Travel to U.S. Virgin Islands on K1 Visa

[mavryk1971 0]

My fiancé entered the U.S. January 9th on a K1 Visa. We are planning to be married on St.Thomas USVI March 14. I assumed there would be no issues as this is a U.S. territory. A friend of mine advises me coming back to the mainland may not be permissible on a K1 as it is a single-entry visa. There seems to be a lot of conflicting information about this subject. Can anyone who has recently traveled to the U.S. Virgin Islands after entering the country on a K1 tell me about your experience?

[N-o-l-a 7,168]

Well, it is a US territory so you are not leaving the US or re-entering the US. Be prepared for an inspection of the visa, etc. We travelled to the USVI with just my husband's CR1 visa in his passport and you'd think it was the first time they had seen one!

You can not enter the BVI or transfer flights anywhere that is not a US territory, though.

[mavryk1971 0]

Thanks for the reply. Yes, I understand it would not be permitted to go the the BVI or even a sailing trip into international waters. Can you tell me the date that you travelled?

Thanks

[Dave&Roza 748]

My fiancé entered the U.S. January 9th on a K1 Visa. We are planning to be married on St.Thomas USVI March 14. I assumed there would be no issues as this is a U.S. territory. A friend of mine advises me coming back to the mainland may not be permissible on a K1 as it is a single-entry visa. There seems to be a lot of conflicting information about this subject. Can anyone who has recently traveled to the U.S. Virgin Islands after entering the country on a K1 tell me about your experience?

You might want to look here for information. It does state that a passport is required for non-USC and proof of USC is also required. IMHO, I would get married in the US, file for AOS (adjustment of status) and when your husband gets his GC, then go to the USVI. I just would not risk all the time, money, and effort of getting the K-1 visa just to be married there. The CBP states that the requirements for entering the US from a US territory is the same as from a foreign destination--see link here-- so my take on that is that your fiancé would still need a valid visa to enter the US from the USVI and the K-1 is no longer valid after entering the US the first time.

I would make very certain there will not be any problems otherwise your husband will have to return to his country and you petition him using a spousal visa after the marriage.

Good luck,

Dave

[Dave&Roza 748]

My fiancé entered the U.S. January 9th on a K1 Visa. We are planning to be married on St.Thomas USVI March 14. I assumed there would be no issues as this is a U.S. territory. A friend of mine advises me coming back to the mainland may not be permissible on a K1 as it is a single-entry visa. There seems to be a lot of conflicting information about this subject. Can anyone who has recently traveled to the U.S. Virgin Islands after entering the country on a K1 tell me about your experience?

You might want to look here for information. It does state that a passport is required for non-USC and proof of USC is also required. IMHO, I would get married in the US, file for AOS (adjustment of status) and when your husband gets his GC, then go to the USVI. I just would not risk all the time, money, and effort of getting the K-1 visa just to be married there. The CBP states that the requirements for entering the US from a US territory is the same as from a foreign destination--see link here-- so my take on that is that your fiancé would still need a valid visa to enter the US from the USVI and the K-1 is no longer valid after entering the US the first time.

I would make very certain there will not be any problems otherwise your husband will have to return to his country and you petition him using a spousal visa after the marriage.

Good luck,

Dave