Moving countries before receiving NOA2

[coffeepls 0]

Hi all, 

 

So when we've filed a I-129F I (beneficiary) was residing in the UK (for the past 5+ years) hence we used that address to file in our NOA1. Now due to some circumstances I have to move to another European country next month (my home country) and I am not sure what we have to do? As far as I've looked online the USCIS only advises an address change if the sponsor changes the address but what to do in this instance where the beneficiary moves countries? we filed in September 2022 so I am hoping to receive NOA2 by end October/November with how the things are moving now.

 

Also if NOA2 is sent then as I understand the NVC will process the VISA application and send it over to the UK Embassy - so what we can do to avoid it? I don't mind going back to London to have an interview but this wouldn't be accurate as I would not be residing there anymore...

 

We tried calling USCIS a few times before but it's only an AI that answers.

[Allaboutwaiting 2,503]

”How do I transfer my Immigrant Visa case from one embassy or consulate to another?

If you would like to transfer your Immigrant Visa (IV) case to another embassy or consulate, please follow the steps below:

-If your case is at a U.S. embassy or consulate, contact the potential gaining U.S. embassy or consulate in writing to request a transfer of your case.  Please include a justification for the request.  If you are not a resident of that country, specify that in your request.  

-If your petition is being processed at the National Visa Center (NVC), contact the NVC to request the transfer.  NVC will transfer cases to another IV processing post if parties provide a written request along with the address in the requested country and the proof of eligibility (citizenship/legal residency in the requested country or other documentation). This can be provided at https://nvc.state.gov/inquiry.  In limited circumstances, NVC may need to contact you for additional eligibility requirements.  Note that transferring your case might not result in immediate processing as cases are processed in order based on the date the case became documentarily qualified. 

-If you are requesting a transfer for a K Visa, the receiving Embassy or Consulate has the discretion to approve or deny the acceptance of a K visa application from an applicant outside the consular district.  Contact the potential gaining U.S. embassy or consulate in writing to request a transfer of your case and include the reason for the transfer request.  If you paid the MRV fee at the original post and the transfer request to a new post is subsequently approved, a new visa fee will be required.”

 

Source: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/national-visa-center/immigrant-visas-processing-general-faqs.html

 

So you would need to wait until the petition is approved by the USCIS.

Edited July 31, 2023 by Allaboutwaiting

[Redro 4,611]

3 hours ago, coffeepls said:

Hi all, 

 

So when we've filed a I-129F I (beneficiary) was residing in the UK (for the past 5+ years) hence we used that address to file in our NOA1. Now due to some circumstances I have to move to another European country next month (my home country) and I am not sure what we have to do? As far as I've looked online the USCIS only advises an address change if the sponsor changes the address but what to do in this instance where the beneficiary moves countries? we filed in September 2022 so I am hoping to receive NOA2 by end October/November with how the things are moving now.

 

Also if NOA2 is sent then as I understand the NVC will process the VISA application and send it over to the UK Embassy - so what we can do to avoid it? I don't mind going back to London to have an interview but this wouldn't be accurate as I would not be residing there anymore...

 

We tried calling USCIS a few times before but it's only an AI that answers.

If you're able to move freely to the UK/London and can afford to stay there for an extended time (for medical before the interview and in case of extended AP after interview). You can interview there. You were living there at the time the petition was submitted. 

If you prefer interviewing in your home country- you will have to request they move the interview there. 

This will add time to your process.

Another member a few months ago interviewed in South Africa even though they had moved back to Zimbabwe. 

There were a few delays as the beneficiary was unable to obtain a document before interview. But, everything worked out and they are now in the US. 

Edited July 31, 2023 by Redro

[coffeepls 0]

23 hours ago, Allaboutwaiting said:

”How do I transfer my Immigrant Visa case from one embassy or consulate to another?

 

So you would need to wait until the petition is approved by the USCIS.

That's great - thank you. Will definitely try this once we get our reply (acceptance hopefully - fingers crossed) My worry is that the request for transfer might not be seen on time and then everything incl. interview will get rejected due to not being able to do everything within the timeline needed

 

20 hours ago, Redro said:

If you're able to move freely to the UK/London and can afford to stay there for an extended time (for medical before the interview and in case of extended AP after interview). You can interview there. You were living there at the time the petition was submitted. 

If you prefer interviewing in your home country- you will have to request they move the interview there. 

This will add time to your process.

Another member a few months ago interviewed in South Africa even though they had moved back to Zimbabwe. 

There were a few delays as the beneficiary was unable to obtain a document before interview. But, everything worked out and they are now in the US. 

I can move freely to the UK and back but I can't really stay there for an extended time. sure I can stay a day or two but if I need to stay for weeks or months that's not feasible. I am not sure how long would it take - i.e. get medical, then have an interview and say extended AP after interview? could it be done in a week? or is there more like ... months in between? (when I looked this up on their embassy website it wasn't clear, but something like you can do medical a week in advance and then come back for an interview or so? does it work like that or is that a wishful thinking?) I don't mind flying back in for each 'appointment' unless they need to send something to my 'address in the UK' which I won't have.

 

Any idea how much longer the process might be if we request the transfer to another country? and would there be a risk of not making it 'within the timeline' (from what I've see on VJ there were instances where the process took over 4++ months and they were given only 90 days etc) ? time and money wise this would be the best solution tbh but if it adds another 6months+ in the process then I'd rather fly back and forth to get this over with! 

 

 

 

 

[Redro 4,611]

3 hours ago, coffeepls said:

That's great - thank you. Will definitely try this once we get our reply (acceptance hopefully - fingers crossed) My worry is that the request for transfer might not be seen on time and then everything incl. interview will get rejected due to not being able to do everything within the timeline needed - you request a transfer by writing to the embassy you want to move to. You don't submit anything or pay any fees until the transfer has been approved or rejected. Don't worry about the 4 month deadline. It generally gets extended and by requesting a transfer you'll probably automatically receive a 4 month extension. 

 

I can move freely to the UK and back but I can't really stay there for an extended time. sure I can stay a day or two but if I need to stay for weeks or months that's not feasible. I am not sure how long would it take - i.e. get medical, then have an interview and say extended AP after interview?No one can predict if you will undergo extended AP or not... but if you do.  could it be done in a week? or is there more like ... months in between? (when I looked this up on their embassy website it wasn't clear, but something like you can do medical a week in advance and then come back for an interview or so? does it work like that or is that a wishful thinking?) I don't mind flying back in for each 'appointment' unless they need to send something to my 'address in the UK' which I won't have.- You'll need to check up the process for medicals out of UK for K1.  I'm not sure if you can pick up your medical results or if they send them to a UK address or the embassy. (That might add a few days to the medical process). 

 

Any idea how much longer the process might be if we request the transfer to another country? and would there be a risk of not making it 'within the timeline' (from what I've see on VJ there were instances where the process took over 4++ months and they were given only 90 days etc) ? time and money wise this would be the best solution tbh but if it adds another 6months+ in the process then I'd rather fly back and forth to get this over with! -Depends on the country you're requesting the transfer to... can you tell us? Some countries are fairly responsive to emails while others are radio silence. And if you tell VJ the consulate they might suggest having the interview in UK only because the transfer consulate is very busy... 

 

 

 

 

Follow the UK forum for UK specific timelines about NOA2- medical- interview- receiving passport back. 

Then fill out your timeline and tell us the country you're moving to. This will help us give your more accurate answers. 

 

Edited August 1, 2023 by Redro

[Allaboutwaiting 2,503]

@coffeepls The approval notice can be extended up to a year, so you should have enough time to get the case transferred.