DCF in Japan - How long can I postpone applying for visa after I-130 submission

[kobesunset 0]

Hey, I'm here in Japan and I've gathered up all the documents I will need to submit the I-130 at the US Consulate in Tokyo. The thing is, I'm kind of getting cold feet now, but at the same time I want to have the option to be able to go back to America with my wife ASAP if I want to. So here's my question: After I submit the I-130, is there a time limit by which I have to apply for the visa? Ideally I'd like to draw this thing out as long as possible until I'm sure about my decision. Your knowledge would be appreciated as well as any links to an official page with this information.

[redglasses 1]

The consular who interviewed my husband (USC) at the time of our petition in 2008 told us that I-130 never expires and that they will keep all the papers until we apply for the visa.

However, it sounds they have recently changed the rule. Upon the petition approval, you need to contact the embassy at least once a year to keep your petition activated.

The US Embassy Tokyo website says;

In the meanwhile, please note if you have not applied for the immigrant visa more than 1 year since your I-130 petition has been approved, your I-130 petition may be terminated. However, you can keep your I-130 active indefinitely by contacting us at least once a year. By sending us a letter updating your contact information and stating that you still intend to immigrate at some point in the future, we will reset the 1-year clock.

http://tokyo.usembassy.gov/e/visa/tvisa-ivfaq.html

[Penguin_ie 5,997]

I believe it's one year from the date your I-130 was approved. Of course, there is nothing stopping you in re-applying if you need more than one year, and with DCF, it won;t take long to re-apply either; you just need to pay the fee again and fill out the forms again.

[Mand 1]

I was told

you have one year from the filing date to take action on your case before termination begins

. Once the visa is approved, you also have 6 months to activate it by moving over.