Need clarification on times

[Darkmoonfaerie 19]

Every time I think I have my head wrapped around this, I read something that confuses me.

I know the visa is valid for 6 months and you have 90 days to marry once the fiance steps foot in the country using it. But do you have to get married and file for AOS within those 6 months? Or can you enter towards the end of the 6 months and then you have another 90 days to get married...so up to nine months to marry and file for AOS? I know most people are rushing to get married, but we're trying to do a more traditional route rather than run to the courthouse and have a second wedding later. Having those extra months might be very helpful in planning and allowing his family time to save for their trips here.

~~meg

[L+T 71]

Every time I think I have my head wrapped around this, I read something that confuses me.

I know the visa is valid for 6 months and you have 90 days to marry once the fiance steps foot in the country using it. But do you have to get married and file for AOS within those 6 months? Or can you enter towards the end of the 6 months and then you have another 90 days to get married...so up to nine months to marry and file for AOS? I know most people are rushing to get married, but we're trying to do a more traditional route rather than run to the courthouse and have a second wedding later. Having those extra months might be very helpful in planning and allowing his family time to save for their trips here.

~~meg

Once the visa is issued, you have 6 months to enter country. Once you enter country you have 90 days to get married. Sometime after you are married you file for the AOS, either right away, or you can wait.

[Pitaya 2,576]

It it generally recommended to start the AOS process right after the marriage or the honeymoon. Please refer to VJ FAQs for details and more info.

Good luck on your visa journey.

[kate&javi 26]

You will have time to plan the wedding we are having ours "traditional" too (not court house) but I have a pretty good grasp of what our wedding wil be like so all I have to do is call to reserve once we have the visa.

[Darkmoonfaerie 19]

Thanks for the replies! Just clarifying this to make sure I don't screw up. You get the visa. The visa is good for 6 months. Once you enter the USA, your visa is no longer valid and is replaced by the I-94 (or 194?? I forgot the first number/letter). This is now valid for 90 days from time of entry, even if your original 6 months allowed for the visa ran out on the day of your entry. So technically if you stretched things to the limit, it's 9 months total from visa issue to be married and file AOS? Is this correct? I'm not planning to wait that long, but he's trying to sell a house and we both have family members with major health issues so it would be good if we had that cushion to make sure the house is sold and everyone's healthy in time for the move and wedding.

[L+T 71]

Thanks for the replies! Just clarifying this to make sure I don't screw up. You get the visa. The visa is good for 6 months. Once you enter the USA, your visa is no longer valid and is replaced by the I-94 (or 194?? I forgot the first number/letter). This is now valid for 90 days from time of entry, even if your original 6 months allowed for the visa ran out on the day of your entry. So technically if you stretched things to the limit, it's 9 months total from visa issue to be married and file AOS? Is this correct? I'm not planning to wait that long, but he's trying to sell a house and we both have family members with major health issues so it would be good if we had that cushion to make sure the house is sold and everyone's healthy in time for the move and wedding.

Almost. AOS is not within this timeline. Sometime after you are married you file AOS. Could be 1 week or 3 months AFTER marriage... is recommended sooner the better, unless you have support issues (i-864) you are dealing with.

[Darkmoonfaerie 19]

Ok thanks, sounds good to me