Immigrant Visa Valid for 6 Months from Oct 1, 1997
Prior to May 1998

The Department of State notifies posts that IIRAIRA allows immigrant visas to be valid for six months.

This is an amendment to the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) made by the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 (IIRAIRA). IIRAIRA amended section 221(c) of the INA to allow immigrant visas to be valid for six months rather than four months. Therefore, effective October 1, 1997 immigrant visas will be valid for six months from the date of issuance.