Touring Europe After K-1 is Issued BUT Before Entering US

[paddington_bear 30]

Hi All:

As we are waiting for our visa to process, my fiance and I are talking about touring some of the European countries while I am in the UK for 3 months this summer (I'm actually there to undertake dissertation research that I HAVE to do, but living with my fiance is the much added bonus!!). We wanted to do it after his passport was returned with the K-1 visa. We figured he could take leave of his job then and after the 2 weeks notice, we would spend 2 weeks touring Europe before we returned together to the US and he entered using the K-1.

Once the K1 visa is issued onto your passport, I know you have 6 months to use it for US entry. But can you also use your passport to travel to other countries before you use the K-1? I know traveling to the US on K-1 and then trying to travel outside of it before your greencard is not permitted unless you have advanced parole, and we're not going to even do the AP thing--we are going straight for AOS/green card once he gets in. But we really wanted to travel around for a few weeks--and obviously he can't do that while he is working and using his paid vacation to go to the London interview/medical etc.. So what's the story? Will it void the K1 if he uses his passport elsewhere? Will it cause him to be denied POE in another country? Will it cause problems for him coming back to the UK?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, as we are trying to make inquiries into summer holiday places and rentals soon.

[EndlessStory 53]

Yes you can travel before entering U.S. on a K1 visa. Will not have issue during POE as long as you enter before your K1 expire.

[nobbie 105]

No problem, why would another country care about a US visa, anyway within the EU they will hardly look at the passport of a UK citizen.

I would advise you to file for AP and EAD along with your AoS as it will come through in 2-3 months whereas the GC may take a year and he will be stuck in the US and unable to work. Costs nothing extra if you file all 3 together so why not do it?

[ashleyphilly 70]

Yes file the AP and EAD as well immediately. From what im seeing people get their EADs in 60 days. Thats what im gonna do as i would have to work asap. Also if you get a job offer while your ead is pending, i think you can try to expedite it by sending uscis a copy of your job offer

[Brit Abroad 166]

http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/go/schengen-fact-sheet.html

US visa has no bearing in Europe, and a British passport holder has freedom of movement under the Schengen agreement within European borders.

The link above gives details for the US passport holder.

Have a great holiday together.

Edited February 17, 2014 by Brit Abroad

[KayDeeCee 4,892]

Yes, you can travel anywhere you like before entering the US with the K-1. You just need to enter the US using the K-1 before it expires. The K-1 is a US visa. It is not used for entering other countries.

Why are you 'not going to even do the AP thing' when you file for AOS? I have seen far too many posts from people wishing they had filed for the AP while waiting on their green card approval. Sometimes emergencies happen.

[paddington_bear 30]

Yes I suppose we ought to file it just in case---sage advice, all. And thanks for the clarification!