Transiting through Europe on IR1 Visa Spouse of US Citizen

[NMHayek 56]

Has anyone had any problems or heard of any problems of a spouse of a US Citizen on an IR1 visa transiting through Europe to travel to the USA?  Any problems at either at the USA border or at any of the airports/transits in Europe? Thanks!

 

According to the proclamation Spouse of US Citizen is exempt. This is the president's proclamation https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/proclamation-suspension-entry-immigrants-nonimmigrants-certain-additional-persons-pose-risk-transmitting-2019-novel-coronavirus/

Below is from the proclamation stating alien spouses are exempt. 

Sec. 2.  Scope of Suspension and Limitation on Entry.

(a)  Section 1 of this proclamation shall not apply to:

(i)     any lawful permanent resident of the United States;

(ii)    any alien who is the spouse of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident;

[Boiler 45,470]

Well for most of Europe you would have the 2 week quarantine requirement. Now there is an exception for spouses but probably easier to avoid the issue.

Edited October 5, 2020 by Boiler

[Nnmm193 9]

I read online several people deciding to transit through Istanbul to avoid the issue of the travel ban. Also going through Qatar/UAE is an option if you don't mind the mandatory PCR test at the airport (I am assuming you will depart from Cairo)

 

But then again this will all depend on where you're headed in USA to minimize the number of flights you have to take and the layover time.

Fingers crossed things get moving quickly and you travel safely!

[NMHayek 56]

Thanks everyone! I messaged the US embassy in Egypt and they said technically, since we are traveling together, we should be able to transit through Europe. However they don’t recommend it because there have been cases where people got denied and had to book a ticket back to Egypt. When the time comes and if things are still the same we won’t risk it - we will pay the extra money and fly directly to USA. Just not worth it.