Official time / expiry date between K1 approval and flight?

[Stevebear 0]

Hi

 

Assuming that our K1 visa is approved, and I receive the sealed envelope for customs a week later, how long do I have before I must fly to the US to use this visa and then get married within 90 days of arrival?

So basically how much time is 'allowed' between K1 visa approval and boarding the plane from London to the US. Is there an expiry date / use by date as such?

Many thanks

[Roel 7,193]

" With your visa, you can apply for a single admission at a U.S. port-of-entry within the validity of the visa, which will be a maximum of 6 months from the date of issuance. You must marry your U.S. citizen fiancé(e) within 90 days of your entry into the United States. "

 

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/family-immigration/nonimmigrant-visa-for-a-fiance-k-1.html#11

[JFH 12,191]

The visa is normally valid for 6 months from the date of your medical. Provided you enter at any time before the visa expires, you’re ok. Your 90-day clock starts the day you arrive. So in theory you can arrive here 5 months and 29 days after your medical and get married 89 days after that if you need that much time.

[JFH 12,191]

And not to get too pedantic, but the sealed envelope from the embassy that you take with you is for immigration, not customs. Different departments. 

[Jo Së 200]

1 hour ago, JFH said:

And not to get too pedantic, but the sealed envelope from the embassy that you take with you is for immigration, not customs. Different departments. 

Technically, the envelope is taken by a CBP officer, as in Customs and Border Protection officer.

[JFH 12,191]

4 minutes ago, Jo Së said:

Technically, the envelope is taken by a CBP officer, as in Customs and Border Protection officer.

But it’s for immigration purposes, not customs. Customs are concerned only with the goods and money that are being brought into the country, making sure nothing is dangerous or for the purpose of committing crimes or the proceeds of crimes. I pointed it out because you reach customs after you have collected your checked bags, immigration is before. People who mistakenly believe that the envelope is for “customs” have been tempted to put it on their checked bag, thinking they will be able to retrieve it before it’s required. Despite the warnings all over the envelope not to place it in the checked baggage, it still happens. 

[Jo Së 200]

7 minutes ago, JFH said:

But it’s for immigration purposes, not customs. Customs are concerned only with the goods and money that are being brought into the country, making sure nothing is dangerous or for the purpose of committing crimes or the proceeds of crimes. I pointed it out because you reach customs after you have collected your checked bags, immigration is before. People who mistakenly believe that the envelope is for “customs” have been tempted to put it on their checked bag, thinking they will be able to retrieve it before it’s required. Despite the warnings all over the envelope not to place it in the checked baggage, it still happens. 

Right, I was just pointing out that it is a CBP officer that the packet goes to, and yes, for immigration purposes.