Can you visit The U.S. Virgin Islands?

[Sha-Lee88 26]

Howdy!

 

I understand that beneficiaries here on a K-1 Visa cannot leave the country unless they get advance parole to do so.  Let me ask, can we visit other U.S. territories like the U.S. Virgin Islands?  I understand that Americans don't need a passport to travel there.  Would there be any hangups for the K-1 beneficiary trying to get back into the mainland U.S.?  Has anyone done this personally?  If so, what happened?

Thanks!

[Ontarkie 14,218]

~~Moved to Working and Traveling, from K1 P&P - As this is not a K1 Processing questions. The OP is asking about traveling while waiting for AOS~~

Edited March 16, 2023 by Ontarkie

[mytruelove18 608]

1 hour ago, Sha-Lee88 said:

Howdy!

 

I understand that beneficiaries here on a K-1 Visa cannot leave the country unless they get advance parole to do so.  Let me ask, can we visit other U.S. territories like the U.S. Virgin Islands?  I understand that Americans don't need a passport to travel there.  Would there be any hangups for the K-1 beneficiary trying to get back into the mainland U.S.?  Has anyone done this personally?  If so, what happened?

Thanks!

I cousin if mine traveled to Puerto Rico waiting for his aos, and no problems coming back to Florda, Puerto Rico is a us territory like us virgins islands.

If you dont stop in other country you are good to go

[Mike E 11,739]

2 hours ago, Sha-Lee88 said:

I understand that beneficiaries here on a K-1 Visa cannot leave the country unless they get advance parole to do so.  Let me ask, can we visit other U.S. territories like the U.S. Virgin Islands?  I understand that Americans don't need a passport to travel there.  Would there be any hangups for the K-1 beneficiary trying to get back into the mainland U.S.?

1. PR and USVI: travel is ok. Bring a photo copy of evidence of authorized presence, as CBP is known to police flights involving these territories on an ad hoc basis. 

 

2. Guam and CNMI, as above but because these territories have a separate visa waiver system, you can expect higher scrutiny from both CBP and the airline. I suggest original evidence of authorized presence and plan for a longer that normal check in process.

 

3. American Samoa: off limits, because the territorial government controls its own immigration system. AS is best thought of as a separate country. 

As with any travel outside the contiguous U.S. you run the risk of a diversion to a foreign country. I’ve never heard of it, but it can happen. SF bay area to Hawaii is safe because the nearest point of diversion is always U.S. soil. Use the great circle mapper for any domestic flight that has an end point near Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean.