How long was your visa valid for?

[Jake77 17]

... From the day you got approved.

 

I'm IR2 and I have an interview set before August ends.

 

US website says visas remain valid for 6 months.

 

1. Does this 6 month-validity apply to all visa categories?

 

2. How long was yours valid for? And, what was your category?

 

Thanks.

Edited August 25, 2023 by Jake77
Added tags.

[LexieJ 44]

Your visa expiry is tied up to your medical expiration, so whatever the expiration of the medical is the validity of your visa.

[Crazy Cat 41,837]

Normally, immigrant visa expiration is 6 months after the date of the medical exam.  However, that is not always the case.  Sometimes, visas expire prior to 6 months after the medical.  

Case in point:  My wife's visa expiration date was only 5 months after the medical.  I am not sure why.

[Chancy 6,241]

7 hours ago, Jake77 said:

US website says visas remain valid for 6 months.

 

It's 6 months (maximum) from the visa medical date, not the visa issuance date.  This rule applies to all immigrant (and K1) visas, regardless of visa category and issuing consulate.

 

The staff at SLEC should have advised you about the expiry date of your medical, maybe in one of the papers you signed or received.  I got a green paper from SLEC listing the medical expiry date.  My visa was valid for only 1.5 months when it was issued, as my interview was re-scheduled to around 4 months after my medical.

 

[jojotica 39]

Point is the visa is to use to enter the US, not to be used for the entire of living in the US . So enter before it expires and you are good. The green card comes after.

 

I assume that's why you are asking.

[Jake77 17]

9 minutes ago, Chancy said:

 

It's 6 months (maximum) from the visa medical date, not the visa issuance date.  This rule applies to all immigrant (and K1) visas, regardless of visa category and issuing consulate.

 

The staff at SLEC should have advised you about the expiry date of your medical, maybe in one of the papers you signed or received.  I got a green paper from SLEC listing the medical expiry date.  My visa was valid for only 1.5 months when it was issued, as my interview was re-scheduled to around 4 months after my medical.

 

Did not get a green paper but I know the exact date my medical will expire on: Feb. 14, 2024 (was issued on Aug. 14, 2023).

 

If I understand you right, this would mean that my visa would expire on Feb. 14 of next year regardless of when my visa is issued to me?

 

Will it expire EXACTLY on the 14th of February? Or right around that time?

 

I gotta know the specifics because I want to stay in the PH a little longer.

[Crazy Cat 41,837]

9 minutes ago, Jake77 said:

I gotta know the specifics because I want to stay in the PH a little longer.

You will have to see the actual expiration date on the visa itself.  As I said, your visa may or may not expire EXACTLY 6 months after the medical exam. 

Edited August 25, 2023 by Crazy Cat

[yibkeith 25]

K-1, our visa expires exactly 6 months after the medical.

[Chancy 6,241]

12 minutes ago, Jake77 said:

Will it expire EXACTLY on the 14th of February? Or right around that time?

 

As @Crazy Cat said, you will have to wait for your visa to know for sure.  My medical was valid for less than 6 months, but SLEC did notify me about that.  My visa expiry date was exactly the date that SLEC told me.

 

[RO_AH 1,659]

Your visa should be valid up to 6 months after the 1st day of your medical. They do not start from the completion date. So if you get flagged for sputum testing you will have a smaller window.

[Jake77 17]

Update:

VISA validity is exactly as long as medical in my case.

[RO_AH 1,659]

On 8/30/2023 at 11:40 PM, Jake77 said:

Update:

VISA validity is exactly as long as medical in my case.

In everyone's case

[Bethliza 2]

So, that means that I have 6 months (from the medical date) to go to U.S. right? 

[RO_AH 1,659]

On 1/17/2024 at 9:07 AM, Bethliza said:

So, that means that I have 6 months (from the medical date) to go to U.S. right? 

Just to be absolutely clear, it is exactly 6 months from the first day you check in for your medical at SLEC.

[Bethliza 2]

Thank you! I thought that too! Thanks!!!!