***URGENT***

[EricandSheily2011 0]

Hey, my friends Larry and Sheng are currently in the Philippines. Sheng's Visa was not approved then under review for months. They were finally approved and Larry is in the Philippines now to get Sheng now that their visa is approved. They went to board the plane yesterday and Sheng's Visa just expired and she was not allowed to board the plane. Larry and Sheng are now stuck in Manila trying to figure out what to do? Is there anyway they can extend her Visa Expiration date a few days? I spoke with Larry and he asked if he had to reapply for the K-1 Visa. Would that take another 4-5 months?? Or does anyone have any advice I could give Larry and Sheng? They've been through a lot in this whole process and I just want to help them out as much as possible. Thanks for any advice anyone has for us.

[Wally G! 58]

Generally, an immigrant visa is valid for six (6) months from the date of issuance. The validity of a visa, however, may also be limited because of medical restrictions or other reasons. If an applicant knows that departure will not be possible within this period, he or she should request to have the interview moved to a later date. The Embassy does not extend the validity of an issued visa. However, an expired visa may be replaced if the applicant is able to demonstrate that his/her ability to use the visa was due to circumstances beyond his/her control. If an applicant is determined to be eligible for a replacement visa, he/she will be asked to update his record and will be charged the applicable consular fees.

To request a replacement visa, the expired visa needs to be surrendered at the Embassy with a letter explaining the reasons why the visa was not used.

http://manila.usembassy.gov/after-the-interview.html

[Enigma11561 336]

If this was a K1 visa that was issued, and it is good for 6 months, my question is why your friends took so long to get on a plane back to the states. The whole idea is to immigrant here and get married. Most people are on a plane in a few weeks if not a few days. Was there a problem in leaving?

[inyong 0]

Hi, it's so confusing when they had the visa why they did not start planning to

for plane tickets to go to the US of A so the Visa will not be expired?

[Deputy Purple 1,294]

The validity of the Visa can't extend beyond the validity of the Applicant's Medical Results.

When the Visa was received they should have checked the expiration date and made plans to travel before it expired.

If there wasn't enough time before the expiration they could contact the USEM and ask for an extension but it would more than likely require an updated medical exam.

They shoudl contact the USEM and ask if they can get it extend ASAP but be prepared for another Medical Exam.