Extending NOA2 validity in Singapore

[kitthekat 1,317]

Has anyone been in a situation where they had to contact the US Embassy in Singapore to extend the validity of their NOA2? Is this even necessary or sort of automatically done when the interview is scheduled past the 4 months expiry date of NOA2?

I emailed the Embassy but they told me to direct my query to the USCIS and we all know how prompt and helpful the USCIS are.

Thanks in advance!

[dwinge 34]

I noticed that I had a very quick response via email from embassy when I included the beneficiary name, petitioner name and case number in my email. You might like to try that!

Edit: Oops, I answered that thinking you meant the embassy was slow.. The embassy replies quickly, but USCIS is the slow one. =p

- A

Edited October 18, 2013 by dwinge

[kitthekat 1,317]

Thanks for the tip about including both names and case number - once we get a case number from NVC and are sure that the Embassy has received our file, I'll try emailing them again.

[hobbit 10]

Hi kitthekat,

I received my Packet 3 from the Embassy on June 17, 2013 which was the very day I left Singapore for the summer, and only managed to send in the checklist, form and receipt on September 12, 2013. If I remember correctly, my NOA2 was to expire on September 22. From my conversation with the CO on the phone, the expiry date does not mean that they will no longer process your case. It's just that with the amount of time that has lapsed, the Embassy does wonder if both the petitioner and beneficiary still intend to marry. In such a situation, the Embassy requires a notarized statement from both parties stating that they are still interested in marrying each other. Hope this helps, and if you have any further questions, just PM me!

[kitthekat 1,317]

Thanks for the info! I'm just panicking a little bit because I plan to leave Singaland in May 2014 (earliest I can leave my job) and IF the visa itself has a 6 month expiry date, then I'm fine interviewing before the expiry of the NOA2, though I'd still be cutting it a little close. But if they decide to issue a visa with less than 6 months validity from the medical, I'd be screwed.

Do you know what the likelihood is of them issuing a visa with less than 6 months validity?

Another question - hypothetically, if I plan to leave May 2nd, would it mean that my medical should be done no earlier than November 3rd? I know another option is to get another medical done, to extend the validity of the visa, but, I'd prefer to avoid that.

Lastly, I see your interview is coming up soon! Best of luck and I can't wait to hear the good news from you after.

[hobbit 10]

Hi again! Thank you for the good wishes, I can't wait to give an update either! I am not sure about the validity issue surrounding the medical, but I know that when issued, the K1 visa should be good for 6 months. If you are sure that you are only able to leave in May 2014, then it wouldn't make sense for you to even complete the medical months before the interview. Furthermore, you also face the possibility of needing to pay for another medical, just to extend the validity of the visa.

Right now, all of the November interview slots have been booked up, so the earliest you can interview is in December. Note that once you have been issued an interview date, you are only allowed to re-schedule it once. I know this because I have been asking the Consulate for an earlier interview date to no avail. You can actually ring them up personally to ask the CO for advice about your situation.

[kitthekat 1,317]

Thank you so much for the reply! Things seem to be moving so quickly all of a sudden...

[kitthekat 1,317]

It is really hard to get any information out of the Embassy. I emailed them twice and got the same response - please direct all queries to the USCIS. Whenever I call and get an operator, the moment the words "K1" or "fiance visa" come out, the operator transfers me to a recording. We tried starting out with our names and case number but got cut off and asked "what is this regarding" followed by a brusque "hold" and a transfer to the recording. I'm giving up trying to contact them. Just gonna prepare those letters of intent like hobbit suggested and hope for the best.

[hobbit 10]

I wanted to add, the Embassy will not schedule your appointment until you return them the checklist, form and receipt. I think there have been some changes to the requirements for K1 applicants, but they will update you on what you need to do. You will be assigned an interview date, and can only change it once so you might want to consider sending in the Packet 3 requirements closer to the month during which you'd like to interview.

When you ring the Consulate, ask to speak with the Visa Immigrant Branch. There are times when no one will pick up your call, which is why it would be good to try several times in a day. The person who usually attends to phone enquiries is much more informative than the person who replies the emails- but maybe it is the same person!

My case was created in June, but I only interviewed last week. I think it is a good idea to keep in touch with the Embassy folks to tell them of your personal circumstances, even if it means ringing them up multiple times

Edited October 27, 2013 by hobbit