Can you put I-129F on hold?

[rakkaus 0]

I'm sure this has been addressed at some point in VJ history, but I can't find it.

My fiancee and I have run into some issues we need to resolve before the wedding. We filed the I-129F back at the end of August, and having seen how slowly things were going, I figured we'd have all the time in the world to try and work things out. Now that a few July approvals are trickling in, I'm starting to wonder; I think it's best to wait until next summer to marry, assuming we can find a good way to work these problems out. I realize that would likely be the case anyway, but I don't want to be making these decisions at the last minute with all paperwork already in place. I know that cancelling an I-129F and then trying to file for a waiver and re-file sounds like a major headache.

I realize there are other steps involved after VSC approves the I-129F, but we would really rather just put the whole thing on hold for a few months. Is there any way to do this? Or are we stuck deciding between "cancel and possibly refile" and "full speed ahead"?

If we do cancel and re-file, does that hurt our chances of approval? Is the waiver petition generally successful in such cases? Nothing about our file is otherwise problematic AFAIK, but this throws a real monkey wrench into things. Ugh!

Thanks in advance...

[pushbrk 12,898]

I'm sure this has been addressed at some point in VJ history, but I can't find it.

My fiancee and I have run into some issues we need to resolve before the wedding. We filed the I-129F back at the end of August, and having seen how slowly things were going, I figured we'd have all the time in the world to try and work things out. Now that a few July approvals are trickling in, I'm starting to wonder; I think it's best to wait until next summer to marry, assuming we can find a good way to work these problems out. I realize that would likely be the case anyway, but I don't want to be making these decisions at the last minute with all paperwork already in place. I know that cancelling an I-129F and then trying to file for a waiver and re-file sounds like a major headache.

I realize there are other steps involved after VSC approves the I-129F, but we would really rather just put the whole thing on hold for a few months. Is there any way to do this? Or are we stuck deciding between "cancel and possibly refile" and "full speed ahead"?

If we do cancel and re-file, does that hurt our chances of approval? Is the waiver petition generally successful in such cases? Nothing about our file is otherwise problematic AFAIK, but this throws a real monkey wrench into things. Ugh!

Thanks in advance...

The foreign fiance has six months to use the visa, after issue and then 90 days to marry the petitioner once they enter the US. That will get you to summer. You can also simply delay sending back the P3 documents to delay the interview. Even then, you can simply request a later interview. No reason is needed.

I would recommend these delaying tactics instead of a potential refile and waiver process. Also, never indicate to USCIS or the Consulate that you're having second thoughts. That will hurt your evidence of a bona fide ongoing relationship and actual intent to marry.

[payxibka 10,045]

I'm sure this has been addressed at some point in VJ history, but I can't find it.

My fiancee and I have run into some issues we need to resolve before the wedding. We filed the I-129F back at the end of August, and having seen how slowly things were going, I figured we'd have all the time in the world to try and work things out. Now that a few July approvals are trickling in, I'm starting to wonder; I think it's best to wait until next summer to marry, assuming we can find a good way to work these problems out. I realize that would likely be the case anyway, but I don't want to be making these decisions at the last minute with all paperwork already in place. I know that cancelling an I-129F and then trying to file for a waiver and re-file sounds like a major headache.

I realize there are other steps involved after VSC approves the I-129F, but we would really rather just put the whole thing on hold for a few months. Is there any way to do this? Or are we stuck deciding between "cancel and possibly refile" and "full speed ahead"?

If we do cancel and re-file, does that hurt our chances of approval? Is the waiver petition generally successful in such cases? Nothing about our file is otherwise problematic AFAIK, but this throws a real monkey wrench into things. Ugh!

Thanks in advance...

You can easily delay until the summer month even with the current filing just think through the timeline options taking into consideration the naturla delays and expiration points.

[JenT 0]

I'm sure this has been addressed at some point in VJ history, but I can't find it.

My fiancee and I have run into some issues we need to resolve before the wedding. We filed the I-129F back at the end of August, and having seen how slowly things were going, I figured we'd have all the time in the world to try and work things out. Now that a few July approvals are trickling in, I'm starting to wonder; I think it's best to wait until next summer to marry, assuming we can find a good way to work these problems out. I realize that would likely be the case anyway, but I don't want to be making these decisions at the last minute with all paperwork already in place. I know that cancelling an I-129F and then trying to file for a waiver and re-file sounds like a major headache.

I realize there are other steps involved after VSC approves the I-129F, but we would really rather just put the whole thing on hold for a few months. Is there any way to do this? Or are we stuck deciding between "cancel and possibly refile" and "full speed ahead"?

If we do cancel and re-file, does that hurt our chances of approval? Is the waiver petition generally successful in such cases? Nothing about our file is otherwise problematic AFAIK, but this throws a real monkey wrench into things. Ugh!

Thanks in advance...

The foreign fiance has six months to use the visa, after issue and then 90 days to marry the petitioner once they enter the US. That will get you to summer. You can also simply delay sending back the P3 documents to delay the interview. Even then, you can simply request a later interview. No reason is needed.

I would recommend these delaying tactics instead of a potential refile and waiver process. Also, never indicate to USCIS or the Consulate that you're having second thoughts. That will hurt your evidence of a bona fide ongoing relationship and actual intent to marry.

That's what I'd suggest too....

[rakkaus 0]

The foreign fiance has six months to use the visa, after issue and then 90 days to marry the petitioner once they enter the US. That will get you to summer. You can also simply delay sending back the P3 documents to delay the interview. Even then, you can simply request a later interview. No reason is needed.

I would recommend these delaying tactics instead of a potential refile and waiver process. Also, never indicate to USCIS or the Consulate that you're having second thoughts. That will hurt your evidence of a bona fide ongoing relationship and actual intent to marry.

Oh, six months after it's issued? I don't know why I thought it was 90 days. In that case, I agree; I think that with the various delays inherent in the process, this should give us plenty enough time to figure out what we're going to do. How much time does she have to get the papers back to them after NOA2, for example?

And 10-4 on what you're saying about USCIS. Makes sense not to put doubt in their mind, because if we get as far as the interview, that means things would have all been worked out.

[payxibka 10,045]

Theoretically the NOA2 is valid for 4 mos. and then you can request an extention and at the discretion of the consulate can be up to another 4 mos (but you should always maintain contact with the consulate so they don't close your file) .

[rakkaus 0]

Theoretically the NOA2 is valid for 4 mos. and then you can request an extention and at the discretion of the consulate can be up to another 4 mos (but you should always maintain contact with the consulate so they don't close your file) .

Pardon my ignorance, but what all needs to be included in the 4 month period? The medical, the interview, and ... ?

What do we say if we end up requesting an extension? Is that pretty much automatic or is it going to make USCIS concerned if we request one?

Thanks again!

[pushbrk 12,898]

The foreign fiance has six months to use the visa, after issue and then 90 days to marry the petitioner once they enter the US. That will get you to summer. You can also simply delay sending back the P3 documents to delay the interview. Even then, you can simply request a later interview. No reason is needed.

I would recommend these delaying tactics instead of a potential refile and waiver process. Also, never indicate to USCIS or the Consulate that you're having second thoughts. That will hurt your evidence of a bona fide ongoing relationship and actual intent to marry.

Oh, six months after it's issued? I don't know why I thought it was 90 days. In that case, I agree; I think that with the various delays inherent in the process, this should give us plenty enough time to figure out what we're going to do. How much time does she have to get the papers back to them after NOA2, for example?

And 10-4 on what you're saying about USCIS. Makes sense not to put doubt in their mind, because if we get as far as the interview, that means things would have all been worked out.

Study the timelines for your country for NOA2 to P3. There is no specific time frame for returning the P3 documents after the applicant receives them but a couple months between receipt and return is certainly not a problem. After all, they are instructing you to acquire some documentation only those in a rush (nearly everybody) would know about and have obtained in advance. Technically there the petition approval expires four months after NOA2 but the process commonly takes longer than that, so Consular officers can and routinely do extend the petition validity as needed.

[payxibka 10,045]

Theoretically the NOA2 is valid for 4 mos. and then you can request an extention and at the discretion of the consulate can be up to another 4 mos (but you should always maintain contact with the consulate so they don't close your file) .

Pardon my ignorance, but what all needs to be included in the 4 month period? The medical, the interview, and ... ?

What do we say if we end up requesting an extension? Is that pretty much automatic or is it going to make USCIS concerned if we request one?

Thanks again!

Once the petition is approved then the USCIS is out of the picture and the Department of State takes over.... The 4 mos. validity period is for it to go from the service center all the way to interview.

[pushbrk 12,898]

Theoretically the NOA2 is valid for 4 mos. and then you can request an extention and at the discretion of the consulate can be up to another 4 mos (but you should always maintain contact with the consulate so they don't close your file) .

Pardon my ignorance, but what all needs to be included in the 4 month period? The medical, the interview, and ... ?

What do we say if we end up requesting an extension? Is that pretty much automatic or is it going to make USCIS concerned if we request one?

Thanks again!

Once the petition is approved then the USCIS is out of the picture and the Department of State takes over.... The 4 mos. validity period is for it to go from the service center all the way to interview.

You don't need to request an extension but you can request it from the Consulate as a delaying tactic. Maybe you need more time to gather official documents, etc. If you do so, I would do it a month or so after receiving the P3 but unless you plan to delay more than a month or two, don't bother.

[rakkaus 0]

Thanks so much! This kind of thing is where VJ is SO helpful. I really appreciate it. We'll hold off on doing anything for the time being, and we'll keep the extension in mind if it comes to that.

Thanks again, pushbrk and fwaguy!

[Kazan' Tiger 1]

You seem to be already covered with proper suggestions. As you see, you can delay and there is more time than you thought!