Positive TB Culture - How to extend NOA 2?

[Misha♥Jeff 12]

Hi everyone,

Well we got the dreaded news that Michelle's culture came back positive. Even though she does not have active TB, they discovered bacteria in her culture (probably contracted/inhaled it during OJT from nursing school). In any case, she has already started the 6-month meds treatment...every day at St. Lukes, Manila. So sad that we need to wait another 6 months to start our lives together but happy that she will be completely bacteria free!

My question for the VJ family is:

What do we need to do to extend the NOA 2 approval which expires next month, well before she completes the treatment? Does St. Lukes communicate to the Embassy, or is it up to us to apply for an extension.

Thanks again,

Michelle and Jeff

Edited January 4, 2013 by Misha & Jeff

[pigmonk 16]

I'm really sorry for the sad news, I am sorry i dont have any idea about NOA2 expiration, i just have a question though. Michelle'exam was nov 12 right? when did the st. lukes called you and informed you that culture was positive? Thanks

[Misha♥Jeff 12]

I'm really sorry for the sad news, I am sorry i dont have any idea about NOA2 expiration, i just have a question though. Michelle'exam was nov 12 right? when did the st. lukes called you and informed you that culture was positive? Thanks

Hi pigmonk. St. Lukes called her on December 7th, about 4 weeks after her sputum test. I was visiting in Manila when Michelle got the news. She is already one month into the treatment :-)

[pigmonk 16]

Hi pigmonk. St. Lukes called her on December 7th, about 4 weeks after her sputum test. I was visiting in Manila when Michelle got the news. She is already one month into the treatment :-)

Thanks. I am also waiting for my result. Just over paranoid here )

anyways, God Bless to both of you. The waiting will be over before you know it

[Misha♥Jeff 12]

The waiting will be over before you know it

I hope so. I want to be with her everyday...not just visit. Good luck to you two!

[Chelliot 1]

I hope so. I want to be with her everyday...not just visit. Good luck to you two!

Hi, I am so sorry that the culture came back positive. My fiance and I are currently (and impatiently) awaiting the results of her culture test. Another 4 weeks to go. In reference to the expiration of the VISA approval notice, I had been advised to have my fiance contact the embassy and submit the re-affirmation of intent to marry which contained the following sentence: "I am also requesting that the expiration date of the K1 Fiancée Visa approval notice be extended."

Since I have until the end of Feb, I am hoping we can get the interview schedule prior to then.

[wilfon 30]

Hi everyone,

Well we got the dreaded news that Michelle's culture came back positive. Even though she does not have active TB, they discovered bacteria in her culture (probably contracted/inhaled it during OJT from nursing school). In any case, she has already started the 6-month meds treatment...every day at St. Lukes, Manila. So sad that we need to wait another 6 months to start our lives together but happy that she will be completely bacteria free!

My question for the VJ family is:

What do we need to do to extend the NOA 2 approval which expires next month, well before she completes the treatment? Does St. Lukes communicate to the Embassy, or is it up to us to apply for an extension.

Thanks again,

Michelle and Jeff

Hi guys, we are so sorry to hear that you must wait another 6 months to be together. I thought you two were already together and we were really surprised to read this. Keep your head up, we hope Michelle gets well very soon. Please keep us posted and Best Wishes.

[Misha♥Jeff 12]

I had been advised to have my fiance contact the embassy and submit the re-affirmation of intent to marry which contained the following sentence: "I am also requesting that the expiration date of the K1 Fiancée Visa approval notice be extended."

Thanks Chelliot. We wish you guys the best of luck too. Quick question...WHO gave you that advice? the people at St. Lukes, or somebody from the Embassy?

M & J

[Misha♥Jeff 12]

Hi guys, we are so sorry to hear that you must wait another 6 months to be together. I thought you two were already together and we were really surprised to read this. Keep your head up, we hope Michelle gets well very soon. Please keep us posted and Best Wishes.

Thanks guys for your concern. Hard part was that we were together when she got the call from St. Lukes...relaxing in her sala, watching TV. This was the last thing we expected. Michelle is fine. She has no symptoms and is healthy as ever. We just need to wait 5 more months while the meds kill the bacteria. I will go visit her again later this month. CAN'T WAIT!!!

[B_J 2,752]

All you need to do for the extension is call the embassy and let them know what's happening. It shouldn't be any problem at all.

[Misha♥Jeff 12]

All you need to do for the extension is call the embassy and let them know what's happening. It shouldn't be any problem at all.

I hope it is as simple as that. I'd hate to have to go through the I-129F process again. Michelle will talk to them tomorrow.

[B_J 2,752]

I hope it is as simple as that. I'd hate to have to go through the I-129F process again. Michelle will talk to them tomorrow.

I can't make a guarantee, but that's all we had to do. Our's was about to expire in a month too. I was worried just like you are now, so I called and told them it was about to expire and their reply was pretty much, "okay, we'll extend it." It really was that easy. Hope your experience will be the same.

[Tahoma 2,292]

In reference to the expiration of the VISA approval notice, I had been advised to have my fiance contact the embassy and submit the re-affirmation of intent to marry which contained the following sentence: "I am also requesting that the expiration date of the K1 Fiancée Visa approval notice be extended."

^^^ I agree with emailing a request to the Embassy. However, you should have requested that your approved I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé(e) be revalidated (extended), not "a visa approval notice."

All you need to do for the extension is call the embassy and let them know what's happening. It shouldn't be any problem at all.

I can't make a guarantee, but that's all we had to do. Our's was about to expire in a month too. I was worried just like you are now, so I called and told them it was about to expire and their reply was pretty much, "okay, we'll extend it." It really was that easy. Hope your experience will be the same.

Normally, St. Lukes will notify the Embassy that a person is undergoing TB treatment and the Embassy will routinely revalidate the petition. However, a phone call to the Embassy is a good idea too. If it were me, I would email the Embassy. Either way, the Embassy will revalidate the petition for another four months. The Embassy will continue to revalidate a petition for up to one year.

[Chelliot 1]

Thanks Chelliot. We wish you guys the best of luck too. Quick question...WHO gave you that advice? the people at St. Lukes, or somebody from the Embassy?

M & J

I spoke with an immigration attorney, who actually completed the paperwork and file the petition to USCIS.

[Misha♥Jeff 12]

^^^ I agree with emailing a request to the Embassy. However, you should have requested that your approved I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé(e) be revalidated (extended), not "a visa approval notice."

Normally, St. Lukes will notify the Embassy that a person is undergoing TB treatment and the Embassy will routinely revalidate the petition. However, a phone call to the Embassy is a good idea too. If it were me, I would email the Embassy. Either way, the Embassy will revalidate the petition for another four months. The Embassy will continue to revalidate a petition for up to one year.

Thanks Tahoma for sharing your thoughts. I will email them, Michelle will call them, then when I am there later this month, I will stop by the embassy and confirm.

Edited January 4, 2013 by Misha & Jeff