k1 travel

[Gman]

Can someone on a K-1 visa go on a cruise that visits other countries as long as they don't leave the ship? or do you automatically have to go thru american immigration on the way back in?

Thanks,

Gman

[Apk1]

... in response to k1 travel, posted by Gman on Aug 1, 2003

In a nut shell.....maybe not

My Russian wife and I went on a cruise to Mexico last month, they treated her as an illegal even though she already has her green card and a drivers licence here in California.

When going through check in, she presented her green card expecting no problems. They informed us that they will confiscate her green card and hold it at the pursers desk untill departure...and gave us a receipt.

My wife was horrified that they will loose her greencard!

As with our room keys we were given a sign and sail card, kinda like an on board credit card that you pay for your drinks and souveniers on board with. This card also has an embeded micro chip with your photo on it, they take the photo the first time you leave the ship...you use this card to depart the ship in all port of calls, it is scanned and your mug shot appears for them to identify you when you wish to get back on the ship.

I do not know if it is possible to go through customs with nothing less than a green card....

[Gman]

... in response to Re: k1 travel, posted by Apk1 on Aug 2, 2003

i didn't realize boarding the ship is in effect a departure from U.S. soil.  

Thanks, your experience answers my question

[europete]

... in response to k1 travel, posted by Gman on Aug 1, 2003

While I cannot answer your question with exact and accurate information, I will say that when I came back to the U.S.A. on June 1st on the QEII cruise ship from England, all passengers were informed that they had to report to the Immigration authorities on board the ship even though they were not leaving the ship for the day and setting foot on U.S. soil. Until all passengers had gone through the Immigration inspection, no passengers were allowed to leave the ship.

[Gman]

... in response to Re: k1 travel, posted by europete on Aug 1, 2003

Thanks