Extending i130, not ready to move to US

[Hansamu 0]

Hello everyone. My wife and I live in Japan and we finally got our i130 approved last June. When we first began the application process, our hope was that I would soon be able to do my current job remotely in the US so I could financially sponsor her, but that plan looks like it may still be a ways off and I may have to remain in Japan for possible another year or two....

 

I have read that there is in principle a "one-year expiration" for approved i-130s but that you can get them extended if you "contact" the NVC? Is this correct? Would we need a specific reason for an extension or would my reason above suffice?  Also is there a specific method in which I am supposed to contact them? Would this email form be sufficient? https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/ask-nvc.html?wcmmode=disabled

 

I'm sure this question has been covered elsewhere, but for whatever reason I am struggling to find any good google hits. Any help you could give this clueless guy would be appreciated.

[Bill Hamze 89]

Following. 

 

I've asked before on here if I could delay my own case once it reaches the NVC, and the consensus was yes - as long as you stay in contact with them periodically. 

 

But don't quote me on that. Others can chime in with their own experiences.

[JFH 12,191]

Once the I-130 is approved, it has no expiration date. However, the NVC will close your case and send the I-130 to the archives of there is no activity on your case for 12 months. Once you get your NVC number, I would then wait around 11 months before sending the required documents or paying any fees. You can even “drip-feed” the documents and payments to them and stretch out the process as long as you need. 
 

Once the case is complete, the immigrant will need to arrange a medical and attend the interview. You can also delay this side of things although, depending on the embassy, this may be more complex. Some allow you to re-schedule your own interview online, others arrange the interview date for you and changing it can be a hassle. Don’t do the medical too early - the visa expiration date will be 6 months from the date of the medical. 
 

Another option is to obtain the visa, travel to the US before the expiration date to “activate” her status here and then leave again soon after. She can remain outside of the US for around 6 months (theoretically she can be away up to a year but six months is safer) without abandoning her residency here. Many people do this and return to their homelands for several months to wrap up affairs, sell property, etc. 

[Hansamu 0]

On 2/2/2020 at 10:20 PM, JFH said:

Once the I-130 is approved, it has no expiration date. However, the NVC will close your case and send the I-130 to the archives of there is no activity on your case for 12 months. Once you get your NVC number, I would then wait around 11 months before sending the required documents or paying any fees. You can even “drip-feed” the documents and payments to them and stretch out the process as long as you need.

Thank you so much for the reply. In my case I am not sure that this course of action would buy me enough time, unfortunately. I am thinking it could be maybe another 1-2 years before we are ready to move....

[pushbrk 13,207]

11 minutes ago, Hansamu said:

Thank you so much for the reply. In my case I am not sure that this course of action would buy me enough time, unfortunately. I am thinking it could be maybe another 1-2 years before we are ready to move....

You don't need a reason to extend.  You only need to maintain contact with NVC, so that your last action through them is not more than a year old.  Keep in contact.  Tell them what you want to do.  They'll delay as long as you want, if you maintain contact.  

[Hansamu 0]

10 minutes ago, pushbrk said:

You don't need a reason to extend.  You only need to maintain contact with NVC, so that your last action through them is not more than a year old.  Keep in contact.  Tell them what you want to do.  They'll delay as long as you want, if you maintain contact.  

Ok that is reassuring. I suppose I will contact them (via the email form on their website i linked above) at least once a year and tell them that we are still trying to make arrangements for me to support her once I relocate to the US. Thank you :)

[NikLR 13,232]

On 2/9/2020 at 12:16 AM, Hansamu said:

Ok that is reassuring. I suppose I will contact them (via the email form on their website i linked above) at least once a year and tell them that we are still trying to make arrangements for me to support her once I relocate to the US. Thank you

I would email and call just to cover your bases.

Like JFH stated, you can also gradually do the items and extend the process out for several years.