Extension for K-1 visa validity or 90 day window? (Canada)

[ak5285 20]

My fiance received his K1 visa on March 4, 2020 in Canada. He needs to move to the US by August 14, 2020 (the expiration date of his visa). I have two questions I'm wondering as we try to figure out a date to get him here. We have not been able to get him here yet for many reasons I won't get into, so please do not comment on what I "should have" done in the past. Here are my questions:

 

1.  Does anyone know if we could get an extension on how long our K1 visa is valid for? Our 6 months started literally at the exact same time as the outbreak. Is there a way to delay the expiration date due to the extenuating circumstances?
2.  If that's not possible, then does anyone know if we could get an extension on our 90 day window to get married? If he gets here and the government is still shut down, we will not be able to get a marriage license, let alone file it after we're married. Our local government is currently not processing marriage licenses. Who would I talk to about an extension for the 90 days to get married, due to the extenuating circumstances?

Edited May 4, 2020 by ak5285

[Crazy Cat 41,985]

1.  Visas can not be extended.  However, the law allows consulates to re-issue expired visas if the holder could not travel.  This will require a new medical exam, fees, and possibly other documents.  Contact the consulate if the visa expires prior to travel.

2.  No such extensions have been issued by USCIS.  You might take a quick trip to Vegas.Talk with @Loren Y.

Edited May 4, 2020 by Lucky Cat

[ak5285 20]

9 minutes ago, Lucky Cat said:

1.  Visas can not be extended.  However, the law allows consulates to re-issue expired visas if the holder could not travel.  This will require a new medical exam, fees, and possibly other documents.  Contact the consulate if the visa expires prior to travel.

2.  No such extensions have been issued by USCIS.  You might take a quick trip to Vegas.Talk with @Loren Y.

I would imagine that it's not even possible to get another medical exam right now, everything is closed. Also, they're not even processing new applications, let alone re-issuing visas. I don't think we could count on that. I THINK he should be able to get here on time, but I'm just looking into my options in case... Also, I've tried calling the Montreal embassy and they pretty much have absolutely no information to give me. They keep telling me to email them but they ignore my emails for weeks and dont respond at all. The only response I got was 'he should probably try to get here before it expires'... which isn't really helpful. 

 

I didn't think about going somewhere where we could get a license, if our local govt is closed. We could probably do that. Thank you. 

[Dashinka 24,639]

I understand wanting to plan ahead, but hopefully border restrictions will be lifted soon to accommodate your August plan.  Additionally, Indiana should be reopening services soon from what I have been hearing.

 

Good Luck!

[Loren Y 2,756]

5 hours ago, ak5285 said:

My fiance received his K1 visa on March 4, 2020 in Canada. He needs to move to the US by August 14, 2020 (the expiration date of his visa). I have two questions I'm wondering as we try to figure out a date to get him here. We have not been able to get him here yet for many reasons I won't get into, so please do not comment on what I "should have" done in the past. Here are my questions:

 

1.  Does anyone know if we could get an extension on how long our K1 visa is valid for? Our 6 months started literally at the exact same time as the outbreak. Is there a way to delay the expiration date due to the extenuating circumstances?
2.  If that's not possible, then does anyone know if we could get an extension on our 90 day window to get married? If he gets here and the government is still shut down, we will not be able to get a marriage license, let alone file it after we're married. Our local government is currently not processing marriage licenses. Who would I talk to about an extension for the 90 days to get married, due to the extenuating circumstances?

If you can get here, Las Vegas has reopened for marriage licenses, and weddings. I did 3 just last week for K1 arrivals. They opened on the 27th, and all 3 couples got their license within the first 2 days they opened, and I got them all married and certified copies of their certificates in under an hour still, even with the new procedures in place. You will find that some marriage license bureaus are opening, but most wedding venues and things are still closed, so getting a drive thru wedding, or married at a church could prove difficult. I had no issues here in Las Vegas last week, and initially when I showed up to record the first marriage I did get a few " Looks" from the workers behind the glass ( looks like, why are you marrying people during the stay at home order). After I explained to them I was only marring couples here on K1 visas who have limited time to get married and certificate in hand, and the fact I am not even charging for my services because I never do for K1 couples, and we were keeping the " Ceremony" to just the couples, me, and their witness ( Smallest ceremony possible), their attitude changed and they completely understood why I was performing ceremonies, and I was happily welcomed the next few times I showed up. They didn't even consider how big an issue it could be until I mentioned it. They asked if USCIS had given any type of extension, and I informed them not yet, no guidance has been posted yet, so everything is running smooth on that aspect here in Vegas, so feel free to PM me if you run into an issue with getting married in 90 days.

[Lemonslice 4,922]

8 hours ago, ak5285 said:

I would imagine that it's not even possible to get another medical exam right now, everything is closed. Also, they're not even processing new applications, let alone re-issuing visas. I don't think we could count on that. I THINK he should be able to get here on time, but I'm just looking into my options in case... Also, I've tried calling the Montreal embassy and they pretty much have absolutely no information to give me. They keep telling me to email them but they ignore my emails for weeks and dont respond at all. The only response I got was 'he should probably try to get here before it expires'... which isn't really helpful. 

 

I didn't think about going somewhere where we could get a license, if our local govt is closed. We could probably do that. Thank you. 

I know you consider their response to be unhelpful, however, at this time, it is the best answer they could give you. August 14 is more than four months away, it should be feasible (you haven't disclosed why you are not sure that he will be able to move in time, but most situations could be wrapped up in four months).

 

Many locations in the US have found ways to do weddings, virtually, or otherwise. I think your main focus should be on trying to have him move before the expiration of his visa.

 

Best of luck.

[NikLR 13,228]

People are still marrying themselves in Colorado despite the DMV being shut down. So there's that option too. 

[payxibka 10,047]

4 minutes ago, NikLR said:

People are still marrying themselves in Colorado despite the DMV being shut down. So there's that option too. 

DMV?  

[NikLR 13,228]

2 hours ago, payxibka said:

DMV?  

In Colorado you can get your marriage license at the DMV because you dont need an officiant.  LOL

But they've made a mail in version, at least in my county.