diff --git a/src/routes/settings.import.tsx b/src/routes/settings.import.tsx
index e2661c2..5f8b29d 100644
--- a/src/routes/settings.import.tsx
+++ b/src/routes/settings.import.tsx
@@ -890,13 +890,19 @@ function ImportPage() {
         }
       }
 
-      // required check (defer case_id for time/expense — async step may create one)
+      // required check (defer case_id for time/expense — async step may create one;
+      // defer client_id for invoices — async step may auto-create an archived client)
       const deferCaseId =
         (cfg.table === "time_entries" || cfg.table === "expenses") &&
         !transformed.case_id &&
         (transformed._caseext || transformed._casenum || transformed._casename);
+      const deferClientId =
+        cfg.table === "invoices" &&
+        !transformed.client_id &&
+        (transformed._clientext || transformed._clientname);
       const missing = cfg.required.find((k) => {
         if (k === "case_id" && deferCaseId) return false;
+        if (k === "client_id" && deferClientId) return false;
         return !transformed[k] && transformed[k] !== 0;
       });
       if (missing) { bumpSkip(`missing required: ${missing}`); continue; }