Does an approved but expired I-130 impact the strength of a petition?

[GeraltOfRivia 0]

I am a USC petitioning for my Filipina wife from overseas. We got an I-130 petition approved through direct consular filing back in 2018 but I decided to stay in the Philippines for a few years and enjoy the cheap life, so we let it expire. Now we are petitioning again from overseas (direct filing is no longer an option in the Philippines) and I'm wondering how a former approval looks in the application. Does it make the case stronger that USCIS has already deemed us to be a bonafide couple (we also have tons of strong evidence) or do they not like that we let the approval lapse?

[Crazy Cat 41,985]

3 hours ago, GeraltOfRivia said:

Does it make the case stronger that USCIS has already deemed us to be a bonafide couple (we also have tons of strong evidence) or do they not like that we let the approval lapse?

I don't see the former petition as an issue. Of course, more time together equals a stronger case. Be aware that all consulates are authorized to accept DCF cases at their discretion for exceptional circumstances.  

[pushbrk 12,999]

9 hours ago, Crazy Cat said:

I don't see the former petition as an issue. Of course, more time together equals a stronger case. Be aware that all consulates are authorized to accept DCF cases at their discretion for exceptional circumstances.  

My answer is pretty much the same, but this doesn't sound like an exceptional circumstance, to me.  It sounds like a choice, and also pretty obviously, the couple is not in a hurry.  Living together a few years is the positive issue.  Having filed before and not  proceeded is neither negative or positive.

 

[GeraltOfRivia 0]

Thanks for the responses! Yeah, I don't think our case has any exceptional circumstance. I think we just gotta wait it out. It seems based on current timelines we'll be in the US in early 2027 so we are just trying to enjoy the cheap life as much as possible until then. That said I'm still really hoping wait times will get shorter and I want to move ASAP!