four month extension

[kashi1019 0]

Okay, so my fiance called the embassy again (for the 3rd time!).

I had him ask for the magic code so I can email and actually get a response regarding getting an extention on the NOA2. For the 3rd time, he was told that the four month validity doesn't matter, we have 12 months to get everything turned in and just make sure and bring a notarized letter of intent to the interview saying that I will still marry him. Since this was the 3rd time he was told this, I am actually feeling kind of confident with this answer. The guy would not give out the code; he said that they do not give the code out for that. My fiance asked twice but he wouldn't give it out....

I also had him ask about the delayed visa issuance and requesting a date for the interview. He asked when my fiance is planning on entering the US (July) and that he wants to come for a visit in April. The embassy guy said to wait until March/April(based on the current wait/processing timse) to mail in our forms and checklist at which point we could then attach a letter requesting a date in May. He said that wouldn't be a problem, and also if we get an interview date that doesn't work for us, we can call and change it to a different date. I didn't think that was allowed, but apparently according to this guy.

So my plan is to send in a letter formally reqesting an extension before our NOA2 expires just because I am paranoid and then send in the forms/checklist in February (in case the processing times have increased by then) with a letter attached requesting an interview in May and hope for the best........

what do you think?

[Justine+David 218]

Thanks for doing this!

David's coming over in early February and we were hoping for a mid-Feb to mid-March interview because he has some trips (within the UK) planned and didn't know about the interview dates...but if we can just change the interview date, that would be nice. I'll do some searches to see people's success on changing interview dates.

I know that I read that changing the AOS interview date is not good to do at all, unless it's a true emergency. We wanted to do a court wedding in July to start filing...but if our ceremony is in September and we're away on vacation during the honeymoon for the interview...eep!

Edited November 10, 2009 by Justine+David

[FrostyMist 1]

Hi, kashi1019.

Our petition expired on October 30th, and because we were unable to obtain all the required evidance in time for this, I had to write to the embassy and ask for an extension.

This is a copy of the original cover letter I sent to the embassy in September (1 month before our petition was due to expire)

28th September 2009

Dear Sir/Madam:

I write with regards to my application for a K1 visa. The validity of the I-1797 (approval notice for I-129F) is due to expire on 30th October, 2009, and I write to request that my petition for a K1 visa be extended.

It is my understanding that pursuant to 9FAM 41.81 N3.1 (Period of validity), the approval notice can be extended if my fiancé and I remain legally free to marry and continue to plan to do so after I enter the United States on a K1 visa.

Therefore, please be aware that:

• I and my fiancé continue to be legally single and free to marry.

• I and my fiancé love each other and plan to marry within 90 days of my entrance to the United States on a K1 visa.

For your further information, I have attached:

• Copy of I-1797 (approval notice)

• Signed letter of intent from my fiancé, [fiance's name]

• As proof of our ongoing relationship, I have also included a copy of ticket stubs for my [fiance's name]'s recent trip to visit me in England [date].

I sincerely request that my approval notice be extended so that I may continue my application for the K-1 visa.

I don't know if the evidance of having met recently was necessary. I did not read anywhere that it was required, but since my fiance had just spent three months with me in England, I thought it wouldn't hurt to include it also.

About the letter of intent

This must be notarized. Originally, I sent them in just a copy of a letter of intent signed by my fiance, but they wrote back to me and told me that the letter had to be notarized.

I have since learnt that I myself also need to submit a letter of intent signed by me. Unfortunately, this is really expensive in the UK (I've been quoted approximately £65.

You might also want to include something about why you need an extension, though I didn't in my original submission and the embassy did not ask.

I hope this information helps.

Edited November 11, 2009 by FrostyMist

[kashi1019 0]

Hi, kashi1019.

Our petition expired on October 30th, and because we were unable to obtain all the required evidance in time for this, I had to write to the embassy and ask for an extension.

This is a copy of the original cover letter I sent to the embassy in September (1 month before our petition was due to expire)

28th September 2009

Dear Sir/Madam:

I write with regards to my application for a K1 visa. The validity of the I-1797 (approval notice for I-129F) is due to expire on 30th October, 2009, and I write to request that my petition for a K1 visa be extended.

It is my understanding that pursuant to 9FAM 41.81 N3.1 (Period of validity), the approval notice can be extended if my fiancé and I remain legally free to marry and continue to plan to do so after I enter the United States on a K1 visa.

Therefore, please be aware that:

• I and my fiancé continue to be legally single and free to marry.

• I and my fiancé love each other and plan to marry within 90 days of my entrance to the United States on a K1 visa.

For your further information, I have attached:

• Copy of I-1797 (approval notice)

• Signed letter of intent from my fiancé, [fiance's name]

• As proof of our ongoing relationship, I have also included a copy of ticket stubs for my [fiance's name]'s recent trip to visit me in England [date].

I sincerely request that my approval notice be extended so that I may continue my application for the K-1 visa.

I don't know if the evidance of having met recently was necessary. I did not read anywhere that it was required, but since my fiance had just spent three months with me in England, I thought it wouldn't hurt to include it also.

About the letter of intent

This must be notarized. Originally, I sent them in just a copy of a letter of intent signed by my fiance, but they wrote back to me and told me that the letter had to be notarized.

I have since learnt that I myself also need to submit a letter of intent signed by me. Unfortunately, this is really expensive in the UK (I've been quoted approximately £65.

You might also want to include something about why you need an extension, though I didn't in my original submission and the embassy did not ask.

I hope this information helps.

Thanks frostymist, that is a great help! Did the embassy write you back or anything to let you know they received this? And to help clarify, we both need to write a letter of intent or just me (the USC)? I was planning on writing the letter and sending it from here (the US) asking for the extension and declaring my intent to still marry him. I dont know if I should tell them why we need an extension (that he is a teacher and wants to finish the school year in July before coming over and that he is plannign to come visit me in April to finalize wedding plans....what do you think?)

Thanks!

Stephanie

[FrostyMist 1]

Did the embassy write you back or anything to let you know they received this?

After I submitted the original letter (the one I posted here) the embassy wrote back to tell me that the letter of intent from my fiance (the USC) had to be notarized.

I wrote back to them once the notarized letter of intent had arrived, including the notarized letter, the copy of I-1797 (approval notice) and proof (ticket stubs) of our ongoing relationship. As yet, they have not acknowledged that they have received the letter of intent, or that the request for an extension has been approved. However, they did write to me a week back, reminding me that I need to submit my checklist and attend medical ASAP, so my fiance and I are now a little unsure exactly what to think.

I'm planning on taking copies of both letters of intent (by myself, and my fiance) with me when I go to the interview.

And to help clarify, we both need to write a letter of intent or just me (the USC)?

Well, originally, I was under the impression that it was just the USC that needed to provide the letter of intent. However, if you take a look at the IV-15 checklist, you'll see that the instructions seem to suggest that it needs to be the UK citizen:

Note: If more than 4 months has passed since the petition was approved, you will be required to furnish a notarized statement of your intent to marry within 90 days of your arrival in the U.S.

(Link to IV-15 checlist is here: http://london.usembassy.gov/cons_new/visa/...ess_K_visas.pdf )

Since I've now had conflicting instructions: the embassy itself saying my fiance needs to do the letter of intent, and the IV-15 suggesting that it needs to be me, I'm just going to be providing them letters from both of us, so that there can be no dispute.

I was planning on writing the letter and sending it from here (the US) asking for the extension and declaring my intent to still marry him. I dont know if I should tell them why we need an extension (that he is a teacher and wants to finish the school year in July before coming over and that he is plannign to come visit me in April to finalize wedding plans....what do you think?)

My personal feeling is that it's better if your UK fiance writes to them himself. It never really crossed my mind to have my fiance send them the actual letter, because I figured that since I was the one applying for the visa, I should be the one to communicate with them.

Sorry I can't be more helpful with answering that question.

If you do choose to write to the embassy yourself though, make sure that you have your case number (the one that begins LND) and include your fiance's name exactly as it is written in packet 3 (usually surname, firstname middlename )

Edited November 11, 2009 by FrostyMist

[shearoberts 0]

Just a few quick questions as I am writing this letter too.

Where it says: 9FAM 41.81 N3.1 (Period of validity)

Do I actually write the validity date in there or leave it as that? I know it sounds like a dumb question but I don't want to take chances with this.

[FrostyMist 1]

Just a few quick questions as I am writing this letter too.

Where it says: 9FAM 41.81 N3.1 (Period of validity)

Do I actually write the validity date in there or leave it as that? I know it sounds like a dumb question but I don't want to take chances with this.

I'm not sure whether it was actually intended to be included instead of (Period of Validity), but I never did. That part is quoted exactly how it was written in the letter I sent to the embassy.

[lirwin2000 0]

we got our NOA2 last Jan, we called and asked how long we had to send the checklist back and we were told 12 months. we sent it back in november and have an interview set up for 5th Jan 2010!!!

[beckorback 0]

we got our NOA2 last Jan, we called and asked how long we had to send the checklist back and we were told 12 months. we sent it back in november and have an interview set up for 5th Jan 2010!!!

HI lirwin2000!

I was just wondering if you did the extend approval letter as well or just did everything according to the 12 month rule? You just sent in the checklist in November with no confirmation from them and then set up the interview? Thanks and happy holidays!

[Justine+David 218]

HI lirwin2000!

I was just wondering if you did the extend approval letter as well or just did everything according to the 12 month rule? You just sent in the checklist in November with no confirmation from them and then set up the interview? Thanks and happy holidays!

beckor, I would ask this question in the South America forum because the consulates there can be verrry different than the UK consulate and we don't want to give you the wrong advice!