Can he travel to a
    kaafir country for the sake of upholding family ties?
Question

                What is the ruling about going to Visit
      Friends and relatives in America? (For the sake of Allah, not for the sake of play and
      vain talk.). Jazaka Allah Khayr.
Praise be to Allah.It is not permissible to travel to a kaafir country
    except for a valid reason such as studying to acquire knowledge or skills that are not
    available in a Muslim country, or for medical treatment. But the traveller should have
    sufficient religious commitment to protect him from temptation and sufficient knowledge to
    protect him from doubts. Keeping in touch with relatives and upholding the ties of kinship
    can be achieved through lesser means; you can call them by phone, or correspond with them
    in any fashion, or send greetings and gifts, and so on. A person should not expose himself
    to the risks of travelling to a kaafir country and committing sin for the sake of
    something that may be achieved through other means. And Allaah knows best.