My fiance got denied boarding with a valid K-1 Visa, transiting through Paris

[Diane and Chris 651]

On 7/28/2020 at 2:34 PM, Cyberfx1024 said:

That is exactly what I told you on the 22nd.... The exact same thing.... It is also what you were told on Reddit as well

Exactly. It seems funny to me that people want advice, but then don’t believe you. So, why as in the first place? 🤔 

[Kasia & Damian 22]

On 7/27/2020 at 12:05 AM, patis said:

****** UPDATE *****

 

I just wanted to update everyone on the current situation. We talked to border control officers at several US airports and they said that having a k-1 and traveling through non-banned countries like Turkey is OK. However if she would have traveled through Paris, she would have been banned. If you want to talk to a border patrol officer you can call your airport and ask for the customs and border number. 

 

So we now have a Turkish airline ticket and are waiting for the flight now. 

 

What we were initially told by the man working for Air France was that K-1's could not enter the US and that there was nothing he could do. This was  only true because airFrance only had flights going through France. So he was partially right. There was nothing HE could do. He failed to mention we could just get a ticket from a different airline and be okay. So K-1's can enter. Just don't buy from airFrance and don't think transiting through Europe is a good idea. 

 

******UPDATE******

 

TLDR: DON'T TRANSIT THROUGH EUROPE ON A K-1. 

 

I’m happy to hear that you found a solution.

in theory your fiancé would be in the last 14 days on Schengen area (because of the transit) so let us know please if that mattered. 
I’m keeping my fingers crossed for you guys.

 

*And topeople which are saying ‘you’ve been told this and that few times’:*

remember, this situation is very stressful to most of us. It’s hard when you want to see each other ASAP because it’s been so long. We are here on this forum to support each other not to point on each other’s mistakes I believe.

[HRQX 4,145]

35 minutes ago, Kasia & Damian said:

in theory your fiancé would be in the last 14 days on Schengen area (because of the transit) so let us know please if that mattered. 
I’m keeping my fingers crossed for you guys.

She didn't leave Libya so she wasn't subject to Schengen Area proclamation.

[Kasia & Damian 22]

On 7/25/2020 at 12:50 AM, patis said:

She is flying from Tunis to paris to the US. They stopped her at the airport and said k-1 visas were not allowed. How is this possible? I'm speechless right now. 

@HRQX I meant this part. Transferring through Schengen is treated as being in Schengen area. I just wanted to clear that out ☺️

[Anishatt 4]

She have to fly from Turkey or Qatar ,normally she already knew that if she just got the visa lately 

Edited August 11, 2020 by Anishatt

[jakelake 222]

Did your fiancee make it to the US or is she still in Tunisia?

[Jenmarie 1]

My fiancé from Paris travelled to Mexico and stayed 2 weeks there. The banned countries are banned if you’ve been there’in the past 2 weeks’. He had no troubles getting here and getting through customs. He is finally home. For anyone with a K1 that is coming from or traveling through a banned place... find somewhere you can fly to and spend 2 weeks ( that the US has not banned) and come from there. You can always call customs and boarder patrol if you feel worried, like we did. I called daily to make sure nothing had been changed. (I got through best at 6-7 am calling the airport he was flying into(Miami) and they were more helpful than anyone  else ever was. There are 13 airports you are allowed internationally to fly into so make certain you are going to one of those , as well. I hope this helps. ❤️

[HRQX 4,145]

29 minutes ago, Jenmarie said:

There are 13 airports you are allowed internationally to fly into so make certain you are going to one of those , as well. I hope this helps. ❤️

Actually, since he flew into the US from Mexico he could have landed at any international US airport (so not limited by the list of 15 airports). Mexico isn't one of the "specified countries" https://www.dhs.gov/publication/notices-arrival-restrictions-coronavirus

Edited August 17, 2020 by HRQX

[Mike V 56]

On 7/25/2020 at 10:36 AM, Calicolom said:

So far I have booked 3 flights and lost 3 flights. The airlines did not cancel the flight, cheapOair is canceling the flights, without telling me, or giving me a chance to change the flight. Then they keep $80.00 non refundable booking fee. some airlines take your money, knowing full well you can't fly. 

Travelocity is the only 3rd-part travel company I will deal with.  They have always stood by us & our friends. If the major airlines (Delta, United) don't have the best deals, I book through Travelocity (only exceptions have been some tickets with Europe on Lufthansa).

 

PriceLine recently failed for the 2nd (and last!) time to provide any meaningful resemblance of customer service.

 

I would never touch CheapOair.

Edited August 18, 2020 by Mike V
posted too soon

[LilyJ 1,258]

On 8/11/2020 at 3:47 PM, Kasia & Damian said:

@HRQX I meant this part. Transferring through Schengen is treated as being in Schengen area. I just wanted to clear that out ☺️

She never got to Schengen/Paris. They would not let her board the plane in Tunisia.

[Kasia & Damian 22]

4 hours ago, LilyJ said:

She never got to Schengen/Paris. They would not let her board the plane in Tunisia.

Thank you for making that clear  I got this brutal vision of someone going all the way there and being banned at the airport 🙈 that’s a better option to know before the flight! 

[Calicolom 266]

On 7/25/2020 at 5:59 AM, patis said:

How do I triple check this? I"ve seen countries like Iran, China, EU schengen area are banned. I didn't see turkey anywhere. But also did not see where it was explicitly allowed. I'm worried we'll just be throwing more money away on useless plane tickets.

I spend $1000 on airline tickets, and lost $1000 on airline tickets, making the mistake of booking with a travel agency. They were only interested in selling tickets. 

[Boiler 45,462]

Kelsey and BF are from Portland.

 

Texas Bob was down today his GD just started a job in Portland, he was phlegmatic as his SIL would not have permitted it if she was not safe.

[Tara & Chris B 1]

There's a lot of information here, so I do apologize for this message being a bit redundant. But am I correct in my understanding that the US is granting K1 Visas (a literal pass for entry across the border), but not letting people in because of COVID? (And also not quite smart enough to extend this to people if they fly through a non-banned country?) I honestly assumed there would be no issue with my fiance traveling from Spain once our K1 Visa is approved (expected in November). But if we fly him through say, Dubai, there should be no issue? 

[carmel34 3,621]

7 minutes ago, Tara & Chris B said:

assumed there would be no issue with my fiance traveling from Spain once our K1 Visa is approved (expected in November). But if we fly him through say, Dubai, there should be no issue?

A lot can change between now and November/December.  Monitor the situation from now until then, as things will likely be different.  In the current uncertain environment it is good to be flexible and ready for different options based on new information at that time.  And the best advice, is don't buy any tickets to travel until the K-1 visa is in hand, in the passport.  Good luck with the interview!