Approved K1 Visa, unable to travel COVID-19

[arken 4,197]

23 hours ago, Loren Y said:

I was able to get all the way to payment to purchase a ticket. I will try calling, but I am pretty sure buses are running.

I would be very cautious to recommend based on some internet booking as people are so anxiously seeking advices to get out of this current mess that they may fall into another mess.

 

In Nepal, all public transportation, private vehicle use, and flights are suspended for countrywide lockdown unless for essential and emergency services. They have just started talking about allowing private vehicles and Taxis that too with restrictions like odd number vehicles on odd numbered days and even numbered vehicles on even numbered days.

 

There are some buses running between Nepal and India but that’s solely for repatriation for stranded citizens.

 

 

[amarilloslick 13]

On 6/12/2020 at 11:54 AM, Busybees said:

Hi All,

 

My fiancee's visa was approved at her interview on February 26th this year, and she received the physical visa in the first week of March. However, as we are all aware, most countries were shut down within a week or two afterwards due to the pandemic. Now, after several bouts of rescheduling plan tickets, her home country is *currently* planning to reopen international travel August 1st. Considering her visa expires August 19th, the possibility of her not being able to use her visa concerns me. I have read online that a visa's expiration date can be extended due to unforeseeable circumstances (such as a natural disaster), but I can't find any information beyond that.

 

I plan on calling the embassy as soon as they reopen, but in the meantime, does anyone know the process of requesting a visa extension?

Even if air travel is opened up I don't think your fiancée can enter the US because of the immigration ban done by the executive order. Someone please correct me if I am wrong.

[geowrian 22,337]

12 minutes ago, amarilloslick said:

Even if air travel is opened up I don't think your fiancée can enter the US because of the immigration ban done by the executive order. Someone please correct me if I am wrong.

There is not a ban on K-1 visas at this point in time.

The only COVID-related applicable bans would be due to presence within certain countries within the past 14 days.

[amarilloslick 13]

Just now, geowrian said:

There is not a ban on K-1 visas at this point in time.

The only COVID-related applicable bans would be due to presence within certain countries within the past 14 days.

Thanks, can you point me to a source so I can verify that K-1 visas can still enter?

[payxibka 10,045]

1 minute ago, amarilloslick said:

Thanks, can you point me to a source so I can verify that K-1 visas can still enter?

Other members actual experience 

[amarilloslick 13]

Just now, payxibka said:

Other members actual experience 

I have been reading other members posts and I only see that they cannot enter because of the EO.

[geowrian 22,337]

9 minutes ago, amarilloslick said:

Thanks, can you point me to a source so I can verify that K-1 visas can still enter?

It is nearly impossible to prove a negative. By default, a valid visa holder can enter the US, subject to CBP inspection as always.

Nothing needs to state "K-1 is permitted" - there would need to be something that indicates it is not permitted.

 

I will point to the EO banning certain visas, which is likely the ones impacting most people right now and some people mistakenly thought it impacted K-1 visas. https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/proclamation-suspending-entry-immigrants-present-risk-u-s-labor-market-economic-recovery-following-covid-19-outbreak/

Note that it only bans immigrant visas. K-1 is not an immigrant visa and therefore not subject to it.

Also note that a visa issued prior to the ban (as is the OP's case) is also exempt.

 

There are various other bans for certain nationals and such (although that would be on issuing the visa due to being inadmissble...once issued, those can be used to enter the US fine).

 

There are also multiple reports of K-1 visa holders being admitted.

 

7 minutes ago, amarilloslick said:

I have been reading other members posts and I only see that they cannot enter because of the EO.

Can you point to somebody who was denied entry on a K-1 so their circumstances can be examined?

Edited June 17, 2020 by geowrian

[payxibka 10,045]

A k1 from a travel ban country would have difficulty 

[Just Paul 4,595]

5 minutes ago, amarilloslick said:

I have been reading other members posts and I only see that they cannot enter because of the EO.

EO for travel banned countries means that if you come directly from or transit thru a banned country you can not enter.   You can go to a non travel banned country and stay there for 14 days and then fly into the US.

 

There is no ban for a K1 visa holder, or any valid visa holder to enter the US by air.   If you have a visa you can fly in.   There is a whole thread in the covid19 forum.