Validity of K1 Visa

[waltee 7]

Hello,

I just wanted to know if anyone over here know how long is a K1 visa valid before entering US. Is there a fixed period after which the visa will expire if one doesn't enter by that date. Can I request the immigration officer during the interview for a expire date (say 6 months for the interview date). I am currently studying PhD in Rome, Italy and will be finishing in OCT 2014 so when will be the best time to apply? so that I can make a smooth transition.

Thanks,

~Walter

[Ryan H 3,812]

Yes, there is a fixed period that the visa can be used once it's issued; the expiration date itself is printed on the visa. Typically, but not always, the visa is valid for 6 months.

[CaroSL 68]

Yes, there is a fixed period that the visa can be used once it's issued; the expiration date itself is printed on the visa. Typically, but not always, the visa is valid for 6 months.

Exactly. Mine was approx 5months and a half (strange, right?)

[Hypnos 6,576]

K visas are valid for six months from the date of the medical examination.

For example, if you had the medical examination in January and the visa was not issued until April then the visa would be valid until July.

Edited March 27, 2013 by Hypnos

[CaroSL 68]

Hello,

I just wanted to know if anyone over here know how long is a K1 visa valid before entering US. Is there a fixed period after which the visa will expire if one doesn't enter by that date. Can I request the immigration officer during the interview for a expire date (say 6 months for the interview date). I am currently studying PhD in Rome, Italy and will be finishing in OCT 2014 so when will be the best time to apply? so that I can make a smooth transition.

Thanks,

~Walter

The easiest way is to just delay your interview (simply don't rush to get one when you recieve the approval of your petition). Your petition will tipically be good for a few months after it is approved. So you don't need to rush to have an interview date... That way you get your visa a bit later, and so it will not expire before the end of the PHD.

I would send the I-129F in december. This way you won't have an issue with the validity of your visa, but you'll should not have to wait to long either to come to the US after you finish your PHD.

K visas are valid for six months from the date of the medical examination.

For example, if you had the medical examination in January and the visa was not issued until April then the visa would be valid until July.

Ah! That makes much more sense. This is exactly what it is. Thank you!

[waltee 7]

Thanks guys for your kind reply

I am an Indian but living in Italy for studies as i mentioned. Can I go through the process in Italy?

Also I see it takes 9 months around from the day I-129F is sent to the day one receives K-1 visa is this the case always? Whats the pulse minus time period needed for the entire process?

~Walter

[baron555 934]

K visas are valid for six months from the date of the medical examination.

For example, if you had the medical examination in January and the visa was not issued until April then the visa would be valid until July.

However......many folks have been able to ask the Embassy to extend the visa validity for longer than the 6 months.

Email the Embassy and ask.....is the best suggestion.

[Pitaya 2,577]

Thanks guys for your kind reply

I am an Indian but living in Italy for studies as i mentioned. Can I go through the process in Italy? It can be done, will likely depend on your residency, and the interviewing embassy/consulates.

Also I see it takes 9 months around from the day I-129F is sent to the day one receives K-1 visa is this the case always? That has been generally the case in the past. However, due to increased workload at USCIS, those times have been extended. How much? Anyones guess, read recent threads in the K-1 progress forum for current issues. Whats the pulse minus time period needed for the entire process? There are too many possible variables to accurately determine a timeframe. A very approximate timeframe can be found in the GUIDES K-1 flowchart: http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1flow

~Walter

Good luck.

[Dave&Roza 748]

K visas are valid for six months from the date of the medical examination.

For example, if you had the medical examination in January and the visa was not issued until April then the visa would be valid until July.

FYI, that is not always the case. For us, the visa was issued in the middle of September and the visa did not expire until the middle of March--6 months later. I think it is the shorter of 6 months or 1 year after the medical. I have only seen here on VJ people talking about the visa expiring before the 6 month mark when they have been in extended AP. Not totally sure of this, but I do know that our medical was done a month before the visa was approved and our visa was valid for the entire 6 months. YMMV.

Dave