Tara & Chris B

Hi friends, 

My husband is a former K1 visa holder, and we actually just received his Green Card today!! (No interview was necessary! Such a great surprise. We live in NY for what it's worth. I know some states care more about interviews than others). 

Anyway!

My biggest question is with regards to his social security number...

We applied for one on the basis of his K1 visa status last year... and we never got it. 

We asked for it again when we submitted his Employment authorization document, which we sent in connection with his I-485 and the Advance Parole application... and we still haven't heard anything about the EAD or AP.. 

While we're very grateful to have the green card, I have to ask, what on earth is going on?  Why didn't we hear anything about the EAD before the Green Card was processed? And  do we go back to SSA with a new application?  Anyone have a similar experience?  Were you able to resolve it in any way? 

Thank you all!!

There's a lot of information here, so I do apologize for this message being a bit redundant. But am I correct in my understanding that the US is granting K1 Visas (a literal pass for entry across the border), but not letting people in because of COVID? (And also not quite smart enough to extend this to people if they fly through a non-banned country?) I honestly assumed there would be no issue with my fiance traveling from Spain once our K1 Visa is approved (expected in November). But if we fly him through say, Dubai, there should be no issue? 

@BC97-  I have to say, I've gone through so many lists. Even Kayak has it's own list, but I promise you, we've read all of them, and gone through everything. There are many locations, and it's best to try to find one with reasonable prices and flight durations (some of the connections from Europe are daunting to say the least - up to 46 hours). And then contact your embassy in that location directly to confirm. 

I've found Aruba to be the most friendly and clear thus far. But there is also Bermuda, the UAE, some states in Mexico. but as some have said, the border situation is changing every day. Puerto Rico is on many lists, and their website says they're open - however, we attempted to contact the embassies there to confirm, and no one could give us any confidence. 

Hey, @Sego, which state in Mexico are you traveling to? I think each state has its own restrictions... is that right? Thank you!!

That's fantastic about Mexico! I was looking at their restrictions, and couldn't find anything that gave me much confidence. But I'm so glad to hear that! And very happy for you two! If you can, let us know how it goes when you get back. Enjoy!!

I know, that's why we sought out to confirm with the Embassies, and no one has answered our question, so we're ruling it out for now. Unless someone here can confirm?!

Hello friends,

I'm hoping to begin a discussion (or find an existing one!) regarding the options we LDR-ers have for meeting our significant others in countries other than our own. As we all know, many borders have closed to international visitors since the beginning of the pandemic. Most information posted online is not being maintained as current, or lacks specific clarity. We've begun contacting local embassies and consulates general individually, but even they have been reluctant to give definitive answers. 

I am a US citizen, living in NY, and my fiance is a French citizen, living in Barcelona. Neither of our countries are currently permitting us to visit in our homes. We are looking for places to go this month - countries that are open to both US and EU travelers- so we can see each other for the first time in six months! I've also teamed up with a friend in a similar situation, with a boyfriend in the Netherlands, and we think we need more minds on this.

If anyone is aware of a country with its borders open to both the US and EU, please let me know, and provide your confidence level and a source for this information, if you can ? I'm compiling this information in a Google Sheet, and I'll be happy to share with everyone here.

So far, we've only been able to confirm Aruba (for July 1- EU, and July 10-US) - though the flight routes from Spain are far less than ideal, we can make it work if need be. We just want to explore all options, and find the most cost-effective and convenient option. We were also looking closely at Puerto Rico, but have sought confirmation from the local embassies, and they have either been reluctant to answer with any definitiveness, or have just avoided answering the question entirely. 

Even five minds are better than our four - but a hundred would be awesome!

Thank you so much!

Tara

Thank you for sharing your email. I know I'm here for exactly that information, so I'm sure many others are as well. You're not alone! Hang in there.