Is it 180 days from the I-129F approval, or the K1 visa in hand, to move countries?

[AmericanGirltoBe 1]

Hello. I am very happy to share that my fiancé and I just received our approval of the 1-129F petition yesterday! I am the beneficiary, in Canada coming to the USA. I am trying to ready myself for all of the steps ahead. I am very confused about how long I have before I must move to the USA, as there is conflicting information on multiple trustworthy websites.

 

The Boundless website clearly states: "Once requirements are met, and the K-1 visa is approved, the sponsored fiancé is given a total of six months from the date of the approval of the initial I-129F form to travel to the United States." 

 

This VisaJourney website clearly states: "*Must enter the US within (typically) 6 months of the K-1 being issued."

 

Unhelpfully because it is ambiguous, the official usembassy.gov site states: "The fiancé(e) visa is valid for 180 days and allows you only one (1) entry into the United States."

 

So Boundless gives me six months from yesterday, VisaJourney gives me 6 months from the date I get my K1 after passing the interview, which should happen in the next few months, and the government site uses ambiguous language that could be either. This difference is very critical for me, as every week I can still spend in Canada prepping for my move will be beneficial to me. 

 

Does anyone have a very certain, clear answer? Is it 180 days from yesterday, when I-129F was approved, or from when the K1 gets approved in the next months? Thank you so much!

[Crazy Cat 41,923]

There is a difference between the I-129f approval and the K-1 fiance visa approval:

 

An approved I-129f petition expires 4 months after approval at USCIS...but the Consulate/NVC can (and normally does) extend it in 4 month increments for up to a year until the visa is issued.

Then,

Issued Visas expire 6 months after the medical exam was conducted.....Visa Expiration date is not based on visa issue date or interview date.  The K-1 is a single entry visa. 

 

That is the true, complete answer.

 

 

Edited February 19 by Crazy Cat

[wildbug100420 115]

19 minutes ago, AmericanGirltoBe said:

Hello. I am very happy to share that my fiancé and I just received our approval of the 1-129F petition yesterday! I am the beneficiary, in Canada coming to the USA. I am trying to ready myself for all of the steps ahead. I am very confused about how long I have before I must move to the USA, as there is conflicting information on multiple trustworthy websites.

 

The Boundless website clearly states: "Once requirements are met, and the K-1 visa is approved, the sponsored fiancé is given a total of six months from the date of the approval of the initial I-129F form to travel to the United States." 

 

This VisaJourney website clearly states: "*Must enter the US within (typically) 6 months of the K-1 being issued."

 

Unhelpfully because it is ambiguous, the official usembassy.gov site states: "The fiancé(e) visa is valid for 180 days and allows you only one (1) entry into the United States."

 

So Boundless gives me six months from yesterday, VisaJourney gives me 6 months from the date I get my K1 after passing the interview, which should happen in the next few months, and the government site uses ambiguous language that could be either. This difference is very critical for me, as every week I can still spend in Canada prepping for my move will be beneficial to me. 

 

Does anyone have a very certain, clear answer? Is it 180 days from yesterday, when I-129F was approved, or from when the K1 gets approved in the next months? Thank you so much!

If the petition was approved it's just that. Still have to go through nvc, embassy, interview...🙂

[Ban Hammer 13,367]

one post removed for hijacking of this thread.  please start a new thread if you have questions.