I-130 processed but want to delay NVC stage. Possible?

[kitkat85 1]

Just like the title says. My spouse's I-130 has been processed for a few months but some life things have come up and we want to delay for a year or so. How can we do this correctly and not end up back at square 1? 
If so, can someone kindly please explain the steps very clearly? We are going through a lot right now and don't want to mess it up. If it's better to get a lawyer for this step, we can do that as well. 

[Crazy Cat 41,885]

You can delay the process indefinitely at NVC by just waiting to upload documents and/or waiting to pay NVC fees.  You must contact NVC at least every 12 months to keep the case alive.   No need for an attorney. 

Edited January 11 by Crazy Cat

[appleblossom 2,546]

2 minutes ago, kitkat85 said:

Just like the title says. My spouse's I-130 has been processed for a few months but some life things have come up and we want to delay for a year or so. How can we do this correctly and not end up back at square 1? 
If so, can someone kindly please explain the steps very clearly? We are going through a lot right now and don't want to mess it up. If it's better to get a lawyer for this step, we can do that as well. 

 

When are you looking to delay until ideally, and which consulate? 

 

If you need to delay at the NVC stage (once the I-130 has been approved - which could still be a year away) then that's easy enough to do.

[kitkat85 1]

Thank you for the reply. When I go into my account on USCIS I see this:

".. You can find general information on Consular Processing by visiting our website at www.uscis.gov . The website will provide information on what to do next, who to contact, and how to inform us of any changes in your situation or address."

It says this, but I am on this website. Does the NVC have a different website? I want to contact them right now and then revisit in 12 months (or sooner). 

[mam521 2,062]

You should fill out your timeline so people can better serve you.  Knowing what consulate you're dealing with will help to understand timelines. 

[Crazy Cat 41,885]

5 minutes ago, kitkat85 said:

Thank you for the reply. When I go into my account on USCIS I see this:

".. You can find general information on Consular Processing by visiting our website at www.uscis.gov . The website will provide information on what to do next, who to contact, and how to inform us of any changes in your situation or address."

It says this, but I am on this website. Does the NVC have a different website? I want to contact them right now and then revisit in 12 months (or sooner). 

NVC is Department of State, not USCIS. You can't contact NVC until your I-130 is approved and has a DOS case number.

Edited January 11 by Crazy Cat

[Crazy Cat 41,885]

4 minutes ago, kitkat85 said:

I want to contact them right now and then revisit in 12 months (or sooner). 

No reason to contact NVC now.  Just wait until the I-130 has been sent to them.....then you can just let it sit for up to a year without contacting them if you want.

[kitkat85 1]

Okay I found my email from NVC-do-not-reply@state.gov with a Case Number and Invoice ID. I've logged into the website and I am trying to figure out how do I officially "contact" them (it's been 4 months since our I-130 approval). 
Usually my partner takes care of things like this but he is unable to right now so I am trying to catch up on everything right now. 

[Crazy Cat 41,885]

5 minutes ago, kitkat85 said:

Okay I found my email from NVC-do-not-reply@state.gov with a Case Number and Invoice ID. I've logged into the website and I am trying to figure out how do I officially "contact" them (it's been 4 months since our I-130 approval). 
Usually my partner takes care of things like this but he is unable to right now so I am trying to catch up on everything right now. 

I misunderstood.  I didn't think USCIS had approved the I-130.  You can email them at:  NVCInquiry@state.gov. 

Edited January 11 by Crazy Cat

[kitkat85 1]

@Crazy Cat many thanks for your quick replies. When I send them an email, other than putting Case Number and Invoice ID in the subject line / beginning of email, is there something I should state? Just a (better worded) acknowledging our application and we will follow up on it or is there a certain way you would word it to say, we aren't ready to pay the fees/submit documents now but want to do it next year. 

[appleblossom 2,546]

6 minutes ago, kitkat85 said:

Okay I found my email from NVC-do-not-reply@state.gov with a Case Number and Invoice ID. I've logged into the website and I am trying to figure out how do I officially "contact" them (it's been 4 months since our I-130 approval). 
Usually my partner takes care of things like this but he is unable to right now so I am trying to catch up on everything right now. 

 

Ah, I thought you meant you'd only submitted the I-130 4 months ago so were still waiting for that approval. Please do fill out your timeline, it makes it so much easier for people to help you but also then helps others who follow.

 

I think the consulate is still important though and understanding your preferred timeline - some consulates have a wait or 1 or even 2 years for interviews, so you may find you don't need to delay as the interview wait will take care of that for you. Or you may be at a super quick consulate and definitely need to delay things. 

[Crazy Cat 41,885]

1 minute ago, kitkat85 said:

@Crazy Cat many thanks for your quick replies. When I send them an email, other than putting Case Number and Invoice ID in the subject line / beginning of email, is there something I should state? Just a (better worded) acknowledging our application and we will follow up on it or is there a certain way you would word it to say, we aren't ready to pay the fees/submit documents now but want to do it next year. 

I would state both the petitioner and beneficiary names in the body along with the case number.  I would just say that you wish to hold your case at NVC for a period up to a year.  I would say you plan to continue at some point in the future.

 

Do not pay any fees or upload any documents at this point.

 

[Crazy Cat 41,885]

8 minutes ago, appleblossom said:

I think the consulate is still important though and understanding your preferred timeline - some consulates have a wait or 1 or even 2 years for interviews, so you may find you don't need to delay as the interview wait will take care of that for you.

True.....like Islamabad. 

[kitkat85 1]

Many thanks @Crazy Cat. @appleblossom Our consulate will be Montreal. USC / dual Canadian citizen married to Canadian citizen ( he's born outside of Canada though) for 10+ years. We recently got our kids their Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) and US passports because I heard it's better to get it before kids turn 14 yrs old. 

I am figuring out how to do the timeline but this is roughly it. 

Aug 2022 - applied Online for I-130
Sept 2023 - Email received for approved I-130
At the NVC stage. 

[appleblossom 2,546]

1 hour ago, kitkat85 said:

Many thanks @Crazy Cat. @appleblossom Our consulate will be Montreal. USC / dual Canadian citizen married to Canadian citizen ( he's born outside of Canada though) for 10+ years. We recently got our kids their Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) and US passports because I heard it's better to get it before kids turn 14 yrs old. 

I am figuring out how to do the timeline but this is roughly it. 

Aug 2022 - applied Online for I-130
Sept 2023 - Email received for approved I-130
At the NVC stage. 

 

OK, I know that there's a super long (more than a year - I think nearer 18 months) wait for EB immigrant visa apps at Montreal, but not sure on spousal - if you go to the consulate section of VJ there will be a timeline thread there for CR1 applicants I'd think. That should give you an idea of how long you'll wait for an interview once you've completed the NVC stage just so you can factor that in to your ideal timeline. 

 

You have a year to pay your fees and start the NVC process, so you don't need to worry, and you can delay the NVC process for a long time if needed. 

 

And for your timeline on here, please go to your profile and fill it out. That way it pays it forward to help others, but also means when you ask a question in the future people don't need to ask tons of questions to be able to help. 

 

Best of luck to you.