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Travelling to U.S. Virgin Islands

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Jamaica
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I've read a lot about this, but it seems to be conflicting information. I would like to go to St. Thomas, which is a U.S. virgin island, after we get married but before my fiance gets his advanced parole. Has anyone done this? i know one poster rcently did this without any problems, but i'd love to hear from others.

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Thailand
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I've read a lot about this, but it seems to be conflicting information. I would like to go to St. Thomas, which is a U.S. virgin island, after we get married but before my fiance gets his advanced parole. Has anyone done this? i know one poster rcently did this without any problems, but i'd love to hear from others.

I personally know about another couple that did this on here as well. I saw the photos and my wife keeps in contact with them so I can assure you it did happen. I wouldn't worry about it.

K1: 01/15/2009 (mailed I-129F) - 06/23/2009 (visa received)

AOS: 08/08/2009 (mailed I-485, I-765, & I-131) - 10/29/2009 (received GC)

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Ukraine
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I've read a lot about this, but it seems to be conflicting information. I would like to go to St. Thomas, which is a U.S. virgin island, after we get married but before my fiance gets his advanced parole. Has anyone done this? i know one poster rcently did this without any problems, but i'd love to hear from others.

You get conflicting information from people who do not know...but keep talking.

The US Virgin Islands are US territory and you can travel there without a problem, BUT, DO NOT go into any of the other Islands that are NOT US territories. Make sure your flight goes directly from the US to the US Virgin Islands.

VERMONT! I Reject Your Reality...and Substitute My Own!

Gary And Alla

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Thailand
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I just responded to another post regarding traveling to US territories. My wife and I were wed there and you'll have no troubles traveling to St. Thomas. As Gary said you must be certain at no time to leave the US territory, which would include not taking a boat ride over to neighboring Tortolla, British VI. I even declined taking a day sail, though technically we'd still be in US waters.

Enjoy and if you like rum, try Crusian Rum; made on St. Croix, it's cheaper than water.

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My wife and I just got back from the USVI. We stayed in St. Thomas, visited St. John, but also Tortola, which is BVI territory. Since we flew in via Puerto Rico, I can tell you that there was no difference then flying into Iran or Russia. Extremely strict border bulldogs who checked us, me, actually, several times, both ways, and I already had a GC.

You need to be fully equipped with a passport and a documentation showing legal presence in the US, just like you were to travel to the end of the world.

On another note: St. Thomas is like a third world country where the people happen to speak Rasta English and drive on the wrong side of the road. Food is extremely expensive, and I mean extremely, and you are well advised to stay where you are able to at least eat breakfast without having to drive into town. Speaking of which, you NEED a rental car, absolutely, and they drive like suicide pilots there. Save money by NOT using the mountain tram and by all means go out on a half day sailing trip with a catamaran and visit St. John.

Have fun!

There is no room in this country for hyphenated Americanism. When I refer to hyphenated Americans, I do not refer to naturalized Americans. Some of the very best Americans I have ever known were naturalized Americans, Americans born abroad. But a hyphenated American is not an American at all . . . . The one absolutely certain way of bringing this nation to ruin, of preventing all possibility of its continuing to be a nation at all, would be to permit it to become a tangle of squabbling nationalities, an intricate knot of German-Americans, Irish-Americans, English-Americans, French-Americans, Scandinavian-Americans or Italian-Americans, each preserving its separate nationality, each at heart feeling more sympathy with Europeans of that nationality, than with the other citizens of the American Republic . . . . There is no such thing as a hyphenated American who is a good American. The only man who is a good American is the man who is an American and nothing else.

President Teddy Roosevelt on Columbus Day 1915

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Jamaica
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Just Bob- you got me kind of nervous. I was told when I called immigration that it was no different than traveling to another U.S. state. I see by your experience it's not the case. My husband's 90 days is up 12/10, we got married 11/8 so we married within 90 days. Do I need to bring anything else besides his passport and our marriage certificate? I'm working on the AOS package and hoping to have that out and receipt of delivery notice by the time we go on 12/13. Would you or anyone else say it's a must I have the AOS package sent in?

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I can only speak from personal experience and from the knowledge that every I.O. has some kind of discretion.

You are not leaving US territory when traveling to the USVI, yet you do leave the US by traveling thousands of miles over enemy territory.

When you enter the plane on your way back at Charlotte Amalie, you will be checked just the same as if you were entering the plane in Kuala Lumpur as there could be people who God knows how got to St. Thomas. Just imagine some member of the European Union, Great Britain, perhaps, were to travel legally to Tortola, which is part of the BVI. Then, this person would charter a small sailboat and sail over to St. Thomas to enter US territory without a visa. From there he or she would try to board a plane to the US mainland, which should be easy, as it would be a domestic flight from US territory to the US mainland.

For that very reason, the USVI are treated like foreign territory. If you have not adjusted status by the time you are traveling back to the mainland, I would STRONGLY suggest not to make the trip.

Again, my 2 cents, not more, not less.

There is no room in this country for hyphenated Americanism. When I refer to hyphenated Americans, I do not refer to naturalized Americans. Some of the very best Americans I have ever known were naturalized Americans, Americans born abroad. But a hyphenated American is not an American at all . . . . The one absolutely certain way of bringing this nation to ruin, of preventing all possibility of its continuing to be a nation at all, would be to permit it to become a tangle of squabbling nationalities, an intricate knot of German-Americans, Irish-Americans, English-Americans, French-Americans, Scandinavian-Americans or Italian-Americans, each preserving its separate nationality, each at heart feeling more sympathy with Europeans of that nationality, than with the other citizens of the American Republic . . . . There is no such thing as a hyphenated American who is a good American. The only man who is a good American is the man who is an American and nothing else.

President Teddy Roosevelt on Columbus Day 1915

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I can only speak from personal experience and from the knowledge that every I.O. has some kind of discretion.

You are not leaving US territory when traveling to the USVI, yet you do leave the US by traveling thousands of miles over enemy territory.

When you enter the plane on your way back at Charlotte Amalie, you will be checked just the same as if you were entering the plane in Kuala Lumpur as there could be people who God knows how got to St. Thomas. Just imagine some member of the European Union, Great Britain, perhaps, were to travel legally to Tortola, which is part of the BVI. Then, this person would charter a small sailboat and sail over to St. Thomas to enter US territory without a visa. From there he or she would try to board a plane to the US mainland, which should be easy, as it would be a domestic flight from US territory to the US mainland.

For that very reason, the USVI are treated like foreign territory. If you have not adjusted status by the time you are traveling back to the mainland, I would STRONGLY suggest not to make the trip.

Again, my 2 cents, not more, not less.

Just Bob, certainly touched quite a few good points. I recommend you keep travel to a minimum. Especially in cases where the beneficiary have not filed forms incidental to Adjustment Of Status and Advance Parole. To give a good example, a Forum member posted last week, his experience of being detained by US Customs and Border Patrol for several weeks while on board a bus from Upstate NY going into the city. Like you, he is married to US Citizen but have not filed AOS paperwork nor did he apply for Advance Parole. This example is simply to highlight the fact that it necessary for you to demonstrate you have Lawful Presence in the United States at all times. DHS is increasing their numbers and presence in places they define as "critical areas"....so you should worry. There's no deadline to file AOS paperwork, but it is recommended you do it as soon as possible after marriage to protect your status.

I would not follow the advice given to you by some members that it is "No Problem" to travel simply on your AOS status notices from the US mainland to a US territory. The AP may not be required in this instance, but if for any reason a diversion takes place and you land somewhere other than US soil...having appropriate documents can only help you...and the Advance Parole document is there for just that - travel.

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Filed: AOS (pnd) Country: Jamaica
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I can only speak from personal experience and from the knowledge that every I.O. has some kind of discretion.

You are not leaving US territory when traveling to the USVI, yet you do leave the US by traveling thousands of miles over enemy territory.

When you enter the plane on your way back at Charlotte Amalie, you will be checked just the same as if you were entering the plane in Kuala Lumpur as there could be people who God knows how got to St. Thomas. Just imagine some member of the European Union, Great Britain, perhaps, were to travel legally to Tortola, which is part of the BVI. Then, this person would charter a small sailboat and sail over to St. Thomas to enter US territory without a visa. From there he or she would try to board a plane to the US mainland, which should be easy, as it would be a domestic flight from US territory to the US mainland.

For that very reason, the USVI are treated like foreign territory. If you have not adjusted status by the time you are traveling back to the mainland, I would STRONGLY suggest not to make the trip.

Again, my 2 cents, not more, not less.

Just Bob, certainly touched quite a few good points. I recommend you keep travel to a minimum. Especially in cases where the beneficiary have not filed forms incidental to Adjustment Of Status and Advance Parole. To give a good example, a Forum member posted last week, his experience of being detained by US Customs and Border Patrol for several weeks while on board a bus from Upstate NY going into the city. Like you, he is married to US Citizen but have not filed AOS paperwork nor did he apply for Advance Parole. This example is simply to highlight the fact that it necessary for you to demonstrate you have Lawful Presence in the United States at all times. DHS is increasing their numbers and presence in places they define as "critical areas"....so you should worry. There's no deadline to file AOS paperwork, but it is recommended you do it as soon as possible after marriage to protect your status.

I would not follow the advice given to you by some members that it is "No Problem" to travel simply on your AOS status notices from the US mainland to a US territory. The AP may not be required in this instance, but if for any reason a diversion takes place and you land somewhere other than US soil...having appropriate documents can only help you...and the Advance Parole document is there for just that - travel.

In St Thomas you go through customs. In San Juan PR you will be stopped on the jetway and asked your country of citizenship by some very threatening armed gentlemen. My wife is stranded in PR at this very moment because I'm afraid to put her on a plane prior to her AOS.

She's Jamaican by the way.....I noticed your flag.....

I'm going to advise (strongly) to stay on the mainland.

Best of luck.

-Ed

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I have traveled to St. Thomas VI several times from Miami on Spirit airlines and did not go through customs. We went through a regular metal detector like any other US airport. On the departure flight I showed both my drivers license (all that was needed) and I took my passport just in case. At no point in time was my or my son's passport book stamped.

As far as St. Thomas being expensive. I didn't find that to be true, unless you are SHOPPING. I always stay at a bed and breakfast, rent a car and eat very well. Drinks are cheap in St. Thomas, especially any kind of rum drink ($2-$3) and the food is great, especially the fish dishes in garlic sauce.

In addition, cellular phone calls were also free because it was still US.

Every time I go to St. Thomas I take about $500 cash and I always come back home with cash in my pocket, feeling nice on liquor and my stomach full.

If you try to stay at a resort or expensive hotel, you spend more money. Try to find a B&B and if you are brave, it would be to your benefit to rent a car for like $150-200. Your auto insurance carrier should provide coverage because you are still in the US.

I am considering USVI for my wedding/honeymoon trip. Its a beautiful island (most caribbean islands have a 3rd world but cozy feel) and the water is beautiful. If you are looking for a vacation that is continental America then by all means don't go to a caribbean destination unless you plan to stay within the confines of your resort where everything is expensive.

Looking forward to a Happy New Year!!!

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HoneyHummingbird,

Yes you are right, you can travel from US mainland to a US territory without being required to go through US Customs & Border Patrol. Which essentially means, you do not require a visa or any document that can be used in lieu of a visa. But imbedded in the legalese is no one entering, leaving or transitioning between or within US territories is exempt from showing proof of lawful presence in the United States at all times. The AOS notices demonstrates lawful presence, but I would have to be foolish to not give the recommendation of seeking the Advance Parole prior to travel, whether it is appropriate or not.

If the sun is out, the sky is clear, and all goes well...you will have a good trip and have no need to consider the AP. But keep in mind, we live in a changing world, where policies, regulations change and procedures will change. All this in the name of security. The idea of form I-131 was to never guarantee re-entry but to protect your status while travelling. So if you want to leave the US mainland...sounds like it's a form worth completing? Heck...it's even free. <_<

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Thanks Flyer92

I will heed your advice and take it to Vegas instead. Besides, I think I will enjoy my fiance's reaction ( :energy:) a lot more when he nearly experiences a heart attack upon seeing all the electricity and lights after living in a country with constant power outtages and dim lighting.

:ph34r: I know it sounds evil but its the truth...lolol

Looking forward to a Happy New Year!!!

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