Deferment of K1 Visa?

[hrothgarr 0]

My fiancees I-129f was sent in September 2012, is currently under initial review and is expected to be approved around March if it follows the typical timelines. However we have just hit a hiccup...

Her father has just been diagnosed with cancer. It's not clear yet whether it has metastasized, but it's not looking too good. He might be set up for chemotherapy and surgery around the same time that my fiancee is supposed to go through the embassy interview and fly over here...which obviously she doesn't want to do if her father is dying. I'm currently losing my mind at the thought of having waited four years and having to wait until the very end of this K1 process to determine whether we are going to have to start it AGAIN.

We just need a bit more time to determine how bad the cancer is. To get more tests and chemo and surgery, in order to see if he can beat it or how long he has to live. If the cancer is not advanced and he is ok, she will consider moving here with me. But obviously if the prognosis is bad then we will have to wait...

Is there protocol for deferment of applications once they have been started? Or is my only option to start over? I'm not sure we can make it another year apart, and I don't want her to lose her father and myself at the same time. What are my options?

[baron555 934]

My fiancees I-129f was sent in September 2012, is currently under initial review and is expected to be approved around March if it follows the typical timelines. However we have just hit a hiccup...

Her father has just been diagnosed with cancer. It's not clear yet whether it has metastasized, but it's not looking too good. He might be set up for chemotherapy and surgery around the same time that my fiancee is supposed to go through the embassy interview and fly over here...which obviously she doesn't want to do if her father is dying. I'm currently losing my mind at the thought of having waited four years and having to wait until the very end of this K1 process to determine whether we are going to have to start it AGAIN.

We just need a bit more time to determine how bad the cancer is. To get more tests and chemo and surgery, in order to see if he can beat it or how long he has to live. If the cancer is not advanced and he is ok, she will consider moving here with me. But obviously if the prognosis is bad then we will have to wait...

Is there protocol for deferment of applications once they have been started? Or is my only option to start over? I'm not sure we can make it another year apart, and I don't want her to lose her father and myself at the same time. What are my options?

The K-1 visa has a validity of six months, meaning once she receives it after the interview, she has to use it within six months.......but.....many folks have needed to have that six month window extended, for all sorts of reasons and have emailed the Embassy and have been granted the extension....I never have read of an Embassy not granting the extension. You can not delay the petition process short of withdrawing it completely and then needing to do it all over from the beginning including the payment.

[Benediction 15]

Regardless of what happens, make sure above all that you support her and give her the support she needs. If you have to leave her side please do, but never leave her because of waiting...(which I hope is what you meant after reading yoru post)

I wish you 2 the best and patience is quite a virtue. I know it's hard, but love is worth it! Especially if that person if the woman / man of your dreams.

Prayers for her father. God bless.

[hrothgarr 0]

The K-1 visa has a validity of six months, meaning once she receives it after the interview, she has to use it within six months.......but.....many folks have needed to have that six month window extended, for all sorts of reasons and have emailed the Embassy and have been granted the extension....I never have read of an Embassy not granting the extension. You can not delay the petition process short of withdrawing it completely and then needing to do it all over from the beginning including the payment.

Is there a formal process for this extension? A normal path to be taken? Or do I just email them? And would it be wise to alert them of the situation now, or should I wait until the k1 visa is in her hands?

[TBoneTX 45,313]

Is there a formal process for this extension? A normal path to be taken? Or do I just email them? And would it be wise to alert them of the situation now, or should I wait until the k1 visa is in her hands?

Sorry about the situation. Prayers.

Never presume issuance of a visa. You have no timeline and don't indicate the country, but if she's put into AP (administrative processing) for any reason, you'd have an indeterminate amount of extra time.

If the visa is granted and its period of validity is approaching expiration, then contact the consulate to explain and to ask for an extension. Don't wait till the VERY end of the validity. If the visa is good for the typical 6 months, see how things look at 4.5 months, then proceed.

[mehdali 4]

I have a similar situation but my fiance is going to the army in his country. I was wondering to where should I call after NOA 2? Is there an extension before the actual approval of the visa?

[TBoneTX 45,313]

I forgot to add above that if the visa is granted, an option is to ask that it be issued at a later date. It's not cast in stone that the visa has to be issued immediately upon approval.

[D & Luv 0]

Also, after your visa is approved by USCIS and is sent to the nominated consulate, they will send you 'packet 3' which details documents required for the interview ... you can send that back when you are ready - just be aware that you cannot control how long it takes to get an interview - and even if you have an interview, you can email and see if they can move the date back. Remember, most medicals and police checks have a 1 year validity (and you want for these to be valid when you send in your AOS docs after you get married too).

[baron555 934]

Is there a formal process for this extension? A normal path to be taken? Or do I just email them? And would it be wise to alert them of the situation now, or should I wait until the k1 visa is in her hands?

Wait until she has the visa and then email the Embassy for an extension. '

Or, email the Embassy and reschedule the interview for later. Your call.