Visiting during the 6 months, without using the 90 days?

[mattmatt 1]

This might be an odd question, and it doesn't even matter to me what the answer is, because this is just a curiosity I had about the whole K-1 process.

My fiancee has visited me several times over the past year on the ESTA (visa waiver program). The ESTA allows her to stay for up to 90 days (cumulative) in the USA. My question is based around the fact that even after the K-1 visa is approved, she'll probably still have additional days left on her ESTA.

So... I've heard it explained before that once the K-1 is approved, she has 6 months to use it. What does "use it" mean? Is there some tracking system that pings a database somewhere upon her arrival, indicating that she is now "using" it? And, furthermore, how do they know whether she's "using" the ESTA or the K-1 visa? Can she pick which one to "use"?

I guess I'm really asking, if she can "use" her remaining ESTA days before "using" the K-1 visa (and thereby begining the 90-day marriage timer)

Sorry for this weird question haha. Like I said, the answer doesn't really matter. We have no issue getting married within the 90 days; in fact, we may do it sooner as neither of us like to procrastenate.

[TheCaptain 67]

When the application is approved and the visa is placed into the passport, it will have a validity of up to 6 months from the date of issuance. This is the 6 months they are talking about. (Must enter the country in that 6 month period or "use it")

The K1 visa is a single use visa which means that once the person enters the country under that visa it no longer has any purpose, as the visa is used for the purposes of marriage and not to visit. (At which they now have 90 days to get married to you)

While the K1 visa application is being processed the beneficiary is able to use the ESTA and enter the country for up to 90 days at a time.... this is only until the K1 is approved.

The ESTA does not have a number of days per say. Each ESTA entry allows 90 days of admission into the US without a paper visa. Visiting for 30 days, returning home for 6 months and come back for another 65 days are both under the 90 day visit limits and are perfectly acceptable. They just can't spend more than 180 days total in a 12 month period on the ESTA.

Once the K1 visa is approved it is not advisable to try and enter under the ESTA as the customs officer may accidentally trigger the K1 or even deny entry if not using the K1 visa.

[mattmatt 1]

Thanks your answer is very informative.