playing with dates

[magickatdragon 0]

Keith I have just gotten everything together for the interview. We are however, a little unsure about sending the paper that let`s the embassy know we`re ready.

The reason being: We`re trying to do the timeline math. Keith has read somewhere that it`s better to enter America with over a month left on the Visa for processing purposes. We are contracted thru the end of July to teach english in Japan. If I`m doing the math right that would mean we might be calling it close.

I thought I had read somewhere that once approved for the Visa you had 4 months in which to actually get it (pick it up from the embassy perhaps?), and then the Visa was good for 6 months. I recall reading this in August or September of last year when we started the process, but for the life of me can`t remember where.

For those who have done this part: In you opinions would it be better to wait a little longer to let them know we`re ready? Or is there in fact those four months?

(I know the process might not go as fast as some of the timelines say, but we need to be prepared for the off chance).

Thanks everyone!

[Boiler 45,881]

Assuming approval, you get the visa within a week and then have 6 months to use it. Once you enter you have 90 days to get married.

[gcox457 0]

Your I-129F petition is good for 4 months after approval from the USCIS service center (or maybe NVC? Not sure which stage the timestamp starts from). That is extendable by notifying the Consulate if it is necessary to do so. If you need to schedule the interview for a later time, contact the consulate and explain your situation and I'm sure they'll be able to accomodate your request. It's far easier to request a *later* interview date than an earlier one, after all. However, keep in mind that your supporting documentation (financial documents, medical examination, police certificate, etc) have "shelf lives" too...and if you wait too long for the interview after you have obtained them, they might start expiring on you--forcing you to repeat the process of getting them.

As Boiler said, once the visa is approved by the consulate...the clock starts ticking on the 6-month validity period to use the visa for entry whether or not the visa is in your possession. I'm not aware of any advantage or disadvantage associated with entering when there is only 1 month left of validity for the visa. After all, once you enter, the new clock starts for the 90-day period for marriage and the time left from the original 6 months is completely irrelevant.