Does US EMBASSY in Manila automatically extend the petition validity if the visa application is under administrative processing?

[Janey_2100 2]

The consul asked me to re-submit an NBI clearance. I've submitted it yesterday (July 29) but the I-129F petition is about to expire on August 4. Do we need to email/ call the US Embassy here in Manila to extend the validity of the petition? Please shed some light as we've tried contacting USCIS but to no avail. 

[Dashinka 24,480]

If the issue is caused by the availability of interview appointments, yes, the consulates will generally extend the validity of the I129F.

[Crazy Cat 41,811]

***Moved to the Philippines regional forum***

[Edward and Jaycel 154]

I would go here to email them to be sure...

https://ph.usembassy.gov/contact-us-visas/

[top_secret 2,402]

US Embassy Manila has been routinely extending I-129f validity for similar delays.

While probably not strictly necessary you can contact them here. https://ph.usembassy.gov/visas/immigrant-visa-inquiry-form/
Choose "Topic of Inquiry (Dropdown):"  "Fiancé(e) (K-1) Petition Revalidation"  They typically respond in 2-3 business days.

[Edward and Jaycel 154]

9 hours ago, Janey_2100 said:

The consul asked me to re-submit an NBI clearance. I've submitted it yesterday (July 29) but the I-129F petition is about to expire on August 4. Do we need to email/ call the US Embassy here in Manila to extend the validity of the petition? Please shed some light as we've tried contacting USCIS but to no avail. 

 

Could I ask why the Consul asked you to re-submit the NBI clearance? We are trying to find an available interview slot now and I want to make sure my fiancee has what she needs to not have any issues.

[Janey_2100 2]

5 hours ago, Edward and Jaycel said:

 

Could I ask why the Consul asked you to re-submit the NBI clearance? We are trying to find an available interview slot now and I want to make sure my fiancee has what she needs to not have any issues.

Hey! Good thing you asked, as I want others to avoid the same mistake. My interview went fine it's just that the consul was not satisfied with my NBI clearance. He said the birthdate is faded and the picture has white line, they need a picture that captures the entire face. I honestly didn't notice those while i was preparing. If I could turn back time I would have gotten 2 NBI copies from different sites just to make sure. 

[Janey_2100 2]

5 hours ago, top_secret said:

US Embassy Manila has been routinely extending I-129f validity for similar delays.

While probably not strictly necessary you can contact them here. https://ph.usembassy.gov/visas/immigrant-visa-inquiry-form/
Choose "Topic of Inquiry (Dropdown):"  "Fiancé(e) (K-1) Petition Revalidation"  They typically respond in 2-3 business days.

Thank you so much! We'll definitely submit an inquiry. Thanks, that's really helpful!

[Edward and Jaycel 154]

4 hours ago, Janey_2100 said:

Hey! Good thing you asked, as I want others to avoid the same mistake. My interview went fine it's just that the consul was not satisfied with my NBI clearance. He said the birthdate is faded and the picture has white line, they need a picture that captures the entire face. I honestly didn't notice those while i was preparing. If I could turn back time I would have gotten 2 NBI copies from different sites just to make sure. 

 

Thank you so much! My fiancee's NBI is brand new and it looks very clear. We were just able to schedule an interview today for Aug 13th 😁 Any tips you could give that I can pass on to her?

 

[Janey_2100 2]

1 hour ago, Edward and Jaycel said:

 

Thank you so much! My fiancee's NBI is brand new and it looks very clear. We were just able to schedule an interview today for Aug 13th 😁 Any tips you could give that I can pass on to her?

 

The one i took in my interview was brand new too, it's just that I really didn't notice those things he mentioned or maybe I thought they were not something that would cause concern. Another tip is to bring everything that she thinks will be asked,  even the NVC Letter and the letter from the US Embassy from Manila stating that they have received the petition from NVC.

 

During the pre-screening, they almost refused to assist me, the lady said my file is not in their system, they told me it's still in transit or still with NVC. I refused to leave because i know I received the US embassy letter, the physical one and the email. Good thing i have the letter with me, the lady didn't have a choice but look it up again, turns out they put me in the system with my middle name listed as my last name. 
 

Another tip is to always be honest in answering. They normally ask 1. When did you meet, 2. Where did you meet. 3. How many times have you seen each other, 5. When did you last see each other., those are questions that were always asked, i had to wait for a long time for my turn so i heard pretty much almost all the applicants while getting interviewed. I was also asked What's your wedding plan. Always keep the answers short and look the consul straight in the eyes while answering.  All in all the interview was just brief, as long as they don't find anything that would cause doubt, she'll be good. Good luck to you both!

[Edward and Jaycel 154]

9 hours ago, Janey_2100 said:

The one i took in my interview was brand new too, it's just that I really didn't notice those things he mentioned or maybe I thought they were not something that would cause concern. Another tip is to bring everything that she thinks will be asked,  even the NVC Letter and the letter from the US Embassy from Manila stating that they have received the petition from NVC.

 

During the pre-screening, they almost refused to assist me, the lady said my file is not in their system, they told me it's still in transit or still with NVC. I refused to leave because i know I received the US embassy letter, the physical one and the email. Good thing i have the letter with me, the lady didn't have a choice but look it up again, turns out they put me in the system with my middle name listed as my last name. 
 

Another tip is to always be honest in answering. They normally ask 1. When did you meet, 2. Where did you meet. 3. How many times have you seen each other, 5. When did you last see each other., those are questions that were always asked, i had to wait for a long time for my turn so i heard pretty much almost all the applicants while getting interviewed. I was also asked What's your wedding plan. Always keep the answers short and look the consul straight in the eyes while answering.  All in all the interview was just brief, as long as they don't find anything that would cause doubt, she'll be good. Good luck to you both!

 

Thank you for taking the time to share this with us! We are very grateful ☺️

[Janey_2100 2]

Hi everyone! Thanks for taking the time to reply. We didn't have to request for an extension. My visa status is now "Issued" when i checked CEAC ☺️ 

 

Timeline: 

July 23 -interview

July 29 -mailed the NBI, passport , and letter (refusal) to the US embassy 

August 1 - Approved 

August 2 - Issued 

 

I didn't expect it to be this quick! 

[Edward and Jaycel 154]

11 minutes ago, Janey_2100 said:

Hi everyone! Thanks for taking the time to reply. We didn't have to request for an extension. My visa status is now "Issued" when i checked CEAC ☺️ 

 

Timeline: 

July 23 -interview

July 29 -mailed the NBI, passport , and letter (refusal) to the US embassy 

August 1 - Approved 

August 2 - Issued 

 

I didn't expect it to be this quick! 

 

Woo Hoo!! Congratulations!! 🎉

[DDDMUC 2]

Here's what I got from the CONSULAR COMMUNICATIONS GROUP U.S. Embassy in the Philippines as a response from an inquiry to this very topic last week.

 

Dear Mr. XXXXX: 

 

We are writing in response to your July 31, 2024, inquiry to the Immigrant Visa Unit concerning the fiancée (K1) nonimmigrant visa case of Ms. XXXXXXXX. 

 

An approved K1 nonimmigrant visa petition (I-129F) is only valid for four months from the date of its approval. Consular officers may revalidate the petition during the applicant’s visa interview if eligibility requirements are met. Each revalidation is good for an additional four (4) months. However, if the officer determines that there is insufficient evidence of continued intent to marry, the petition may be returned to the approving U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) office.

 

If the petition is expired, the applicant is still able to proceed with an interview and the determination will be made at that time. The revalidation happens, when approved, at the time of interview and not in advance.

 

Applicants should follow all interview preparation instructions located on the State Department’s website. The website identifies the required documents as well as procedures to follow prior to the interview date.  We encourage applicants to ensure their documentation, to include medical clearances, is current at the time of the interview to ensure efficient processing of the visa application.     
 

If the applicant needs reasonable accommodation (PWDs) for the visa interview appointment, please follow the instructions on our website.   

 

We hope this information is helpful.      

Sincerely,

 

CONSULAR COMMUNICATIONS GROUP 

Consular Section | U.S. Embassy in the Philippines 

1201 Roxas Boulevard, Manila, Philippines 1000

☏ (+632) 8548-8223| (+632) 7792-8988

[Talako 781]

Usually the number one trip up on the NBI clearance are aka's.  Make sure to include all names.  This sometimes this pops up on birth certificate corrections.