NYC this summer

[snackered]

Hiya,

I have to travel to New York for work this summer. DP can't come for various reasons, so I'm taking our two kids (6 and 18 months) on my own.

I'm feeling really stressed about travelling - images of huge queues / extra wait times etc. Has anyone been to JFK lately and can I ask what it was like? Did it feel safe (as safe as an airport can feel in a pandemic etc etc). Any tips?

Pandemic aside, immigration at both NYC airports will want to see your work visa (unless a US citizen), what going to do with your children whilst you work and where are you going to quarantine. Plus permission from your other half to take them out the country.

I am also supposed to be working in the USA this summer but my boss gets that’s it’s almost impossible so we are heading back in 2022. I personally think you’re mad even considering it unless there really is no alternative.

Are you a US citizen or do you have a US residency visa (a temp work visa would not be enough)? If not, I'm not sure how you'll travel to NYC this year. The border is currently closed to UK and EU nationals and no set date for when it's likely to re-open. Hopefully by mid-July / August, but no guarantee.

I thought the US weren't allowing non US nationals in for holidays?

New York in the summer, in a pandemic, with quarantine rules, trying to work and travelling alone with two small kids.. not on your nelly.

As PPs said, if you are not a citizen of permanent resident you need special permission to enter the US to work at the moment. I think there is no chance of getting two children into the country just now. Do they have visas? If you have a work visa you will need to apply for dependent visas for them too. If you are going on an ESTA (when they start issuing them) be very careful what you say to immigration, it's OK do do some meetings etc but actually doing a job in the US is not permitted on an ESTA.

It might be possible if you go to a third country, which travel is permitted from, for two weeks before travelling to the US. DH normally works in the US, we have an apartment there and work visas he has not been able to enter since Christmas (there have been visa renewal issues in there too, to make it more complicated).

If you are a citizen you won't have any problems (as long as your children are as well.

Of course everything could change, vaccination is going reasonably well over there so they may relax the rules.

If your visa status is at all unclear it is likely that you will be refused boarding on your flight, they don't take any chances.

Thanks all. Yep, I have a O1 visa - granted two weeks ago. Both kids have also been granted visas - attached to mine. DP is fine with us going (he couldn't get a visa, so, yep, I'm well aware of how hard it is to get into the States at the moment) - and will write the letter stating he grants permission etc.

I'm freelance, but this job is a huge, lifechanging job in terms of financial security, further opportunities, career progression. My company are paying for a nanny, housing, all of my relocation, they paid for the immigration lawyers who organised the visa etc. In non-pandemic times it's a dream opportunity. But, yeah, we're not in non-pandemic times.

I have to go - it's not really up for debate. And we'll have lots of support when we're there. I'm anxious about the airport and the travelling and wondered if anyone had been through JFK recently.

Can't they fund a nanny in the UK so they kids can stay home?

I live in NYC! DH has flown domestic a couple of times from JFK and LGA and says they're fine. Can't speak to immigration, but there are so few people allowed in, I doubt it'd bad. We're largely open again now and lots of people are vaccinated so the mask rules are relaxing a lot. I don't even have to wear a mask at the gym any more, all the restaurants and parks are open etc.

@snackeredI have a toddler, so let me know if you want any tips for the 18 month old :)

That's a possibility I guess... I've never been away from either of them for even a night. But interesting you suggest that as that's what my Mum suggested too - I obviously want the best thing for them, but I'll be gone for 8 weeks.

Thanks @allfurcoatnoknickers ! That's really helpful and v reassuring. And yesss - would happily take any 18 month old tips - that's really kind.

This was in ‘normal’ times, but the queues at jFK have always been tremendous anyway.

Landed around 10pm (3am UK time) and ass soon as the border officer directing the queues saw us with our 2 year old daughter, he sent us to the beginning of a new queue.

I’ve always felt grateful and considered it better than being upgraded to first class…

@snackered Do you know where you'll be based? Or do you get a choice? I live in Chelsea, which is not traditionally family friendly but I love it here. Ignore the naysayers on this thread, it's an amazing, and very easy place to have small children.

My DS is almost 2 and stuff he's really enjoyed over the past 6 months includes:

• Whitney Museum (v. kid friendly. Strollers allowed)
• One World Observatory
• Museum of Ice Cream (I also loved this)
• The Intrepid (v. cool museum on a battleship. Very toddler friendly as everything was designed to survive a war)
• Pizza at Eataly
• The Plaza and shopping center at Hudson Yards - there's a Camp store, which is a toy store with an indoor playground.
• Hudson River Park - has a bonkers playground which is probably better for the 6 year old, but there's also a park with a giant lawn to run around on.
• Chelsea Market and the Highline. They can't escape, so can roam relatively free.
• Madison Square Park - big lawn, good playground, AMAZING Shake Shack. Always something interesting going on.
• LIC Waterfront (Gantry Park) for beautiful views, nice playgrounds and a great cafe.

Things I haven't done, but have friends who rate them:

• The brand new Little Island park.
• Classes at Kids at Work
• Classes at The Giant Room for the 6 year old (it's 5 and older)
• Swimming classes at Imagine Swimming in TriBeCa
• South Street Seaport. This used to be my favorite summer hangout pre-kid. My friend loves to go with her toddler though! Again, good playground, space to run around, nice views, always something going on.

I recommend joining your neighbourhood's FB group, as well as the Gigantic "UWS Mommas" and "UES Mommas" groups.

Happy to help with practical stuff like grocery delivery/where to get kids clothes etc. but thought I'd start with the fun stuff.

I don't want to be picky but having a visa does not grant entry to the US at the moment. The Presidential Proclamation made in January prohibits entry for anyone who has been in the UK, the Shengen area and the Republic of Ireland (and some others) for the 14 days prior to arrival in the US. There are exceptions and you would need to be able to prove that you came under those exceptions, with official documentation (last time DH entered he had a letter saying that his works was of value to the US economy from the embassy in London, which was arranged by his US employer, this has been tightened now and they are even harder to get). For your visa type it might be easier to get this authorisation and maybe you already have it. DH was refused boarding when he only had his visa and not letter and he's been living there for three years. You should check whether children can get exemptions. Hopefully the US will open back up and none of this will be an issue.

I’d leave them at home with your dh and extended family. Far better for them

@allfurcoatnoknickers that sounds AMAZING! Oh to be in NYC doing all that...

8 weeks must feel like forever but if you go alone you can commit fully to your project rather than not giving it or your kids the attention you'd want to? It would be really hard but I'd leave them at home.

Yes agree with pp, even on a work visa you may be denied entry. We are on non-immigrant work visas and right now if we go back to the UK we can only return after 14 days in a third country. The exceptions are for work that's of a national interest which I guess you may be covered by! But it doesn't automatically include o visas. And you would need a NIE form. Hopefully you can double check with the lawyer!

Thanks so much everyone - lots of great tips and so much to think about. The immigration lawyers assure me I’ve got all the necessary paperwork but it’s definitely worth remembering that anything can happen at immigration and I appreciate all the advice / words of caution.

What an amazing opportunity for you.

As hard as it would be, I’d look at leaving the kids at home with your family. Hard on you but easiest on them overall. Jetlag, new nanny, new home, you at a new job etc. It’s also a huge pressure on you.

Do you have to fly to JFK? Not one of the other airports? Look at the difference between Heathrow and Gatwick for example.

If your O-1 was issued after March 32 then you are not going to be affected by the labor market proclamation but you WILL be affected by the travel restrictions that are in place preventing people who have spent any part of the previous 14 days in Europe (and other countries, but that doesn’t apply to you). Unless they is lifted before you travel you don’t be allowed in directly with an O-1 and will have to spend 14 days in a “non-banned” country before entering, Mexico is a hot favorite for this. There are exceptions in place for USCs, LPRs, their spouses, their minor children and parents of minor USCs and LPRs. But no exceptions for visa holders (unless they are also coincidentally in one of the exception categories).

@newnortherner111

Do you have to fly to JFK? Not one of the other airports? Look at the difference between Heathrow and Gatwick for example.

Good point - Newark (EWR) is often the more tranquil option and it can be quick to get into Manhattan from there as it is from JFK..

OTOH I'm not sure how European operators are operating passenger flights into/out of Newark ATM so options may be reduced but it 's certainly worth investigating.