Passport Expiration

[ras4atf2015 0]

Hello,

My fiance's passport is due to expire in May 2016. He was told by a friend that his passport has to have at least 9 months left before expiration in order to enter the US. Does anyone know if this is true? If so, where can I go to find this information?

Thank you!

[Pitaya 2,576]

Welcome to the forum.

This is a very good question. Consider reviewing the visa requirements listed in the DOS Nonimmigrant K! Visa FAQs: http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/immigrate/family/fiance-k-1.html

Good luck on your immigration journey.

[Sumeja 0]

No, that's not true at all!!!

I travel in and out of the U.S. and my passport is about to expire in December 2015. I got back from Europe a few weeks ago.

You can use your passport ANY time before the expiration date.

[Ash.1101 1,755]

They want your passport to be good for at least six months when they check it during your interview, I believe there's been a couple of people here who have gotten delays because they had to get their passport renewed prior to receiving the visa, got put on Administrative Processing until they submitted their new passport.

They don't check it now, but they will at the interview. The person can travel in and what not until it expires, but when it comes to the interview, you'll want to make sure it's renewed if it's too close.



From the listed requirements for K1 visas (What Pitaya linked, just pulled the important part): http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/immigrate/family/fiance-k-1.html

"

A passport valid for travel to the United States and with a validity date at least six months beyond your intended period of stay in the U.S. (unless country-specific agreements provide exemptions)."

Edited August 20, 2015 by Ash.1101

[Pitaya 2,576]

No, that's not true at all!!!

I travel in and out of the U.S. and my passport is about to expire in December 2015. I got back from Europe a few weeks ago.

You can use your passport ANY time before the expiration date.

Please, review the OP's particular immigration situation before giving out less than complete and accurate information. The OP just received their K1 visa petition approval. The likely next step in their process is the K1 visa interview at the embassy/consulate. That is where the Department of State (DOS) visa requirements, mentioned in the DOS FAQs, will come into play.

Ash.1101 comments, in this situation, are more relevant.

Good luck on your immigration journey.

[Sumeja 0]

There is no need to be rude. I was just trying to help.

I don't appreciate you attacking me for offering assistance.

I'm speaking from my own experience, and I came back to the U.S. just 4 months before my passport expired. So yes, was able to enter the U.S. within 9 months of the expiration date.

Obviously I'm not a professional consultant and I answered to the best of my ability. If you're so concerned about getting a completely accurate response, contact a professional consultant that can offer you that information.

Thanks

[Pitaya 2,576]

There is no need to be rude. I was just trying to help.

I don't appreciate you attacking me for offering assistance.

I'm speaking from my own experience, and I came back to the U.S. just 4 months before my passport expired. So yes, was able to enter the U.S. within 9 months of the expiration date.

Obviously I'm not a professional consultant and I answered to the best of my ability. If you're so concerned about getting a completely accurate response, contact a professional consultant that can offer you that information.

Thanks

I was not being rude, merely asking you to be accurate and complete in your responses to other member's specific inquiries. However, giving out less than accurate or complete information is not being helpful, and could actually result in untoward issues for the OP. In this specific instance, Ash.1101 mentioned specific untoward consequences of not presenting a passport without enough validity for DOS processing requirements.

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Pitaya

VJ Moderation

Edited August 20, 2015 by Pitaya

[newacct 688]

Nonimmigrants are required to have a passport validity of 6 months beyond their duration of stay (and duration of stay for K-1 is 90 days). For some statuses (B-2, H-1b) they will simply shorten the duration of stay to match passport expiration minus 6 months; I don't know if they do that for K-1 or simply deny entry.

Certain countries agree to accept their passport for return 6 months after expiration. For people with a passport from these countries, they only need to have a passport validity that reaches the end of their duration of stay. They may shorten the duration of stay to match the passport expiration (again, I don't know if they do that for K-1). Your profile has a South Korea icon. South Korea is on this list of countries.