Traveling while K-1 Visa has already been issued

[letsgonats 4]

From what I saw in my local airport, LAX, Canadian airlines are located in a separate terminal from International terminal. However, I saw many continental American airlines stationed at that terminal, from Air Mexico to Air Canada, and so forth. If you were to land in such terminal, I suppose you would not leave terminal's area and would not have to go through customs. Other airports may be the same. BUT if your airline lands at INTERNATIONAL Terminal, and then you would have to switch terminals - that may be an issue. Make sure you call the airport and also search online to find out where exactly your connecting flight will be and where you will land, and whether you will have to go through customs.

In my case, when I was flying through SFO airport (San Francisco), there were no customs when you walked to any of the terminals. I simply walked from domestic terminal to international one and did not encounter any customs.

There are no airports in the US where you can connect between international flights without going through Customs and Immigration. Even at airports with an international terminal, you exit into the customs and immigration area before being allowed into the gate area where you would catch a connecting flight. There isn't an option to bypass customs and immigration and go straight to the gate area.

The reason you did not encounter immigration when transferring at SFO is because you arrived SFO on a domestic flight (or a flight that came from an airport with CBP preclearance). You do not go through immigration when departing on an international flight, only when you arrive on one.

[toha 2]

There are no airports in the US where you can connect between international flights without going through Customs and Immigration. Even at airports with an international terminal, you exit into the customs and immigration area before being allowed into the gate area where you would catch a connecting flight. There isn't an option to bypass customs and immigration and go straight to the gate area.

The reason you did not encounter immigration when transferring at SFO is because you arrived SFO on a domestic flight (or a flight that came from an airport with CBP preclearance). You do not go through immigration when departing on an international flight, only when you arrive on one.

I see, thank you for correcting that. Basically, they force you to go through customs upon arrival into US? That sucks.

[tsabbas 47]

I know it seems unfair but there is a logical reason. All terminals (domestic and international) have to have exits, even if only for emergency purposes. If you didn't have to clear customs and immigration upon exiting an international flight, you could leave that plane and exit the airport without ever catching your connecting flight. People could use it as a way to enter illegally and I'm sure it would happen a lot. So, while it seems unfair when you have a legitimate destination, it's for security purposes.

[kzielu 1,149]

I see, thank you for correcting that. Basically, they force you to go through customs upon arrival into US? That sucks.

Always - how you imagine it being any different ?

[acgmph 42]

Hi All!

My fiancé and I started our K1 Visa process around June this year, and I will be scheduled an interview at my US Embassy in Uruguay soon. I have a question regarding traveling outside my country while (and if... fingers crossed ) my K1 Visa has been stamped: My sister is allocated in Toronto, ON, Canada, and I would be taking Vacation leaves around December this year to pay her a visit, and perhaps visit NY with her. This would be for tourism purposes.

How do I need to proceed about this? Even if I don't stay at the US at all during my visit, I will be stopping at a US airport for connections... Having E.S.T.A. approved is enough? How about our idea to stay in New York during some of my visit? What would happen to the visa stamped at my passport? Is this all doable?

I know that's a lot of questions, but I wouldn't be traveling to the US to marry my fiancé until February next year as it was already planned, and I want to be certain that this will not cause any issues. All your answers will be appreciated. Tons.

Thanks a lot for keeping this community up and in advance for all the help you can provide!

Santiago

Do you have an ESTA or a B2 Tourist visa? If you have a tourist visa, that will be cancelled once the K-1 will be stamped in your passport. With ESTA I am not sure... they might cancel it as you intend to immigrate to the US (K1 visa shows immigration intent). I would not risk it. Travel to Canada without touching US soil, otherwise you will have to stay there.