Is travel to other countries allowed before immigration to US?

[bobby_xiaojie 0]

I am currently working in Dubai, and will be here for several more months. My fiancee is in China, and will travel to Guangzhou for her visa interview soon. I have several questions:

How much time is allowed after the K-1 visa is issued before my fiancee must travel to the US?

Is my fiancee allowed to travel to another country before coming to the US?

We would like to be together while I am working here, and then travel to the US together.[/font]

[Penguin_ie 5,994]

Usually the visa is valid for 6 months, sometimes less (esp. when the medical was done well ahead of interview).

She can travel wherever she wants as long as she has the relevant visa for the country she wants to travel to. Keep in mind some MENA countries do not allow unmarried couples to live together, or she might get in trouble if she gets pregnant when still unmarried.

[bigdog 376]

Usually the K1 Visa if good for 6 months. You can travel on valid visa's. If she comes to US on K1 be prepared to stay for 90 days. If you do not get married and or she leaves the K1 is invalid. I would read the ruled on USCIS and information listed on VJ.

[Operator 1,927]

As the others have said the validity period is usually 6 months. She can travel to other countries during that time but keep in mind that CBP may have some questions about a lengthy detour to the middle east on the way to the US from China.

Where are you in the process? It would be great if you filled in your timeline!

[bobby_xiaojie 0]

Thanks Penguin, all good info. Dubai is fairly permissive, we have lived here off and on since 2006, so it's not a problem being together. My father's family is from Arkansas, and my little sister was born in Ft Smith, small world huh?