Question on K1 Visa expiration

[Domina-n-Dave 5]

Hi. This may have been asked already, but after going thru 21 pages of this forum, I did not see this topic. My fiance' and I are in the process of the K1 visa journey. We realize if approved & issued that it is valid for 6 months. We are also fully aware that once here, we have to be married within 90 days. Our question is, if (hypothetically) she were to wait 4 or 5 months before actually coming to the U.S., do we still have 90 days to be married? Or do we need to be married before the visa expiration date? I am guessing we have to be married, before the visa expiration. I tried searching for answers online, but none were clear. They simply say that once the fiance' arrives to the U.S. that marriage must take place within 90 days. Hopefully my question is clear. Thank you.

[baron555 934]

Hi. This may have been asked already, but after going thru 21 pages of this forum, I did not see this topic. My fiance' and I are in the process of the K1 visa journey. We realize if approved & issued that it is valid for 6 months. We are also fully aware that once here, we have to be married within 90 days. Our question is, if (hypothetically) she were to wait 4 or 5 months before actually coming to the U.S., do we still have 90 days to be married?

Yes

Or do we need to be married before the visa expiration date?

No

I am guessing we have to be married, before the visa expiration. I tried searching for answers online, but none were clear. They simply say that once the fiance' arrives to the U.S. that marriage must take place within 90 days. Hopefully my question is clear. Thank you.

[Dashinka 24,514]

The 6 month clock is based on the date of the K1 medical exam. The 90 day clock is based on when your fiancé enters the US. They are independent in that upon entry (within the 6 month window) that clock stops and the 90 day clock starts. My wife and I did it that way, she actually entered (as a fiancé) a little more that five months after her medical which gave us a whole Summer to plan a nice wedding.

Good Luck!

[Hank_ 9,174]

Hi. This may have been asked already, but after going thru 21 pages of this forum, I did not see this topic. My fiance' and I are in the process of the K1 visa journey. We realize if approved & issued that it is valid for 6 months. We are also fully aware that once here, we have to be married within 90 days. Our question is, if (hypothetically) she were to wait 4 or 5 months before actually coming to the U.S., do we still have 90 days to be married? Or do we need to be married before the visa expiration date? I am guessing we have to be married, before the visa expiration. I tried searching for answers online, but none were clear. They simply say that once the fiance' arrives to the U.S. that marriage must take place within 90 days. Hopefully my question is clear. Thank you.

Visa has a maximum of 6 months of validity - that is true, but with that said, the visa "expires" the moment you clear POE into the USA so it has no bearing on getting married, you have 90 days from date of entry to get married.

Edited January 2, 2016 by Hank_

[Domina-n-Dave 5]

Thanks for the clarification everyone!