Flights to USA after approval

[Pat2021 43]

Hi everyone,

 

Not sure if this is the right board for this so forgive me if I posted in the wrong one.

I just got approved for my IR1 and will start looking at flights now to go move to the US in January.

 

I have two questions regarding this:

1. I've noticed round-trip flights to be significantly cheaper than one-way flights. Is it OK to book a round-trip flight, and never take up the "return" part of it?
2. My wife currently lives with me abroad and will return with me on the same flight (which I trust is OK? That's what I read online at least). Once we land in the US, do we both go to the "immigration" queue and she shows her US passport, says she's my sponsor and comes through with me, or does she go through the "US citizen" queue and waits for me on the "other side"? What's easier / better?

Thank you

[Mike E 11,741]

1. This is fine. 
 

2. all financial sponsors MUST enter the U.S. before or at the same time as the beneficiary.  Both of you will bypass the automated kiosks and present yourself together at the non citizen / visitor line.  There will be airport employees who will try to split you two up.  Do not listen. You can say “embassy told us we need to stay together in visitor line”

[Kanja 202]

3 hours ago, Pat2021 said:

Hi everyone,

 

Not sure if this is the right board for this so forgive me if I posted in the wrong one.

I just got approved for my IR1 and will start looking at flights now to go move to the US in January.

 

I have two questions regarding this:

1. I've noticed round-trip flights to be significantly cheaper than one-way flights. Is it OK to book a round-trip flight, and never take up the "return" part of it?
2. My wife currently lives with me abroad and will return with me on the same flight (which I trust is OK? That's what I read online at least). Once we land in the US, do we both go to the "immigration" queue and she shows her US passport, says she's my sponsor and comes through with me, or does she go through the "US citizen" queue and waits for me on the "other side"? What's easier / better?

Thank you

Question number 1- totally fine

question number 2- I don’t know 😊

[Wuozopo 4,293]

8 hours ago, Pat2021 said:

have two questions regarding this:

1. I've noticed round-trip flights to be significantly cheaper than one-way flights. Is it OK to book a round-trip flight, and never take up the "return" part of it?
2. My wife currently lives with me abroad and will return with me on the same flight (which I trust is OK? That's what I read online at least). Once we land in the US, do we both go to the "immigration" queue and she shows her US passport, says she's my sponsor and comes through with me, or does she go through the "US citizen" queue and waits for me on the "other side"? What's easier / better?

1. We did that and most others do too. Be sure to cancel your return. You can also try different dates and times for the return portion. You might lower your round trip cost based on the return leg you pick. 
 

2. The line you use depends on the airport. As you enter the immigration hall, ask an attendant if you can go through together and which line. We were directed to the US resident line. Be sure to mention you need your immigrant visa processed. 

[Chancy 6,242]

*** Moved from General Immigration-Related Discussion to Moving to the US forum ***

 

[Pat2021 43]

19 hours ago, Wuozopo said:

1. We did that and most others do too. Be sure to cancel your return. You can also try different dates and times for the return portion. You might lower your round trip cost based on the return leg you pick. 
 

2. The line you use depends on the airport. As you enter the immigration hall, ask an attendant if you can go through together and which line. We were directed to the US resident line. Be sure to mention you need your immigrant visa processed. 

Thank you!

[Kanja 202]

19 hours ago, Wuozopo said:

1. We did that and most others do too. Be sure to cancel your return. You can also try different dates and times for the return portion. You might lower your round trip cost based on the return leg you pick. 
 

2. The line you use depends on the airport. As you enter the immigration hall, ask an attendant if you can go through together and which line. We were directed to the US resident line. Be sure to mention you need your immigrant visa processed. 

What happens if you don’t cancel your return? 

[TBoneTX 45,580]

16 minutes ago, Kanja said:

What happens if you don’t cancel your return? 

For an IR-1 or CR-1 entrant, it doesn't matter much.  The stamp in the passport enables the entrant to turn right around, leave the U.S., and be readmitted.

 

For a K-1 entrant, conversely, it can be perilous.  Airlines sometimes (often?) fail to correct their passenger manifests.  If the seat isn't canceled, is considered a no-show at boarding time, and is reassigned to a standby passenger, the manifest might still show the original ticket-holder as the passenger.  A K-1 entrant can't leave the U.S. and be readmitted before Advance Parole is granted (part of AOS).  The K-1 entrant is then burdened with proving that he/she never left the U.S., and proving a negative is difficult.

 

Others here may elaborate on an IR-1 entrant's situation.

[Kanja 202]

45 minutes ago, TBoneTX said:

For an IR-1 or CR-1 entrant, it doesn't matter much.  The stamp in the passport enables the entrant to turn right around, leave the U.S., and be readmitted.

 

For a K-1 entrant, conversely, it can be perilous.  Airlines sometimes (often?) fail to correct their passenger manifests.  If the seat isn't canceled, is considered a no-show at boarding time, and is reassigned to a standby passenger, the manifest might still show the original ticket-holder as the passenger.  A K-1 entrant can't leave the U.S. and be readmitted before Advance Parole is granted (part of AOS).  The K-1 entrant is then burdened with proving that he/she never left the U.S., and proving a negative is difficult.

 

Others here may elaborate on an IR-1 entrant's situation.

Ouch! Thanks for sharing this helpful information. I know someone who came in on a K1 with a round trip because it was cheaper but I’m almost positive they did not cancel their return. I’ll let them know to start figuring out how they are going to prove they never left. 

[TBoneTX 45,580]

You're welcome.  Amid the bustle of immigration arrival, the last thing normally on people's minds is to deal with the return ticket.  Let us know whether your friend is successful in getting something from the airline.