Theodora

On 2/14/2021 at 9:48 PM, Adventine said:

I also wonder how it would look to Spanish citizens/residents. I've read a few news stories about the public backlash against officials who got vaccinated "out of turn", meaning before the publicly stated priority groups. I don't know if OP would qualify

Yup. You would have to be a Spanish citizen over 75, or a healthcare worker to get legally vaccinated in Spain right now.

On 2/19/2021 at 4:09 AM, JFH said:

Good to know, thank you. I see Mexico discussed here a lot but pleased to see a success story through Turkey. 

Croatia and Serbia are good options too! You can spend a couple of weeks there and then fly to the US. Just make sure that the layover is in Turkey and not in a banned country.

11 hours ago, Megadreams said:

During my IR1 process I visited the US multiple times (even for up to 3 months, the maximum) using the VWP without a job nor being in school AND living with my mom. Never had a problem entering. Just be honest, pack light as those above stated, have your return ticket ready and you'll be fine. The fact that you got paperwork showing that you intend to continue your studies back home will definitely be of help but I doubt you'd have to present them unless you do give them a reason to suspect you (do take it with you however).

Thank you for your input!! I've never been worried about this and never encountered any issues, but after reading some experiences in this forum I started to stress (I'm that type of person) but yeah, you're right, I'll be honest and hope for the best

2 hours ago, aaron2020 said:

Are there direct flights from Croatia to the US?  If you have a layover in a Schengen country or the UK, you'll wouldn't be able to continue on the next leg to the US.  

 

Yes, thank you! I already checked and there are multiple flights with layover in Istanbul!

45 minutes ago, aaron2020 said:

Hi,

 

University plans may help.

 

Visiting your sister will not.

Good to know, thanks!! 

7 minutes ago, Lucky Cat said:

It is required for VWP visitors.  

Ok. I didn't know it was a requirement, and she asked. I always book a return flight whenever I travel. 

20 hours ago, Dashinka said:

You can only show what you have.  Generally, work/property ties are considered the strongest, but who knows.

 

Good Luck!

Honestly, I absolutely never had issues with visiting before but since I'm going to invest so much in this trip (I have two spend two weeks abroad before taking a plante to the US...) I'd rather make sure they know. Thank you!

15 hours ago, millefleur said:

So you have return tickets already booked? Seems it would be minimum to show that and emphasize your obligation to return.

 

Also: pack light. Don't bring a bunch of stuff with you which makes it look like you're planning to say. If necessary, pack as light as possible and buy stuff when you get here. We've seen people here get the third degree or even barred from entering who came on ESTA to visit their fiancé(e) and had overloaded bags, which led CBP assume they were moving and not just coming for a visit. Don't have any messages on your phone between you and the boyfriend that could even be remotely interpreted as you moving there.....even some kind of naive wish like "if only we lived together already!" might be interpreted by CBP as "plans to move to the US" especially if you have a ton of luggage with you.

Thank you so much!! I always pack light but it's good to know!

I haven't booked any of the tickets yet, I want to wait a little bit longer just to make sure (although you neer know these days) that the country I will spend the two weeks prior to my flight to the US doesn't get "banned" (probably Croatia). I do have the plane tickets to visit my sister because she lives in Spain as well.

I've gone a couple of times to the US and I always had my return tickets already booked. I never encountered any issues when arriving (and I was also between jobs both times), but after doing some reading around here I kinda freaked out a bit.

14 hours ago, SusieQQQ said:

^ watch a few episodes of the US edition of border security! Definitely see that on there. 
 

 

I was avoiding that because I have a tendency to worry way too much, but I think I will just in case, thank you!!

Hello

If everything goes well, I'm planning on visiting my boyfriend in March/April, and stay for like a month, max two (we're still deciding). I know that I need to prove ties so they will let me in, but I can't show a lease or a job contract because I moved in with my dad knowing that I would be out of a job by then, and it's the reason why I can go and visit my boyfriend since having that time off would allow me to spend a few weeks out of the country ,and luckily I also have some savings, although I don't own a house or a car.

I'm not planning on staying, I'm actually continuing my university degree in September after a few years off, but I don't know if showing my university's paperwork will be enough. I'm also travelling in June to see my sister who's looking to get pregnant and I have my plane tickets for this. Would it help? Anything else I could do? I'm desperate to see him, it's been a year, and having to spend 14 days in a non-banned country makes it very difficult to visit while having a job.

I know that no one can tell me for sure if they will let me in, of course, but I'd love some feedback and ideas.

Thank you.

Just now, Chauncey said:

You really think police in the US have time to track people down?

I literally said "I agree", but I'm also not surprised of anything anymore 🤷🏻‍♀️ I'm past that point.

2 minutes ago, Chauncey said:

That sounds very unrealistic and authoritarian

I agree, although a lot of what's going on in the world would have sounded unrealistic and authoritarian only a year ago.

On 23/1/2021 at 3:41 AM, Purcari1984 said:

 I found this document on the DHS website that may provide some clarity.  

 

https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/20_0519_as1_frn_us-mexico-border.pdf

 

It does mention exemptions for essential travelers but this applies to land crossings only.  I haven't found or heard of any COVID-related restrictions on foreigners traveling from Mexico by air but I'm certainly NOT an expert.  My understanding is that if you hold a foreign passport, and have not visited any of the banned countries I provided earlier, your entrance into the U.S. will be subject to the usual terms of your visa or residency. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you!! I think I'm going with Croatia since I will have to spend those two weeks alone, and it seems like the safest option. I hope things don't change much before April!!

1 hour ago, Lucky Cat said:

They won't know.  There is no means to enforce a quarantine "order".  It is a "feel good" recommendation at this point. 

My understanding is that in some countries the police stops by to make sure you're home. I'm not sure if that's realistic for the US though. 

3 hours ago, Gaelle said:

Yes my fiance is a US PR and we meant to get married in March to start of our CR1 visa so right now I'm not in an specific special case. I was basically going to go see him on tourist and that option is clearly out of the picture

I'm from a banned country as well (Spain), and my plan is to spend a couple of weeks in Croatia before going to visit my boyfriend (it's been a year 💔).  If you can afford spending that much time out of your country then that option is still open. I just hope they don't close the borders to any more countries because we're getting desperate. 

Apart from Ireland and UK, are they adding more European countries to the list? Turkey, Croatia, Serbia...?

19 hours ago, Purcari1984 said:

Correct.  Here is a list of banned countries for foreign nationals trying to enter the U.S.

 

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/from-other-countries.html

 

I would check this page for updates before any planned travel, but the bottom line is that you will not be able to enter the U.S. as a foreigner if you have been to any of these listed countries within the past 14 days.  Note that transiting through an airport in one of these countries would count as "having visited".  Obviously the situation may change, for better or worse.  Mexico would be a logical choice for a Spanish national as you can get direct flights to MEX, CUN from Madid, stay for 2 weeks and then fly directly to the U.S.  As of January 26th, you'd also have to secure a 72 hour negative COVID test if you wish to board any international flight departing for the U.S.......which would mean finding a testing center in Mexico a day or two before your U.S. flight.

 

You could also consider spending 14 days in Instanbul.  Turkish Airlines currently has reasonable airfares right now to several U.S. cities.....you could create a multi-city itinerary that includes a 14 day stay in Istanbul, direct flight to the U.S. and a return to Spain. 

 

 

I have another question... I read that even from Mexico, travel is restricted to essential travelers. How would I enter the US as a tourist? 

4 hours ago, Purcari1984 said:

Correct.  Here is a list of banned countries for foreign nationals trying to enter the U.S.

 

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/from-other-countries.html

 

I would check this page for updates before any planned travel, but the bottom line is that you will not be able to enter the U.S. as a foreigner if you have been to any of these listed countries within the past 14 days.  Note that transiting through an airport in one of these countries would count as "having visited".  Obviously the situation may change, for better or worse.  Mexico would be a logical choice for a Spanish national as you can get direct flights to MEX, CUN from Madid, stay for 2 weeks and then fly directly to the U.S.  As of January 26th, you'd also have to secure a 72 hour negative COVID test if you wish to board any international flight departing for the U.S.......which would mean finding a testing center in Mexico a day or two before your U.S. flight.

 

You could also consider spending 14 days in Instanbul.  Turkish Airlines currently has reasonable airfares right now to several U.S. cities.....you could create a multi-city itinerary that includes a 14 day stay in Istanbul, direct flight to the U.S. and a return to Spain. 

 

 

Thank you!!! Those are really good options! Spending two weeks in another country will get very expensive but if that's the only way then I guess we'll go for it. 

10 hours ago, Dashinka said:

Add me as a third.  If she is in the US now, and you have decided to get married, AOS is indeed a legal option.  Many folks do this successfully all the time as plans change etc.  The BIG positive is that you are together during the process, the negatives are that AOS is relatively expensive, and the immigrating spouse cannot work or re-enter the US (if she were to leave for some reason) for several months while the EAD/AP Applications that you would include in her AOS filing are processed.  Everyone has to make their own decisions, but if she can swing not going back to Peru or not working for 5-8 months and you are planning to marry, I would also support the AOS route.

 

Good Luck!

Hello,

Isn't this risky even if it's genuinely a last minute thing? I almost do it last time I saw my boyfriend in the US but we got too scared...

Hi!

I'm in a similar situation with my boyfriend (he's from the US, I'm from Spain). We are starting the K1 process now and haven't seen each other since February 2020. He can't leave the country either because of his job. 

Sorry, since I'm not answering your question, but can you enter the US as a tourist just by quarantining in Mexico? We are desperate to see each other again and can't figure out how.