Post-interview Pre-arrival visa extension

[DenisBlack 0]

My situation is the following: I applied for CR-1 for my wife and step-daughter (CR-2) and the visas were approved in July. The father of my step-daughter has been very difficult about this whole situation and we've been fighting with him in court over custody, visitation rights, and travel authorization. It is very obvious that he's more concerned with inflicting as much pain as he possibly can on my wife and I, rather than the future and well-being of his daughter.

We were able to combine all three processes into 1 (which will save us a lot of time) and there were 2 hearings on this already. Based on everything I've heard from my wife about the hearings, judging on the amount and quality of evidence both parties presented, his appearance and idiotic behavior in court, and reaction of the judge, we have very good chances of winning this fight. However, the time factor is against us. My step-daughter's visa will expire in the beginning of January (my wife entered the US shortly after the interview, so she's a permanent resident now).

I've read somewhere that the embassy is able to grant extensions on a case-by-case basis. Does anyone have any experience with this? I've contacted the embassies in Brazil and waiting for their replies, but I'm interested in personal experiences.

Also, if the visa does expire for her, how do you think this will affect her (the step-daughter) chances of getting a tourist visa later on or permanent (family reunion) visa (in case the father changes his mind after realizing that you actually need to take care of the child, and give her attention, and spend money, and sacrifice the valuable party-time for her.... or, better, he gets hit by a bus). Would it be possibly to expedite things since we've already gone through the process? Or would we have to go through the whole thing again? And would it actually hurt her chances of getting another visa since we let this one expire?

Any information concerning this would be greatly appreciated.

[YuAndDan 153]

Yes they can, extend the validity of a visa.

One did this a while ago with a K-1 in China based on a parent's sickness, though they did not use during extension and were denied a second extension.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=155572

[DenisBlack 0]

Thank you. It's good to have actual proof this is possible (at least somewhere). The story of the couple in that post is pretty... messed up. After all they've been through, to have to wait another year at least and go through all the paperwork and stress again...

[YuAndDan 153]

Thank you. It's good to have actual proof this is possible (at least somewhere). The story of the couple in that post is pretty... messed up. After all they've been through, to have to wait another year at least and go through all the paperwork and stress again...

Guangzhou is a nasty consulate, they rather give out visa denials, they were lucky to get the first extension, so I am not surprised about the denial of the second one.