Expired Visa

[babyjk 7]

My in laws were granted their visas (F3) back in February. Then all this COVID-19 had grounded flights all over the world. They had booked their flight for July 1st. hoping that by then all this would have been over with but unfortunately it isn’t. Their flight was automatically rescheduled to July 2nd. Then as the day approached it was rescheduled until July 26th. The borders in Barbados officially open on July 12th but many flights have various dates for resuming service to Barbados. The carrier they are flying on tentatively resumes service on the 25th. Their visas expire on August 5th. My question is this. If they are unable to enter the US before their visa expires. What would be their next step? When is the embassy in Barbados reopening. There is only 1 person in the country with COVID and they came in on a repatriation flight. There is no community spread. All of the last few cases were from individuals on repatriation flights.

[Crazy Cat 41,836]

When do their visas expire?  Sounds like they don't have long to get inside the US...if already expired, then they will have to contact the consulate to re-issue the visas.  That will require a new medical, fees, and possibly more documents.

Edited July 11, 2020 by Lucky Cat

[igoyougoduke 1,656]

if their visa expires before entry than they have to get a new visa at the consulate 

[babyjk 7]

@Lucky Cat    It expires August 5th. They've been trying to get out but the borders in Barbados were closed and they are reopening tomorrow July 12th. Jetblue is tentatively set to resume service to the island on July 25th and their flight was rescheduled to July 26th. They are hoping that Jetblue service does resume and they are able to get out by the 26th because if they can't their visas will most likely expire.

 

 

 

[babyjk 7]

@James120383   The embassy hasn't reopened as yet. Will it still be a problem if it takes months to get a new visa? So if this flight is rescheduled, they should email the embassy with their case number and be guided by the embassy. they were wondering if they should contact the embassy now.

[Just Paul 4,595]

Can they get to USVI?

 

21 minutes ago, babyjk said:

Will it still be a problem if it takes months to get a new visa?

They may not be able to get a reissue - IR5 has been suspended thru the end of the year.

[igoyougoduke 1,656]

28 minutes ago, babyjk said:

@James120383   The embassy hasn't reopened as yet. Will it still be a problem if it takes months to get a new visa? So if this flight is rescheduled, they should email the embassy with their case number and be guided by the embassy. they were wondering if they should contact the embassy now.

not much can be done if consulates are not open.

[babyjk 7]

That sucks. Hopefully they can get out on the new date. Unfortunately we do not have flights to the USVI from Barbados. We also only have AA and Jetblue that goes to the US from Barbados unfortunately. Jetblue is tentatively set to resume flights to Barbados on July 25 and AA is set to resume flights on August 5th. I guess it's just hoping for the best now. 

[Lemonslice 4,835]

Porto Rico?

[aaron2020 11,651]

If they can not immigrate to the US before their immigration visas expires, then it's going to be a long wait.  With the Executive Order, they will not be able to get new visas until 2021.  They may have to go through a new set of paperwork including the DS-5540.

Figure a way for them to get her.  By boat to a place with flights if necessary.

[Crazy Cat 41,836]

3 hours ago, babyjk said:

@Lucky Cat    It expires August 5th. They've been trying to get out but the borders in Barbados were closed and they are reopening tomorrow July 12th. Jetblue is tentatively set to resume service to the island on July 25th and their flight was rescheduled to July 26th. They are hoping that Jetblue service does resume and they are able to get out by the 26th because if they can't their visas will most likely expire.

 

 

 

Then they need to get here before the expiration.  As others have said, if their visas expire, it will be a long wait until new visas can be re-issued (if the consulate chooses to do so).

[babyjk 7]

Thanks to everyone who responded. The answers were very helpful. I guess our only option is to pray they are able to leave on the 26th. As stated earlier the borders just opened today and most airlines have not resumed service as yet. There is no boat or ship or plane they can use to get to some US port of entry or to some other 3rd country to continue to the US. So right now it is just prayers that the flights resume when they said they will. Thanks again and good luck on your journeys.

[DDB 0]

I think you should get a flight intransit through canada. Even if you have tickets already i think you should look on cheapflights.com and get one of those air canada  flights to jfk... it will cost more in the long run... dont let it expire...