Jade84

Hi all!

Well, my *husband* finally made it into the US and we were able to get married on May 1. I'll spare all the mushy details of how beautiful the wedding was and just jump into my question:

We are interested in taking a belated honeymoon trip to Puerto Rico. I understand that he isn't allowed to leave the country during the process of the K-1 and applying for residency, but is Puerto Rico technically considered leaving the US? I know you don't have to have a passport to go.

Just curious if anyone knows. Again, thanks for all the help. We couldn't have done this without some of the friendly people on here helping us out.

jeffreyhy

J,

Nothing "technical" about it - Puerto Rico is a part of the USA. But not a state.

Just don't let bad weather or equipment failure land you and your husband somewhere else in the eastern Caribbean that's not a part of the USA.

Regards, JEff

Noorah101

Have you applied for AOS yet? Part of the AOS package is Form I-131 for Advance Parole (AP) which allows him to travel abroad (outside the USA) and return to the USA without abandoning his AOS process.

Puerto Rico is the USA, so no problem going there without AP, if he doesn't have it yet, as long as the flight never lands outside the USA.

If the flight lands outside the USA for any emergency purposes, and he does not have AP in hand, he will have to wait outside the USA until he can obtain an Immigrant Visa to return. That would not be good.

Rene

AlienUk

Has this ever actually happened to someone?? Curious.....

ian-mstm

It happens. I remember reading a story about a young couple that got married in Niagara Falls, NY. That afternoon they walked across the Peace Bridge to Niagara Falls, Ontario for a celebratory steak dinner... and when crossing back, CBP refused to allow the spouse entry to the US because she did not have a valid visa. I can't remember exactly how long it took to sort that out... but it was many, many weeks.

Not too much of a stretch to envision this happening on an otherwise "routine" flight.

Ian

penguinbar

I didn't find Puerto Rico much different than Florida! Might as well go there!

meauxna

The food is WAY better in PR!

Jade84

thanks for the info, everyone! really appreciate it.

penguinbar

I would rather go to Florida! There are some great restaurants there as well! I go there every year. I also would not risk the flight. Even though Puerto Rico is a commonwealth of the USA what would happen if there was a storm and you had to land in say the Bahamas instead? There are plenty of nice places to visit without the risk.

Jade84

I think you can apply for advance parole for free if its done at the same time as the adjustment of status, is that correct? wouldn't hurt to have it just in case something happened and we needed to head back to the uk for a visit.

I also think I'll take your advice and plan on staying stateside for a while until he's free to roam where he pleases.

Noorah101

That is all correct. And a wise choice.

Rene