Can O-visas gain entry

[Susie Fennell 0]

My husband obtained his O-1 visa to America - and I got my O-3 - just three days before the Covid-19 lockdown and the U.S. closed it's borders, so we were unable to get to the States before it closed us out.

 

Would our travel not be classed as 'essential' travel as my husband has to physically be there to deliver the education.  Would we not be granted entry to the States on that basis?

 

I keep searching and looking through all the pages and advice, but I cannot see anything specifically on O-visas.  Most other visas are mentioned, except this group.  I wondered if it was possible to gain entry now as I understand some visas are being granted entry - such as student visas.

 

[designguy 1,179]

If you have a valid visa you can travel. If you are in a country currently banned due to corona virus then you will need to go to a non banned country for 14 days prior to arrival 

[Susie Fennell 0]

22 minutes ago, designguy said:

If you have a valid visa you can travel. If you are in a country currently banned due to corona virus then you will need to go to a non banned country for 14 days prior to arrival 

So we are in the UK - so if we went to say Mexico for 14 days, we could then go across to the US after that? 

[designguy 1,179]

2 minutes ago, Susie Fennell said:

So we are in the UK - so if we went to say Mexico for 14 days, we could then go across to the US after that? 

Yes

[JFH 12,190]

46 minutes ago, Susie Fennell said:

So we are in the UK - so if we went to say Mexico for 14 days, we could then go across to the US after that? 

Assuming the border doesn’t close between now and then. That’s the issue with the 14-day “quarantines” in other countries, a lot can happen in 14 days and you could be stuck somewhere. It’s up to you if the risk is worth it. 

[Susie Fennell 0]

1 hour ago, JFH said:

Assuming the border doesn’t close between now and then. That’s the issue with the 14-day “quarantines” in other countries, a lot can happen in 14 days and you could be stuck somewhere. It’s up to you if the risk is worth it. 

That is a very good point!! Thank you! 

[bobjennyhitched 99]

21 hours ago, Susie Fennell said:

So we are in the UK - so if we went to say Mexico for 14 days, we could then go across to the US after that? 

I flew directly from London Heathrow to USA without a stay in Mexico but had to quarantine here (Denver, CO). That was end of April.

[Susie Fennell 0]

7 minutes ago, jennywhite421 said:

I flew directly from London Heathrow to USA without a stay in Mexico but had to quarantine here (Denver, CO). That was end of April.

What visa were you on? Did you not have any issues at border control? 

[bobjennyhitched 99]

1 hour ago, Susie Fennell said:

What visa were you on? Did you not have any issues at border control? 

I was on an IR1 spouse visa. I was exempt from the travel ban and my issue was more getting flight. I got questioned by an official at check in, and cleared immigration in Newark. Is the O visa exempt in the Presidential Proclamations? I'm not too sure what would happen at the border with O but I heard on VWP you can get denied entry. It might be worth checking with the US embassy as they are re-opening now. You can call or email them. Sorry I can't help more.

 

 

 

[Susie Fennell 0]

6 minutes ago, jennywhite421 said:

I was on an IR1 spouse visa. I was exempt from the travel ban and my issue was more getting flight. I got questioned by an official at check in, and cleared immigration in Newark. Is the O visa exempt in the Presidential Proclamations? I'm not too sure what would happen at the border with O but I heard on VWP you can get denied entry. It might be worth checking with the US embassy as they are re-opening now. You can call or email them. Sorry I can't help more.

 

 

 

Yes, we have valid visas, but it just doesn’t seem that they are letting anyone in - even with a visa - well, certainly not from the U.K.! It’s all such a mine field and quite confusing because there really isn’t much said about O visas!! 
Thank you for your time to reply though, I appreciate that. 

[bobjennyhitched 99]

On 7/20/2020 at 2:48 PM, Susie Fennell said:

Yes, we have valid visas, but it just doesn’t seem that they are letting anyone in - even with a visa - well, certainly not from the U.K.! It’s all such a mine field and quite confusing because there really isn’t much said about O visas!! 
Thank you for your time to reply though, I appreciate that. 

No problem. I think it would be best to contact the consulate. Mine is a spouse visa so is possibly why I didn't have to quarantine anywhere else before arriving and could do so in the US.