Is there a time limit on how long to gather documents?

[laucifa 0]

Hey there 

This is the first time for me actually posting on the site -- though I've been using this forum for help since the beginning of our visa journey ( thank you to all of those who post so much information! )

I hope this is the right place to find an answer to my questions as it's playing on my mind a lot! I'll briefly go over the basics first;

 

I am currently on the k1 visa journey -- I'm from the UK and my fiance is from the US.

We filed our petition August 15th 2017, and the embassy received the paperwork February 21st of this year. No hitches or problems

I filled out my DS-160 May 12th and have got my copies of the confirmation ready to go -- but have not yet booked an interview etc. because I need to get my documentation in order.

 

I am applying for my police check tomorrow -- and will get a birth certificate and a quick immunisation check from my doctor to see if I can get any top-ups prior to booking my medical exam. I know this isn't needed per say, but since I'll be waiting at least 2 weeks for my report, I may as well.

I have also been saving hard in the progress and working a lot.

 

The question is, am I on a time limit in getting my documents sorted and together before booking an interview?
I have been covering a pub/restaurant as a relief manager during these months of preparation which slowed my personal life and visa progress ( collecting documents ) immensely. I am worried that I have taken too long on my end.

I can go into more detail if needed, but work ( as it does ) has taken up such a huge portion of my time that I am only now getting the chance to get my things together and ready. I think I could be done and sorted and ready for my medical and interview within the next two months.

 

We Skype constantly and the plans for our wedding has us excited and eager -- now I feel like I'm taking far too long! I want it to be done and dusted. Do I have the time in order to prepare and be at my end goal saving? I could be done in two-to-three months ready with everything  and good to go. I am so concerned that this process expires -- and no one can give me a definite answer. We used rapid visa for assistance but  I have found better information on here and for free than we have with them.

 

Any advice or experience to put my mind at rest? Do tell.

Thank you.

 

Edited June 15, 2018 by laucifa
needed to add clarification

[geowrian 22,338]

The I-129F's approval is initially valid for 4 months. So that gives you until ~6/21. The exact date should be listed on the NOA2 ("Valid From x/x/xxxx to x/x/xxxx" under the Notice Type block).

Edit: Ignore the 6/21 date...I misread 2/21 as when the I-129F was approved. That's when the embassy got it, so the approval date is likely even sooner, making the initial expiration date earlier.

 

The embassy/consulate can extend this. Many times they will do so automatically, but I would suggest reaching out to them to verify and/or renew it as appropriate.

Edited June 15, 2018 by geowrian

[laucifa 0]

7 minutes ago, geowrian said:

The I-129F's approval is initially valid for 4 months. So that gives you until ~6/21. The exact date should be listed on the NOA2 ("Valid From x/x/xxxx to x/x/xxxx" under the Notice Type block).

 

The embassy/consulate can extend this. Many times they will do so automatically, but I would suggest reaching out to them to verify and/or renew it as appropriate.

I have got my I-129F out to find this and the dates are 2/9/18 - 6/8/18 so that must have been when it got sent to the UK/US embassy? So I have until then?

Would you recommend it best to call ahead for an extension on this time if so required? And do I call the US embassy in the UK where I'll be going for my interview. I was so terrified that work would cause so much aggro for me

 

All of this is incredibly confusing since I was told a year of validation by rapid visa twice, on two seperate occasions. This didn't sound right to me.

And renewing? Would that mean starting this process all over again?

 

the package I was sent ( the copies of the I-129F and telling me they'd received my information at the US/UK embassy ) has validation dates above. 

Edited June 15, 2018 by laucifa

[geowrian 22,338]

2 minutes ago, laucifa said:

I have got my I-129F out to find this and the dates are 2/9/18 - 6/8/18 so that must have been when it got sent to the UK/US embassy? So I have until then?

Would you recommend it best to call ahead for an extension on this time if so required? And do I call the US embassy in the UK where I'll be going for my interview. I was so terrified that work would cause so much aggro for me

That means the initial approval was only valid until 6/8/18. Sorry for the confusion...I edited my above comment but I guess you saw the unedited version first.

 

I would suggest reaching out to them and verifying if they extended it, and requesting an extension in the event it will expire before your planned interview date.

[laucifa 0]

5 minutes ago, geowrian said:

That means the initial approval was only valid until 6/8/18. Sorry for the confusion...I edited my above comment but I guess you saw the unedited version first.

 

I would suggest reaching out to them and verifying if they extended it, and requesting an extension in the event it will expire before your planned interview date.

I am being told currently by rapidvisa that when my case was created by NVC ( on 21st Feb 2018 ) that I have a year until interview is required? I have been told this three times now.

I am so stressed and confused by all of this.

 

Thank you so much for your help. I think the idea of having to go through all of this again is so stressful. 

 

[GreatDane 366]

4 minutes ago, laucifa said:

I am being told currently by rapidvisa that when my case was created by NVC ( on 21st Feb 2018 ) that I have a year until interview is required? I have been told this three times now.

I am so stressed and confused by all of this.

 

Thank you so much for your help. I think the idea of having to go through all of this again is so stressful. 

 

RapidVisa is just as notorious as USCIS for getting things wrong. Don't talk to RapidVisa, contact the embassy asap to find out what your current status is.

[laucifa 0]

1 minute ago, Dee elle said:

You need to contact the consulate  asap as the valid to date    June 8 is already past.. check that they have extended it already 

Quote from rapidvisa: The expiration on the approval notice is only good to the NVC. Since you already have an NVC case number there is no need to be worried on the expiration of the approval notice.

 

 

Is this legitimate information? I mean them, not you btw. 

[laucifa 0]

2 minutes ago, GreatDane said:

RapidVisa is just as notorious as USCIS for getting things wrong. Don't talk to RapidVisa, contact the embassy asap to find out what your current status is.

Okay  I'll try to get through first thing tomorrow. This whole process is killing me off. I don't know why I paid basically double what I needed to, to a service if their information is incorrect and told me I'm fine to keep going at the pace I was to prepare.

[GreatDane 366]

Just now, laucifa said:

Okay  I'll try to get through first thing tomorrow. This whole process is killing me off. I don't know why I paid basically double what I needed to, to a service if their information is incorrect and told me I'm fine to keep going at the pace I was to prepare.

Unless you have a complicated case, it's easy to self file and saves you a lot of money. Take a deep breath, call the embassy on Monday morning, or schedule an appointment. It's the best way to get accurate information. 

[laucifa 0]

1 minute ago, GreatDane said:

Unless you have a complicated case, it's easy to self file and saves you a lot of money. Take a deep breath, call the embassy on Monday morning, or schedule an appointment. It's the best way to get accurate information. 

Apart from this, our case went through and was fine until this point! What is the absolute worst case scenario of me having gone over the date of expiry accidentally? Will I have to go through everything again?

[britishandusa 446]

From what I've read, your fiance(e) might need to send in a new letter of intent to marry. Not sure if that is still true but be prepared for that! 

[laucifa 0]

Just now, britishandusa said:

From what I've read, your fiance(e) might need to send in a new letter of intent to marry. Not sure if that is still true but be prepared for that! 

Okay

[GreatDane 366]

4 minutes ago, laucifa said:

Okay

I honestly don't know, but try not to go worst case before you're there. That being said, it's a pretty strange process and nothing would surprise me. It's more you move and get things done on it's timeline than the other way around. If you have time this weekend, get your paperwork together. It's not too much of a commitment and once it's done, it's done.....for now. 

[laucifa 0]

8 minutes ago, GreatDane said:

I honestly don't know, but try not to go worst case before you're there. That being said, it's a pretty strange process and nothing would surprise me. It's more you move and get things done on it's timeline than the other way around. If you have time this weekend, get your paperwork together. It's not too much of a commitment and once it's done, it's done.....for now. 

I have been working shifts that start at 8am and finish at 12:30 at night so -- it has been incredibly difficult for me to find the time to get everything in order quickly. I have, recently, been putting everything together. I was told I had a year to get things done so, though I wasn't going to take an entire year, I certainly didn't know I was under a 4 month time constraint. I paid for information and support and STUPIDLY believed it.  It was only because I had seen questions about expiries on this site that I wondered what it meant and rightfully, panicked. 

 

 

[laucifa 0]

11 minutes ago, Dee elle said:

The I-129F petition is valid for four months from the date of approval by USCIS. A consular officer can extend the validity of the petition if it expires before visa processing is completed.Dec 1, 2017

Nonimmigrant Visa for a Fianc(é)e (K-1) - Bureau of Consular Affairs

 

If it expires the CO can extend it. Keep breathing

Ditch Rapid Visa 

Thank you so much for your help.

I've already passed the expiry that was the 8th of this month so god knows what'll happen now.