Medical expiring before the travel date?

[Bandaria 70]

In the K1 process, if the medical is expiring before the applicant is able to travel, but the visa is still valid, What are the options? Can one get a new medical? And if so, what is the process?

I apologise if this topic/thread already exists, if so please just give me the link and I’ll read up on it there.

[Ian H. 207]

How do you know that your medical will expire before your visa? The visa should expire when the medical expires not after. Could you please clarify?

[Bandaria 70]

How do you know that your medical will expire before your visa? The visa should expire when the medical expires not after. Could you please clarify?

I guess what I mean is, I understand that the visa itself can be valid for up to 6 months, but often expires sooner due to the validity of the medical.

My concern is, that my medical was done roughly a month before my interview date, and I have read that the medical sometimes expires in 3-4 months.

Due to various personal reasons, I might not be able to travel to the US before January 2015 (which would still be within 6 months of the Visa itself being stamped)

So I just wanted to know what my options are, so I can make informed decisions.

[Ian H. 207]

No this isn't your situation. Some people have medicals valid for 3-4 months because of certain medical conditions and/or vaccines as well as how long the visa was issued after the medical. The medical itself is typically valid for a year. Therefore, as long as you enter the US before your visa expires, you will be fine. If your visa was issued for 6 months, it's because your medical will not expire before that. It does have to be valid when you enter the US, which again your visa would expire before that anyway. I understand you want to be prepared, but do not be concerned. Good luck.

I would like to add that I'm not sure if the medical has to be valid when you do AOS.

Edited September 8, 2014 by Ian H.

[Girl from Celebes 588]

In the K1 process, if the medical is expiring before the applicant is able to travel, but the visa is still valid, What are the options? Can one get a new medical? And if so, what is the process?

I apologise if this topic/thread already exists, if so please just give me the link and Ill read up on it there.

Some countries like the Philippines, the visa expiration ties to the medical date. There is no implication if your medical expires before you are set a date to travel. If you are worried about your adjustment of status, you can have your a new medical done in the US. But you can't have a new medical done in your country unless the embassy asked for it. And if you are going to get a new medical in the US, it should be done with the USCIS designated doctors.

[Girl from Celebes 588]

No this isn't your situation. Some people have medicals valid for 3-4 months because of certain medical conditions and/or vaccines as well as how long the visa was issued after the medical. The medical itself is typically valid for a year. Therefore, as long as you enter the US before your visa expires, you will be fine. If your visa was issued for 6 months, it's because your medical will not expire before that. It does have to be valid when you enter the US, which again your visa would expire before that anyway. I understand you want to be prepared, but do not be concerned. Good luck.

I would like to add that I'm not sure if the medical has to be valid when you do AOS.

Yup, the medical has to be valid when you are going to file for adjustment of status otherwise you have to get a new medical done by USCIS designated doctors here in the US.

[Zedayn 485]

For K-1 visa cases, at the embassy stage, the medical validity is usually tied to the validity of the visa. Once you have your visa you can use it to travel to the US up to the expiration date on the visa.

For AOS cases, the medical is usually valid for one year.

Edited September 8, 2014 by Zedayn

[Bandaria 70]

For K-1 visa cases, at the embassy stage, the medical validity is usually tied to the validity of the visa. Once you have your visa you can use it to travel to the US up to the expiration date on the visa.

For AOS cases, the medical is usually valid for one year.

Some countries like the Philippines, the visa expiration ties to the medical date. There is no implication if your medical expires before you are set a date to travel. If you are worried about your adjustment of status, you can have your a new medical done in the US. But you can't have a new medical done in your country unless the embassy asked for it. And if you are going to get a new medical in the US, it should be done with the USCIS designated doctors.

No this isn't your situation. Some people have medicals valid for 3-4 months because of certain medical conditions and/or vaccines as well as how long the visa was issued after the medical. The medical itself is typically valid for a year. Therefore, as long as you enter the US before your visa expires, you will be fine. If your visa was issued for 6 months, it's because your medical will not expire before that. It does have to be valid when you enter the US, which again your visa would expire before that anyway. I understand you want to be prepared, but do not be concerned. Good luck.

I would like to add that I'm not sure if the medical has to be valid when you do AOS.

Ah, alright, thank you all so much for clearing that out for me!

I'll just wait to see what the expiration date on my visa itself is, and plan according to that.

[PerditaD 35]

You will know the expiration date of your visa when you actually receive your passport with the visa stamped in it. My visa was valid for 6 months after my interview, which was listed on the visa as issued date. My interview was February 19th, my visa was valid until August 18th. My medical was done 2 weeks before the interview.

[Bandaria 70]

You will know the expiration date of your visa when you actually receive your passport with the visa stamped in it. My visa was valid for 6 months after my interview, which was listed on the visa as issued date. My interview was February 19th, my visa was valid until August 18th. My medical was done 2 weeks before the interview.

Oh awesome- thank you for providing exact dates as reference, that was very helpful!