K-3 How long to enter US initially?

[Thai family 0]

Does a K-3 visa recipient have to enter the US for the first time within six months of issue? I'm aware that the visa is good for two years, but concerned about delayed initial entry. This may seem like a silly question, since the K-3 is supposed to speed up the process, but my kids circumstances have changed. My DIL expects to remain in Thailand until sometime in February for her career, and her K-3 interview is the 24th. Fortunately my son is still in a position to pay her long visits.

I called the USCIS today - the third time is a charm - and an kind officer put in a request to have their I-130 forwarded to the NVC. If it gets there they will have the luxury of a choice. Words to the wise: Keep your options open and don't close any doors. They were very clear up-front about wanting a K-3 visa, and I am certain that is why the I-130 was not forwarded to the NVC along with the I-129F.

Thanks for your feed back. It is always valued.

Thai Mom

[payxibka 10,045]

Does a K-3 visa recipient have to enter the US for the first time within six months of issue? I'm aware that the visa is good for two years, but concerned about delayed initial entry. This may seem like a silly question, since the K-3 is supposed to speed up the process, but my kids circumstances have changed. My DIL expects to remain in Thailand until sometime in February for her career, and her K-3 interview is the 24th. Fortunately my son is still in a position to pay her long visits.

I called the USCIS today - the third time is a charm - and an kind officer put in a request to have their I-130 forwarded to the NVC. If it gets there they will have the luxury of a choice. Words to the wise: Keep your options open and don't close any doors. They were very clear up-front about wanting a K-3 visa, and I am certain that is why the I-130 was not forwarded to the NVC along with the I-129F.

Thanks for your feed back. It is always valued.

Thai Mom

K-3 has two years not 6 mos.

[Thai family 0]

Thanks. I got concerned when I read that on the CR 1/R 1, one has to enter the US within six months, or they forfeit the visa. Then I started wondering if there are any initial entry requirements for the K-3.

[pushbrk 12,877]

Thanks. I got concerned when I read that on the CR 1/R 1, one has to enter the US within six months, or they forfeit the visa. Then I started wondering if there are any initial entry requirements for the K-3.

The principal is the same. The visa must be used before it expires. CR1 is a single entry visa. K3 is a multiple entry visa. All entries allowed must occur before visa expiration, whether one entry or more.

There are exceptions to the validity times. Generally, K3 is two years but check the reciprocity for the specific country.

Edited July 17, 2008 by pushbrk

[Thai family 0]

Thanks. I got concerned when I read that on the CR 1/R 1, one has to enter the US within six months, or they forfeit the visa. Then I started wondering if there are any initial entry requirements for the K-3.

The principal is the same. The visa must be used before it expires. CR1 is a single entry visa. K3 is a multiple entry visa. All entries allowed must occur before visa expiration, whether one entry or more.

There are exceptions to the validity times. Generally, K3 is two years but check the reciprocity for the specific country.

I appreciate the information and will alert he kids to make sure they have all their questions answered before they leave the embassy. That's easier said than done, I'm sure. It had never occurred to me that the country of origin might make a difference after the visa is issued.

[rin and john 71]

Thanks. I got concerned when I read that on the CR 1/R 1, one has to enter the US within six months, or they forfeit the visa. Then I started wondering if there are any initial entry requirements for the K-3.

The principal is the same. The visa must be used before it expires. CR1 is a single entry visa. K3 is a multiple entry visa. All entries allowed must occur before visa expiration, whether one entry or more.

There are exceptions to the validity times. Generally, K3 is two years but check the reciprocity for the specific country.

I appreciate the information and will alert he kids to make sure they have all their questions answered before they leave the embassy. That's easier said than done, I'm sure. It had never occurred to me that the country of origin might make a difference after the visa is issued.

Rin's K-3 from Thailand was issued with a 2-yr validity. No indication on it anywhere as to an initial entry requirement. When the children received their K-4 visas in Oct 2007, the expiration date was set the same as Rin's K-3 (so theirs were issued for 1 1/2 years). All are multi-entry visas.

John

[pushbrk 12,877]

Thanks. I got concerned when I read that on the CR 1/R 1, one has to enter the US within six months, or they forfeit the visa. Then I started wondering if there are any initial entry requirements for the K-3.

The principal is the same. The visa must be used before it expires. CR1 is a single entry visa. K3 is a multiple entry visa. All entries allowed must occur before visa expiration, whether one entry or more.

There are exceptions to the validity times. Generally, K3 is two years but check the reciprocity for the specific country.

I appreciate the information and will alert he kids to make sure they have all their questions answered before they leave the embassy. That's easier said than done, I'm sure. It had never occurred to me that the country of origin might make a difference after the visa is issued.

Well the answer to the reciprocity question will be on the visa itself but you could check here first. http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/reciproc...ocity_3272.html I think you'll find it's two years.

[Thai family 0]

Rin's K-3 from Thailand was issued with a 2-yr validity. No indication on it anywhere as to an initial entry requirement. When the children received their K-4 visas in Oct 2007, the expiration date was set the same as Rin's K-3 (so theirs were issued for 1 1/2 years). All are multi-entry visas.

John

I guess this is something that can be crossed off of the "concerns" list. Thanks, John.

Thai Mom

[Thai family 0]

Thanks. I got concerned when I read that on the CR 1/R 1, one has to enter the US within six months, or they forfeit the visa. Then I started wondering if there are any initial entry requirements for the K-3.

The principal is the same. The visa must be used before it expires. CR1 is a single entry visa. K3 is a multiple entry visa. All entries allowed must occur before visa expiration, whether one entry or more.

There are exceptions to the validity times. Generally, K3 is two years but check the reciprocity for the specific country.

I appreciate the information and will alert he kids to make sure they have all their questions answered before they leave the embassy. That's easier said than done, I'm sure. It had never occurred to me that the country of origin might make a difference after the visa is issued.

Well the answer to the reciprocity question will be on the visa itself but you could check here first. http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/reciproc...ocity_3272.html I think you'll find it's two years.

Pushbrk,

In all my reading I've never run across that page! It was helpful. Are you a researcher? Actually, I guess we all are in this process. Some are just better than others.