Once you get pacet 3 can you put off applying for the visa?

[BritishGuy36 0]

I want to be able to apply for a visa with as short a wait time as I can.

I was therefore thinking that I could possibly submit my I-130 and then once approved and I get packet 3 could I basically sit on it and apply when I am ready to go to the US?

I guess what I am asking is does the I-130 approval expire...and if so how long do you get after I-130 approval before you have to start the process again?

Is there a downside to letting it expire? Does it make it harder the next time - or is that only true of the actual visa application?

Thanks

[Imua 0]

I think this question has come up before in regards to postponing interview date. It probably won't be relevant since the NVC is so slow these days but I was wondering the same thing in regards to our case, if when we get packet 3 we can hold onto it until I know when I can be with my husband in KTM for the interview. I know from other VJers going through KTM that once it gets there then the interview is scheduled right away.

[Dr. Obvious 49]

I believe it is one year. Contact your consulate to be sure. The downside to letting it expire is get ready to part with all of your money all over again. I am not sure why you would want to sit on it too long given how quickly interview wait times can change. The visa is good for six months from the date of issue.

Edited January 24, 2008 by Wacken

[BritishGuy36 0]

Basically the thinking behind it is that we are not sure exactly when we will be ready to go - but I would rather get stage 1 out of the way so we don't have to wait the whole 6 months when we are ready - we can already have packet 3 and then send that in and have the visa 3 months later.