How long is the VISA valid after it is approved? Purchase for the Trip

[ziggyzaazaa 14]

Hi, I was wondering if anyone knows how long you have to buy the ticket to travel once you have the VISA in hand, I am trying to plan ahead so we have the savings since it will cost at least 2000 to travel from Nigeria to Alaska Thanks!

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

The expiration can be up to 6 months. It can be shorter based on date of medical and if a medical condition is present.

https://fam.state.gov/fam/09FAM/09FAM050207.html

9 FAM 502.7-5(C )(7) K Visa Issuance, Travel

(CT:VISA-1; 11-18-2015)
(Previous location: 9 FAM 41.81 PN3.6 b; CT:VISA-1097 10-31-2008)

a. K Visa Validity: K-1 and K-2 visas should be valid for six months for one entry. K- 3 and K-4 visas should be valid for multiple entries for 24 months, unless constrained by security clearance requirement or waivers, which are valid for a year or less. Unmarried aliens entering the United States as a K-4 should be admitted for a period of 24 months or until that alien’s 21st birthday, whichever is shorter (see 8 CFR 214.2(k)(8) and 8 CFR 214.2(k)(11)(v)).

(Previous location: 9 FAM 41.81 PN4.2; CT:VISA-1097 10-31-2008),

b. K Visa Annotations: The K visa should be annotated in the following cases:

(1) Medical Cases:

(a) When the medical examination has revealed a Class A tuberculosis or another Class A medical condition, and an INA 212(d)(3)(A) waiver has been granted, the visa should be annotated: “MED: 212(d)(3)(A).”

(b) When the medical examination has revealed a Class B tuberculosis condition or Class B leprosy, non-infectious, the visa should be annotated: “MED: Class B.”

Revisions to Visa Medical Examination Validities http://travel.state.gov/content/dam/visas/policy_updates/CDC_Revisions_to_Visa_Medical_Examinations%20%2802-2015%29.pdf

Per 9 FAM 40.11, notwithstanding the provisions of INA 221(C ), visa validity must be limited to the validity of the medical examination.

2. Medical examinations will be valid for six months for individuals with the following conditions:
a. No Class (i.e. No Apparent Defect, Disease, or Disability);
b. Class A, Other than TB;
c. Class B2 LTBI;
d. Class B3 TB (Contact Evaluation);
e. Class B, all except TB, including specific Class B conditions; and
f. Class B Other conditions.

3. Medical examinations will be valid for three months for individuals with the following conditions:
a. Class A TB with Waiver;
b. Class B1 TB, Pulmonary;
c. Class B1 TB, Extrapulmonary; and
d. HIV infection (with or without a TB Class).