Time between receiving K-1 visa and actual travel to US

[JuanAustin 0]

What is the maximum time is that is prudent to leave in between the moment my fiance receives the K1 visa and the moment she enters the US?

Back story: Due to my fiance's work, we want to delay the interview for the K1 visa and subsequent travel to the US. After receiving the USCIS approval in July 2014, we received an email from the US Embassy in Bogota stating that we have up to one year from the date that USCIS approved our petition to go request the visa appointment at the embassy.

What if we organize an appointment soon (let's say February) and wait to travel several months later (probably in July or so)? Is that ok? Frowned upon?

The reason we would like to get the appointment earlier is because I am already in Colombia. Later on, my travel schedule is in flux and I want to make sure I am at the visa appointment. However, we would like to make the definite move sometime over the summer.

Thanks for the pointers.

[baron555 934]

You have six months, usually from the time of the medical just prior to the interview, in which to use the K-1 visa to enter the US. Does that work?

[JuanAustin 0]

You have six months, usually from the time of the medical just prior to the interview, in which to use the K-1 visa to enter the US. Does that work?

That actually does.

Is this stated formally somewhere?

Just thinking out loud here, in order to maximize our stay in Colombia before moving to the US, we can get an appointment around May/June and then we would have to travel to the US latest Nov/Dec.

Another question: Let's say my fiance gets the K1 visa in May, could she travel to the US on her tourist visa afterwards? Or is she obligated to enter the US with the K1 Visa the next time she travels to the US?

[jan22 3,056]

That actually does.

Is this stated formally somewhere?

Just thinking out loud here, in order to maximize our stay in Colombia before moving to the US, we can get an appointment around May/June and then we would have to travel to the US latest Nov/Dec.

Another question: Let's say my fiance gets the K1 visa in May, could she travel to the US on her tourist visa afterwards? Or is she obligated to enter the US with the K1 Visa the next time she travels to the US?

They will likely cancel the tourist visa at the time the K1 is issued, since a requirement for the tourist visa is to show non-immigrant intent. Receiving a K-1 shows clear immigrant intent, making her unqualified for the tourist visa once the K-1 is issued. And, if it's not cancelled, the POE is likely to not admit her unless she enters as a K-1 for the same reason. There have been exceptions to this (primarily for Canadians who have different US visa requirements in the first place), but I wouldn't rely on it.

[Pheebs1201 269]

Once the K1 visa is in her passport, this is what will be used the next time she enters the US, she cannot use another visa.

[JuanAustin 0]

Thanks everybody for the clarifications!

You have six months, usually from the time of the medical just prior to the interview, in which to use the K-1 visa to enter the US. Does that work?

Sorry for bringing this up again, but does anybody have an official pointer to this?

Thanks again!

[JuanAustin 0]

Nevermind, I found it.

http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/immigrate/types/family/fiance-k-1.html

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.