3 days past K1 expiry (what to do?)

[Texanadian 10]

I just made the biggest mistake ever. My K1 visa expired and I didn't even know it until the day I left to cross the border.

I had my K1 visa mailed to me from the US consulate in Vancouver. I didn't get it during the visa interview as there was one bit of paperwork that I needed to resubmit along with my passport. I got them back a few days later by Xpresspost. It was Dec 1st that I received the Xpresspost.

I took it as meaning that my 6 months mark started on Dec 1st as that was the day I "received" my visa. I don't know how, but I never saw the K1 sticker that was put in my Canadian passport. I've even opened it a few times to check when my passport expires, yet still never saw the K1 sticker.

While waiting the day of my move, I was sitting in the car. Double checked to make sure I'd brought the big K1 envelope and my passport. I grabbed the passport with one hand and it opened up to the K1 visa section. Expires May 27th...... It was May 30th.

I turned around and went back home. Talk about a terrible feeling. This has been on my mind ever since. Does anybody know if the US consulate would re-issue my K1? Even a couple days. Something that would let me cross.

I've quit my job, cashed in my savings, said goodbye to family and friends, and my car is loaded to the roof with everything I was going to take. I've emailed the US consulate. But so far no reply back.

[StarProg 0]

The website of the US Embassy in Phillipines says one can make a written request to the embassy to renew an expired visa and pay $100. I would assume the same would apply in Canada and elsewhere.

[Jeremy + Kristy 0]

I've seen mentioned somewhere that the consulate can reissue it. I would call the Vancouver Consulate immediately.

[Texanadian 10]

I revceived an email this morning from the US Consulate in Vancouver telling me to email back for another interview at the Consulate. Basically a repeat of the original interview. $100 US, documents, intent to marry etc.

*Massive sigh of relief*

[Texanadian 10]

Just thought I'd update this topic for anybody who gets stuck in the same situation I was in.

After emailing the consulate, I scheduled for another interview with them. Pretty much a repeat of the first time. How did you meet, etc. They asked why I didn't make it within the 6 month period. Everything checked out. I was more nervous the first time I did the interview.

I did have to have my medical exam done again as they said my old ones were out of date. (I never saw an expiry anywhere on the forms, but that's what they said). So I had another medical exam done. Re-did my police background check just to be on the safe side. Paid the $100 fee to the Conslate again and they gave me a second K1 visa stamp in my passport.

I'm now in the USA and have been since August.

[Carlawarla 1]

Thanks for that update! My word, you must have been devastated when you first realized your visa had expired. Very lucky for you that it was with the Vancouver Consulate. I'm sure you've seen the wait times for Montreal. It's too bad they couldn't have just extended the date of the visa a week or so, even if you had to pay the $100.00 instead of going through the interview again. I suppose with an updated medical, that will help with the AOS, since you won't have to get a new one.

I'm glad you're in the US now with your SO! Best wishes in the future. Thanks for letting us know what happened!

Carla

[Jasman0717 9]

Just thought I'd update this topic for anybody who gets stuck in the same situation I was in.

After emailing the consulate, I scheduled for another interview with them. Pretty much a repeat of the first time. How did you meet, etc. They asked why I didn't make it within the 6 month period. Everything checked out. I was more nervous the first time I did the interview.

I did have to have my medical exam done again as they said my old ones were out of date. (I never saw an expiry anywhere on the forms, but that's what they said). So I had another medical exam done. Re-did my police background check just to be on the safe side. Paid the $100 fee to the Conslate again and they gave me a second K1 visa stamp in my passport.

I'm now in the USA and have been since August.

Wow, they made you do another interview