Interview completed, but deciding whether or not to hold visa...

[In love 0]

So yesterday my fiance had his K-1 visa interview. Long story short, I've been living in Costa Rica throughout our entire relationship, as soon as our petition got approved (August 28th) we decided that we would like to move to the states next spring to avoid one last Minnesota winter/allow us to finish our work contracts and mentally prepare for the big move. During the interview when we were asked about our wedding date (June 21st) and when were are planning on moving (3rd of April) the interviewer recommended that the consulate "hold" our visa until we get closer to leaving. She said that if something were to happen to the packet we'd have to start all over. With that in mind we decided that we would go and request the visa next year.

Today I called the consulate and the woman advised me that if they were to hold the visa I would need to write them a letter asking to extend the petition (which will expire on December 28th). I am a little hesitant to do so because I feel there is room for error, like what if they don't extend it- our petition will expire and then we have to start over. That being said I am leaning towards requesting it now and keeping the packet somewhere really, really safe until we leave. HOWEVER I just read on the website that:

With your visa, you can apply for a single admission at a U.S. port of entry within the validity of the visa, which will be a ***maximum of 6*** months from the date of issuance. You must marry your U.S. citizen fiancé(e) within 90 days of your entry into the United States.

Now I am concerned that maybe my finace wouldn't be granted the full 6 months and we'd have to rethink our plan:

Enter the US- April 3rd

Marry- June 21st

Does anyone know if they take your travel plans into consideration when they determine the validity of the K-1? Or how they decide how long the visa is valid for? Also, if we did decide to ask the embassy to extend the petition, does anyone know how long they usually extend it for?

[Misuzu 10]

I think that k1 visa is always vaild 6 months and you don't need to hold your visa in the embassy. I think you have enough time. In 4 month you will enter us and then you have 3 months to get marry.

If I were you I wouldn't give it to consulate. I would just keep it in a safe place.

[del-2-5-2014 1,339]

You also have to consider the date of the medical examination.

Personally I would get the visa and package.

I think that k1 visa is always vaild 6 months and you don't need to hold your visa in the embassy. I think you have enough time. In 4 month you will enter us and then you have 3 months to get marry.

If I were you I wouldn't give it to consulate. I would just keep it in a safe place.

90 days, not 3 months, to get married from entering the United States.

[In love 0]

I think that k1 visa is always vaild 6 months and you don't need to hold your visa in the embassy. I think you have enough time. In 4 month you will enter us and then you have 3 months to get marry.

If I were you I wouldn't give it to consulate. I would just keep it in a safe place.

A friend of ours who was just approved at the CR consulate was only given 5 months. That's why I am concerned...

[In love 0]

You also have to consider the date of the medical examination.

Personally I would get the visa and package.

90 days, not 3 months, to get married from entering the United States.

He had his medical on Nov 13th, so that will be valid until May 13th. Yep, 90 days not 3 months. If we leave on April 3rd and get married on June 21st I believe that would be the 81st day.

[Misuzu 10]

Ahh yes sorry, 90 days!

Really? I am reading this forum for a while and I haven't heard that someone got k1 visa for shorter peroid, but maybe that happens in some countries.

Maybe you can ask the consulate?

[Sharkano 13]

The way I would approach it is this:

Option 1: Government official says "I can just hold your $10 million for you and you can pick it up later."

OR

Option 2: You take your $10 million and hold it yourself.

My view: always take Option 2. Your visa is a very valuable commodity. I would not trust any government official to just "give it to me later."

[Misuzu 10]

I agree with Sharkano!

[SparklePony 238]

I would take it too. Yes, who knows what can possibly happen to your packet when you keep it. And who knows what can happen to your visa when they keep it.

[del-2-5-2014 1,339]

The way I would approach it is this:

Option 1: Government official says "I can just hold your $10 million for you and you can pick it up later."

OR

Option 2: You take your $10 million and hold it yourself.

My view: always take Option 2. Your visa is a very valuable commodity. I would not trust any government official to just "give it to me later."

Who knows if the embassy would close suddenly.

I actually would get out of dodge ASAP personally.

[In love 0]

Thanks everyone for your responses, they are appreciated. Usually I feel better after posting, but now I feel worse

[del-2-5-2014 1,339]

Thanks everyone for your responses, they are appreciated. Usually I feel better after posting, but now I feel worse

Sorry about that.

[Sharkano 13]

Take it from someone with the gray hairs to prove they have dodged more than a few bullets, even if it disprupts the perfect wedding plan I'd get the visa, do the travel within the requisite timeframe (which may be short if the 6-month time is based off the medical), and then have 90 days to get married, rather than risk it all and have to start this whole goofball process over again. Best to you.

Edited November 22, 2013 by Sharkano

[Cathi 5,753]

take the visa now and move up the wedding date. Why chance the visa after all of the time and expense?

[raven52 233]

YOU are being short sighted, and narrow-minded, because it might snow in Minnesota .,., my gosh be thankful for your visa.,.,.,.,STOP playing games.,.,.,. get your fiancé and your narrow minded ""self"" to where you need to go!!! Who knows when the law might change..,., or paper work be lost, or """WOULD YOU LIKE TO START THE K-1 VISA ALL OVER"".,.,., wake up, smell the ice and snow, ""IT IS WHERE YOU LIVE, ''"NOW""".,.,., but that can change.,.,.,BUT .,.get to the USA.,.,. get married within the 90 days.,,.,and stop worrying about sitting out a winter in Minn.!!!!!!!!!!