K1 Visa expiration

[Melisandre 5]

Hey guys! Sorry for being away for so long, going through some family troubles...

I was wondering if you could tell me how does the K1 visa expiration work. My K1 is approved and my visa is valid till May 18, 2015 (so is my medical exam). By when do I absolutely absolutely need to leave for US? Like say if I travel there on the 17th are they going to not allow me enter? Is there a certain time by when I need to be there before my visa expires?

I was gonna leave right away but I'm dealing with some unexpected family emergencies and I'd like to be here with my parents for a while...

The other question I had was regarding driver's license. I have a Canadian G2 license. I looked up some information and most of it is contradicting. One person said I could drive in the US with my Canadian license for 90 days after entering while another person said I can'r drive with my Canadian license at all and I have to wait till we get married and move on to the next step of the paper works to be eligible for a Texas driver's license. Please help..

Our wedding date has been set for the second week of June (no exact date yet, waiting to hear from venue). Can I apply for EAD right away after our wedding or do I have to wait.

Thank you so much guys..

[abby12 13]

The K1 visa is valid for 6 months, you can travel within that time..why wait til the day before? what if you miss the plane? that's in case if you are traveling the day before. I'm sorry about your family situation.

After you arrive, you have 90 days to marry, even if you arrive the day before of the expiration date of your K1. This visa is one entry and you have 6 months to use.

Driver's license it depends on the state. I had that same discussion with my fiance when I arrived. This is what the local DMV informed me: as a tourist, my DL was valid within the time frame of the I-94, but with the K1, well this is where the person at the DMV couldn't explain me "why it's not the same", he said I could get a DL but it was going to last 90 day, even with my SSN. California has a new law that started this month about being able to apply for DL without having the proper documents for the legal presence in the US..I am not using this way to get the DL, since I already got my EAD the same week that the new law started.

You have to apply for the AOS/EAD/AP after the wedding, since you need the marriage certificate for the AOS. It takes around 90 days to have the EAD/AP combo card on hand and then maybe apply for the DL (check Texa's DMV)

Others here may give you better information than me.

Good luck, and I hope things with your family goes well.

[Gary & Aubrey 23]

You can drive in Texas for 90 days on your Canadian license.

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/DriverLicense/movingtotexas.htm

BEFORE those 90 days are up, you will need to apply for a new one. Luckily, Texas is more lenient than other states and have reciprocity with Canada. You just bring your Canadian license, your Canadian passport (which will then have your visa and I-94 stamp), and your Canadian birth certificate. If any name changes take place after the wedding, bring your marriage certificate as well.

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/DriverLicense/identificationrequirements.htm

Good luck and well wishes!

[abby12 13]

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/DriverLicense/documents/verifyingLawfulPresence.pdf

What Gary said, I just found this link from the Texas' DMV about the legal presence in Texas....better than California..!!!

Edited January 16, 2015 by abby12

[MissSarah 22]

Remember that G2 Ontario license is conditional - I would try to find out if this will have an impact on obtaining a full TX license without any testing etc. Here in KY my G2 meant nothing.

[Pheebs1201 269]

I would give yourself at least a week before the visa expires to travel just to be safe!

[KayDeeCee 4,900]

You need to enter the US by the expiration date. If you got to the US on the 17th, then that is before the expiration date and you would be able to enter. There is no extra amount of time before the expiration date that you must enter, just by the actual expiration date on the visa.

[baron555 934]

My K1 is approved and my visa is valid till May 18, 2015 (so is my medical exam). By when do I absolutely absolutely need to leave for US? Like say if I travel there on the 17th are they going to not allow me enter?

Yes, the 18th if the last day you can enter.

I was gonna leave right away but I'm dealing with some unexpected family emergencies and I'd like to be here with my parents for a while...

That happens.....also Embassies have been known to extend the visa validity beyond the 6 month deadline for good reasons. You'd have to contact the Embassy and ask.

The other question I had was regarding driver's license. I have a Canadian G2 license. I looked up some information and most of it is contradicting. One person said I could drive in the US with my Canadian license for 90 days after entering while another person said I can'r drive with my Canadian license at all and I have to wait till we get married and move on to the next step of the paper works to be eligible for a Texas driver's license. Please help..

It's state by state, so look at the Texas DMV website for info.

Our wedding date has been set for the second week of June (no exact date yet, waiting to hear from venue). Can I apply for EAD right away after our wedding or do I have to wait.

You need the marriage certificate to apply. That usually is obtained about a week or two following the actual marriage.

[Melisandre 5]

Thank you so much for replying everyone. I truly appreciate your help.

I'd probably leave 2 weeks before my visa expires, not the day before. I was just wondering if there's like a certain time limit for entry within the visa length.

I looked up Texas DMV and so far it sounds like I could get use my Canadian G2 license for 90 days starting from the day I enter US. However, I don't have a Canadian birth certificate. I have a birth certificate from Bangladesh. Would they accept it?

[Pitaya 2,577]

Thank you so much for replying everyone. I truly appreciate your help.

I'd probably leave 2 weeks before my visa expires, not the day before. I was just wondering if there's like a certain time limit for entry within the visa length.

I looked up Texas DMV and so far it sounds like I could get use my Canadian G2 license for 90 days starting from the day I enter US. However, I don't have a Canadian birth certificate. I have a birth certificate from Bangladesh. Would they accept it?

You should likely check with Texas DMV about your birth certificate concern.