K-3 Visa

[jperera 0]

When they issue the K-3 Visa do they specifiy a date you must leave the country? If so what was the time limit that is given? I know the K-3 Visa is a 2 year multiple visa but I am not sure whether they require the person to leave the country within a specified period of time the initil time the visa is issued.

[Euro 3]

When they issue the K-3 Visa do they specifiy a date you must leave the country? If so what was the time limit that is given? I know the K-3 Visa is a 2 year multiple visa but I am not sure whether they require the person to leave the country within a specified period of time the initil time the visa is issued.

You have 6 months to use the visa!!

[scy 0]

When they issue the K-3 Visa do they specifiy a date you must leave the country? If so what was the time limit that is given? I know the K-3 Visa is a 2 year multiple visa but I am not sure whether they require the person to leave the country within a specified period of time the initil time the visa is issued.

You have 6 months to use the visa!!

This has been debated extensively. It is my opinion that visas are vaild for the period they are issued for. K-3 visas are valid for 2 years so the K-3 beneficiary can use the K-3 visa anytime within 2 years. The K-3 beneficiary does not have to use the visa within 6 months.

[germangel 0]

the consular officer told me I have to activate it within 6 months. It also said the same thing in the instructions that came with my visa envelope.

[scy 0]

the consular officer told me I have to activate it within 6 months. It also said the same thing in the instructions that came with my visa envelope.

What's is the validity period printed on the K-3 visa?

Do you know if the instructions that came with your visa envelope was specific to the K-3 or was it more generic and applies to all K visas?

A lot of instructions and forms that are used with K-1 are reused with K-3, and since K-1 have 6 months validity, most assume K-3 has to be used in 6 months also.

Edited March 7, 2006 by scy

[germangel 0]

K3 is valid for 2 years from date of issuance (Jan 2008)

I don't quite remember if the info was for K3 only.

But it did say I have to activate the visa within 6 months, don't need to put the x-rays in my carry-on to show at immigration and I think I recall it said that it's valid for 2 years. So I guess it was for K3 (validity suggests so)

Couldn't swear on it thoug

[scy 0]

K3 is valid for 2 years from date of issuance (Jan 2008)

I don't quite remember if the info was for K3 only.

But it did say I have to activate the visa within 6 months, don't need to put the x-rays in my carry-on to show at immigration and I think I recall it said that it's valid for 2 years. So I guess it was for K3 (validity suggests so)

Couldn't swear on it thoug

There is a lot of confusion about the K-3 validity period. FWIW, I called the Consular Affairs visa office at 202-663-1225 today and asked them whether a K-3 visa has to be "activated" within 6 months although it was issued for 2 years.

The lady that answered the phone was very nice. She put me on hold and went to read the Foreign Affairs Manual. She came back and told me that she couldn't find any information on the 6 months requirement. She told me that she has never heard of a visa that has to be "activated" within certain time prior to its validity period. That is a two years validity means that you don't have to first use it within 6 months.

She also said that there is some confustion between the K-1 and K-3 visas validities since the visas are so similar. She suggested that I call Customs and Border Protection and ask them since they are the ones that allow a visa holder to enter the US. She promised to call me back if the 6 months requirement is correct.

I personally believe that some consular employees are confused regarding K-3 validity. Of course a K-3 beneficiary should believe a consular official when told that he has to use the visa within a certain time.

[aussiewench 9]

I tend to agree with you scy........I am curious about what I found in the FAM though.

b. The K-1 and K-2 visas shall be valid for six months for one entry. The K-3 visa shall be valid for multiple entries for 10 years, unless constrained by security clearance requirement or waivers, which are valid for a year or less. Unmarried children may receive multiple entry visas valid only until they reach the age of 21 years.

http://foia.state.gov/masterdocs/09fam/0941081PN.pdf

Is there an ammendment that you know of? My searches are turning up nothing on the 2yrs on Department of State, USCIS or DHS sites.

[scy 0]

I tend to agree with you scy........I am curious about what I found in the FAM though.

b. The K-1 and K-2 visas shall be valid for six months for one entry. The K-3 visa shall be valid for multiple entries for 10 years, unless constrained by security clearance requirement or waivers, which are valid for a year or less. Unmarried children may receive multiple entry visas valid only until they reach the age of 21 years.

http://foia.state.gov/masterdocs/09fam/0941081PN.pdf

Is there an ammendment that you know of? My searches are turning up nothing on the 2yrs on Department of State, USCIS or DHS sites.

The 10 year validity is the theoretical maximum validity on any nonimmigrant visa. However, reciprocity schedules call for validity of only 24 months on K-3. So each consular section issues nonimmigrant visas with validities based on the reciprocity the US has with that particular country, which is what the FAM calls for.

You can read the reciprocity schedule here:

http://travel.state.gov/visa/reciprocity/index.htm

Edited March 8, 2006 by scy

[hafiz 1]

I know by the end of this whole process you guys will be immigration lawyers. lol. then you can charge people 1500 dollars to file for I-130 and when they ask "How long is my application going to take?" you Say"here is the receipt number, you go online type it in" lol

Edited March 9, 2006 by hafiz30

[dinu 0]

Hi!

I saw that your spouse got the K3 visa in Sri Lanka. I"m applying for a K3 for my husband who's there as well and would like to know if you could give me some info about the interview at the Embassy. What type of things did they look for, did they look at any evidence that you presented, how long did they take for the whole process until the visa was issued, etc. etc. ??? Any information will be greatly appreicated. Thanks.