How much time do I have since I get approved to travel to the States?

[LauraAlvarMarti 0]

Hello! My fiancé and I are gonna apply for the I-129 F. I started college here in Spain a month ago and it will take until June or July to finish this year. I was wondering if I will have enough time since we get approved until I finish before going to the States. Because if it takes 5 months to get approved, I would have to go in the middle of my college year there and drop off. So my question is, how much time do I have to fly there after we get approved? and if it is less that the four months I need, can I ask for a extent of time?

I know that the process may take much more than the 5 months, but I just wanna be sure in case that it goes fast!

Thank you very much!

[Alaska2012 462]

Your visa will expire 6 months after you do the medical exam.

[bstand 4]

Each case is different. If you have a complicated case this can take a while otherwise if its a simple case then max is 8-9 months.

Just to give you an idea, my I-129F process only took 3 months - application sent in May 2014, interview in July 2014, k1 visa received in Aug 2014, flew to the US in Oct 2014. After you get your k1 visa it's valid for 6 months which means you have to enter the US within the 6 month period. In my case, I received mine in Aug so I had until Feb to enter the US BUT I did my med exam in July for the interview and that's valid till Jan (6 months from the date of examination) so which means the latest I can enter the US is Dec/Jan. But you have to remember that one of the requirements for the interview is to get your medical exam so once you've done your medical exam it is only valid for 6 months (depends on the country though) so you have to enter the US before the medical exam expires. Because you'll be doing the med exam first for the interview and if your k1 is approved you will receive your k1 within 1-2 wks. So in short, med exam will obviously expire first before your k1 (unless your country says 1 yr validation then K1 visa expiration applies, whichever comes first) so these are the things you need to consider. Then once you enter the US, you have 90 days to get married. Some people say they're med exam valid for 1 yr, 4 months or 6 months so you have to double check this. If you apply now and you get your k1 in 3 months, say Jan and you did your med exam in Dec then you have until June (only if its valid for 6 months) to enter the US so that's 8 months in total. So if I were you I'd apply in Dec that will give u enough time to finish your studies while you wait for your k1. But like I said, this always depends on the case and the delays. Good luck!

Edited October 22, 2015 by bstand

[Pitaya 2,577]

Welcome to the forum.

There are far too many variables in this entire process to accurately predict processing times. When the time comes, you should inquire at the interviewing embassy/consulate about extension possibilities.

Good luck on your immigration journey.

[LauraAlvarMarti 0]

Thank you so much for all your answers! They were really helpful!