VioletM

Hi everyone,
I FINALLY made it to the USA!!! That was quite an adventure. In the beginning everything was totally relaxed in Serbia, but when the protests started I felt really uneasy. I just hoped that there would be no new restrictions. 😅
 
@thisguyflies actually explained everything quite nice, our flight was exactly the same. We only had a different experience at customs.
 
On Monday morning we left for the airport at four in the morning. They checked there twice that I was in Serbia long enough and then we already started. The flight was relatively empty (but quite a lot of older and very old people!). When we arrived in NY, my fiancé and I went through customs together. The officer only took the sealed package, my fingerprints, a photo of my face and then put me in a room (by the way, he didn't ask me a single question, e.g. how long I was outside the Schengen zone). In the other room, another officer stamped my passport, left for a short time and then wrote in the passport. Also the officer didn't ask me anything at all, he also didn't say that we have 90 days to get married and so on. He just gave me the passport and said 'Have a nice day'. To be honest every entry on the ESTA and student visa was longer and more complicated than that. But I'm just glad that we're finally getting this behind us. The flight to Charlotte was a breeze.
 
We are now planning to get married on Friday and send off the AOS asap. 😊
 
Wishing everyone who still has that adventure coming all the best and good luck!!! 💕

Hi, all.
 
Here is a deep dive into my experience of my journey from Serbia into the US. I will try to be as detailed as possible and provide as much help and advice as I can, but please keep in mind that this was my experience as of 26 June - 11 July. Use this as a reference for your own plans. To read about my journey flying into Serbia from the UK, please read this post from when I first arrived in Belgrade.
 
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Let me start by saying that Serbia's attitude toward coronavirus changed DRASTICALLY in my time there. When I first arrived, everything (and I mean everything) was open and running like normal. By the following week, the city was protesting new curfew rules, which eventually turned into rioting/police brutality. The curfew didn't happen due to the response from the public. I'll refrain from making any comments on politics in Serbia, and I can't predict what'll happen next, but more restrictions are a very real possibility that you should take into consideration.
 
I won't go into too much detail on this, but I had to leave my airbnb halfway through my stay due to a cockroach problem... I then went to a hotel in the middle of the city and the protests erupted right outside. I THEN moved to an airport hotel for the final two days, which was not a pleasant experience due to it being in the middle of nowhere with barely any amenities.
 
My journey began by getting a ride arranged by the hotel to the airport. You cannot check in for the flight with Air Serbia online due to a new rule about only citizens of the country you're traveling to being able to. So, I walk to the check in desk and tell the guy where i'm staying in the US. He checks my passport and visa. Asks his colleague if a K1 visa is ok. They say "yes". Asks me if i've visited the schengen area in the past two weeks. I say "no". I am given my boarding pass. I'm checked in.
 
Next, in Belgrade airport, you walk up the stairs and through a passport control area where they give you an exit stamp. I was a little surprised that I hadn't gone through any security, but found out later that the security is at the gate. The problem with this is that they don't allow water bottles through, so you're going to be without access to much water for a while other than what they give you on the flight (which is minimal).
 
At security, they once again checked my visa and once again ask if I've visited the schengen area in the past two weeks. I say "no", go through security and i'm at the gate. The place is pretty packed with varying amounts of mask discipline from other passengers. Can't do much about it other than remaining as careful as you can be. Be aware that you'll be wearing a mask this entire time other than when airport staff ask you to pull it down when checking your passport pic.
 
My flight got delayed by about an hour, which wasn't great for the nerves because they didn't announce anything during the wait and I had to make a connecting flight in JFK and had no idea how long immigration would take.
 
They announce boarding. I go on the plane. The plane is reasonably full, but most people had space around them. The plane takes off. So far, so good...
 
The flight is just like any other long distance flight except that you don't get much service. The food was a cold mix of this cheese, turkey slice and cornbread combo. Bit weird. I only had a little. You're asked to fill a form (BRING YOUR OWN PEN, I BROUGHT TWO BECAUSE I KNEW THE PERSON NEXT TO ME WOULD ASK AND I'M NOT GONNA SHARE. I LET THEM KEEP IT AFTER USE). It's like the usual landing card for the US (address you're staying at in the US, passport number, flight number etc.) except there's a section asking about COVID symptoms and a section asking "IN THE PAST 14 DAYS HAVE YOU BEEN TO ANY OF THE COUNTRIES OR GEOGRAPHIC REGIONS LISTED ON THE BOTTOM OF THIS FORM?". The list will have these countries.
 
Flight is 9 hours and 15 min. It'll say it's a 10 hour flight online, but they regularly get there in 9hr 15min. I was already sitting quite close to the front, but before we land, I moved to the very front so that I could be first off. The plane lands. The airbridge is delayed. I'm standing next to the door nervously willing it to attach. Around 10 min pass before the door opens and I bolt it. I overtake the two business class people who were let off first and run with all my stuff to beat the lines. It took about 5 min. When I get there, it's empty. I spot the border agent and walk over.
 
I tell them i'm entering on a K1 visa. They ask me if I have the visa packet. I get it out of my bag and give it to them. They check my passport and the form that I filled out on the plane. They open the packet, call over a CBP college, hand them the packet and tell me to go with them. All very friendly. I walk with the CBP agent to a room off to the side where they place my passport and packet on a raised desk with about 5 people on it and ask me to wait until my name is called. Around 5 min pass before they call me over. They say "you're staying at xxxx, right?" which is respond yes. They do something with my paperwork. They ask me "you know the rules, right?" to which I say "yes" even though i'm not sure which rules they're specifying, but they clear it up with a "you have 90 days to get married". I tell them i'm really looking forward to it. They hand me back my passport with a green slip inside of it and tell me "congratulations". I thank them. I did it. The emotions I felt were immense that I almost missed having to hand that green slip to the guard on the way out. The whole process took no more than 15 minutes and was very straightforward.  
 
I made my connecting flight easily. I landed at my destination some hours later and met my fiance. We drive to our apartment. We begin our lives together. We made it.
 
Thank you to everyone on here who helped out and was following my story. It's been an incredibly challenging time and i've experienced some of the lowest points of my entire life. The anxiety and overthinking involved is unbearable at times. To the people reading this who were in a similar situation, you have my full empathy and respect.
 
I can now confidently say that this guy did indeed fly.

I. MADE. IT!!!!
 
Sending this message mid air via my connecting flight. I'll go into more details about everything soon, but just had to share my success with everyone here!
 
FINALLY!!!

Well, if you follow my fun itinerary you will stay in your accommodation for 14 days and get fat. Honestly, I don't think this is a time for "fun holidays in Serbia". The pandemic is rampant, there are protests all over the country... I mean, to each their own, but I certainly couldn't/can't enjoy myself under these circumstances. Plus, the virus situation here is bad, the less you travel around the better for you and anyone you come into contact with. I am here out of the absolute necessity, and I just hope that I can last another week without my flights getting cancelled/travel disruptions. I got affected by Trump's travel ban back in March, I was supposed to start work in April, so I am absolutely desperate to get to the US because I'm going completely broke. 
 
Situation is serious. Just because you can do something, doesn't mean you should. But I understand that every person has a different limit of what they are and aren't comfortable with. So you do you. But whatever you do, remain vigilant, responsible and safe. 

Good luck Violet - stay confident, stay calm. I'm sure all will be just fine for you in the end, it's just such an ordeal for you to go through in real time. Remember the whole of this thread is behind you, rooting for you, and that there are many success stories to draw strength from, even if circumstances are shifting. X

Hi All. 

Yesterday I travelled from Belgrade to JFK on my K1 visa. 

The flight was busy but was super straightforward - staff at Belgrade airport just confirmed how long I'd been in the city, initially at check-in and then again at boarding.
 
The immigration was possibly the easiest I've ever had upon entering the States. The first officer checked my visa+pack then led me to a waiting room, where a second officer looked over the documents, handed me my passport and simply said good luck before granting me entry.
 
There were no healthchecks or temperature checks at any point. The flight staff did hand out a health form, but it wasn't asked for at any point

https://www.euronews.com/2020/07/08/coronavirus-protesters-attempt-to-storm-parliament-in-serbia-as-lockdown-measures-are-rein
 
"Serbian president Aleksandar Vučić had announced on Tuesday that new lockdown measures would be reintroduced later in the week, prompting demonstrators to gather in front of the parliament with some chanting "Resignation! Resignation!"
But on Wednesday, the president appeared to backtrack on his comments after thousands of people protested and clashed with police. [...]"
 
Seems like the lockdown might not happen after all. We need to wait and see. Also the hotel staff here said that even if there is a curfew, you would still be allowed to go to the airport (just be sure to have your ticket etc.). I am praying that things don't escalate.

I'm in need of some advice:
 
So things here in Serbia aren't looking great with the curfew coming into effect on Friday evening. My flight out of Belgrade is Saturday... Unclear how the curfew will effect airports as of now.
 
Leaving Saturday would have been me staying here 15 days (was playing it safe), but with what's happening, I'm wanting to leave on Friday before the curfew comes. This means traveling on the 14th day of being here.
 
My question is: is traveling on the 14th day acceptable? It's super unclear. Technically, the time I'd be landing at JFK would make it 15 days given the time zones.
 
If you've been following my story, you'll know that I'm extremely anxious about airport staff after what happened to me last month. 

I was going to fly Croatia- Miami on Friday. However the flight with Turkish airlines got cancelled. 
I will now fly tomorrow (Wednesday) to Chicago. This makes it exactly 14 days of me being here. But with the weeks of waiting, the quick last minute changes- I am mentally so tired. 
 
please cross your fingers for me, that I’ll have no issues tomorrow. Thursday I’ll fly to Tampa from Chicago. 
I am prepared for having bad luck at the passport check and have someone pull me aside or question me. But of course I’d be appreciative if that didn’t happen and after weeks I would just have some luck.

Flying to the Newcastle today and next week we will be in Serbia for two weeks. Safe travel to all.

Well, the cases are rising here, so it isn't shocking. The state of emergency was declared in Belgrade on Friday, and the government's narrative is that they have it under control and things are getting better, take that as you will. 
 
I don't know what your source is, but it seems Austria just wants to prevent its citizens from going to the countries and bringing coronavirus back. Croatia is also experiencing start of second wave, I would say it's imminent everywhere.
Of course it is concerning, particularly for those of us who are here right now... But what can we do?

Alert to all! Make sure to check your stamps if you are going to another country first to try and get into the US! My fiance entered Mexico yesterday and the immigration agent stamped "July 3" even thought it was the 2nd! It was 9pm so definitely should have been yesterday! Such a simple mistake and if we didn't catch it asap we would miss the 14 day mark!

Hi everyone! I arrived in Belgrade last night!
This morning I went with my Airbnb host to the police about the foreigner registration thing, because they told her on the phone that just a picture of my passport wasn't enough, and when we got there they told her they didn't need my passport at all. So lots of misinformation clearly! Other than that everything went well, I did fly with KLM via Amsterdam but had no issues whatsoever. The weather is very warm but it's supposed to rain soon. I'm slightly paranoid about so many people not wearing masks (especially taxi drivers, 0 out of 3 so far wore one), but I'm planning to stay mainly indoors anyway. It was one of the most stressful journeys I've done (second time in my life I'm moving to another country, but the first time I'm moving to another country during pandemic!), but I'm very happy that the first part is done! Now to just wait...

It is on the way to Serbia of course! Afterwards I am taking the direct flight from Belgrade to NYC.

I have booked to go to Serbia and I'll be staying in an airbnb too. My host mentioned that some taxis can charge more if they see you are a tourist. It might be worth checking if your host is willing to pick you up from airport or willing to call a taxi for you.
 
Someone here previously mentioned using the car:go app for rideshare and I've found an app called Donesi which will let you order food deliveries from many restaurants in Belgrade. The app/website can be used in English too.

Hi! So somebody commented the following a few days ago: 
 
It seems that you should be ok. The EO that expires concerns immigrant ban as far as I understand, not the land border. There is an upcoming EO that might ban certain non-immigrant visa holders (H1B, J1, L1(?)...) but noone knows which visa types will be affected, what the exemptions of it are, or when it actually comes out. Apparently it doesn't have to be before the 22nd/23rd, but it might be, but it might also be later. Or not at all. Uncertainty, basically. But unless your visa is one of those types, you should be ok.

 

Hi! So somebody commented the following a few days ago: 
 
It seems that you should be ok. The EO that expires concerns immigrant ban as far as I understand, not the land border. There is an upcoming EO that might ban certain non-immigrant visa holders (H1B, J1, L1(?)...) but noone knows which visa types will be affected, what the exemptions of it are, or when it actually comes out. Apparently it doesn't have to be before the 22nd/23rd, but it might be, but it might also be later. Or not at all. Uncertainty, basically. But unless your visa is one of those types, you should be ok.