How hard is it to get an extension of the K1 visa?

[Peptide 0]

Hi everybody!

So my fiancé (USC) and I were about to file for I-129f until last week when I got a call for a great job in Europe. It'd be a 1 year contract from March 2013 until March 2014. I just took the interview so I'm not even sure I'll get the job. But we thought we should wait for the answer of the employer and then, if I get the job, wait to file for I-129f until March or April 2013, to be sure I won't get the K1 too early (I wouldn't want to quit before the end of my contract).

But I just read that sometimes it is possible to get an extension of the validity of the K1 Visa. Is that true? Is it easy to get it and do I need to give some kind of serious reason?

That would actually be great, we could file for I-129f right away and then let the process go on and adapt to USCIS' speed.

Did anybody go through the problem of not being able to move to the US within 6 months after getting their K1?

[Peptide 0]

Just to be clear: i was referring to an extension of the 6 months to go to the US, not the 90 days to get married.

And I would also like to know if that kind of extension - if it is possible - costs anything ?

[baron555 934]

Just to be clear: i was referring to an extension of the 6 months to go to the US, not the 90 days to get married.

And I would also like to know if that kind of extension - if it is possible - costs anything ?

Sure, lots of people have had extensions on the visa before it is used. Just email the Embassy once you have it in hand.

[Pitaya 2,577]

Hi everybody!

So my fiancé (USC) and I were about to file for I-129f until last week when I got a call for a great job in Europe. It'd be a 1 year contract from March 2013 until March 2014. I just took the interview so I'm not even sure I'll get the job. But we thought we should wait for the answer of the employer and then, if I get the job, wait to file for I-129f until March or April 2013, to be sure I won't get the K1 too early (I wouldn't want to quit before the end of my contract).

But I just read that sometimes it is possible to get an extension of the validity of the K1 Visa. Is that true? Is it easy to get it and do I need to give some kind of serious reason?

That would actually be great, we could file for I-129f right away and then let the process go on and adapt to USCIS' speed.

Did anybody go through the problem of not being able to move to the US within 6 months after getting their K1?

Welcome to the forum.

Here is some information about visa validity dates from the DoS Nonimmigrant Visa Fiance(e) (K-1) FAQs:

http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/types/types_2994.html

Good luck with your job.

[Pitaya 2,577]

Sure, lots of people have had extensions on the visa before it is used. Just email the Embassy once you have it in hand.

Great idea!

Another current same-themed thread:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/411043-deferment-of-k1-visa/

Good luck!

[poliart 0]

Hi everybody!

So my fiancé (USC) and I were about to file for I-129f until last week when I got a call for a great job in Europe. It'd be a 1 year contract from March 2013 until March 2014. I just took the interview so I'm not even sure I'll get the job. But we thought we should wait for the answer of the employer and then, if I get the job, wait to file for I-129f until March or April 2013, to be sure I won't get the K1 too early (I wouldn't want to quit before the end of my contract).

But I just read that sometimes it is possible to get an extension of the validity of the K1 Visa. Is that true? Is it easy to get it and do I need to give some kind of serious reason?

That would actually be great, we could file for I-129f right away and then let the process go on and adapt to USCIS' speed.

Did anybody go through the problem of not being able to move to the US within 6 months after getting their K1?

I've been through that 3 years ago. I wrote a letter to the us embassy after my visa expired unused explaining the reason.

I just had to undergo medical and interview all over and pay the fees again.

All expired documents, i had to submit new ones again. Then they reissued my visa.

[Peptide 0]

Thank you!

Here's what I'm wondering: how much influence do my fiancé and I have on how fast the K1 is issued? If I wanted to move to the US with a K1 by March 2014, should we mail the I-129f paperwork now, or should we wait a little bit (in case the K1 was issued fast, let's say within 5 months)?

I want the things to get going and have a deadline to our long distance thing, but on the other hand I would be really mad if I got the K1 and let it expire if I wasn't able to leave Europe within 6 months after getting the K1.

Do you have any advice on that?

[Penguin_ie 5,994]

If you want to move in March 2013, file now. The process will likely take 6+ months, and if it goes very fast, you can simply request a interview appointment a few months out, then you have 6 months to use the visa.

[Peptide 0]

Thanks !