Travel to Europe

[jeanieCZ 228]

Hi guys, 

I have recently received my combocard and have been thinking about a trip to the Czech republic to visit my family. These are difficult times and while there is no family emergency (luckily!), I miss my family and want to make use of my AP to visit them. 

 

Since I'm a Czech citizen, I should be allowed to enter the country and I found out that in my home country I'll need to take a COVID test within 72 hours of arrival, which is not a problem. 

My question is how about returning to the USA? Will I need to quarantine or take a test after returning? Does anybody have a recent experience? 

And also, is my USC spouse allowed to accompany me? 

[HRQX 4,145]

30 minutes ago, jeanieCZ said:

My question is how about returning to the USA? Will I need to quarantine or take a test after returning? Does anybody have a recent experience?

It varies by state. You'll be returning to Virginia; correct? If so, "Consistent with CDC guidance, Virginia currently does not have any quarantine requirements for people arriving in the Commonwealth from other U.S. or international locations, as of August 13, 2020." https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus/coronavirus/travel-to-areas-with-widespread-ongoing-community-spread/

33 minutes ago, jeanieCZ said:

And also, is my USC spouse allowed to accompany me? 

It sounds like he can accompany you: https://www.mvcr.cz/mvcren/file/conditions-for-entry-of-persons-to-the-territory-of-the-czech-republic-valid-from-august-25th-2020-00-00-in-accordance-with-the-ministry-of-health-protective-measure.aspx Page 7 "Family members of Czech citizens"

[jeanieCZ 228]

@HRQX Thank you, dumb of me to not have realized that I should be looking for VA regulations, instead of US regulations. I guess I'm still not used to think like I live in Virginia instead of thinking like I live in USA 😜

[HRQX 4,145]

6 minutes ago, jeanieCZ said:

@HRQX Thank you, dumb of me to not have realized that I should be looking for VA regulations, instead of US regulations.

The federal government has deferred those decisions to local jurisdictions. Until recently, the relevant CDC page said: "CDC recommends that travelers stay home and monitor their health for 14 days." https://web.archive.org/web/20200816144341/https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/from-other-countries.html So not required by a federal rule or regulation.

3 hours ago, jeanieCZ said:

and want to make use of my AP to visit them.

If you travel by yourself you should carry copies of marriage certificate and your spouse's proof of citizenship to show that you are exempt to Schengen Area proclamation.

[jeanieCZ 228]

On 9/13/2020 at 10:39 PM, HRQX said:

If you travel by yourself you should carry copies of marriage certificate and your spouse's proof of citizenship to show that you are exempt to Schengen Area proclamation.

Just a question - Why should I carry my spouse's proof of citizenship? 

[Chancy 6,240]

7 minutes ago, jeanieCZ said:

Just a question - Why should I carry my spouse's proof of citizenship? 

 

You only need it if you are not traveling with your spouse.

 

On 9/14/2020 at 10:39 AM, HRQX said:

If you travel by yourself you should carry copies of marriage certificate and your spouse's proof of citizenship to show that you are exempt to Schengen Area proclamation.

 

[jeanieCZ 228]

1 minute ago, Chancy said:

 

You only need it if you are not traveling with your spouse.

 

 

Can you explain to me why do I need it?

[Chancy 6,240]

44 minutes ago, jeanieCZ said:

Can you explain to me why do I need it?

 

You won't need it because you'll be traveling with your USC spouse.

 

If you were not traveling with your spouse, the airline staff could argue that the Schengen Area proclamation does not specify an exemption for aliens with AP and deny you from boarding.

 

[Fr8dog 312]

47 minutes ago, jeanieCZ said:

Can you explain to me why do I need it?

You don't "need" it. Some people like to go the path of the least resistance. If you run into an officer who is ill informed or has a bad day, it may quickly establish you are the spouse of a US citizen / LPR  and need to be let into the country and save you a trip into secondary.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/proclamation-suspension-entry-immigrants-nonimmigrants-certain-additional-persons-pose-risk-transmitting-2019-novel-coronavirus/

Though the argument could be made that having photocopies with you proofs nothing if the officer really wants to be a hard ###. It boils down to a personal choice.

Do keep in mind that you also need to check state laws for the US airport you will be using. I know New York and New Jersey have some restrictions but do not know if how that pertains to international air travel. (don't feel like googling it either)

 

Airport staff should just swipe the card or enter the number during check-inn and that would establish enough.

Edited September 23, 2020 by Fr8dog

[jeanieCZ 228]

21 minutes ago, Chancy said:

 

You won't need it because you'll be traveling with your USC spouse.

How do you know that? As a matter of fact, I will NOT travel with my spouse. 

 

21 minutes ago, Chancy said:

If you were not traveling with your spouse, the airline staff could argue that the Schengen Area proclamation does not specify an exemption for aliens with AP and deny you from boarding.

 

I still don't understand how does my spouse's proof of UCS affect this? 

Please, I'm just trying to understand things. If you care to explain, then I'll be grateful! It is not helpful if you don't address my question tho (no offence). 

[jeanieCZ 228]

24 minutes ago, Fr8dog said:

You don't "need" it. Some people like to go the path of the least resistance. If you run into an officer who is ill informed or has a bad day, it may quickly establish you are the spouse of a US citizen / LPR  and need to be let into the country and save you a trip into secondary.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/proclamation-suspension-entry-immigrants-nonimmigrants-certain-additional-persons-pose-risk-transmitting-2019-novel-coronavirus/

Though the argument could be made that having photocopies with you proofs nothing if the officer really wants to be a hard ###. It boils down to a personal choice.

Do keep in mind that you also need to check state laws for the US airport you will be using. I know New York and New Jersey have some restrictions but do not know if how that pertains to international air travel. (don't feel like googling it either)

 

Airport staff should just swipe the card or enter the number during check-inn and that would establish enough.

Thanks for the explanation

 

I guess I just wish there were clear rules and one wouldn't be at will of an officer who might have a bad day, that's just ridiculous. 

[HRQX 4,145]

2 hours ago, jeanieCZ said:

Just a question - Why should I carry my spouse's proof of citizenship? 

You don't need to carry the original, just a photocopy. You'll have to go through both airline check-in and later CBP. At airline check-in, if they have doubts they may deny you boarding. Best to travel with it and not need it than to travel without it and be asked to show it.

[Chancy 6,240]

On 9/14/2020 at 7:21 AM, jeanieCZ said:

is my USC spouse allowed to accompany me? 

 

46 minutes ago, jeanieCZ said:

How do you know that? As a matter of fact, I will NOT travel with my spouse.

 

If your previous question has led me to assume wrongly that you would be traveling with your spouse, then my bad.

 

47 minutes ago, jeanieCZ said:

I still don't understand how does my spouse's proof of UCS affect this? 

Please, I'm just trying to understand things. If you care to explain, then I'll be grateful! It is not helpful if you don't address my question tho (no offence). 

 

I have been trying to explain.  Let me rephrase my previous comments --

 

To board a flight to the US from the Schengen area, you must prove to the airline staff that you are exempted from the travel ban proclamation because you are a spouse of a US citizen.  Having AP may not be enough.  Your marriage certificate may not be enough proof either because it may not show that your spouse is in fact a US citizen.

 

Your spouse's proof of citizenship plus your marriage certificate would prove that you are a spouse of a US citizen, therefore exempted from the travel ban.

 

[jeanieCZ 228]

12 minutes ago, Chancy said:

To board a flight to the US from the Schengen area, you must prove to the airline staff that you are exempted from the travel ban proclamation because you are a spouse of a US citizen.  Having AP may not be enough.  Your marriage certificate may not be enough proof either because it may not show that your spouse is in fact a US citizen.

 

Your spouse's proof of citizenship plus your marriage certificate would prove that you are a spouse of a US citizen, therefore exempted from the travel ban.

 

Thank you, this is helpful  

[HRQX 4,145]

On 9/13/2020 at 4:21 PM, jeanieCZ said:

a trip to the Czech republic

There have been reports of the Prague airport being extra difficult when going to the US:

The wife of the OP of that thread has decided to instead go to Warsaw airport. An alternative is to go to Dublin or Shannon, Ireland where there is CBP Preclearance.