Has Anyone Left Europe's Schengen Area for 14 Days to Then Enter USA?

[Martita.. 1]

8 minutes ago, SBML said:

I did a week ago, I stayed in Mexico for 16 days in total. What do you need?

Was everything fine? I will stay in Aruba for 15 days. How did it go, any questions they asked, or what do you suggest to say? Also did the arline gave you any trouble to board? Who did you fly with? Thank you!! 

[georgia027 0]

Hi everyone, I'm new here! I'm an American citizen and my boyfriend is a Swedish citizen currently in France. We're both PhD candidates with residence in the US and my boyfriend is on an F1 visa. He left for France to be with his parents amidst the pandemic in March and later realized the travel ban only allows citizens and GC holders to return to the US... after many months being far apart, and trying to find a solution, we finally decided to meet in Mexico on July 20 (that's the earliest that we could make work based on affordability and planning, since we both have other responsibilities to attend to). 

 

Is anyone else in a similar situation with booked flights to Mexico around mid/late July? Anyone else on a student visa?

 

It's comforting to be in touch with others who are also in a similar situation.

[SBML 34]

8 minutes ago, Martita.. said:

Was everything fine? I will stay in Aruba for 15 days. How did it go, any questions they asked, or what do you suggest to say? Also did the arline gave you any trouble to board? Who did you fly with? Thank you!! 

Everything went well! I travelled with KLM to Mexico and then American Airlines to the states. The airlines were fine, they just ask you the reason to go to Mexico in my case, and no problem boarding. While entering the states you'll be asked a lot of questions, but it's the same thing as every time you enter with the ESTA. Questions about your reason for entering and how long will you stay, what do yo do for a living and where, and then some extra questions to know that everyhing you said is the truth. The best suggestion I can give, is to always be honest. It doesn't matter how many or how weird the questions are, as long as you're saying the truth, they will know.

 

Safe travels and if you need anything else let me know!

[Martita.. 1]

43 minutes ago, SBML said:

Everything went well! I travelled with KLM to Mexico and then American Airlines to the states. The airlines were fine, they just ask you the reason to go to Mexico in my case, and no problem boarding. While entering the states you'll be asked a lot of questions, but it's the same thing as every time you enter with the ESTA. Questions about your reason for entering and how long will you stay, what do yo do for a living and where, and then some extra questions to know that everyhing you said is the truth. The best suggestion I can give, is to always be honest. It doesn't matter how many or how weird the questions are, as long as you're saying the truth, they will know.

 

Safe travels and if you need anything else let me know!

Thank you so much for your help! It makes me feel more relaxed that you made it and all went fine. I will travel from Aruba with jetblue hope they fine too, they not so international like the american arlines. 
Did you tell them you visiting your partner? Did you have a return ticket already? Thank you!!

[evapaula 230]

5 hours ago, VioletM said:

Hi everyone! I decided to take the plunge and fly to Serbia next week, and I have a flight to NYC on the 18th! I will be staying in an Airbnb, is there anything I might have problems with? The host will send my information to the police, is there anything else I should be mindful of?

Also, stupid question but, does anybody have experience booking extra checked luggage at the airport? My flight is with KLM with layover in Amsterdam, but I think because part of the flight is with Air Serbia it wasn't possible to book a second checked bag online, the website says I have to do it at the airport, but I have never done that! 

When i booked the tickets for my family, airserbia.com allowed 2 checked bags for free - that's probably why you're running into this for the KML portion. KLM is pretty good (at least pre-covid) with answering questions on Facebook Messenger. Maybe try that? 

[Ameerah 10]

Hi guys! Wanted to send an update. I am currently in Mexico City. I flew in yesterday and had no problems entering whatsoever. They asked me if I was a tourist, I said yes, then asked if I had friends and family here, I said no, lastly got asked how long I was staying, I said two weeks. He stamped my passport and I was good to go. I filled out the paperwork/questionnaire I got on the plane necessary to enter (flew with KLM- AMS-MEX). Questions were easy to answer. I am planning on going to Tulum/ Playa del carmen next week for the rest of the trip. I fly out to LA on the 10th. I have an O1 visa, so fingers crossed, I can't wait to be in my apartment again!

[GlizNov 8]

8 hours ago, VioletM said:

Hi everyone! I decided to take the plunge and fly to Serbia next week, and I have a flight to NYC on the 18th! I will be staying in an Airbnb, is there anything I might have problems with? The host will send my information to the police, is there anything else I should be mindful of?

Also, stupid question but, does anybody have experience booking extra checked luggage at the airport? My flight is with KLM with layover in Amsterdam, but I think because part of the flight is with Air Serbia it wasn't possible to book a second checked bag online, the website says I have to do it at the airport, but I have never done that! 

I have booked to go to Serbia and I'll be staying in an airbnb too. My host mentioned that some taxis can charge more if they see you are a tourist. It might be worth checking if your host is willing to pick you up from airport or willing to call a taxi for you.

 

Someone here previously mentioned using the car:go app for rideshare and I've found an app called Donesi which will let you order food deliveries from many restaurants in Belgrade. The app/website can be used in English too.

[jsmith2020 4]

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1UGaH5KVMQlfrgAnCc_6SDwCQq9CCRCHRy99Nhx7dXaM/edit#gid=0

 

Thanks everyone for adding their info! As more plan to travel, add your journey to the spreadsheet. It's helping us loads and giving us confidence in our travels. Have many Americans traveled to Serbia or Turkey, or are foreign nationals generally going there alone?

 

Also, if anyone is doing their quarantine in Turkey, how successful has it been? And for those with a layover, is the transit through Turkey ok without any issues?

[Fenja 229]

49 minutes ago, jsmith2020 said:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1UGaH5KVMQlfrgAnCc_6SDwCQq9CCRCHRy99Nhx7dXaM/edit#gid=0

 

Thanks everyone for adding their info! As more plan to travel, add your journey to the spreadsheet. It's helping us loads and giving us confidence in our travels. Have many Americans traveled to Serbia or Turkey, or are foreign nationals generally going there alone?

 

Also, if anyone is doing their quarantine in Turkey, how successful has it been? And for those with a layover, is the transit through Turkey ok without any issues?

My US citizen fiancé is currently on a flight to Belgrade and had absolutely no issue. 

[thisguyflies 72]

Hi everyone, remember me?

 

I'm now sitting in an air bnb in Belgrade, Serbia. After the heartbreak of being denied boarding in Manchester to Mexico last month, the relief of getting even this far is huge.

 

Some info on my experience for the journey from Heathrow to Belgrade for those interested:

 

Very easy, very quick, no questions asked. I had no bags to check; was straight through to security (recommended). No temperature checks, no health forms to fill out, no landing card needed. If it wasn't for everyone wearing masks, it would seem "normal". Flight was pretty full. Thankfully had an empty seat beside me.

 

Arriving in Serbia:

 

Again, very quick and easy. Went a little something like this at passport control:

- I give them my passport

- They ask how long I'm staying

- They ask where I'm staying

- They stamp my passport

- I leave the airport

 

Nothing else to it.

 

And now, I wait... People in Belgrade generally don't care about COVID. Everything and I mean EVERYTHING is open like normal. Barely anyone wearing masks. A little worrying, but what can I do? I'm being careful. Belgrade seems like a really nice city, I like it.

 

If anyone has any questions, feel free to ask me. 

Edited June 27, 2020 by thisguyflies

[jsmith2020 4]

2 hours ago, Fenja said:

My US citizen fiancé is currently on a flight to Belgrade and had absolutely no issue. 

That's great news! Can you tell me the route they are passing through?

[Kay & Evan 60]

12 minutes ago, thisguyflies said:

Hi everyone, remember me?

 

I'm now sitting in an air bnb in Belgrade, Serbia. After the heartbreak of being denied boarding in Manchester to Mexico last month, the relief of getting even this far is huge.

 

Some info on my experience for journey from Heathrow to Belgrade for those interested:

 

Very easy, very quick, no questions asked. I had no bags to check; was straight through to security (recommended). No temperature checks, no health forms to fill out, no landing card needed. If it wasn't for everyone wearing masks, it would seem "normal". Flight was pretty full. Thankfully had an empty seat beside me.

 

Arriving in Serbia:

 

Again, very quick and easy. Went a little something like this at passport control:

- I give them my passport

- They ask how long I'm staying

- They ask where I'm staying

- They stamp my passport

- I leave the airport

 

Nothing else to it.

 

And now, I wait... People in Belgrade generally don't care about COVID. Everything and I mean EVERYTHING is open like normal. Barely anyone wearing masks. A little worrying, but what can I do? I'm being careful. Belgrade seems like a really nice city, I like it.

 

If anyone has any questions, feel free to ask me. 

Glad to see you found a way!

I am about to leave for the airport to catch my flight to New York! Wish me luck 😊 I will update on how everything went. 
I stayed in an area called Vracar and mainly moved around my neighbourhood and everyone seems to wear a mask In this part of the city. But yes bars cafes and restaurants are packed with people and everything is open. 
belgrade is very nice and the people are very nice! Also food is good. 

[thisguyflies 72]

3 minutes ago, Kay & Evan said:

Glad to see you found a way!

I am about to leave for the airport to catch my flight to New York! Wish me luck 😊 I will update on how everything went. 
I stayed in an area called Vracar and mainly moved around my neighbourhood and everyone seems to wear a mask In this part of the city. But yes bars cafes and restaurants are packed with people and everything is open. 
belgrade is very nice and the people are very nice! Also food is good. 

Good luck! I'll be very interested to hear how things go. Hoping for the best! 

[HRQX 4,145]

42 minutes ago, thisguyflies said:

After the heartbreak of being denied boarding in Manchester to Mexico last month,

Is that airline still denying you a full refund?

[thisguyflies 72]

24 minutes ago, HRQX said:

Is that airline still denying you a full refund?

KLM made it extremely difficult for me to get my money back, but I did manage to convince them eventually. I literally had to act as an old school telephone operator and connect them on call to Manchester airport to finally get them to agree.

 

Who knows how long it will take to process, though... Nothing yet and I'm guessing it'll be months. My bank will be able to help, though.

 

Please don't fly KLM if it can be avoided.

 

Strange how their "internal email on changing immigration to Mexico" excuse hasn't seemed to have happened. Liars.