Timings of Medical and Interview for K-1

[landmb 2]

Unlike most people I have found in my search for clarity on the visa timings, we are not in a rush- to the contrary, we probably have too much time!

To fit in with my work/wedding plans/vacation time for my US fiancee, we would like for me to travel to the US at the beginning of May. We are now at the stage of scheduling our medical appointment.

Firstly, it states here that "The validity period of an immigrant and fiancé(e) visa is based on the medical examination, the maximum validity of which is six months from the date on which it is performed. You will be advised further at your interview.". We were planning on having the medical at the beginning of December. If this is the case, I would travel at the 5 month mark. So we only want to schedule the medical on this date if I will definitely get 6 months to travel. Do you know if visas from the London embassy are ever approved with less than 6 months validity from the medical date, as the quote implies?

Secondly, I understand that the London medical can be used for the AOS as long as the overseas medical was performed less than one year before the filing date of the I-693. However I've read reports on VisaJourney of people having had RFEs because their medicals were out of date when the AOS application was finally seen by USCIS, even though it was valid at filing date. This makes me worried about having my medical so long before we file AOS (hopefully June 2017, 6 months after medical), risking an RFE for AOS. Is this a valid worry, or should I just get my medical ASAP?

Thirdly, our NOA-2 has validity up to 01/15/2017. Does this mean that by this date I need to submit DS-160, or to schedule the interview, or to attend interview, or something else?

[Kat&Jon 85]

Unlike most people I have found in my search for clarity on the visa timings, we are not in a rush- to the contrary, we probably have too much time!

To fit in with my work/wedding plans/vacation time for my US fiancee, we would like for me to travel to the US at the beginning of May. We are now at the stage of scheduling our medical appointment.

Firstly, it states here that "The validity period of an immigrant and fiancé(e) visa is based on the medical examination, the maximum validity of which is six months from the date on which it is performed. You will be advised further at your interview.". We were planning on having the medical at the beginning of December. If this is the case, I would travel at the 5 month mark. So we only want to schedule the medical on this date if I will definitely get 6 months to travel. Do you know if visas from the London embassy are ever approved with less than 6 months validity from the medical date, as the quote implies? The time frame on the visa is determined by the US Government which runs the embassy. They can't arbitrarily change the date on it. When you receive it, it will be valid for 6 months to use for entry in the US so you should be good for your May entry date!

Secondly, I understand that the London medical can be used for the AOS as long as the overseas medical was performed less than one year before the filing date of the I-693. However I've read reports on VisaJourney of people having had RFEs because their medicals were out of date when the AOS application was finally seen by USCIS, even though it was valid at filing date. This makes me worried about having my medical so long before we file AOS (hopefully June 2017, 6 months after medical), risking an RFE for AOS. Is this a valid worry, or should I just get my medical ASAP? Worst case scenario that has been seen recently for RFE from London for the medical is that they want the vaccinations transcribed onto an I-693 form which they may try and have you do and pay for a full new medical. I think you should be fine as long as after the wedding you don't want too long to file for AOS. Everyone will always recommend you file for AOS asap!

Thirdly, our NOA-2 has validity up to 01/15/2017. Does this mean that by this date I need to submit DS-160, or to schedule the interview, or to attend interview, or something else? Its the date provided to recommend you have your interview prior to, however it is not required. The embassy can automatically extend this up to a year from the NOA2. It is recommended that if you have your interview after the petition expiration date that you bring an updated Letter of Intent to Marry from the US Citizen petitioner to the interview to prove they are still on board.

Hope this helps! Jon and I have been delaying our petition as well so if you have an questions about it at all, don't hesitate to ask!

[yuna628 9,676]

Unlike most people I have found in my search for clarity on the visa timings, we are not in a rush- to the contrary, we probably have too much time!

To fit in with my work/wedding plans/vacation time for my US fiancee, we would like for me to travel to the US at the beginning of May. We are now at the stage of scheduling our medical appointment.

Firstly, it states here that "The validity period of an immigrant and fiancé(e) visa is based on the medical examination, the maximum validity of which is six months from the date on which it is performed. You will be advised further at your interview.". We were planning on having the medical at the beginning of December. If this is the case, I would travel at the 5 month mark. So we only want to schedule the medical on this date if I will definitely get 6 months to travel. Do you know if visas from the London embassy are ever approved with less than 6 months validity from the medical date, as the quote implies?

Secondly, I understand that the London medical can be used for the AOS as long as the overseas medical was performed less than one year before the filing date of the I-693. However I've read reports on VisaJourney of people having had RFEs because their medicals were out of date when the AOS application was finally seen by USCIS, even though it was valid at filing date. This makes me worried about having my medical so long before we file AOS (hopefully June 2017, 6 months after medical), risking an RFE for AOS. Is this a valid worry, or should I just get my medical ASAP?

Thirdly, our NOA-2 has validity up to 01/15/2017. Does this mean that by this date I need to submit DS-160, or to schedule the interview, or to attend interview, or something else?

With regard to the medical, I've been coming to the conclusion, at least where London based medicals and later AOS RFEs are concerned -- just because the RFE says vaguely ''get a new medical'' doesn't exactly mean your medical is out of date. The rules are the rules. The problem is the AOS officer looking at the petition may not be aware of those rules for K1s, may have lost the medical entirely, the medical may be delayed and they are too lazy to go looking for it, or it may even be as simple as just wanting the vaccination transcription done (but the RFE wording doesn't give one any indication and they aren't going to be more specific than a blanket statement). So even if you do everything by the book and get it sent in one time, doesn't mean you won't get an RFE for this. If Knightsbridge gives you the new page two on your DS3025, when you get through AOS time, come back and let me know if they don't give you an RFE. In short the only way you'd ever find out what the USCIS truly wanted with that RFE, is if you went digging with your congressperson or senator (as I've seen some do), and the end result may not yield you much of a clue either. I would also say that even if you should receive a medical RFE, at least it is an easy (though expensive) one to respond to.