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dpnce

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  1. Like
    dpnce got a reaction from anoekhbn in Has Anyone Left Europe's Schengen Area for 14 Days to Then Enter USA?   
    I can't believe I am saying this but I am in Mexico City! 
     
    From beginning to end, overall went quite smooth.
     
    As I had checked in the day before, I just had to drop my suitcase at the luggage drop-off in Paris (CDG). I was asked where I was going to fly and chatted a little bit because I had an excess bagage and the computer was not cooperating. Other than that, first step from Paris was super smooth. Everyone was super nice to me and Air France took care of the travel from Paris to Amsterdam, although we flew with a KLM plane. 
     
    Once in Amsterdam, border police checked my passport and I had to go through another security check for cabin luggage. After that, I waited for my plane to Mexico in Amsterdam's Schiphol airport. Some of the shops were closed but many of them were open. I was able to buy some food and good to go! I carefully followed other VJ members journey with KLM so I made sure to bring a bottle that I filled with water before boarding (only 1 bottle was available for the whole flight to Mexico so I definitely needed it!). We we offered a bag full of snacks and a hot meal for the whole trip. First time I ever flew with KLM and I was pleasantly surprised. It seems like they are doing their best to balance with satisfying customers needs and comply with COVID-19 safety measures. I took some pictures of the "travel" for those looking for some reassurance! 
     
    KLM crew then distributed 2 forms (health form and Mexican immigration form) by asking passengers "Mexican?". I did not understand at first as I was distracted, but then confirmed I was not so I was handed over 2 forms instead of 1. Some people did not understand either and by consequence, some of them had to fill in the form once at the Mexican immigration. They had queued but then had to wait again before passing the border. If you want to gain some time once at the Mexican immigration, make sure you have those 2 forms in hand. The immigration officer asked the purpose of my stay in Mexico, how long for, and the place where I was going to stay. I first said I was going to self-quarantine for 2 weeks and they then asked me the "complete" reason. I then told them that I was going to self-quarantine for 2 weeks at my hotel and then fly to the US. They stamped my passport, my Mexican immigration form and let me go. That was it, quite fast. 
     
    As someone here posted that Uber drivers are not allowed to pick up at the same place as taxis, I asked someone where I should go for Uber. If you plan to go to your airbnb/hotel etc. by Uber, you will have to go to Puerta 7 (Gate 7).
    Also, to reassure my fiancé and my family, and just to be on the safe side, I shared my Uber trip with them so they could follow it live. In the Uber app, you just need to click on "share status" and choose the contacts you want to share the trip with! 
     
    I feel safe and I am not really worried about the rising number of cases given that I do not plan on visiting the city and just chill at my hotel and order food online. I feel very lucky and grateful that Mexico allowed me in, therefore I am willing to participate in the ongoing fight against the virus by avoiding unnecessary travels. At the same time, I also hope I will be able to come back to Mexico in the near future, in better circumstances. 
     
    I did not sleep in the flight to avoid being jet-lagged, quite tired now but I am not going to complain. I haven't seen my fiancé since last December and I just can't wait for these 14 days to be over. There's eventually a light at the end of the tunnel. Good luck and safe travels if you choose the same route! 
     
    PS: I wanted to thank everyone who shared their experience so far from now as it helped me get better mentally prepared to do this journey by myself. I will be forever thankful to you, thank you so much.

  2. Like
    dpnce got a reaction from Kaatje in Has Anyone Left Europe's Schengen Area for 14 Days to Then Enter USA?   
    I can't believe I am saying this but I am in Mexico City! 
     
    From beginning to end, overall went quite smooth.
     
    As I had checked in the day before, I just had to drop my suitcase at the luggage drop-off in Paris (CDG). I was asked where I was going to fly and chatted a little bit because I had an excess bagage and the computer was not cooperating. Other than that, first step from Paris was super smooth. Everyone was super nice to me and Air France took care of the travel from Paris to Amsterdam, although we flew with a KLM plane. 
     
    Once in Amsterdam, border police checked my passport and I had to go through another security check for cabin luggage. After that, I waited for my plane to Mexico in Amsterdam's Schiphol airport. Some of the shops were closed but many of them were open. I was able to buy some food and good to go! I carefully followed other VJ members journey with KLM so I made sure to bring a bottle that I filled with water before boarding (only 1 bottle was available for the whole flight to Mexico so I definitely needed it!). We we offered a bag full of snacks and a hot meal for the whole trip. First time I ever flew with KLM and I was pleasantly surprised. It seems like they are doing their best to balance with satisfying customers needs and comply with COVID-19 safety measures. I took some pictures of the "travel" for those looking for some reassurance! 
     
    KLM crew then distributed 2 forms (health form and Mexican immigration form) by asking passengers "Mexican?". I did not understand at first as I was distracted, but then confirmed I was not so I was handed over 2 forms instead of 1. Some people did not understand either and by consequence, some of them had to fill in the form once at the Mexican immigration. They had queued but then had to wait again before passing the border. If you want to gain some time once at the Mexican immigration, make sure you have those 2 forms in hand. The immigration officer asked the purpose of my stay in Mexico, how long for, and the place where I was going to stay. I first said I was going to self-quarantine for 2 weeks and they then asked me the "complete" reason. I then told them that I was going to self-quarantine for 2 weeks at my hotel and then fly to the US. They stamped my passport, my Mexican immigration form and let me go. That was it, quite fast. 
     
    As someone here posted that Uber drivers are not allowed to pick up at the same place as taxis, I asked someone where I should go for Uber. If you plan to go to your airbnb/hotel etc. by Uber, you will have to go to Puerta 7 (Gate 7).
    Also, to reassure my fiancé and my family, and just to be on the safe side, I shared my Uber trip with them so they could follow it live. In the Uber app, you just need to click on "share status" and choose the contacts you want to share the trip with! 
     
    I feel safe and I am not really worried about the rising number of cases given that I do not plan on visiting the city and just chill at my hotel and order food online. I feel very lucky and grateful that Mexico allowed me in, therefore I am willing to participate in the ongoing fight against the virus by avoiding unnecessary travels. At the same time, I also hope I will be able to come back to Mexico in the near future, in better circumstances. 
     
    I did not sleep in the flight to avoid being jet-lagged, quite tired now but I am not going to complain. I haven't seen my fiancé since last December and I just can't wait for these 14 days to be over. There's eventually a light at the end of the tunnel. Good luck and safe travels if you choose the same route! 
     
    PS: I wanted to thank everyone who shared their experience so far from now as it helped me get better mentally prepared to do this journey by myself. I will be forever thankful to you, thank you so much.

  3. Like
    dpnce got a reaction from AL09 in Has Anyone Left Europe's Schengen Area for 14 Days to Then Enter USA?   
    I can't believe I am saying this but I am in Mexico City! 
     
    From beginning to end, overall went quite smooth.
     
    As I had checked in the day before, I just had to drop my suitcase at the luggage drop-off in Paris (CDG). I was asked where I was going to fly and chatted a little bit because I had an excess bagage and the computer was not cooperating. Other than that, first step from Paris was super smooth. Everyone was super nice to me and Air France took care of the travel from Paris to Amsterdam, although we flew with a KLM plane. 
     
    Once in Amsterdam, border police checked my passport and I had to go through another security check for cabin luggage. After that, I waited for my plane to Mexico in Amsterdam's Schiphol airport. Some of the shops were closed but many of them were open. I was able to buy some food and good to go! I carefully followed other VJ members journey with KLM so I made sure to bring a bottle that I filled with water before boarding (only 1 bottle was available for the whole flight to Mexico so I definitely needed it!). We we offered a bag full of snacks and a hot meal for the whole trip. First time I ever flew with KLM and I was pleasantly surprised. It seems like they are doing their best to balance with satisfying customers needs and comply with COVID-19 safety measures. I took some pictures of the "travel" for those looking for some reassurance! 
     
    KLM crew then distributed 2 forms (health form and Mexican immigration form) by asking passengers "Mexican?". I did not understand at first as I was distracted, but then confirmed I was not so I was handed over 2 forms instead of 1. Some people did not understand either and by consequence, some of them had to fill in the form once at the Mexican immigration. They had queued but then had to wait again before passing the border. If you want to gain some time once at the Mexican immigration, make sure you have those 2 forms in hand. The immigration officer asked the purpose of my stay in Mexico, how long for, and the place where I was going to stay. I first said I was going to self-quarantine for 2 weeks and they then asked me the "complete" reason. I then told them that I was going to self-quarantine for 2 weeks at my hotel and then fly to the US. They stamped my passport, my Mexican immigration form and let me go. That was it, quite fast. 
     
    As someone here posted that Uber drivers are not allowed to pick up at the same place as taxis, I asked someone where I should go for Uber. If you plan to go to your airbnb/hotel etc. by Uber, you will have to go to Puerta 7 (Gate 7).
    Also, to reassure my fiancé and my family, and just to be on the safe side, I shared my Uber trip with them so they could follow it live. In the Uber app, you just need to click on "share status" and choose the contacts you want to share the trip with! 
     
    I feel safe and I am not really worried about the rising number of cases given that I do not plan on visiting the city and just chill at my hotel and order food online. I feel very lucky and grateful that Mexico allowed me in, therefore I am willing to participate in the ongoing fight against the virus by avoiding unnecessary travels. At the same time, I also hope I will be able to come back to Mexico in the near future, in better circumstances. 
     
    I did not sleep in the flight to avoid being jet-lagged, quite tired now but I am not going to complain. I haven't seen my fiancé since last December and I just can't wait for these 14 days to be over. There's eventually a light at the end of the tunnel. Good luck and safe travels if you choose the same route! 
     
    PS: I wanted to thank everyone who shared their experience so far from now as it helped me get better mentally prepared to do this journey by myself. I will be forever thankful to you, thank you so much.

  4. Like
    dpnce reacted to ohohoho in Has Anyone Left Europe's Schengen Area for 14 Days to Then Enter USA?   
    Hello everyone
     
    Just a quick update. We flew in to LAX on Thursday evening. There were 20 people on the flight, and we were the only flight that was going to Immigration, so the hall that's normally crowded was deserted, you have to go through the usual automated kiosks and then to the officers, which I believe there were about 40 of them just sitting and waiting. Nobody did any temperature checks or any covid screening as they've been announcing to do. The officer asked us some usual questions, asked for some paperwork, where we'll be staying, what's our relationship etc., then asked if we have been given some leaflets about covid (no), if they checked out temperature (no), so he was upset that "they're not doing their job" and called somewhere and asked where to take us for the CDC screening, which was at the opposite end of this hall, so we went there, he told another guy that he was going to stamp us in, but that the automated processing told him to send us to CDC screening, so this other guy asked us where we arrived from (Mexico), how long have you been there (15 days), ok, and any other travel, have you been to Iran, Brazil, China, Europe (no), ok so you're fine, then the original officer stamped us in and we were good to go. 
    We got our luggage, but everyone was sent to secondary agricultural inspection, where they just put the luggage through another X-ray and ask if you have any fresh fruits or meat (no) and you're good to go.
    All in all it didn't take more than 20 mins and everyone was nice and relaxed.
  5. Like
    dpnce reacted to HRQX in Has Anyone Left Europe's Schengen Area for 14 Days to Then Enter USA?   
    Note that travelers must present their FMM (Forma Migratoria Múltiple) when exiting Mexico.
  6. Like
    dpnce reacted to Xurxo r in Has Anyone Left Europe's Schengen Area for 14 Days to Then Enter USA?   
    Just got to Croatia, immigration is no problem at all, and normal life here, everything open including nightclubs and no masks to be seen.
  7. Thanks
    dpnce reacted to HRQX in Has Anyone Left Europe's Schengen Area for 14 Days to Then Enter USA?   
    From a strictly geographic point of view, Mexico lies firmly in North America.
  8. Like
    dpnce reacted to RD7712 in Has Anyone Left Europe's Schengen Area for 14 Days to Then Enter USA?   
    Hi everyone,
    We made it to Mexico City!!!
     
    My fiancee's experience at the Vienna airport with KLM was hell though. She was on line waiting to check in her luggage. In front of her were some travelers from Slovakia. They were questioned why they were going to Mexico and responded they were on their way to the USA with work permits and will quarantine for 14 days in Mexico. The  KLM counter check-in person denied their boarding. She did not want to hear if they had visa or not to the USA, or if they were going to quarantine, but if they worked in Mexico or lived there. Then came my fiancee's turn and and when asked the purpose of her flight she said she was visiting her husband-to-be. She was refused. My fiancee put up a stiff resistance and repeated her purpose. The KLM person was adamant this was not sufficient grounds to travel because she did not live or work in Mexico. My fiancee showed the KLM rep an email I received from the Mexican consulate in Vienna some days ago. In that email I asked if there were any travel restrictions to Mexico and the consulate replied that there are currently no restrictions for Europeans to travel to Mexico, although it is recommended that the travel be for an essential purpose. Again, the counter person said that the print out email was not acceptable because it was not an official letter from the Mexican government but from a consulate. The counter person was visibly upset about getting challenged and called over a colleague to discuss. Then she made a phone call and spoke to someone. Not sure what were the details but after 30 minutes of a dramatic situation the KLM person agreed to accept the email and not only allowed her to board the flight but some other Europeans there on line who were also initially barred from check-in and boarding the plane. Her luggage checked all the way through to Mexico City. In Amsterdam not one question was asked.
     
    At immigration she was asked the purpose of her stay and she replied she came to meet her husband-to-be. He asked if I am Mexican and she replied no he is American from the USA but he is here in the city and in the airport waiting to pick me up.  She said she will be here for 14 days with me and will go together to the USA together. He asked where she will stay, and she said in an apartment with him. That was it. The inspections of baggage was slow because there was a long line to have the luggage scanned.  
     
    I took a flight yesterday from Orlando, FL to Dallas, TX. I did not have check-in luggage so I went right through security and to the gate. At the gate my name was called and they only wanted to see my passport to scan. No questions asked. 
     
    In Dallas, same. They called my name, I went to the gate counter and showed them my passport. No questions asked.
     
    I arrived in Mexico City and went through immigration and was attended by a very nice lady immigration official. Was just asked why I am visiting and how long I will stay. That's it. She stamped my passport and went through. That was at 1:30 p.m. and stayed in the airport all day till 9:30 when my fiancee and son came out through the doors.
     
    We had a brief scare as my fiancee realized she left her purse on the belt where the luggage goes through scanning. After realizing she left her purse there she tried to go back but was not allowed to enter through and was told she had to get a KLM rep to escort her back in. They probably did not understand her. But eventually they let her back into the luggage inspection area and there she found her purse with everything inside!
     
    I booked an Uber and he was there in 3 minutes to pick us up. I spoke in Spanish to driver and he was very nice. We arrived in 20 minutes at about 10:00 p.m. The ride was cheap, only about $6.50. The apartment I am staying is nice, in the colony of Polanco within the city. 
     
    Lesson learned: That email, although not totally giving a green light for travel because of the language of a 'recommendation for essential travel only' saved the day.
     
  9. Like
    dpnce reacted to JamesK1 in Has Anyone Left Europe's Schengen Area for 14 Days to Then Enter USA?   
    We must have been on the same flight. I can’t believe how easy immigration was. I saw people being led away to another room and I assumed the same would happen to me but I had a bigger interrogation at check in. I just told him is was quarantining for 2 weeks and then flying to the USA, I didn’t mention where I was staying. 
  10. Like
    dpnce reacted to Lskifghj in Has Anyone Left Europe's Schengen Area for 14 Days to Then Enter USA?   
    Life is full of risks and you never fully know what will happen next. Life is full of surprises and things might happen for a reason. Don’t fret it things don’t work out. Always have a backup plan. 
  11. Like
    dpnce reacted to Ja3germeister in Has Anyone Left Europe's Schengen Area for 14 Days to Then Enter USA?   
    I'm in Mexico-City!
     
    Honestly still can't believe that I'm here. Stumbled upon this thread 3 weeks ago and now I actually did it. Thank you to all the people for your continuous support. 
     
    Here's how it went:
    Flight was packed, like as if there is no pandemic going on. Insane. KLM's service is great. Long flight but I had extra leg room so I was good hahaha. 
    Then came immigration. Long line. The lady asked me why I'm here and for how long. I said I was staying with a friend for 2 weeks and then I'm flying to the US. Didn't have to show anything. Super easy and super relieved it went that smooth. 
  12. Like
    dpnce got a reaction from Anna Pg in How to prove you weren't in the Schengen Area before entering the US?   
    You're right! One can always request a border officer to have a stamp affixed to their passport but there's the risk they say no. 
  13. Like
    dpnce reacted to E&W in How to prove you weren't in the Schengen Area before entering the US?   
    Per Croatian law any hotel needs to report any foreigners that are staying with them, when they arrived and when they will leave to their local police station. Private citizens are also required to do this (I had to when my fiance was visiting and staying at my apartment). Ask the hotel if they can provide you with a copy of the Form 8a “Registration and cancellation of residence or registration of change of address“. Of course you want the copy that has been signed and stamped by the police station. It’s an official document, we used it to prove that my fiance visited me in our K1 petition, so I see no reason why it should not be accepted. If you want, I can send you the link to the form so you can see what it looks like. Won’t even need to do a translation, because it’s both in Croatian and English.

     
  14. Like
    dpnce reacted to Kay & Evan in Has Anyone Left Europe's Schengen Area for 14 Days to Then Enter USA?   
    I was about to book my flight in Mexico too this morning when I found out about this! Good luck! I really think you wont have issues as it seems most people have no issues, I am just a bit of a chicken  
     
    I spoke with Air serbia and they told me the flight they have on thir website for the month of June are 100% confirmed, but any flight after that, even if it seems available for booking is not confirmed, but they will be updating their website daily.
     
    Also I just got a response from US Embassy in Belgrade and they said "Travel directly from Serbia to the US, and having not entered a Schengen country, the U.K., Ireland, Iran, Brazil, or China within 14 days is acceptable when requesting entry at the border."
     
    I will update as I have more news / outcome.
     
  15. Like
    dpnce reacted to Sarah84 in Has Anyone Left Europe's Schengen Area for 14 Days to Then Enter USA?   
    Please keep us updated!!! This option sounds like a dream! I am thinking about doing this too! Can you post the answer from the airport, embassy and CBP here, please? I would like to print them and take them with me if I choose this way.
  16. Like
    dpnce reacted to ohohoho in Has Anyone Left Europe's Schengen Area for 14 Days to Then Enter USA?   
    I was looking at this route before we decided to go to Mexico. This was still in May, they did not have the flights to New York yet and also they postponed restarting flights within Europe so it was finally not an option, but now it seems to be a viable and possibly cheaper alternative.
  17. Like
    dpnce got a reaction from Kay & Evan in Has Anyone Left Europe's Schengen Area for 14 Days to Then Enter USA?   
    Thank you for sharing! From the latest update of the US Embassy in Serbia, "all COVID-19 related entry restrictions are lifted for both Serbian and foreign citizens. It is no longer necessary to have a negative PCR test or special permit to enter Serbia. The government of Serbia also abolished self-isolation requirements upon entry."  https://rs.usembassy.gov/serbia-covid-19-information/
     
    Seems like a good option to fly to the US, especially with AirSerbia (and the plane ticket from Belgrade is not expensive). Personally I will be flying to Mexico in a few days but if anything goes wrong, this could be a back-up plan. 
     
    Would you mind keeping us updated if you choose this route? Good luck and best wishes! 
  18. Like
    dpnce reacted to Kay & Evan in Has Anyone Left Europe's Schengen Area for 14 Days to Then Enter USA?   
    Hello everyone,
     
    I have been in the same boat as everyone and desperate to find a way to get to my SO before my K1 expires.
    I have been very hesitant to take the Mexico route because of the money needed for this type of trip and also the uncertainty it brings.
     
    I have been following other options and today I fount another possible route that I am 95% sure it is valid (I have read all online information, contacted CBP, embasies and airports and either have got confirmation or am waiting for their response, so will update as soon as I have all the responses).
     
    So:
    Serbia has no entry restrictions
    Serbia is not part of Schengen 
    AirSerbia introduced DIRECT flights from Belgrade to New York every Wednesday and Saturday starting June 6th
    https://www.airserbia.com/en/information/flights/relaunched-services-and-regular-flight-schedule/belgrade
     
    Has anyone checked this route? 
    In my case (leavig from Athens Greece) seems much cheaper and less risky
     
    Good luck everyone!
  19. Like
    dpnce got a reaction from Ja3germeister in Has Anyone Left Europe's Schengen Area for 14 Days to Then Enter USA?   
    Safe travels!!! You're almost there! 
  20. Like
    dpnce reacted to Orangesapples in How to prove you weren't in the Schengen Area before entering the US?   
    Yes, true, but if you are from the a non Schengen EU country and you go to any EU country they won't even ask for your passport and if you do use your passport for identification, they won't scan it. So there's no way for the US to know you've been there. 
    Nope, no stamp if you're an EU citizen. They will check your ID but they won't stamp it or scan it. 
  21. Like
    dpnce reacted to JamesK1 in Has Anyone Left Europe's Schengen Area for 14 Days to Then Enter USA?   
    I've just come through security in London Heathrow. I had a few issues at check in with KLM. He had a make a few phone calls to find out if I was allowed to travel, in the end he would only let me through if I bought a return ticket (scarily expensive but refundable). It's to cover them if I'm refused entry into Mexico or the USA as apparently they're then responsible for my return. 
  22. Like
    dpnce reacted to Ja3germeister in Has Anyone Left Europe's Schengen Area for 14 Days to Then Enter USA?   
    Here is my experience so far. Will keep updating.
     
    Checked my luggage in at Amsterdam airport. Lady at check-in looked up online to see if there are any travel restrictions on Mexico. She said no, took my luggage and wished me a pleasant flight. Then at the passport check the guy asked why I'm going to Mexico, I responded with that I'm self-isolating for 14 days and he too wished me a pleasant flight. 
     
    Boarding starts in 30 minutes. Will let you guys know in 13 hours whether I made it or not
  23. Like
    dpnce got a reaction from Lskifghj in Has Anyone Left Europe's Schengen Area for 14 Days to Then Enter USA?   
    Agreed. Don't give up and try again through London (if possible for you!)!
  24. Like
    dpnce reacted to ohohoho in Has Anyone Left Europe's Schengen Area for 14 Days to Then Enter USA?   
    Are they still refusing to refund you?
    If yes, I would send them a more “legal sounding” email and if that doesn’t help, then get a lawyer to send them a letter. They will not want to go into a legal battle.
    I once had a dispute with Lufthansa and when I told them they can either refund me the compensation I’m entitled to or I will take legal steps, their next reply was to send my account details.
     
    Also, I think Lufthansa is starting flights to Mexico City in June, so you could try with them instead.
  25. Like
    dpnce reacted to Lskifghj in Has Anyone Left Europe's Schengen Area for 14 Days to Then Enter USA?   
    Don’t give up! Try again! 
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