Keep IR-1 active at NVC for 5 years?

[SamuelTheKitty 1]

The sum of the question is mostly in the title. I understand most questions regarding this process are how to speed it up. However, in my situation I’d like the flexibility to slow it down. 

 

My wife would be the USC petitioner. Currently our plan is to relocate to the US at the end of the decade. However, we’d like the option space to accelerate that timeline if our plans change. I understand one can draw out the process at the NVC stage by slow rolling fee payment, document submissions, etc. However, using these techniques only, strikes me as buying time limited to about half the period I’m looking for. Does anyone have experience or anecdotal evidence that the process can be extended after exhausting these “official steps” simply with letters to NVC requesting the case be kept active?

 

Finally, in case the additional context is useful, we’d be immigrating from Ontario, Canada. 

[Crazy Cat 41,814]

In theory, you can keep a case alive by contacting NVC at least once a year.  However, 6 years is a long time. 

[pushbrk 12,870]

6 hours ago, Crazy Cat said:

In theory, you can keep a case alive by contacting NVC at least once a year.  However, 6 years is a long time. 

My thoughts exactly.  In theory, it should work, but I never heard of anybody trying it.  No, there is no OTHER way.

 

[SamuelTheKitty 1]

Fair enough. Does anyone have any anecdotal evidence for extending a timeline beyond continuous completion and one I am proposing (~5 years post I-130 approval)? I'd like to get a sense of what has actually been achieved given my inquiry, while theoretically possible, sounds relatively extreme.

[Chancy 6,241]

6 hours ago, SamuelTheKitty said:

I'd like to get a sense of what has actually been achieved

 

@seekingthetruth's case is close to 3 years since I-130 approval.  Check his pinned thread for more info on holding a case at NVC --

 

 

[SamuelTheKitty 1]

@Chancy - thanks! I'll go have a read. Any other anecdotes that people can offer are always welcome.

[seekingthetruth 1,246]

On 11/10/2023 at 5:06 AM, Chancy said:

 

@seekingthetruth's case is close to 3 years since I-130 approval.  Check his pinned thread for more info on holding a case at NVC --

 

 

Yes, still on hold.  I just sold my house here in the Philippines and bought another.  It will be at least 2 more years on hold.  If things don't get better in the U.S., it could be forever.

 

As mentioned, I have not found any cases where cases at NVC were on hold for 5+ years.  I see no reason why they would cancel a case unless there is a specific rules about it.  I think keeping the case open by logging is rather automated, without human intervention.

Edited November 13, 2023 by seekingthetruth