Travelling from a different country after the visa is issued

[pacharya 6]

Hi fellow VJ members,

I had couple of questions:

1. My Fiancee lives in Australia, she will have her interview in Sydney. Once approved, how long does she have to get to US? I have often heard that once issued, Fiancee visa has 6 months validity. Is this something mentioned on USCIS or Travel website? Of course we can always check how long is it valid for once she gets her passport with visa stamp on it but just wanted to know beforehand if possible.

2. Once the visa is issued, she wants to go and spend some time with her family in India before she permanently moves to US. Would this be a problem that after getting her Fiancee visa in Australia, she lives in India for couple of months and then she comes to the States.

If anyone can give this information, would greatly appreciate it.

thanks

[Pitaya 2,577]

Review these Department of State FAQs:

http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/types/types_2994.html

Happy trails.

[pacharya 6]

Review these Department of State FAQs:

http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/types/types_2994.html

Happy trails.

Thanks A&B. I did read that the visa can be valid for maximum of six months. I will do some more surfing around and see if I can find out the answer for travelling from a different country, although nothing specific has been mentioned on there. Thanks again.

[Asia 2,498]

2. Once the visa is issued, she wants to go and spend some time with her family in India before she permanently moves to US. Would this be a problem that after getting her Fiancee visa in Australia, she lives in India for couple of months and then she comes to the States.

As long as she comes to the US before her visa expires, it doesn't matter if she comes straight from her original country or from a different one.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Thanks A&B. I did read that the visa can be valid for maximum of six months. I will do some more surfing around and see if I can find out the answer for travelling from a different country, although nothing specific has been mentioned on there. Thanks again.

It is a visa for ENTRY to the United States, it is not a visa for EXIT of Australia. Doesn't matter where she enters from, or when, as long as it's during the visa validity period (which is 6 months max, can be less depending on medical expiration).

I advise entering before the visa is close to expiring. Though it shouldn't matter, I have read of an instance or two where the CBP officers screw up the entry stamp thinking you're supposed to have at least 90 days left on the visa before entering, or that you have to get married before the visa expires (it's the I-94 expiry) etc etc.

[pacharya 6]

It is a visa for ENTRY to the United States, it is not a visa for EXIT of Australia. Doesn't matter where she enters from, or when, as long as it's during the visa validity period (which is 6 months max, can be less depending on medical expiration).

I advise entering before the visa is close to expiring. Though it shouldn't matter, I have read of an instance or two where the CBP officers screw up the entry stamp thinking you're supposed to have at least 90 days left on the visa before entering, or that you have to get married before the visa expires (it's the I-94 expiry) etc etc.

Thanks for this information and advice !!