I feel all your pain re banned flights

[LondonerCat 38]

Just wanted to say how sorry I am for those of you affected by today’s announcement of banned flights from the U.K. to the US. 
 

I was due to see my husband in 2 weeks in LA for a couple of weeks. I haven’t seen him for a month and miss him dearly.. and now we don’t know when we can see one another again. I feel heart broken, so opened a bottle of gin to drown some sorrows! 
 

I realise a lot of you are in the same boat or even errr due to fly to move soon to get married for K1s or after your IR1/CR1s have been approved so my heart goes out to you all. I really hope this doesn’t slow down visa processing times. 
 

Love to you all from London x

[Crazy Cat 39,183]

10 minutes ago, LondonerCat said:

Just wanted to say how sorry I am for those of you affected by today’s announcement of banned flights from the U.K. to the US. 
 

I was due to see my husband in 2 weeks in LA for a couple of weeks. I haven’t seen him for a month and miss him dearly.. and now we don’t know when we can see one another again. I feel heart broken, so opened a bottle of gin to drown some sorrows! 
 

I realise a lot of you are in the same boat or even errr due to fly to move soon to get married for K1s or after your IR1/CR1s have been approved so my heart goes out to you all. I really hope this doesn’t slow down visa processing times. 
 

Love to you all from London x

This will pass.  Some of us had to endure a year away from our spouses.  It sucks......but life goes on.....keep busy....and use video conferencing.

Edited March 14, 2020 by Lucky Cat

[JFH 12,189]

I think people with IR-1/CR-1 visas will still be able to enter. I also saw that spouses of USCs are not affected. How that works when boarding a plane is anyone’s guess as my husband’s nationality is not officially listed on our marriage certificate although it does show he was born in California. There are a couple of exceptions where being born in the USA does not mean citizenship.

[JFH 12,189]

Here’s the list that it does not apply to (scroll down for section 2):

 

https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/proclamation-suspension-entry-immigrants-nonimmigrants-certain-additional-persons-pose-risk-transmitting-2019-novel-coronavirus/

[Crazy Cat 39,183]

Just now, JFH said:

Here’s the list that it does not apply to (scroll down for section 2):

 

https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/proclamation-suspension-entry-immigrants-nonimmigrants-certain-additional-persons-pose-risk-transmitting-2019-novel-coronavirus/

What is your prediction on flight cancellations due to the announcement?  Is flight availability going to be the big factor for spouses of USCs?

[LondonerCat 38]

5 minutes ago, JFH said:

Here’s the list that it does not apply to (scroll down for section 2):

 

https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/proclamation-suspension-entry-immigrants-nonimmigrants-certain-additional-persons-pose-risk-transmitting-2019-novel-coronavirus/

Wow... does that mean I could still fly then? As I am a lawful spouse of a USC? 
 

Second @Lucky Cat - I wonder if my flight will still be flying as there will be (I guess) barely anyone else on it?

[JFH 12,189]

2 minutes ago, Lucky Cat said:

What is your prediction on flight cancellations due to the announcement?  Is flight availability going to be the big factor for spouses of USCs?

Indeed it could be a problem. We always recommend not purchasing a ticket until the visa is issued which often means buying a ticket very shortly before travel. Capacity has been cut and routes are being cancelled as only a handful of airports are approved for CDC health screening. Lufthansa has had to cancel their flights into Charlotte and Tampa, for example, BA cannot fly into Charleston, Tampa, Orlando, Nashville, AA cannot fly into RDU, Delta cannot use MSP or PDX. Virgin cannot use Orlando, Las Vegas. So routes are being condensed. People due to fly directly to Orlando are being funneled through ATL or MIA so capacity is restricted again. People who previously had non-stop flights now have to make connections. 

5 minutes ago, LondonerCat said:

Wow... does that mean I could still fly then? As I am a lawful spouse of a USC? 
 

Second @Lucky Cat - I wonder if my flight will still be flying as there will be (I guess) barely anyone else on it?

Check with your airline. I work for a major carrier and we are re-routing thousands of people. Check your booking online. Any changes will be noted on there. 

[LondonerCat 38]

Just now, JFH said:

Indeed it could be a problem. We always recommend not purchasing a ticket until the visa is issued which often means buying a ticket very shortly before travel. Capacity has been cut and routes are being cancelled as only a handful of airports are approved for CDC health screening. Lufthansa has had to cancel their flights into Charlotte and Tampa, for example, BA cannot fly into Charleston, Tampa, Orlando, Nashville, AA cannot fly into RDU, Delta cannot use MSP or PDX. Virgin cannot use Orlando, Las Vegas. So routes are being condensed. People due to fly directly to Orlando are being funneled through ATL or MIA so capacity is restricted again. People who previously had non-stop flights now have to make connections. 

Wow, you’re so full of knowledge! 
 

I am a spouse of USC but our i-130 is not yet approved (only filed Nov 19). My flight is with BA flying into LAX. *If* BA are still flying that route/ weekend, do you think I could still enter? As although I am a spouse, my address is still UK as I haven’t moved yet. 
 

I think in need to contact London’s US embassy on Monday!

[Crazy Cat 39,183]

1 minute ago, LondonerCat said:

Wow, you’re so full of knowledge! 
 

I am a spouse of USC but our i-130 is not yet approved (only filed Nov 19). My flight is with BA flying into LAX. *If* BA are still flying that route/ weekend, do you think I could still enter? As although I am a spouse, my address is still UK as I haven’t moved yet. 
 

I think in need to contact London’s US embassy on Monday!

Interesting point.  How do you prove you are the spouse of a US citizen to those who allow boarding?

[LondonerCat 38]

1 minute ago, Lucky Cat said:

Interesting point.  How do you prove you are the spouse of a US citizen to those who allow boarding?

I can only assume that would be done at LAX? As they can see my i-130 in process? I agree - surely check in staff in London wouldn’t know? 

[JFH 12,189]

10 minutes ago, LondonerCat said:

Wow... does that mean I could still fly then? As I am a lawful spouse of a USC? 
 

Second @Lucky Cat - I wonder if my flight will still be flying as there will be (I guess) barely anyone else on it?

The way I read it you should be allowed. But your issue is getting the airport check in staff to understand that. They don’t want to board anyone who is going to be refused as they will be billed for the costs of that person’s removal if the removal was due to eligibility that they were supposed to check. I wonder if the London embassy would have an official answer on that? 

[JFH 12,189]

LAX is an approved airport so the flight *should* be operating - however I believe BA have 2 LHR -LAX daily so they may change it to just one due to reduced demand. What does the BA website say? I work for a competitor! I’m going to look to see if we have any internal memos on this issue. It’s a long time since I worked at the check-in so I’m rusty with procedures. 

[LondonerCat 38]

2 minutes ago, JFH said:

The way I read it you should be allowed. But your issue is getting the airport check in staff to understand that. They don’t want to board anyone who is going to be refused as they will be billed for the costs of that person’s removal if the removal was due to eligibility that they were supposed to check. I wonder if the London embassy would have an official answer on that? 

You’re right. I am going to book a meeting at the embassy ASAP - perhaps if I can get something in writing? I’ll report back as soon as I have a definitely answer.

 

Thank you all so much - I had no idea about the possible exemption.

[Crazy Cat 39,183]

4 minutes ago, LondonerCat said:

I can only assume that would be done at LAX? As they can see my i-130 in process? I agree - surely check in staff in London wouldn’t know? 

I think the problem would be convincing the airline in London......

[Wuozopo 4,285]

36 minutes ago, LondonerCat said:

Wow, you’re so full of knowledge! 
 

I am a spouse of USC but our i-130 is not yet approved (only filed Nov 19). My flight is with BA flying into LAX. *If* BA are still flying that route/ weekend, do you think I could still enter? As although I am a spouse, my address is still UK as I haven’t moved yet. 
 

I think in need to contact London’s US embassy on Monday!

If you are just visiting, then what does it have to do with the embassy? Do you have ESTA? And perhaps a copy of your marriage certificate and spouse’s US passport and/or birth certificate to present to the airlines?

Edited March 14, 2020 by Wuozopo