K-1 validity question

[Badgerella 5]

I've been browsing basically all K-1 related threads. I looked at I-129F form just now and noticed, in the first top block (for USCIS use only), a box saying: "The petition is approved for status under Section 101(a)(5)(k). It is valid for four months from the date of action. ____________________ "

Does anyone know what this means?

I was told, here on the forum, that once K-1 is approved, there is a 6 month wait for the person to leave the home country and enter the States. Upon their arrival to the US, a new counter starts, leaving them 90 days to get married. Is this correct? Or, in other words, does the box from I-129F not relate to the 6-months wait?

It is really important for me to know how long I can stay in my home country, as I might end up needing every tiny bit of some 'extra' time.

Thank you.

[pushbrk 12,877]

I've been browsing basically all K-1 related threads. I looked at I-129F form just now and noticed, in the first top block (for USCIS use only), a box saying: "The petition is approved for status under Section 101(a)(5)(k). It is valid for four months from the date of action. ____________________ "

Does anyone know what this means?

I was told, here on the forum, that once K-1 is approved, there is a 6 month wait for the person to leave the home country and enter the States. Upon their arrival to the US, a new counter starts, leaving them 90 days to get married. Is this correct? Or, in other words, does the box from I-129F not relate to the 6-months wait?

It is really important for me to know how long I can stay in my home country, as I might end up needing every tiny bit of some 'extra' time.

Thank you.

Don't confuse petition approval with visa issue. The petition approval is valid for four months but Consular officers have the power and routinely do extend the validity in four month increments as needed.

Once a visa is issued based on the petition approval, the K1 visa holder has six months to enter the US, one time, and 90 days after entry to marry the petitioner or leave the USA.

Edited August 1, 2008 by pushbrk

[bakofoil 27]

I've been browsing basically all K-1 related threads. I looked at I-129F form just now and noticed, in the first top block (for USCIS use only), a box saying: "The petition is approved for status under Section 101(a)(5)(k). It is valid for four months from the date of action. ____________________ "

Does anyone know what this means?

I was told, here on the forum, that once K-1 is approved, there is a 6 month wait for the person to leave the home country and enter the States. Upon their arrival to the US, a new counter starts, leaving them 90 days to get married. Is this correct? Or, in other words, does the box from I-129F not relate to the 6-months wait?

It is really important for me to know how long I can stay in my home country, as I might end up needing every tiny bit of some 'extra' time.

Thank you.

The six months quoted refers to the time period following approval and issuance of the K1 visa by the relevant embassy. Once the I-129F itself is approved it is forwarded to the embassy for you to attend interview. I-129F approval does not guarantee issuance of the K1 visa itself.

You are looking at a couple of months between I-129F and interview (dependent on country). THEN you have six months to enter the US with the K1 visa following interview approval. If you need more time than this you can hold off the interview stage for a while by contacting the embassy and extending the validity of the I-129F approval.

[Badgerella 5]

Thank you for your help.

That's what I thought, but I just wanted to make sure. I assumed the box on top of that form was related to the petition itself, not the visa.

How much time do I have, though, between the petition approval (or, well, the I-129F being forwarded to the Embassy in Croatia) and my interview?

[bakofoil 27]

Thank you for your help.

That's what I thought, but I just wanted to make sure. I assumed the box on top of that form was related to the petition itself, not the visa.

How much time do I have, though, between the petition approval (or, well, the I-129F being forwarded to the Embassy in Croatia) and my interview?

You can use the Timeline function to view average processing times for the Croatian embassy. I quoted two months as a reasonable minimum (in general terms) in view of your general question. Some embassies take much longer.

Edited August 1, 2008 by babblesgirl

[Badgerella 5]

Thank you!

[pushbrk 12,877]

Thank you for your help.

That's what I thought, but I just wanted to make sure. I assumed the box on top of that form was related to the petition itself, not the visa.

How much time do I have, though, between the petition approval (or, well, the I-129F being forwarded to the Embassy in Croatia) and my interview?

You have as much time as it takes. If it takes more than four months, the Consular officer can extend the petition validity.

If you're asking how long it will TAKE, then there's no solid answer. You can see examples by checking timelines for Croatia.

[Badgerella 5]

I know you can't tell how long it'd take.

So, yes, I wanted to know how much time -I- would have to return my package and have that interview scheduled - do they schedule it for me, or do they send me the package and let me decide when I am ready to send it back.. etc.

I sure as hell am overcomplicating all this, huh?

Thanks for all your help.

[pushbrk 12,877]

I know you can't tell how long it'd take.

So, yes, I wanted to know how much time -I- would have to return my package and have that interview scheduled - do they schedule it for me, or do they send me the package and let me decide when I am ready to send it back.. etc.

I sure as hell am overcomplicating all this, huh?

Thanks for all your help.

No, you're just not taking an answer for an answer. They schedule the interview after you return the packet 3.

[Badgerella 5]

And how long do I have, once I receive the packet, before I have to return it?

I suppose that's, actually, the question I wanted to ask.

[pushbrk 12,877]

And how long do I have, once I receive the packet, before I have to return it?

I suppose that's, actually, the question I wanted to ask.

There is no specific time frame. See my first answer in this thread and take an answer as an answer for crying out loud. My recommendation would be to return it within 90 days at the latest. In most cases, people are in a hurry, so the do it ASAP but it's not a requirement.

[KimandRuss 0]

And how long do I have, once I receive the packet, before I have to return it?

I suppose that's, actually, the question I wanted to ask.

The approved petition has a 4 month validity which is routinely extended by the Consulate.... usually because they can't schedule you in time. As pushbrk suggested, I wouldn't wait any longer than 90 days to send p3 back. Most do try to get it back asap.

After you are issued the K1 you have 6 months in which to enter the US (one time only entry) and you must marry within 90 days.