How long can we hold app in NVC

[Aschenbecher 16]

Hi all ,

we got our email notification that our I-130 was approved today.

What we want to know is how long can we hold our I-130 in NVC stage because I (beneficiary) am not ready to move to US yet. I still have lot of business to wrap up and close.

Also is the time calculated from date the NVC issues the case number or something else ?

[Darnell 8,478]

up to a year, at NVC, but during that year, must to send off the docs.

Can go slow after DS-3032 is submitted, you betcha.

Figure after that, 3 to 5 months per thing (DS-230, I-864)

so, it's sorta like this:

1. 30 days from uscis to nvc opening the casefile

2. 1 year at NVC

3. 30 to 45 days after NVC sets the appointment

4. 6 months after visa interview date to come into the USA.

Good Luck !

[Caribbean Pirate 9]

Darnell,

you're saying that we can just be slow in submitting documents to draw out the time up to 1 year? Is this looked at badly by NVC or consulate? any downsides from an approval point of view?

Edited April 7, 2012 by Caribbean Pirate

[Darnell 8,478]

Darnell,

1. you're saying that we can just be slow in submitting documents to draw out the time up to 1 year?

2. Is this looked at badly by NVC or consulate?

3. any downsides from an approval point of view?

1. Yes.

2. no

3. approval on interview day? no but - there's two caveats, I forgot about it

- when the DS-230 is submitted, a Police Clearance Certificate is submitted. It usually has a 'validity of duration' after issuance of 6 months. So if it's 6 months past the issuance date, compared to actual interview at IV Unit date, then a new PCC is needed, turn in on interview day

-when the I-864 is submitted, if another tax year has passed on/around the interview date at the IV unit, a new I-864 is needed, turn in on interview day

--if neither of these docs are submitted on interview day, can expect a 'soft denial', a 221G, asking for the updated documents after interview day, and that can set back the casefile processing at the IV unit anywhere from 1 week to 10 weeks, depending on current caseload.

[Ryan H 3,812]

we can just be slow in submitting documents to draw out the time up to 1 year? Is this looked at badly by NVC or consulate?

Yes you can be slow in submitting documents to draw out the time up to 1 year. The NVC or the Embassy/Consulate will not care.

[pushbrk 12,801]

I agree with Darnell except for one detail at NVC. It can absolutely take longer than a year total at NVC. The 1 year applies to time BETWEEN responses. So, you can actually drag it out at two or three different stages if you want. Each time, you have a year to respond. Example. If you take three months to submit the DS3032, then take six months to pay the IV fee, you're already nine months in when the send the request for the DS230. You then have a year to submit that. If you take 9 months to do it, you're 18 months at NVC by the time you submit the DS230 and have never gone close to a year without responding. It's not a year maximum at NVC. It's a year maximum to respond to NVC, each time a response is called for.

[Aschenbecher 16]

I agree with Darnell except for one detail at NVC. It can absolutely take longer than a year total at NVC. The 1 year applies to time BETWEEN responses. So, you can actually drag it out at two or three different stages if you want. Each time, you have a year to respond. Example. If you take three months to submit the DS3032, then take six months to pay the IV fee, you're already nine months in when the send the request for the DS230. You then have a year to submit that. If you take 9 months to do it, you're 18 months at NVC by the time you submit the DS230 and have never gone close to a year without responding. It's not a year maximum at NVC. It's a year maximum to respond to NVC, each time a response is called for.

This is exactly what we wanted to hear, ty pushbrk and tanks all.

[Caribbean Pirate 9]

Thanks for all the info! This is really helpful!

[sulhaq 59]

I suggest you do not overly delay the NVC process. It can take "on average" up to 1-2 months to clear the NVC stage. And then, after that if you are granted a Visa, it is valid for up to 6 months.

So....we're looking at max 7-8 months you can just get your visa and hold on to it. here if you complete the process immediately. That's not enough time for your spouse to wrap everything up?

I am saying this because there can be unexpected delays that can happen when you actually do proceed with your application. If you delay it now and then get stuck somewhere (for example, in India AP is certainly possible for the benificiary), then you'll have wrapped everything up and have nothing on hand and will just have to wait it out.

If you complete the process immediately, then you'll have the re-assurance of having the visa in-hand, and able to travel within 6 months, whenever you want to.