[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 22, Volume 1]
[Revised as of April 1, 2003]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 22CFR42.72]

[Page 238-239]
 
                       TITLE 22--FOREIGN RELATIONS
 
                     CHAPTER I--DEPARTMENT OF STATE
 
PART 42--VISAS: DOCUMENTATION OF IMMIGRANTS UNDER THE IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY ACT, AS AMENDED--Table of Contents
 
                 Subpart H--Issuance of Immigrant Visas
 
Sec. 42.72  Validity of visas.

    (a) Period of validity. With the exception indicated herein, the 
period of validity of an immigrant visa shall not exceed six months, 
beginning with the date of issuance. Any visa issued to a child lawfully 
adopted by a U.S. citizen and spouse while such citizen is serving 
abroad in the U.S. Armed Forces, is employed abroad by the U.S. 
Government, or is temporarily abroad on business, however, shall be 
valid until such time, for a period not to exceed 3 years, as the 
adoptive citizen parent returns to the United States in the course of 
that parent's military service, U.S. Government employment, or business.
    (b) Extension of period of validity. If the visa was originally 
issued for a period of validity less than the maximum authorized by 
paragraph (a) of this section, the consular officer may extend the 
validity of the visa up to but not exceeding the maximum period 
permitted. If an immigrant applies for an extension at a consular office 
other than the issuing office, the consular officer shall, unless the 
officer is satisfied beyond doubt that the alien is eligible for the 
extension, communicate with the issuing office to determine if there is 
any objection to an extension. In extending the period of validity, the 
officer shall make an appropriate notation on the visa of the new 
expiration date, sign the document with title indicated, and impress the 
seal of the office thereon.
    (c) [Reserved]
    (d) Age and marital status in relation to validity of certain 
immigrant visas. In accordance with Sec. 42.64(b), the validity of a 
visa may not extend beyond a date sixty days prior to the expiration of 
the passport. The period of validity of a visa issued to an immigrant as 
a child shall not extend beyond the day immediately proceding the date 
on which the alien becomes 21 years of age. The consular officer shall 
warn an alien, when appropriate, that the alien will be admissible as 
such an immigrant only if unmarried and under 21 years of age at the 
time of application

[[Page 239]]

for admission at a U.S. port of entry. The consular officer shall also 
warn an alien issued a visa as a first or second preference immigrant as 
an unmarried son or daughter of a citizen or lawful permanent resident 
of the United States that the alien will be admissible as such an 
immigrant only if unmarried at the time of application for admission at 
a U.S. port of entry.

[52 FR 42613, Nov. 5, 1987, as amended at 56 FR 32323, July 16, 1991; 61 
FR 1836, Jan. 24, 1996; 62 FR 27694, May 21, 1997; 64 FR 28916, May 28, 
1999; 67 FR 38894, June 6, 2002; 68 FR 13628, Mar. 20, 2003]