this should be a problem? I'll be returning before the end of 90 days after my initial entry to the US so in theory I should still be able to return even if I was not married but I thought it was worth checking there wasn't some "one entry to the country only" limitation on the visa.

Unfortunately, a K-1 visa is a "one entry to the country only" visa. Your K-1 visa expires as soon as you enter the US.

[Darnell 8,478]

Can you leave and re-enter the US while on a K1 visa?

No.

K-1 visa is single-entry and is invalidated at first use at a POE.

Need to travel, you say? File the big AOS set after marriage, including the AP form, and chase an expedite after biometrics are done .

[uktousa13 0]

Thanks for all the helpful replies. So I can potentially apply for Advance Parole simultaneously with an adjustment of status so the question really is how long will it take? Are there any guides or helpful timetables on here that narrow it down beyond up to 90 days? The date of my wedding is still flexible so if we're talking say, 40 days on average, it could be adjusted to make it work.

[Kisturia 7]

Unfortunately there is no such thing as average when it comes to USCIS

[Zedayn 485]

AP will take about 2 to 3 months after you file.

[KayDeeCee 4,892]

If you need to travel back to the UK not long after you would enter with the K-1, then just wait until after the wedding you are going to attend, then enter the US with the K-1.