K1 visa validity

[Howins 37]

Hi all -- I've looked this up a few times and read the embassy (London) guidance, but I just want to confirm that my thinking is correct:

 

My understanding is that the K1 visa, once issued after your embassy interview, is valid for six months -- or until your medical expires, which again is usually six months, but could be as little as three.

 

After entering the US on my visa, I then have a further 90 days to get married.

 

Is this correct?

 

Thanks so much for your help in advance.

[USS_Voyager 1,972]

11 minutes ago, Howins said:

Hi all -- I've looked this up a few times and read the embassy (London) guidance, but I just want to confirm that my thinking is correct:

 

My understanding is that the K1 visa, once issued after your embassy interview, is valid for six months -- or until your medical expires, which again is usually six months, but could be as little as three.

 

After entering the US on my visa, I then have a further 90 days to get married.

 

Is this correct?

 

Thanks so much for your help in advance.

Yes, it's all correct. After you get married, you have to file form I-485 (Adjustment of status) / I-131 Advanced Parole (Travel documents) / I-765 Employment Authorization. It is vital that you file the form I-485 within that 90 days because the filing of it is what will keep you in legal status. The I-131 and I-765 are free when filing together with the I-485 (you just pay the fee for the I-485). I-131/I-765 will be approved 4-10 months after filing, while the I-485 could take longer and involve another interview before it can be approved and a green card can be issued to you. 

 

Also, when they say "get married", they mean get the paperwork signed to be legally married. A long of people confused getting married with having a wedding. You do not have to have a wedding. 

[Mrs.C.M. 30]

That is correct.  Once you plant your feet on the US soil the 90 days start

 

[payxibka 10,045]

19 minutes ago, Howins said:

Hi all -- I've looked this up a few times and read the embassy (London) guidance, but I just want to confirm that my thinking is correct:

 

My understanding is that the K1 visa, once issued after your embassy interview, is valid for six months -- or until your medical expires, which again is usually six months, but could be as little as three.

 

After entering the US on my visa, I then have a further 90 days to get married.

 

Is this correct?

 

Thanks so much for your help in advance.

Visa expires 6 months from date of medical since the medical is always completed prior to Visa issuance 

[Celie 793]

18 minutes ago, Howins said:

Hi all -- I've looked this up a few times and read the embassy (London) guidance, but I just want to confirm that my thinking is correct:

 

My understanding is that the K1 visa, once issued after your embassy interview, is valid for six months -- or until your medical expires, which again is usually six months, but could be as little as three.

 

After entering the US on my visa, I then have a further 90 days to get married.

 

Is this correct?

 

Thanks so much for your help in advance.

As other stated, yes, your visa is valid up to six months from your medical date. But I just want to clarify:

 

You have up to six months to TRAVEL to the US.

 

As posted above, once you arrive here that expiration date is moot even if you had time on it. The k1 visa expires on entry and you now have ONLY 90 days, not further. In these 90 days, you HAVE to get married.

[payxibka 10,045]

1 minute ago, celie&joseph said:

 

 

You have up to six months to TRAVEL to the US.

You have up to the expiration date of the Visa to travel to the USA.   My wife's visa was only valid for 4 months after issuance because the medical was done two months prior to issuance 

[Celie 793]

5 minutes ago, celie&joseph said:

As other stated, yes, your visa is valid up to six months from your medical date. But I just want to clarify:

 

You have up to six months to TRAVEL to the US.

 

As posted above, once you arrive here that expiration date is moot even if you had time on it. The k1 visa expires on entry and you now have ONLY 90 days, not further. In these 90 days, you HAVE to get married.

 

1 minute ago, payxibka said:

You have up to the expiration date of the Visa to travel to the USA.   My wife's visa was only valid for 4 months after issuance because the medical was done two months prior to issuance 

 

Yeah, I made sure to say that because some people tend to believe it's from the interview date.

 

As other stated, yes, your visa is valid up to six months from your medical date.

[Crazy Cat 41,887]

Once you enter the US, your K-1 visa is voided (one time use only).  After entry, You have 90 days to marry.  You must also file for adjustment of status within those same 90 days to avoid being out of status and subject to deportation........

 

Note:  Filing the I-485 is not a legal status.  It does, however, grant you "authorized stay" while the I-485 is being adjudicated....

Edited June 27, 2019 by missileman

[Howins 37]

Thank you so much for all your help, I don't know what I'd do without this forum. I'm so nervous about making a mistake somewhere, I'm just trying to be absolutely certain I know the process inside and out!

 

Assuming everything goes to plan with my medical and embassy interview, I would ideally like to emigrate in October of this year -- so I'm just trying to make sure my medical won't be scheduled too early!

[Crazy Cat 41,887]

Just now, Howins said:

Thank you so much for all your help, I don't know what I'd do without this forum. I'm so nervous about making a mistake somewhere, I'm just trying to be absolutely certain I know the process inside and out!

 

Assuming everything goes to plan with my medical and embassy interview, I would ideally like to emigrate in October of this year -- so I'm just trying to make sure my medical won't be scheduled too early!

The immigration process requires a great deal of knowledge, planning, time, patience, and money.........sounds like you are doing a great job....especially the planning....😁

[DaveAndAnastasia 2,092]

19 minutes ago, Howins said:

Assuming everything goes to plan with my medical and embassy interview, I would ideally like to emigrate in October of this year -- so I'm just trying to make sure my medical won't be scheduled too early!

I don't know about London, but I'm pretty sure that at most consulates/embassies you can schedule your medical after you know your interview date.

 

At least, that's what Anastasia did in Moscow.

[Zoeeeeeee 797]

4 hours ago, Howins said:

Thank you so much for all your help, I don't know what I'd do without this forum. I'm so nervous about making a mistake somewhere, I'm just trying to be absolutely certain I know the process inside and out!

 

Assuming everything goes to plan with my medical and embassy interview, I would ideally like to emigrate in October of this year -- so I'm just trying to make sure my medical won't be scheduled too early!

There are appointments in July and August available to book at Knightsbridge and at the London embassy.

 

I plan to emigrate mid-November, so I have my medical booked for the end of July and I’m booking my  visa interview for early/mid-September (September bookings aren’t open yet). 

[Howins 37]

7 minutes ago, Zoeeeeeee said:

There are appointments in July and August available to book at Knightsbridge and at the London embassy.

 

I plan to emigrate mid-November, so I have my medical booked for the end of July and I’m booking my  visa interview for early/mid-September (September bookings aren’t open yet). 

Hey, we're looking at the same sort of journey over the next few months! Do you mind if I follow your timeline?

 

I've booked my medical for the first week of July, and my interview for the end of July -- I was thinking I would get them done as early as possible just in case I got stuck in AP after my interview and (hopeful) approval. Do you think I should schedule my embassy interview for a later date? I'd like to move towards the end of October, and was hoping if I got it all finalised early, I could tie up all my loose ends throughout August to October to try to minimise the inevitable stress of moving my entire life to another country!

[Zoeeeeeee 797]

1 minute ago, Howins said:

Hey, we're looking at the same sort of journey over the next few months! Do you mind if I follow your timeline?

 

I've booked my medical for the first week of July, and my interview for the end of July -- I was thinking I would get them done as early as possible just in case I got stuck in AP after my interview and (hopeful) approval. Do you think I should schedule my embassy interview for a later date? I'd like to move towards the end of October, and was hoping if I got it all finalised early, I could tie up all my loose ends throughout August to October to try to minimise the inevitable stress of moving my entire life to another country!

Of course not, follow away 🙃.

 

No, I think the times you’ve booked for are good. I can’t have my interview until 10th September, as I’m visiting my fiancé at the end of August - get back on the 9th September, so want the interview the day after - I’ll then have 2 months and 10 days for the visa to be issued in, which will hopefully be enough time for AP. The more time you have to give for possible AP, the better - and you have plenty of time between your medical and departures date, should your flight be cancelled or anything 🙃.

 

Don't forget to update in the uk forum when you’ve had your medical and/or visa interview - we’re a friendly bunch in there and it’s always good to hear people’s experiences!  

[Howins 37]

14 minutes ago, Zoeeeeeee said:

Of course not, follow away 🙃.

 

No, I think the times you’ve booked for are good. I can’t have my interview until 10th September, as I’m visiting my fiancé at the end of August - get back on the 9th September, so want the interview the day after - I’ll then have 2 months and 10 days for the visa to be issued in, which will hopefully be enough time for AP. The more time you have to give for possible AP, the better - and you have plenty of time between your medical and departures date, should your flight be cancelled or anything 🙃.

 

Don't forget to update in the uk forum when you’ve had your medical and/or visa interview - we’re a friendly bunch in there and it’s always good to hear people’s experiences!  

Thank you!