Traveling to US Territories with K1 Visa

[armenino15 6]

Hello Everyone, 

 

I have a dilemma that I've been trying to figure out and so far I've gotten conflicting information and was hoping the visajourney community would be able to help.

 

My fiance has been approved for her K1 Visa and we are planning on her moving over to the US this summer. We were thinking of doing a trip before we we came home since I'll be taking time off to help fly over and help her with the move. We really wanted to go to the US Virgin Islands (St John and St Thomas) however here is the dilemma that I'm facing.

 

 As most of you know the K1 Visa allows only one entrance into the united states. What I am trying to figure out is if we fly to St Thomas will that count as her one entrance into the united states and after that when we fly home to washington DC will that flight be considered as domestic or international. If she has to go through customs again and she already has one US stamp of entrance into the united states, I'm afraid that they might consider that as a second attempt to enter the US and deny her entrance. On the other hand the US Virgin Islands are considered as a US Territory and any travel with US states and territories should be considered as local/domestic travel. I have had friends who have flown to Puerto Rico with nothing more than their driver's licence because of the fact that it's considered as a domestic flight.  

 

Would someone be able to shed some light on this for me or let me know who I can call to get a better answer.

 

Thanks 

[Sunnyland 639]

You will want to check the US Virgin islands website. For what I read, that will be considered entering US. I copy part of the content of the second link posted below. If you are not sure, please contact the U.S Customs & Border Protection agency. (www.cbp.gov)

 

Entry From Other Countries

When entering the USVI from another country or foreign territory, which includes neighboring places such as the British Virgin Islands, Bermuda or the Bahamas -- but not Puerto Rico, which is part of the United States -- all travelers must carry passports. For U.S. passport holders, arriving in the USVI is considered reentering the United States. For those holding other nations' passports, arriving at the USVI is considered entering the country. Non-American passport holders may also need a visa, depending on their country of origin.

 

http://www.visitusvi.com/frequently_asked_questions

 

http://traveltips.usatoday.com/need-passport-travel-st-thomas-62193.html

 

 

Considering the current immigration situation going on, I would suggest you do the sure thing and enter US continental territory first and then do the St Thomas thing. But you should contact CBP first if in doubt.

 

Also you can make an USCIS info pass appointment to find out.

Edited April 2, 2017 by Sunnyland

[SparklePony 238]

What I've read in regards to situations like this is that if for some reason the "domestic" flight needs to stop, you enter non-US territory and then re-enter the US, and in that case the person would have a problem.