Taking a cruise to Hawaii that stops in Mexico before Advance Parole...??

[peanutismint 35]

This might be a really dumb question so bear with me....

 

I'm British, final stages of K1 visa. Hopefully getting married/moving to USA in a few months and thinking about a cruise to Hawaii for our honeymoon, but a lot of the ones we're looking at stop off at a port in Mexico (outside of the US). Does anyone know whether this will cause me to abandon the green card process? Or can I just stay on the ship and not have to technically enter Mexico/leave the USA?!

[payxibka 10,045]

5 minutes ago, peanutismint said:

This might be a really dumb question so bear with me....

 

I'm British, final stages of K1 visa. Hopefully getting married/moving to USA in a few months and thinking about a cruise to Hawaii for our honeymoon, but a lot of the ones we're looking at stop off at a port in Mexico (outside of the US). Does anyone know whether this will cause me to abandon the green card process? Or can I just stay on the ship and not have to technically enter Mexico/leave the USA?!

But you have technically entered international waters

[peanutismint 35]

Yes, and? Does that count as leaving the USA? Would seem kinda silly when you board the ship in America and depart in....America again, in Hawaii? If international waters were an issue, wouldn't flying to Hawaii be just as problematic? Or is naval law different when it comes to immigration?!

[payxibka 10,045]

6 minutes ago, peanutismint said:

Yes, and? Does that count as leaving the USA? Would seem kinda silly when you board the ship in America and depart in....America again, in Hawaii? If international waters were an issue, wouldn't flying to Hawaii be just as problematic? Or is naval law different when it comes to immigration?!

A direct flight you maintain a secure environment.  With the intermediate port of call changes it.  

[Just Paul 4,595]

short answer looks to be a No for your cruise for a K1

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/74/kw/Closed loop Hawaii cruise

Edited December 29, 2018 by Paul & Mary

[Crazy Cat 41,681]

or you can wait until receiving a valid advance parole document to take a cruise........it seems to me that the issue is "departing" the US......which your scenario seems to do, imo.  Personally, I wouldn't take that risk when there are safer options for a honeymoon.

[JFH 12,189]

Even if you stay on the ship in Ensenada you have left the USA - the ship does this to be able to open the casino and sell duty-free alcohol and also to comply with the Jones Act. And you might not have a choice in getting off - if there is an emergency on board and all passengers have to get off (fire alarm, etc) or if you have a medical emergency and have to get off to see a shore doctor, what then? The safest bet would be to fly to Honolulu and cruise on NCL’s Pride of America as this ship does not leave Hawaii or enter international waters. Or postpone the honeymoon until you have the paperwork in order.

 

This is yet another pitfall of the K-1. 

 

 

[Unlockable 7,314]

Although it may seem silly to you, the answer is no. Wait for AP.

 

The K1 has strict limitations. If it was a CR1 you’d be free to go.

[peanutismint 35]

Thanks for all the info guys! Really appreciate it 🙂 will plan accordingly (and also apply for AP ASAP!!).

 

[Chris Duffy 1,257]

IF you had a US driver licenses you could make it happen, if not US Driver licenses I wouldn't do it.

 

That's all you need for a closed loop tour

 

 

[jan22 3,043]

2 hours ago, Chris Duffy said:

IF you had a US driver licenses you could make it happen, if not US Driver licenses I wouldn't do it.

 

That's all you need for a closed loop tour

 

 

Incorrect.  An Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) is all a US citizen needs...non-citizens need proper documentation, such as an I-551 for LPRs, and visas or ESTA as required/appropriate for all others.  

 

 

Edited December 29, 2018 by jan22

[Chris Duffy 1,257]

15 minutes ago, jan22 said:

Incorrect.  An Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) is all a US citizen needs...non-citizens need proper documentation, such as an I-551 for LPRs, and visas or ESTA as required/appropriate for all others.  

 

 

Incorrect

 

I just got off a cruise ship 2 days ago, all I showed was my DL

 

Same thing for my wife, she is non citizen with expired GC and expired extension letter, she only has i551 in her passport.  We just used the DL as ID

 

I have done the same thing using a DL on another cruise years ago with a different chick who was a non citizen, but had DL. 

 

All you need is a DL if it a closed loop tour

 

 

[peanutismint 35]

2 hours ago, Chris Duffy said:

IF you had a US driver licenses you could make it happen, if not US Driver licenses I wouldn't do it.

 

That's all you need for a closed loop tour

 

 

Thanks, good to know. I've always just driven on my UK license on previous visits but now that I'm emigrating will probably go the whole hog and get a state license; not sure how long they take to arrive but hopefully sooner than an advance parole permission :--) 

[Boiler 45,399]

5 minutes ago, peanutismint said:

Thanks, good to know. I've always just driven on my UK license on previous visits but now that I'm emigrating will probably go the whole hog and get a state license; not sure how long they take to arrive but hopefully sooner than an advance parole permission :--) 

Depends on the State but normally you need your EAD first.

[jan22 3,043]

4 minutes ago, Chris Duffy said:

Incorrect

 

I just got off a cruise ship 2 days ago, all I showed was my DL

 

Same thing for my wife, she is non citizen with expired GC and expired extension letter, she only has i551 in her passport.  We just used the DL as ID

 

I have done the same thing using a DL on another cruise years ago with a different chick who was a non citizen, but had DL. 

 

All you need is a DL if it a closed loop tour

 

 

What happened years ago does not apply today...especially since the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative which changed requirements for US passports (and Ied to EDLs).  You said your wife had the I-551 in her passport...so, she had a I-551.  You, the US citizen had an EDL...so, you had the required documents...so, how does that make my information wrong???

I don't want to argue with you, but I also don't want people to cause problems for themselves by accepting incorrect information.