Voluntarily slowing down the process?

[Marie-Eve 3]

Hello all of you, good people of VJ!!

I have a question about the process flowchart and precisely about delays that we could decide to voluntarily add to our timeline.

I know most everyone is looking forward to finally be able to live with their significant other and that the sooner their paperwork is treated, the sooner the embassy interview, the better. But what if we need to slow down the process because we would qualify more easily in a few months? Is there such a limit time between the moment we receive NOA2 and the moment the foreign beneficiary compiles and sends the required forms to the consulate?

Here's a quick explanation:

My US fiancé is between two jobs, recently out of the US Army and now waiting for a call as a pastor. This process can take a little while, and there is really no way of knowing for sure when he will get his "real job". I do understand that, since we haven't even send our I129-F yet, it is highly unlikely we will have to slow the process down, but I also want to know what are our options if, at some point, we are *not* ready yet for the consulate interview (and especially for the affidavit of support).

Any pointers or experiences you'd like to share?

Merci!

[Inky 1,110]

Hello all of you, good people of VJ!!

I have a question about the process flowchart and precisely about delays that we could decide to voluntarily add to our timeline.

I know most everyone is looking forward to finally be able to live with their significant other and that the sooner their paperwork is treated, the sooner the embassy interview, the better. But what if we need to slow down the process because we would qualify more easily in a few months? Is there such a limit time between the moment we receive NOA2 and the moment the foreign beneficiary compiles and sends the required forms to the consulate?

Here's a quick explanation:

My US fiancé is between two jobs, recently out of the US Army and now waiting for a call as a pastor. This process can take a little while, and there is really no way of knowing for sure when he will get his "real job". I do understand that, since we haven't even send our I129-F yet, it is highly unlikely we will have to slow the process down, but I also want to know what are our options if, at some point, we are *not* ready yet for the consulate interview (and especially for the affidavit of support).

Any pointers or experiences you'd like to share?

Merci!

If you go through the MTL or VAN consuls you only need to take your time in sending back the papers they need. You get all the forms/instructions online and then just wait a bit to send it all. Also if you go through MTL its likely the interview would be quite a bit out from when you submit the paperwork as they have a fair bit of a wait time between the papers and interview dates going on right now. ( could change tho.)

[LBeachey 44]

I believe once your petition is approved it is good for one year from approval date. As said above, you can delay your response if needed within the one year time frame.

[Marie-Eve 3]

I believe once your petition is approved it is good for one year from approval date. As said above, you can delay your response if needed within the one year time frame.

The point at which the petition is considered approved is the reception of NOA2, right?

[QueenOfBlades 224]

I thought the petition has 4 months expiry date and the visa has a 6 month expiry date?

[vbtwo 54]

The petition usually expires after 4 months from what I read. If the embassy hears nothing, they will consider it abandoned and send it back to USCIS. If you need more time for whatever reason, you can email the embassy explaining the situation and they will extend the petition to last longer.

[Marie-Eve 3]

The petition usually expires after 4 months from what I read. If the embassy hears nothing, they will consider it abandoned and send it back to USCIS. If you need more time for whatever reason, you can email the embassy explaining the situation and they will extend the petition to last longer.

So from NOA2 to the interview we have only 4 months to proceed? Where can I read about that? I hear it can take a *very* long time to get an interview in Montreal...

[QueenOfBlades 224]

http://www.uscis.gov/USCIS/Resources/Resources%20for%20Congress/Congressional%20Reports/2011%20National%20Immigration%20&%20Consular%20Conference%20Presentations/I-129F-Petition_for_Alien_Fiance%28e%29.pdf

"An approved K-1 visa petition is valid for a period of 4 months from the date of USCIS action in accordance with 8 CFR 214.2(k)(5)."

They won't hold it against you if it expires before the interview, as long as they have had action on your part since the NOA2 (medical, forms sent in to the Immigrant Visa Unit, etc). If you do nothing within the 4 months, they will consider it as abandoned.

[Marie-Eve 3]

http://www.uscis.gov/USCIS/Resources/Resources%20for%20Congress/Congressional%20Reports/2011%20National%20Immigration%20&%20Consular%20Conference%20Presentations/I-129F-Petition_for_Alien_Fiance%28e%29.pdf

"An approved K-1 visa petition is valid for a period of 4 months from the date of USCIS action in accordance with 8 CFR 214.2(k)(5)."

They won't hold it against you if it expires before the interview, as long as they have had action on your part since the NOA2 (medical, forms sent in to the Immigrant Visa Unit, etc). If you do nothing within the 4 months, they will consider it as abandoned.

I feel über stupid for having to ask, but they start counting that 4 months from the moment they send the NOA2, right?

[QueenOfBlades 224]

You'll have a date on the hard copy of the NOA2 and when it expires. I believe it's called the priority date. You can request it to be extended and send in new letters of intent if required.

[Krikit 1,164]

Hi there. I am going to move your thread over to the Canada regional forum so you can receive appropriate responses. Each country and Consulate handles things differently.

For myself, I delayed the process by taking a while to respond to each step. At the Consulate (Montreal) interview I explained my situation and they told me they would be happy to delay issuance of the visa until I was ready to emmigrate.

In Canada, you do not need to request an extension of the expiry date. It is automatically extended for you. This is not the same for all countries.

[Rob & Monika 87]

Are you waiting so that he can qualify for the affidavit of support? They will only ask for his 2012 tax transcripts, so as long as he is above the poverty line for 2012, you should be safe. You can also use a cosponsor. Or are your concerns more related to his actual ability to support you?

[NikLR 13,227]

Remember the I-134 isn't legally binding either. It is the I-864 you worry about when you adjust your status.

[NVC 2]

Maybe you could just be straight forward and tell the COs that you want to slow down? Would that work, not sure though, I wish I didn't have to hurry up just like you.

Hello all of you, good people of VJ!!

I have a question about the process flowchart and precisely about delays that we could decide to voluntarily add to our timeline.

I know most everyone is looking forward to finally be able to live with their significant other and that the sooner their paperwork is treated, the sooner the embassy interview, the better. But what if we need to slow down the process because we would qualify more easily in a few months? Is there such a limit time between the moment we receive NOA2 and the moment the foreign beneficiary compiles and sends the required forms to the consulate?

Here's a quick explanation:

My US fiancé is between two jobs, recently out of the US Army and now waiting for a call as a pastor. This process can take a little while, and there is really no way of knowing for sure when he will get his "real job". I do understand that, since we haven't even send our I129-F yet, it is highly unlikely we will have to slow the process down, but I also want to know what are our options if, at some point, we are *not* ready yet for the consulate interview (and especially for the affidavit of support).

Any pointers or experiences you'd like to share?

Merci!

[Gar9 5]

If you go through the MTL or VAN consuls you only need to take your time in sending back the papers they need. You get all the forms/instructions online and then just wait a bit to send it all. Also if you go through MTL its likely the interview would be quite a bit out from when you submit the paperwork as they have a fair bit of a wait time between the papers and interview dates going on right now. ( could change tho.)

==============================================================================================

Maximum Delay Period Voluntarily ( ? )

Hi All !

Would like to know maximum delay period Voluntarily, if somone wants to delay the process for family reasons , without losing the opportunity -

- between I-130 approval (NOA2) and replying (DS-230) to NVC ,

- between NVC approval with visa no. and applying to Local consulate in one's own country

- between US visa stamping in the passport and arrival in USA port of entry

This information may be useful to many in proper planning , with out losing the opportunity ( immigrant US visa ) . Other experts may also contribute their views .

Thanks in advance .

==============================================================================================

Edited April 21, 2013 by Gar9