Process to Extend K-1 beyond 6 Months

[BlakeandOlha 0]

Here's the situation in a nutshell.

My fiancee's visa was approved in Mid September in Kiev. For a number of reasons we decided that she should finish her graduate school courses for the fall semester and take her January examinations before she flew over to the US to marry. Unfortunately in January a number of unanticipated events took place, not the least among them was the sudden and serious illness suffered by her father, who she has been nursing back to health.

I do not want my fiancee to abandon her ailing father to come to me because of the 6 month lifespan on the k-1 visa and k-2 for her son. This would start our marriage in a great deal of stress and unhappiness. I had read here before that the process to extend the visa is a relatively simple one, and that at the discretion of the consulate, of course, they may extend the visa validity for a number of additional months (I've read 3, 4, and 6 months).

At the same time I've seen some posts from long time writers who are knowledgeable that the consulate will not extend the visa validity period.

We plan on marrying immediately after her arrival, I am just trying to get her to me with a clear concience.

Please help!!!!! The clock is ticking and on her first call to the embassy she was just told "No" the visa period cannot be extended under any circumstance. Thanks.

[YuAndDan 153]

The K-1 holder can visit the consulate and get the visa extended for another 6 months, bring evidence of the situation and this should be able to be done.

Moving this to consulate/embassy forum

[Mononoke28 135]

I've heard that if you have good evidence is a fairly simple process. Good luck!

Diana

[BlakeandOlha 0]

So would she have to physically go to the embassy (which is a 12 hour train ride) or can she accomplish this through express mail?

Thanks for the advice.

[Mononoke28 135]

In Colombia they have to go in person but contact the US embassy to see what they recommend.

Diana

[Bobby+Umit 161]

So would she have to physically go to the embassy (which is a 12 hour train ride) or can she accomplish this through express mail?

Thanks for the advice.

Something like this, I would go face to face, to avoid any other issues (lost mail, delays in mail, delays in sitting on someone's desk)

[BlakeandOlha 0]

In Colombia they have to go in person but contact the US embassy to see what they recommend.

Diana

Thanks.

The problem we're having is getting past the gatekeepers at the Kiev embassy. It is required to buy a PIN number which allows you to call the embassy staff. My fiancee spoke to a Ukrainian woman who seemed to delight in saying no. Must be having a bad day. We'll try to get past this person to talk to a consular official. Perhaps they might be able to give better direction.

[jfd 0]

Hi! I went through the same situation. My visa expired and I wasn`t able to use it.

I wrote to the embassy explaining why I wasn`t able to use it and they sent me a letter on what to do.

I surrendered my visa and visa packet to the embassy in person and they scheduled me for another medical and interview.

I was issued another visa good for six months again.

[Mononoke28 135]

Have you tried e-mailing them? A lot of embassies do like this type of communication and maybe if you, the US citizen, requests the information they may be willing to do so.

Also, another option you may consider is have your fiancé come to the US, get married ASAP and file for her AOS which will include her Advance Parole. With this approved document she can go back home and visit while her residency is being approved. It will take at least 3 months but it's worth a shot.

Or, let the K1 visa expire and re-file.

Diana

[Minya's wife 24]

In Colombia they have to go in person but contact the US embassy to see what they recommend.

Diana

Thanks.

The problem we're having is getting past the gatekeepers at the Kiev embassy. It is required to buy a PIN number which allows you to call the embassy staff. My fiancee spoke to a Ukrainian woman who seemed to delight in saying no. Must be having a bad day. We'll try to get past this person to talk to a consular official. Perhaps they might be able to give better direction.

Why don't you(the USC) try contacting the consulate's IV unit via e-mail first, referencing your fiancee's visa # and ask for instructions on how to get in to speak w/ consular staff about extending the visa.

-P

[payxibka 10,045]

In Colombia they have to go in person but contact the US embassy to see what they recommend.

Diana

Thanks.

The problem we're having is getting past the gatekeepers at the Kiev embassy. It is required to buy a PIN number which allows you to call the embassy staff. My fiancee spoke to a Ukrainian woman who seemed to delight in saying no. Must be having a bad day. We'll try to get past this person to talk to a consular official. Perhaps they might be able to give better direction.

As the USC it is time for you to contact the consulate via fax or e-mai... Kyiviv@state.gov or fax to 044-490-4570

[YuAndDan 153]

In Colombia they have to go in person but contact the US embassy to see what they recommend.

Diana

Thanks.

The problem we're having is getting past the gatekeepers at the Kiev embassy. It is required to buy a PIN number which allows you to call the embassy staff. My fiancee spoke to a Ukrainian woman who seemed to delight in saying no. Must be having a bad day. We'll try to get past this person to talk to a consular official. Perhaps they might be able to give better direction.

As the USC it is time for you to contact the consulate via fax or e-mai... Kyiviv@state.gov or fax to 044-490-4570

Another option is to call Visa services ate department of state in the USA, 202-663-1225

http://travel.state.gov/about/info/info_308.html#visa

[pushbrk 12,883]

In Colombia they have to go in person but contact the US embassy to see what they recommend.

Diana

Thanks.

The problem we're having is getting past the gatekeepers at the Kiev embassy. It is required to buy a PIN number which allows you to call the embassy staff. My fiancee spoke to a Ukrainian woman who seemed to delight in saying no. Must be having a bad day. We'll try to get past this person to talk to a consular official. Perhaps they might be able to give better direction.

As the USC it is time for you to contact the consulate via fax or e-mai... Kyiviv@state.gov or fax to 044-490-4570

Yes, and when you do, simply explain the issue and request instructions for extending the validity or reissuing the visa. I would use email rather than fax.

[BlakeandOlha 0]

Hi! I went through the same situation. My visa expired and I wasn`t able to use it.

I wrote to the embassy explaining why I wasn`t able to use it and they sent me a letter on what to do.

I surrendered my visa and visa packet to the embassy in person and they scheduled me for another medical and interview.

I was issued another visa good for six months again.

Did they require the whole documentary evidence thing again? I've discovered Skype, which has been saving me tons of money over the last 5 months, but it doesn't leave a very good trail (like a phone bill does). There are of course hundreds of e-mails and the like. Presents, and my visits. Neither of us expected this to happen and we're both pretty freaked out about it. My fiancee is ready to head off to Kiev tomorrow night on the train with letters from doctors and transcripts from the school, but if it is as simple as scheduling a new interview and taking the medical again, then we can take a deep breath.

But I don't dare breath too deeply until my fiancee or I talk to someone at the embassy beyond the scheduling worker.

So how long was it from when your visa expired until they scheduled another interview and medical?

Just as a side note,

Thank you all for your quick response and constructive comments. I appreciate this very much!

[BlakeandOlha 0]

Yes, and when you do, simply explain the issue and request instructions for extending the validity or reissuing the visa. I would use email rather than fax.

Very good, I am doing this now. Thanks.