Expiration on i-797 and changing consulates?

[srvman 38]

Hello All.

I received my hard-copy of the NOA 2 or i-797. I noticed it has a section which states that it will expire on 1/5/13.

So I have two questions.

Currently I am still in America, preparing my stuff to eventually return home, a date which I have still not decided on. My question is, what does this expiration represent? Does it represent the time that I would have to have my interview? What if I can't schedule an interview before then?

Also, I see that it states in the hard copy that I can contact the consulate to forward it to a different consulate. I am from Northern Ireland, and it would be less hassle if I could get processed in Dublin rather than London, something I previously thought was impossible. Has this changed recently, or am I still clutching at straws?

Thanks.

Chris

[David & Diana R 1,005]

Expires 01/05/2013???? You sure?

[rshree 16]

Expires 01/05/2013???? You sure?

@srvman:

Our NOA2 says it expires by 28-Dec-2013. I have no clue what it means. I think it is a standard time frame of about 4 months from the NOA2 issue date.

I "wish" it means the date before which our K1 visa interview is approved.

[David & Diana R 1,005]

@srvman:

Our NOA2 says it expires by 28-Dec-2013. I have no clue what it means. I think it is a standard time frame of about 4 months from the NOA2 issue date.

I "wish" it means the date before which our K1 visa interview is approved.

I don't have our documents here at work but later today when I go home I will look at ours and see if it makes any sense. Good luck!!

Aloha Ke Akua

[srvman 38]

Expires 01/05/2013???? You sure?

Sorry, I meant 2014.

[Nurseling 34]

Hello All.

I received my hard-copy of the NOA 2 or i-797. I noticed it has a section which states that it will expire on 1/5/13.

So I have two questions.

Currently I am still in America, preparing my stuff to eventually return home, a date which I have still not decided on. My question is, what does this expiration represent? Does it represent the time that I would have to have my interview? What if I can't schedule an interview before then?

Also, I see that it states in the hard copy that I can contact the consulate to forward it to a different consulate. I am from Northern Ireland, and it would be less hassle if I could get processed in Dublin rather than London, something I previously thought was impossible. Has this changed recently, or am I still clutching at straws?

Thanks.

Chris

All the i797 have a 4 months life span. This basically means you need to have completed your medical and returned all your DS forms and interviewed within that time frame or it expires. It can usually be renewed if for example a file goes in to AP and further checks are needed it will automatically be renewed. I really do think a good reason for not getting things done in the time given is needed if they are to renew it. Best you work out how to do this before yours expires. And you do need to one to London to complete the process. Everyone has to do it that way people travel from Scotland get a hotel overnight and go to their interview in the morning. Also same process with your medical.

[srvman 38]

All the i797 have a 4 months life span. This basically means you need to have completed your medical and returned all your DS forms and interviewed within that time frame or it expires. It can usually be renewed if for example a file goes in to AP and further checks are needed it will automatically be renewed. I really do think a good reason for not getting things done in the time given is needed if they are to renew it. Best you work out how to do this before yours expires. And you do need to one to London to complete the process. Everyone has to do it that way people travel from Scotland get a hotel overnight and go to their interview in the morning. Also same process with your medical.

Ok. I am still in the US. Do you think if I left at the end of October/start of November this would leave enough time, or am I cutting it fine.

I am ok with going to London (didn't hurt to check), flights are pretty cheap. Is there anyway to book the interview for later in the day, so I can fly over early in the morning, and fly home later that same night?

[Nurseling 34]

Ok. I am still in the US. Do you think if I left at the end of October/start of November this would leave enough time, or am I cutting it fine.

I am ok with going to London (didn't hurt to check), flights are pretty cheap. Is there anyway to book the interview for later in the day, so I can fly over early in the morning, and fly home later that same night?

Interviews are currently taking a while in London currently there are some who have been waiting for well over 6 weeks to get a interview date. In my opinion you would be cutting it fine. Now have you'd received packet 3 documents at all? If so do you ALS realise that as of September 1 we are now required to fill out ds-260 online. You would also need a invoice I'd number to do this. Currently packet 3 letters aren't indicating the form is needed but according to NVC it is a requiremnt. You would have to call them to get the invoice I'd so you can fill this out. Also your medical needs to be booked. You may need to wait a further two weeks hot get a appointment for that.

[srvman 38]

Interviews are currently taking a while in London currently there are some who have been waiting for well over 6 weeks to get a interview date. In my opinion you would be cutting it fine. Now have you'd received packet 3 documents at all? If so do you ALS realise that as of September 1 we are now required to fill out ds-260 online. You would also need a invoice I'd number to do this. Currently packet 3 letters aren't indicating the form is needed but according to NVC it is a requiremnt. You would have to call them to get the invoice I'd so you can fill this out. Also your medical needs to be booked. You may need to wait a further two weeks hot get a appointment for that.

I don't know yet. I figured once I got word that I received packet 3 to just head home the next week, I had just heard it takes a while to get the packet 3. My parents are currently on vacation, but they came back last night. We are going to skype tomorrow, and I will ask them to let me know if it has arrived. I will fill out both the ds-260 and 230, just in case, better to have too much, rather than too little I bet.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Hello All.

I received my hard-copy of the NOA 2 or i-797. I noticed it has a section which states that it will expire on 1/5/13.

So I have two questions.

Currently I am still in America, preparing my stuff to eventually return home, a date which I have still not decided on. My question is, what does this expiration represent? Does it represent the time that I would have to have my interview? What if I can't schedule an interview before then?

Also, I see that it states in the hard copy that I can contact the consulate to forward it to a different consulate. I am from Northern Ireland, and it would be less hassle if I could get processed in Dublin rather than London, something I previously thought was impossible. Has this changed recently, or am I still clutching at straws?

Thanks.

Chris

Dublin does not process K1s.

The approved petition is good for 4 months meaning you are "supposed" to have the visa issued in that timeframe. Your letter of instruction (formerly known as packet 3) from London will tell you if you don't have your visa complete in that timeframe, they will need you to bring a new NOTARIZED letter of intent from your American fiancé to your interview and they will revalidate the expired petition. (This is a LONDON thing, so those from other countries--don't think it applies to you.) With that factoid, you can conclude you do not have to have a visa by January.

The medical is NOT step one. The application forms are. In fact, the most effective way to delay an interview (if you wish) is delay having the medical.

You 1000% need to do a DS-260 online form instead of the DS-230. Do NOT do both.

[srvman 38]

The medical is NOT step one. The application forms are. In fact, the most effective way to delay an interview (if you wish) is delay having the medical.

Thank you for your post, it was extremely helpful.

So theoretically, if I figured out how to fill in and post packet 3 and my police certificate while still in America, I could return to the UK for my medical, for instance at the start of December and then schedule my interview without concern of my i-797 expiring?

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Thank you for your post, it was extremely helpful.

So theoretically, if I figured out how to fill in and post packet 3 and my police certificate while still in America, I could return to the UK for my medical, for instance at the start of December and then schedule my interview without concern of my i-797 expiring?

Yes, but you do know that you don't schedule? You can have that medical and wait 4+ weeks for them to put you on the Interview schedule. And that appointment could be another month away. Then it could take 10 days to get the passport returned. Or if you have any middle east, Muslim, India, etc personal or family connections or highly scientific education, maybe months to get the visa issued. It is impossible to predict a timeline.

There are three things London must have to give you an interview:

1) application forms

2) medical results

3) DS-2001 readiness for Interview form

You can slowly dribble those in to London. You don't have to send the forms for a month. Include a cover letter to explain why they are slow coming in...you are studying in America, yes you still very much want the K1 visa, but not until the semester ends. Then maybe in November (after you have made a medical appointment) send the DS-2001. Give the Medical date and also the desired date you want to return. It says give wedding date, but if you want to return well before the wedding then make up a sooner wedding date. By keeping them informed along the way, they don't think you changed your mind. They know why it is taking you longer.

[srvman 38]

Yes, but you do know that you don't schedule? You can have that medical and wait 4+ weeks for them to put you on the Interview schedule. And that appointment could be another month away. Then it could take 10 days to get the passport returned. Or if you have any middle east, Muslim, India, etc personal or family connections or highly scientific education, maybe months to get the visa issued. It is impossible to predict a timeline.

There are three things London must have to give you an interview:

1) application forms

2) medical results

3) DS-2001 readiness for Interview form

You can slowly dribble those in to London. You don't have to send the forms for a month. Include a cover letter to explain why they are slow coming in...you are studying in America, yes you still very much want the K1 visa, but not until the semester ends. Then maybe in November (after you have made a medical appointment) send the DS-2001. Give the Medical date and also the desired date you want to return. It says give wedding date, but if you want to return well before the wedding then make up a sooner wedding date. By keeping them informed along the way, they don't think you changed your mind. They know why it is taking you longer.

Well fortunately, (in this case) I have a very simple family and background, no muslim or middle eastern ties, or more relevantly no IRA or protestent paramilitary family members.

I know I don't schedule the interview, when I said that I meant when I would be able to start the interview scheduling process. It isn't the being away for a certain time that we are concerned (too much about) it is more about the immediate need to leave before I absolutely have to. Although my classes are online, it would be handier to stay until at least the middle to end of october.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Well fortunately, (in this case) I have a very simple family and background, no muslim or middle eastern ties, or more relevantly no IRA or protestent paramilitary family members.

I know I don't schedule the interview, when I said that I meant when I would be able to start the interview scheduling process. It isn't the being away for a certain time that we are concerned (too much about) it is more about the immediate need to leave before I absolutely have to. Although my classes are online, it would be handier to stay until at least the middle to end of october.

Then you've got a plan to follow and hopefully London will speed up a little. They have been so busy this summer, it has dragged out for many. And they have been making changes which has been a confusing bother. Maybe by December they will be all caught up and can pop out your interview and visa in record time. Edited September 14, 2013 by Nich-Nick

[srvman 38]

Just to quickly revive a dying thread for one more question, Am I right in thinking, I can't physically do anything until I receive my case number? And would I be right in thinking that one I physically receive packet 3 that would be the time to head on home. I hear they are processing and applying case numbers pretty slow, so might even out to work out ok. Sorry if it sounds as if I am asking very similar questions. Thanks for all the helpful replies so far.