Buenos Aires Embassy - K1 Visa - Packet 4/I-129f extension

[D&F 1]

Hello everyone,

My fiancee recently submitted Packet 3 to the US embassy in Buenos Aires and it arrived on 12/27/13. All copies of the requested documents were submitted, excluding the envelope for the medical exam. Since she lives in the North, we received confirmation from the embassy that she could take her medical exam after the interview is scheduled.

As of today, we have yet to receive Packet 4 from the embassy. While I am not too concerned given the holidays and that only 6 business days have passed, I am nervous regarding the I-129f expiration date. We received Packet 3 approximatle 6 weeks after the I-129f was sent to the NVC, and had trouble collecting some of the Packet 3 documents due to the protests last month. In retrospect, we may have been able to request some of these documents after the I-129f was approved, but hindsight 20/20. Anyways, the I-129f expires on 1/19/14. Should I immediately request an extension from the consulate? Does this need to be done via email or notarized letter?

Thank you very much for your assistance.