K1 visa holder traveling to USA

[LegalAlienn 125]

Hi guys

I would like to hear your experience about entering the USA in the past couple of weeks regarding this covid ########. Did you have to do PCR test? Did you have to fill out some papers? Can I make a flight transfer in the EU countries? Will they let me know about those things during the interview in the embassy? Anything from your experience will be helpful I guess, not just for me but others too! Thanks

Edited October 12, 2020 by Ryan H
Reason for edit: to remove profanity.

[Lucky2Lucky 2,526]

You are not able to travel though a Schengen country to enter the US as a fiancé. Check out the airlines website for requirements regarding paperwork, masks, etc. Depending on the state you travel to you may or may not need to Self quarantine for 14 days. Some will allow a covid negative test so you don’t have to quarantine.

[Loren Y 2,745]

I wouldn't worry about it yet unless you are holding your passport with the visa in it. From your post you haven't even had the interview yet? so you don't have the actual visa yet, so the way things change weekly, it could be a whole new ball game by the time you have a visa in hand. But definitely avoid the Schengen countries, as I think that restriction is going to be around a while. I know a couple that came thru LAX just last week on a K1, and had no issues at POE.

[HRQX 4,145]

1 hour ago, LegalAlienn said:

Can I make a flight transfer in the EU countries?

Do not transit through Schengen Area, UK, Ireland, mainland China, Iran, or Brazil. If you can't travel directly from your country try Serbia to US or Turkey to US.

[LegalAlienn 125]

12 hours ago, HRQX said:

Do not transit through Schengen Area, UK, Ireland, mainland China, Iran, or Brazil. If you can't travel directly from your country try Serbia to US or Turkey to US.

Yes Turkey seems like the best option, since Sarajevo has flights to Istanbul and then I can catch the connection there. 

 

13 hours ago, Loren Y said:

I wouldn't worry about it yet unless you are holding your passport with the visa in it. From your post you haven't even had the interview yet? so you don't have the actual visa yet, so the way things change weekly, it could be a whole new ball game by the time you have a visa in hand. But definitely avoid the Schengen countries, as I think that restriction is going to be around a while. I know a couple that came thru LAX just last week on a K1, and had no issues at POE.

I have an interview next Monday and if visa gets approved planning to travel right after that. So just trying to plan the things ahead and I don’t think it’s a bad idea to hear other people’s experiences!

[Greenbaum 12,258]

1 hour ago, LegalAlienn said:

Yes Turkey seems like the best option, since Sarajevo has flights to Istanbul and then I can catch the connection there. 

 

I have an interview next Monday and if visa gets approved planning to travel right after that. So just trying to plan the things ahead and I don’t think it’s a bad idea to hear other people’s experiences!

To update you on a few things.

 

Do not sell your house, car, or property, resign from your job, or make non-refundable flight or other travel arrangements until you have received your immigrant visa. 

 

There is a topic that talks about traveling the thread is here:

 

 

Check over the visa to be sure there isn't any spelling errors. If there is contact the Embassy for further instructions. Keep the "do not open" pouch in the plastic and stowed away in her carryon luggage. Luggage does get lost and without the "do not open" packet it will be a difficult problem for her at immigration once she arrives at her POE. Good luck and stay engaged. 

[JFH 12,189]

Note that “safe” or “permitted” routings (eg Turkey, Mexico, etc) could become “unsafe” or “prohibited” with very little, if any, notice. You are banking on two things remaining constant - nationals of your country being able to enter x, and people who have been physically present in x being able to enter the US. So it’s a double gamble. People have been lucky so far. But nothing is certain these days. 

[USUK8 72]

I'm going to be flying to Ukraine in another month or so. Where are you guys finding the most current info? Does the Schengen ban apply to connecting flights? The only information I can find about connections is that it's ok.

[Boiler 43,782]

4 minutes ago, USUK8 said:

I'm going to be flying to Ukraine in another month or so. Where are you guys finding the most current info? Does the Schengen ban apply to connecting flights? The only information I can find about connections is that it's ok.

A lot of good info on VJ and you can find answers to your question in this thread.

[stuckonyou 75]

16 hours ago, Loren Y said:

But definitely avoid the Schengen countries, as I think that restriction is going to be around a while.

 

Why do you think that? What have you heard? 😭

I'm still waiting for my visa in Schengen... the interview was in March, and have been waiting ever since for just some sort of good news. Anything. 

[HRQX 4,145]

51 minutes ago, USUK8 said:

Does the Schengen ban apply to connecting flights?

Yes. The proclamations are clear: "physically present" https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/03/16/2020-05578/suspension-of-entry-as-immigrants-and-nonimmigrants-of-certain-additional-persons-who-pose-a-risk-of

 

"Transiting a country covered by the Presidential Proclamation, even without exiting the airport, counts as physical presence within that country." https://ie.usembassy.gov/us-travel-restrictions/

 

Do not transit through Schengen Area, UK, Ireland, mainland China, Iran, or Brazil.

Edited October 12, 2020 by HRQX

[Missing7abibi 1]

4 hours ago, LegalAlienn said:

Yes Turkey seems like the best option, since Sarajevo has flights to Istanbul and then I can catch the connection there. 

 

I have an interview next Monday and if visa gets approved planning to travel right after that. So just trying to plan the things ahead and I don’t think it’s a bad idea to hear other people’s experiences!

Dont get so excited too fast and start looking for tickets hope you dont be placed under administrative processing at the interview. Just wait and see then you can plan your future. They arent giving visas that easily now. 

[Lucky2Lucky 2,526]

3 hours ago, stuckonyou said:

 

Why do you think that? What have you heard? 😭

I'm still waiting for my visa in Schengen... the interview was in March, and have been waiting ever since for just some sort of good news. Anything. 

Because COVID is reportedly getting worse in Europe? https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-pandemics-italy-madrid-eastern-europe-159a68a460337948d25281c153994c70