Traveling after marriage

[GrayL 47]

My thoughts on this would be why risk it unless it's for a good reason (visiting family etc.)?

Technically it would be fine, but I wouldn't like to risk my status because of some under-trained border patrol officer or rerouted flight, both of which you hear almost daily horror stories about?

I would have no problems going to Hawaii, but PR, Guam etc. I would stay the hell away from them until AP!

Besides there's plenty of jaw dropping places to see in the US mainland, what's a couple months to wait?

Come to Montana! Probably the most under appreciated and beautiful place on Earth!

But either way, that's just my opinion, and best of luck; CONGRATULATIONS!

Edited September 7, 2014 by GrayL

[sheldonsgirl 19]

My thoughts on this would be why risk it unless it's for a good reason (visiting family etc.)?

Technically it would be fine, but I wouldn't like to risk my status because of some under-trained border patrol officer or rerouted flight, both of which you hear almost daily horror stories about?

I would have no problems going to Hawaii, but PR, Guam etc. I would stay the hell away from them until AP!

Besides there's plenty of jaw dropping places to see in the US mainland, what's a couple months to wait?

Come to Montana! Probably the most under appreciated and beautiful place on Earth!

But either way, that's just my opinion, and best of luck; CONGRATULATIONS!

That was my point exactly! It's taking me close to 2 years since my original filing to get my fiance here, and he still isnt but I'm not risking anything, esp when there are so many places to see here.

[Pitaya 2,577]

~Moved from K1 Process to Working & Traveling During US Immigration Forum~

~Similar topics are often discussed at this forum~

[E-N 48]

We will find lots to discover and do. Grand Canyon does sound nice! I grew up in Florida and went to Disney world once my entire life...! Might be something to experience again as an adult lol

[sheldonsgirl 19]

We will find lots to discover and do. Grand Canyon does sound nice! I grew up in Florida and went to Disney world once my entire life...! Might be something to experience again as an adult lol

I was going to say that as well. There's so much to do in Florida, from Disneyworld and all the other amusement parks such as Universal Studios. There's NASA in cocoa beach, south beach miami or the west coast with Fort Myers. Just a few suggestions. You could take a drive up the coast to Washington DC and Baltimore inner harbor and even take the train from there into New York. Endless possibilities, weather permitting of course. If you've never been to New Orleans, I would strongly suggest that if you can fit that in your plans

[raven52 233]

I would only go to USA states, or recognized territories, and by all means file for EAD/ AP when sending in your AOS.,..,.,.,.

Be sure to get you SS # as soon as you get to the USA.,.,.,.,do not wait until your are married, we did, and it took 5 more trips to SS to get it right.,.,..,.,as the I-94 shows, your maiden name.,.,.not your married name, so apply under your maiden name..,.,.,.IT will save you immense problems..,.,.,.,just being helpful

Congrats on nearing your completion.,.,.,of the journey.,.,...,.,

[Ian H. 207]

Hello,

I would just like to make perfectly clear that there is NO RISK OR ISSUE whatsoever in traveling to PR. Do not ruin your travel plans because of someone's failure of Geography or US history class (I had an A in both lol)

It is a US territory and you are perfectly allowed to travel there without risking your status. Same thing goes for Guam, Samoa and the NM Islands, and they are halfway around the world.

Hawaii and Alaska are states so they're fine also. What Harpa mentioned about the USVI is correct. There have been cases where the person was considered to have "left" the US, I know I read something about it, I think it's because of the British version of the islands, but I'm not sure.

So as long as you don't leave the US as mentioned, meaning that you fly directly to PR and back, you would be fine. A layover in another state or territory is fine as well. Of course with PR being so close to FL, I'm not sure there are flights with layovers.

Also, I would like to point out that one doesn't go through immigration when traveling back. It's possible that you may go through customs to check for smuggled items, but that's about it. I have been a couple of times to PR on layover and the only time I went through immigration was when I reentered the US, meaning when I entered PR from the DR. Here is a link for reassurance:

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/980/~/needing-a-passport-to-enter-the-united-states-from-u.s.-territories

[Ian H. 207]

Here is one from USCIS:

http://blog.uscis.gov/2014/05/five-questions-about-advance-parole_9.html

It even specifically mentions travel between FL and PR lol

Edited September 8, 2014 by Ian H.

[sheldonsgirl 19]

Here is one from USCIS:

http://blog.uscis.gov/2014/05/five-questions-about-advance-parole_9.html

It even specifically mentions travel between FL and PR lol

Advance Parole can only be used for emergencies. A honeymoon is not an emergency

[Ian H. 207]

First, people use AP all the time regardless of the reason for travel. Second, that link was for the OP to refer to the part about not needing AP or anything similar to travel to a US territory. Since they aren't setting foot outside of the US they need to rest assured that they will not encounter any issues, which is why I posted clarification from USCIS and the CBP.

Advance Parole can only be used for emergencies. A honeymoon is not an emergency

[sheldonsgirl 19]

Hello,

I would just like to make perfectly clear that there is NO RISK OR ISSUE whatsoever in traveling to PR. Do not ruin your travel plans because of someone's failure of Geography or US history class (I had an A in both lol)

It is a US territory and you are perfectly allowed to travel there without risking your status. Same thing goes for Guam, Samoa and the NM Islands, and they are halfway around the world.

Hawaii and Alaska are states so they're fine also. What Harpa mentioned about the USVI is correct. There have been cases where the person was considered to have "left" the US, I know I read something about it, I think it's because of the British version of the islands, but I'm not sure.

So as long as you don't leave the US as mentioned, meaning that you fly directly to PR and back, you would be fine. A layover in another state or territory is fine as well. Of course with PR being so close to FL, I'm not sure there are flights with layovers.

Also, I would like to point out that one doesn't go through immigration when traveling back. It's possible that you may go through customs to check for smuggled items, but that's about it. I have been a couple of times to PR on layover and the only time I went through immigration was when I reentered the US, meaning when I entered PR from the DR. Here is a link for reassurance:

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/980/~/needing-a-passport-to-enter-the-united-states-from-u.s.-territories

It is apparent throughout this post that most, if not all posters are aware that PR is part of the United States. Just as you state in one of your paragraphs you "read" persons left US territory so they had an issue. I read that it can be a risk so I just stated she should take precaution and double check prior to making those arrangements. No plans of hers can be ruined if the plans aren't already in place, which is why I'm sure she posted the blog prior to execution of any such plan. It's obvious her fiance isn't from this country and showing him around the US is an excellent plan/decision. To wait until he has his green card to "ensure" no issue, is not a bad option. Personally, I hope whatever travel plans she decides that she has a wonderful honeymoon without interruption

[Ian H. 207]

The part that I read was in reference to the USVI. The OP will have no issue going to PR since there is no possible way to leave the US while going to PR, unless for example they take a ferry to the DR. It is ludicrous to suggest that the OP delay her travel plans until her husband receives a GC when there is no issue here.

[Mollie09 1,543]

Advance Parole can only be used for emergencies. A honeymoon is not an emergency

Not true. For people going through AOS it can be used for anything at any time after it's received.

[LiliBurd 85]

We will find lots to discover and do. Grand Canyon does sound nice! I grew up in Florida and went to Disney world once my entire life...! Might be something to experience again as an adult lol

It's so exciting to think about honeymoons!! As mentioned there is a lot to do in the USA. I'll be moving to Florida near Fort Myers and getting married there, After our friends and family go back home we really look forward to just being alone and relaxing on the beach. So we are thinking of driving down to the keys for a week, they have beautiful resorts and beaches. Then for our 1 year anniversary when all the paper work is done we will plan an amazing trip.

And Disney is always fun no matter how old you are!!! After all it truly is the most magical place on earth! lol