travel to us and not use K1 visa??

[david b 2]

I have been wondering, when I get my K1 visa... can I travel to the US and not show it? I am not quite ready to leave the UK yet and would still like to go visit my fiancee... could I go and not use the visa or will they know I have one?

I last went to the us a couple of weeks ago, after I had the interview date set and the customs in the US didnt mention it, so I'm guessing they don't know I have applied for the visa, does this mean they won't know I have a visa, if i travel there and not use it?

[English Muffin 59]

I believe that if you enter with the visa in your passport you will activate it, which will mean you'll have to get married within 90 days, file AOS etc.

Moving from UK forum to K1 forum where there'll hopefully be people who can either confirm or deny this.

[Wyld Blu 35]

Once you enter into the USA with a K1, it will be activated and you must marry within your 90 day time frame. However, you have 6 months to use your K1 before it expires. So if you are not ready to leave quite yet, you have a bit of time to play with.

-Blu-

[Otto 83]

The only folks I've ever heard of being (sometimes) able to do this are those from Canada and even that is hit and miss - I can't imagine a CBP officer at any airport not 'activating' the K-1. You have to show it - it will be right there in the passport (they WILL know it is there).

You should pretty much count on entering for the duration (marriage, AOS/AP etc) when entering the US with the K-1.

[Darren + Heather 0]

Are you kidding me!?? You don't want to active your Visa! I can't imagine... wow.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

As stated by other people, once you have the visa you will activate it when you enter the US.... well honestly I don't think any of us know that for SURE, but as the risk is there I wouldn't bother. Add to that, why not save the money on the flight for the wedding, or mailing your stuff there or something. As the visa's only valid for 6 months, it might mean you can move over faster.. which would be MY aim (and most of us here I'm sure )

[tallcoolone 102]

Are you kidding me!?? You don't want to active your Visa! I can't imagine... wow.

Cold Feet........

[Darren + Heather 0]

Sorry, I had a little freak out moment when I read your question. My first impression was you had decided that you were unsure you wanted to move now, but I had time to think about it and I suppose I can see where you may not have everything completed there for you to move and you want to see your finace. Sorry, I get a little passionate about this kind of stuff. lol

I know people are saying that you have 6 months to validate your visa, but in truth you have 3 months to validate it and then 3 months to marry once you are here. You can't leave the US with out the parole paperwork completed and that can take up to 4 months. I think that is why my fiance and I are preparing for every situation now, while we wait. We have put to much time and energy into this, I would hate to risk it being revoked for any reason.

[tanithw 5]

but in truth you have 3 months to validate it and then 3 months to marry once you are here.

I don't think that is accurate - my understanding is that you have 6 months to activate the visa and enter the US - then you have 90 days to marry once you are in the country.

[Wyld Blu 35]

You have just about 6 months to enter the US. Then just about 3 months once you are here to get married. My husband (then fiance) didn't get here for at least 4 months after his visa was issued.

-Blu-

Edited April 21, 2010 by Wyld Blu

[Darren + Heather 0]

Oh, ok.. that is good to know. Thanks, y'all. I read that on another visa assistance site, so I am glad you clearified it for me. There is just so much false information out there.