CR-1 Visa Validity

[dhman06 4]

This is a very very dumb question, but since the folks here have a lot of wisdom, I figured I should ask this for the sanity of my mind.

My spouse has her interview scheduled in October of this year, but due to school related reason (final yr med student) she probably won't arrive here til the end of March, 2017. Now my question is: how long is the spouse immigrant visa valid for? Most people I've talked to (including my company lawyer) said it is valid for 6 months from the date of issuance, but at the same time I've read somewhere that it's 6 months from the completion of medical exam, not the date of issuance.

Can someone please clarify this to me? Thanks a lot in advance.

Edited September 3, 2016 by dhman06

[BlessingDawn 25]

Valid only for 6 months from date of issuance.

[BlessingDawn 25]

"When You Should Travel - You must arrive and apply for admission in the United States no later than the visa expiration date printed on your visa. An immigrant visa is usually valid for up to six months from the date of issuance unless your medical examination expires sooner, which may make your visa valid for less than six months."

https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/immigrate/immigrant-process/interview/after.html

[dwheels76 5,468]

Valid only for 6 months from date of issuance.

No this is incorrect. It is not date of issuance. It's 6 months from day medical was picked up. Why not move you interview date to later date. Or you wait until the last minute to get your medical.

My husband had his medical results picked up March 7, 2016. The Visa had validity until September 7 2016

The Visa was issued May 10th. So 6 months from Medical results.

[Anitafeliz 1,133]

Its six months from visa issuance unless the medical expires before. Or then its from medical. But usually medical is valid for one year.

Anyway 6 months from

Date on actual

Visa in passport..

Edited September 3, 2016 by Anitafeliz

[afortunada 182]

"Review your visa when you receive it and also carefully note its expiration date. You must enter the United States before your visa expires, and before your medical examination results expire."

From the travel.gov website: https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/immigrate/immigrant-process/interview/prepare/appointment.html

So, you must enter while both are still valid.

[NikLR 13,227]

Its six months from visa issuance unless the medical expires before. Or then its from medical. But usually medical is valid for one year.

Anyway 6 months from

Date on actual

Visa in passport..

Medical for CR1/IR1 expires in 6 months.

[Pitchman 8]

What people are ignoring here is HER PROBLEM! She has educational pursuits that must be adhered by thus you must get actual and factual information. In this do not rely on us. Call the Embassy/USCIS and ask the for advice and then get whatever arrangements can be made in writing or email so you can refer to it. Dont rely on the visa being 6 months from medical because Oct to March is 6 months so you're cutting it way way close. Get the bonafide actual answer from the GOV, Get it in writing and prepare for her departure.

[Anitafeliz 1,133]

Medical for CR1/IR1 expires in 6 months.

didnt know that thanks

[dwheels76 5,468]

What people are ignoring here is HER PROBLEM! She has educational pursuits that must be adhered by thus you must get actual and factual information. In this do not rely on us. Call the Embassy/USCIS and ask the for advice and then get whatever arrangements can be made in writing or email so you can refer to it. Dont rely on the visa being 6 months from medical because Oct to March is 6 months so you're cutting it way way close. Get the bonafide actual answer from the GOV, Get it in writing and prepare for her departure.

I didn't ignore anything. I suggested move the interview date.

[dhman06 4]

Medical for CR1/IR1 expires in 6 months.

Huh! Did not know that. Good information.

Thanks.

[dhman06 4]

Thanks for the advice folks. I gotta call the embassy. Looked through all the papaerworks word by word and found this ---

"No immigrant will be admitted to the United States if the medical exam is more than six months old. The expiration date of your Immigrant Visa will be exactly six months after you took your medical exam. Example: If you completed your medical exam on 15 June 2011, but your visa was not issued until 01 September 2011, your visa would still expire on 14 December 2011. Whether or not you should update your medical clearance depends on how soon after visa issuance you plan to travel to the United States."

[Pitchman 8]

Thanks for the advice folks. I gotta call the embassy. Looked through all the papaerworks word by word and found this ---

"No immigrant will be admitted to the United States if the medical exam is more than six months old. The expiration date of your Immigrant Visa will be exactly six months after you took your medical exam. Example: If you completed your medical exam on 15 June 2011, but your visa was not issued until 01 September 2011, your visa would still expire on 14 December 2011. Whether or not you should update your medical clearance depends on how soon after visa issuance you plan to travel to the United States."

THERE YOU GO! CASE CLOSED!!!!!

[milimelo 4,479]

Don't take the medical before the interview and get 221g for it and then complete it closer to move time and send the passport in?

[NikLR 13,227]

You can likely push back the interview OR she can enter and return to finish schooling.