Approved I-130 Validity Period

[Mr. Data 26]

Hello all, 

 

My wife and I filed our I-130 via DCF at the Guangzhou Consulate on June 15. Our I-130 was approved just 5 days later, on June 20th. I wasn't expecting this step to be completed so quickly - we are planning to make the move back to the States in April 2019. I have read that once the immigrant visa is issued, it is only valid for 6 months. Therefore we do not want to apply for the visa until within six months of our expected departure date. 

 

Is it ok to sit on the approved I-130 for a few months before moving the process forward? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[pushbrk 12,806]

Sure.  The approval does not expire.  Just communicate with the Consular Immigrant Visa Unit about your intentions and they will respond accordingly.

[Ryan H 3,812]

Moved from IR-1/CR-1 Process & Procedures to DCF Discussion.

[Just Paul 4,595]

On 6/25/2018 at 9:26 PM, pushbrk said:

Sure.  The approval does not expire.  Just communicate with the Consular Immigrant Visa Unit about your intentions and they will respond accordingly.

pushbrk, wouldn't the medical expire after 6 months?

[geowrian 22,337]

3 minutes ago, Paul & Mary said:

pushbrk, wouldn't the medical expire after 6 months?

If the medical was already completed, then an unexpired medical would be needed before the visa can be issued.

But the OP only noted the I-130 was approved...nothing about having done a medical yet.

[Just Paul 4,595]

32 minutes ago, geowrian said:

If the medical was already completed, then an unexpired medical would be needed before the visa can be issued.

But the OP only noted the I-130 was approved...nothing about having done a medical yet.

I'm problem confusing what I've seen here in Mexico.

 

On   https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/the-immigrant-visa-process/interview/after-the-interview.html:  

When You Should Travel - You must arrive and apply for admission in the United States no later than the visa expiration date printed on your visa. An immigrant visa is usually valid for up to six months from the date of issuance unless your medical examination expires sooner, which may make your visa valid for less than six months.

 

On my friends Visa the expiration date was 6 months from the medical date which was a few weeks earlier than the interview since they lived in Mexico City and the interview was in Juarez.

 

Have you heard of anyone getting a longer time for a CR1?   I only have for a K1.  I think you can most likely ask but what does to OP do if the CO wont extend it?  I guess wait until there is 6 months left before the OP can go to the US.

[geowrian 22,337]

1 hour ago, Paul & Mary said:

I'm problem confusing what I've seen here in Mexico.

 

On   https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/the-immigrant-visa-process/interview/after-the-interview.html:  

When You Should Travel - You must arrive and apply for admission in the United States no later than the visa expiration date printed on your visa. An immigrant visa is usually valid for up to six months from the date of issuance unless your medical examination expires sooner, which may make your visa valid for less than six months.

 

On my friends Visa the expiration date was 6 months from the medical date which was a few weeks earlier than the interview since they lived in Mexico City and the interview was in Juarez.

 

Have you heard of anyone getting a longer time for a CR1?   I only have for a K1.  I think you can most likely ask but what does to OP do if the CO wont extend it?  I guess wait until there is 6 months left before the OP can go to the US.

That's correct. The visa is limited to 6 months max, and bound by the validity of the medical exam.

 

However, the OP only noted that the I-130 was approved. They can sit on the approved I-130 indefinitely, so long as they coordinate with the consulate. There's no need to do a medical, apply for the visa, or attend an interview until you are ready to actually apply for the visa.

 

Edit: In case it wasn't clear above...an I-130 is only a petition that allows you to apply for a visa.

Edited June 27, 2018 by geowrian

[pushbrk 12,806]

6 hours ago, Paul & Mary said:

pushbrk, wouldn't the medical expire after 6 months?

Yes, so don't get the medical until you are ready for the interview.

[Mr. Data 26]

On 6/26/2018 at 11:26 AM, pushbrk said:

Sure.  The approval does not expire.  Just communicate with the Consular Immigrant Visa Unit about your intentions and they will respond accordingly.

 

15 hours ago, geowrian said:

If the medical was already completed, then an unexpired medical would be needed before the visa can be issued.

But the OP only noted the I-130 was approved...nothing about having done a medical yet.

Thanks for the feedback guys. Yes, I am only talking about the I-130 approval, we haven't started the actual visa application or done the medical check or anything like that yet. 

 

We are hoping to move back April 2019 at the earliest, so I think we will submit the visa application in around October of this year. 

[RandyW 149]

On 6/26/2018 at 11:26 AM, pushbrk said:

Sure.  The approval does not expire.  Just communicate with the Consular Immigrant Visa Unit about your intentions and they will respond accordingly.

 

 

They will hold the casefile open for one year