Coronavirus K1 entry

[Mat19 5]

Hi all,

 

I’m flying out to the Us on my k-1 Visa next month from the UK. 
 

My visa is due to expire at the end of April. Does anyone know if travel is restricted due to the Coronavirus outbreak if that could be extended in special circumstances?

 

Thanks 

[African Zealot 1,453]

Yes the USA has instituted some restrictions however the restriction is on Iran (which already had a restriction) and screening  protocols for people coming in from some other countries including Italy and South Korea.

 

Considering how the virus is spreading in the USA, it is getting to a point where the travel bans will lose relevance because the USA will soon have a higher concentration of the epidemic than most foreign countries so infections will be from within, not visitors.

 

That said nobody knows what will happen tomorrow or what restrictions will be deployed tomorrow so it is better to come sooner than later. Cutting it close with anything is never recommended.

 

Remember the president has almost unfettered power to implement policies ties to keeping Americans safe and Trump typically defaults to restricting foreigners/immigrants  from the USA as the solution to any problem.

Edited March 11, 2020 by Ray.Bonaquist

[Dashinka 23,355]

I agree, right now who knows what the travel restrictions will be in 2-3 weeks.

 

Good Luck!

[Leah88 192]

Hi! I am in a similar situation, I bought my ticket for the first of May, and I’m going to travel to the US from Germany. I have been thinking about texting the consulate, because I am also worried that I might not be able to enter the country due to the corona crisis. Have you or someone else on here thought about texting the consulate or USCIS? 

Edited March 11, 2020 by Leah88

[Mat19 5]

44 minutes ago, Leah88 said:

Hi! I am in a similar situation, I bought my ticket for the first of May, and I’m going to travel to the US from Germany. I have been thinking about texting the consulate, because I am also worried that I might not be able to enter the country due to the corona crisis. Have you or someone else on here thought about texting the consulate or USCIS? 

I sent an e-mail to the consulate yesterday via their contact form. I’ll update as soon as I hear back! 

[Greenbaum 12,258]

2 hours ago, Mat19 said:

Hi all,

 

I’m flying out to the Us on my k-1 Visa next month from the UK. 
 

My visa is due to expire at the end of April. Does anyone know if travel is restricted due to the Coronavirus outbreak if that could be extended in special circumstances?

 

Thanks 

You need 6 months remaining on your passport to travel. I'd look into getting it renewed now as it's easier in your country then from the US. 

[Mat19 5]

14 minutes ago, Greenbaum said:

You need 6 months remaining on your passport to travel. I'd look into getting it renewed now as it's easier in your country then from the US. 

My passport isn’t due to expire for another 3 years it’s the actual k-1 visa that’s due to expire at the end of next month

[Fenja 208]

Following!

My flight is booked for May 12, 2020, but I'm thinking about traveling earlier to avoid any travel restrictions.

[Greenbaum 12,258]

1 hour ago, Mat19 said:

My passport isn’t due to expire for another 3 years it’s the actual k-1 visa that’s due to expire at the end of next month

My mistake. To answer your question we have not heard any "official" word how the visa will be treated if it expires. I am sure that there will be a process but it's still to early in this whole "scare" mentality that's out there.

[Maria002 54]

3 hours ago, Leah88 said:

Hi! I am in a similar situation, I bought my ticket for the first of May, and I’m going to travel to the US from Germany. I have been thinking about texting the consulate, because I am also worried that I might not be able to enter the country due to the corona crisis. Have you or someone else on here thought about texting the consulate or USCIS? 

Hi

I am in a similar situation, my flight is reserved for April 30 and there are recent cases of coronavirus in my country, if this continues, probably my country will impose some restrictions for flights (as Italy already did).

I am worried because my flight cannot be rescheduled.

[Lucky2Lucky 2,526]

No one can say what will happen in the future. There may or may not be travel bans. Air carriers may or may not longer fly to certain destinations. No one knows what we will wake up to tomorrow never mind months from now.
 

Personally I wouldn’t wait to travel towards the end of my visa expiration date because I wouldn’t want to rely on the US government making “exceptions” for traveling/extending visa expiration dates.

[geowrian 22,336]

Nobody knows what will happen. But under current rules, if the visa expires then it's done. A new K-1 visa can be issued, although a new medical + interview would likely be required (as the existing application is complete and the medical expires alongside the visa).

Best thing is to avoid relying on exceptions being made in the future.

[Unidentified 2,930]

Good luck!

[designguy 1,179]

6 hours ago, Greenbaum said:

My mistake. To answer your question we have not heard any "official" word how the visa will be treated if it expires. I am sure that there will be a process but it's still to early in this whole "scare" mentality that's out there.

Actually even if it was the passport expiring, they wouldn’t need 6 months left. UK is one country among many that have a passport extension agreement with the US

 

9 FAM 403.9-3(B)(2) (U) Countries That Extend Passport Validity for an Additional Six Months After Expiration

https://fam.state.gov/searchapps/viewer?format=html&query=passport validity&links=PASSPORT,VALID&url=/FAM/09FAM/09FAM040309.html#M403_9_3_B_1

[Cilllah 470]

This has been on my mind too. I am not moving until July - not by choice though! It's the agreement I have currently with the K2's father and I do worry that something might happen between now and then. I keep just thinking that at least I am from Australia and they are unlikely at this stage anyway to impose travel bans for here. Who knows though!