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Tracey&Terence

Can you travel to Costa Rica for a honeymoon?

By Tracey&Terence in Working & Traveling During US Immigration

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Tracey&Terence Rookie

Tracey&Terence   19

Posted
Filed: K-1 Visa Country: United Kingdom
 Timeline
Posted

Hiya,

 

We got married on 04/20/18 and are hoping to go to Costa Rica for our honeymoon this weekend. Do you know whether a AP/Green Card is required for visiting Costa Rica, or will it be oK? Thanks!

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Lemonslice Experienced

Lemonslice   4,586

Posted
Filed: Lift. Cond. (apr) Country: Canada
 Timeline
Posted
2 minutes ago, Tracey&Terence said:

Hiya,

 

We got married on 04/20/18 and are hoping to go to Costa Rica for our honeymoon this weekend. Do you know whether a AP/Green Card is required for visiting Costa Rica, or will it be oK? Thanks!

AP/green card will be necessary to reenter the US.

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Unshakable Faith Proficient

Unshakable Faith   493

Posted
Filed: AOS (pnd) Country: Nigeria
 Timeline
Posted (edited)
5 minutes ago, Tracey&Terence said:

Hiya,

 

We got married on 04/20/18 and are hoping to go to Costa Rica for our honeymoon this weekend. Do you know whether a AP/Green Card is required for visiting Costa Rica, or will it be oK? Thanks!

AP is required if your spouse leaves the country and wants to re-enter the US.  Leaving without it would mean they cannot reenter the country without another valid visa. 

Edited by Unshakable Faith

Our Journey:
04/19/2014- Met online
10/2014- Visited Nigeria and he proposed!!!! 
02/28/2015- Sent I-129F petition
03/05/2015- NOA1
09/2015- Visited Nigeria again!!!
10/28/2015- NOA2 (237 day wait at TSC)
11/13/2015- Sent to NVC
11/27/2015- Arrived at Embassy
06/2016- Third visit to Nigeria!
06/15/2016- Interview, given option to file I-601 waiver.
08/16/2016- Waiver submitted (no lawyer).
11/21/2016- Waiver approved with expedite.
01/2017- Embassy requested interview. 
04/2017- Fourth visit to Nigeria.  K1 officially denied. 
04/25/2017- NOA1 for 2nd K1.
07/27/2017- Case transferred to TSC.
11/17/2017- Case transferred back to CSC.
01/16/2018- NOA2!! (266 day wait)
03/08/2018- Interview (AP)
05/03/2018- VISA APPROVAL!!!
05/14/2018- Visa issued
05/18/2018- Visa picked up
05/25/2018- HE'S HOME!!! 💙💙💙


God has given me a great knowledgebase through research and other members here on VJ.  Please do not hesitate to reach out if I can be of any assistance to you! 

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geowrian Grand Master

geowrian   22,336

Posted
Filed: Lift. Cond. (pnd) Country: Philippines
 Timeline
Posted (edited)

And their pending AOS will be abandoned if they leave before AP is approved.

 

Edit: Wait...you just married on a K-1 and want to travel abroad like a week later? Sorry, but this should have been figured out before going down the K-1 path.

Edited by geowrian

Timelines:

ROC:

Spoiler

7/27/20: Sent forms to Dallas lockbox, 7/30/20: Received by USCIS, 8/10 NOA1 electronic notification received, 8/1/ NOA1 hard copy received

AOS:

Spoiler

AOS (I-485 + I-131 + I-765):

9/25/17: sent forms to Chicago, 9/27/17: received by USCIS, 10/4/17: NOA1 electronic notification received, 10/10/17: NOA1 hard copy received. Social Security card being issued in married name (3rd attempt!)

10/14/17: Biometrics appointment notice received, 10/25/17: Biometrics

1/2/18: EAD + AP approved (no website update), 1/5/18: EAD + AP mailed, 1/8/18: EAD + AP approval notice hardcopies received, 1/10/18: EAD + AP received

9/5/18: Interview scheduled notice, 10/17/18: Interview

10/24/18: Green card produced notice, 10/25/18: Formal approval, 10/31/18: Green card received

K-1:

Spoiler

I-129F

12/1/16: sent, 12/14/16: NOA1 hard copy received, 3/10/17: RFE (IMB verification), 3/22/17: RFE response received

3/24/17: Approved! , 3/30/17: NOA2 hard copy received

 

NVC

4/6/2017: Received, 4/12/2017: Sent to Riyadh embassy, 4/16/2017: Case received at Riyadh embassy, 4/21/2017: Request case transfer to Manila, approved 4/24/2017

 

K-1

5/1/2017: Case received by Manila (1 week embassy transfer??? Lucky~)

7/13/2017: Interview: APPROVED!!!

7/19/2017: Visa in hand

8/15/2017: POE

 

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DaveAndAnastasia Experienced

DaveAndAnastasia   2,079

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

Once you enter the US on a K-1, you can't leave until you've got AP without abandoning the K-1. So unless you want to put off the honeymoon until months after the legal wedding (which if you're doing a quick courthouse wedding right away for legal reasons and a more elaborate ceremony later, you might), you can't honeymoon outside the US. 

K-1                             AOS                            
NOA1 Notice Date: 2018-05-31    NOA1 Notice Date: 2019-04-11   
NOA2 Date: 2018-11-16           Biometrics Date: 2019-05-10    
Arrived at NVC:  2018-12-03     EAD/AP In Hand: 2019-09-16     
Arrived in Moscow: 2018-12-28   GC Interview Date: 2019-09-25      
Interview date: 2019-02-14      GC In Hand: 2019-10-02
Visa issued: 2019-02-28
POE: 2019-03-11
Wedding: 2019-03-14

ROC                             Naturalization
NOA1 Notice Date: 2021-07-16    Applied Online: 2022-07-09 (biometrics waived)
Approval Date: 2022-04-06       Interview was Scheduled: 2023-01-06
10-year GC In Hand: 2022-04-14  Interview date: 2023-02-13 (passed)
                            	Oath: 2023-02-13

 

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geowrian Grand Master

geowrian   22,336

Posted
Filed: Lift. Cond. (pnd) Country: Philippines
 Timeline
Posted (edited)
7 minutes ago, Tracey&Terence said:

Oh OK. What if you haven't filed for AOS yet? Can you not enter with an ESTA? 

Entry is always at the discretion of the CBP officer, but after a K-1 entry it may be more difficult.

 

That said, you cannot re-enter on an ESTA with intent to file for AOS. That would be fraud. You need to enter on the K-1 if you intend to AOS (and K-1 visas are single use!).

Edited by geowrian

Timelines:

ROC:

Spoiler

7/27/20: Sent forms to Dallas lockbox, 7/30/20: Received by USCIS, 8/10 NOA1 electronic notification received, 8/1/ NOA1 hard copy received

AOS:

Spoiler

AOS (I-485 + I-131 + I-765):

9/25/17: sent forms to Chicago, 9/27/17: received by USCIS, 10/4/17: NOA1 electronic notification received, 10/10/17: NOA1 hard copy received. Social Security card being issued in married name (3rd attempt!)

10/14/17: Biometrics appointment notice received, 10/25/17: Biometrics

1/2/18: EAD + AP approved (no website update), 1/5/18: EAD + AP mailed, 1/8/18: EAD + AP approval notice hardcopies received, 1/10/18: EAD + AP received

9/5/18: Interview scheduled notice, 10/17/18: Interview

10/24/18: Green card produced notice, 10/25/18: Formal approval, 10/31/18: Green card received

K-1:

Spoiler

I-129F

12/1/16: sent, 12/14/16: NOA1 hard copy received, 3/10/17: RFE (IMB verification), 3/22/17: RFE response received

3/24/17: Approved! , 3/30/17: NOA2 hard copy received

 

NVC

4/6/2017: Received, 4/12/2017: Sent to Riyadh embassy, 4/16/2017: Case received at Riyadh embassy, 4/21/2017: Request case transfer to Manila, approved 4/24/2017

 

K-1

5/1/2017: Case received by Manila (1 week embassy transfer??? Lucky~)

7/13/2017: Interview: APPROVED!!!

7/19/2017: Visa in hand

8/15/2017: POE

 

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bakphx1 Proficient

bakphx1   785

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

The CBP will likely know there's a K1 attached to his A# if he uses ESTA for reentry.  I know canceling a honeymoon at the last minute is rough, but having to send him back to the UK would be worse. 

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Unlockable Mentor

Unlockable   7,306

Posted
Filed: Citizen (pnd) Country: Dominican Republic
 Timeline
Posted
5 hours ago, Tracey&Terence said:

Oh OK. What if you haven't filed for AOS yet? Can you not enter with an ESTA? 

The ESTA is dead. Your wife can't go anywhere* until you file AOS and either get AP or the green card. This is the downfall of the K1. Your honeymoon will either have to wait or be limited to the US.

 

*When I say"can't go anywhere", I meant she can leave the US, but if she doesn't have the appropriate documents she will not be able to reenter the US and you will have to start all over with filing a spousal visa.

“When starting an immigration journey, the best advice is to understand that sacrifices have to be made... whether it is time, money, or separation; or a combination of all.” - Unlockable

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yuna628 Veteran

yuna628   9,545

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: United Kingdom
 Timeline
Posted

You may leave the country but you surely won't be getting back in without AP.

If you haven't filed for AOS with AP+EAD, you probably want to get on that quickly..

Your VWP privileges are gone and you have no authorization to leave and re-enter the country without having the proper protection that AP will provide.

I'd suggest finding somewhere within the USA to have a honeymoon for now.

Our Journey Timeline  - Immigration and the Health Exchange Price of Love in the UK Thinking of Returning to UK?

 

First met: 12/31/04 - Engaged: 9/24/09
Filed I-129F: 10/4/14 - Packet received: 10/7/14
NOA 1 email + ARN assigned: 10/10/14 (hard copy 10/17/14)
Touched on website (fixed?): 12/9/14 - Poked USCIS: 4/1/15
NOA 2 email: 5/4/15 (hard copy 5/11/15)
Sent to NVC: 5/8/15 - NVC received + #'s assigned: 5/15/15 (estimated)
NVC sent: 5/19/15 - London received/ready: 5/26/15
Packet 3: 5/28/15 - Medical: 6/16/15
Poked London 7/1/15 - Packet 4: 7/2/15
Interview: 7/30/15 - Approved!
AP + Issued 8/3/15 - Visa in hand (depot): 8/6/15
POE: 8/27/15
Wedding: 9/30/15

Filed I-485, I-131, I-765: 11/7/15

Packet received: 11/9/15

NOA 1 txt/email: 11/15/15 - NOA 1 hardcopy: 11/19/15

Bio: 12/9/15

EAD + AP approved: 1/25/16 - EAD received: 2/1/16

RFE for USCIS inability to read vax instructions: 5/21/16 (no e-notification & not sent from local office!)

RFE response sent: 6/7/16 - RFE response received 6/9/16

AOS approved/card in production: 6/13/16  

NOA 2 hardcopy + card sent 6/17/16

Green Card received: 6/18/16

USCIS 120 day reminder notice: 2/22/18

Filed I-751: 5/2/18 - Packet received: 5/4/18

NOA 1:  5/29/18 (12 mo ext) 8/13/18 (18 mo ext)  - Bio: 6/27/18

Transferred: Potomac Service Center 3/26/19

Approved/New Card Produced status: 4/25/19 - NOA2 hardcopy 4/29/19

10yr Green Card Received: 5/2/19 with error >_<

N400 : 7/16/23 - Oath : 10/19/23

 

 

 

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NikLR Grand Master

NikLR   13,220

Posted
Filed: Lift. Cond. (apr) Country: Canada
 Timeline
Posted
12 hours ago, Tracey&Terence said:

Hiya,

 

We got married on 04/20/18 and are hoping to go to Costa Rica for our honeymoon this weekend. Do you know whether a AP/Green Card is required for visiting Costa Rica, or will it be oK? Thanks!

Costa Rica is not a US territory.  Puerto Rico is however and you should not need AP or a GC to travel back from there.  However it is generally best to stay within the US states themselves just to avoid possible issues with territories, so maybe Hawaii or Florida would be a better tropical destination?

You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.  - Dr. Seuss

 

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geowrian Grand Master

geowrian   22,336

Posted
Filed: Lift. Cond. (pnd) Country: Philippines
 Timeline
Posted

We waited until my wife had AP for Hawaii even...in case the flight got diverted.

Timelines:

ROC:

Spoiler

7/27/20: Sent forms to Dallas lockbox, 7/30/20: Received by USCIS, 8/10 NOA1 electronic notification received, 8/1/ NOA1 hard copy received

AOS:

Spoiler

AOS (I-485 + I-131 + I-765):

9/25/17: sent forms to Chicago, 9/27/17: received by USCIS, 10/4/17: NOA1 electronic notification received, 10/10/17: NOA1 hard copy received. Social Security card being issued in married name (3rd attempt!)

10/14/17: Biometrics appointment notice received, 10/25/17: Biometrics

1/2/18: EAD + AP approved (no website update), 1/5/18: EAD + AP mailed, 1/8/18: EAD + AP approval notice hardcopies received, 1/10/18: EAD + AP received

9/5/18: Interview scheduled notice, 10/17/18: Interview

10/24/18: Green card produced notice, 10/25/18: Formal approval, 10/31/18: Green card received

K-1:

Spoiler

I-129F

12/1/16: sent, 12/14/16: NOA1 hard copy received, 3/10/17: RFE (IMB verification), 3/22/17: RFE response received

3/24/17: Approved! , 3/30/17: NOA2 hard copy received

 

NVC

4/6/2017: Received, 4/12/2017: Sent to Riyadh embassy, 4/16/2017: Case received at Riyadh embassy, 4/21/2017: Request case transfer to Manila, approved 4/24/2017

 

K-1

5/1/2017: Case received by Manila (1 week embassy transfer??? Lucky~)

7/13/2017: Interview: APPROVED!!!

7/19/2017: Visa in hand

8/15/2017: POE

 

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Crazy Cat Grand Master

Crazy Cat   39,656

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

I agree with those who have said that exiting the US prior to receiving approved Advance Parole will result in entry denial.  AP is currently taking about 100 days or so.   This is one of the main reasons I consider the CR-1 to be superior to the K-1.......Congratulations on your marriage, and good luck in the future.

Edited by missileman

"The US immigration process requires a great deal of knowledge, planning, time, patience, and a significant amount of money.  It is quite a journey!"

- Some old child of the 50's & 60's on his laptop 

 

Senior Master Sergeant, US Air Force- Retired (after 20+ years)- Missile Systems Maintenance & Titan 2 ICBM Launch Crew Duty (200+ Alert tours)

Registered Nurse- Retired- I practiced in the areas of Labor & Delivery, Home Health, Adolescent Psych, & Adult Psych.

IT Professional- Retired- Web Site Design, Hardware Maintenance, Compound Pharmacy Software Trainer, On-site go live support, Database Manager, App Designer.

______________________________________

August 7, 2022: Wife filed N-400 Online under 5 year rule.

November 10, 2022: Received "Interview is scheduled" letter.

December 12, 2022:  Received email from Dallas office informing me (spouse) to be there for combo interview.

December 14, 2022: Combo Interview for I-751 and N-400 Conducted.

January 26, 2023: Wife's Oath Ceremony completed at the Plano Event Center, Plano, Texas!!!😁

February 6, 2023: Wife's Passport Application submitted in Dallas, Texas.

March 21, 2023:   Wife's Passport Delivered!!!!

May 15, 2023 (about):  Naturalization Certificate returned from Passport agency!!

 

In summary, it took 13 months for approval of the CR-1.  It took 44 months for approval of the I-751.  It took 4 months for approval of the N-400.   It took 172 days from N-400 application to Oath Ceremony.   It took 6 weeks for Passport, then 7 additional weeks for return of wife's Naturalization Certificate.. 
 

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mcdull Community Regular

mcdull   474

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Hong Kong
 Timeline
Posted

she cannot go abroad until she received her AP card.

 

Go to Hawaii or Guam, or NM islands, or  US Virgin Island, must be direct fight from the US without touching foreign soil.

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