Fiancé beneficiary has serious medical developments, what are our options?

[Tuscadero 6]

We are July filers, going through Texas, so we were hoping for NOA2 sometime in the next few months. My fiancé went to the hospital a few days ago and it looks like he may need a liver transplant. He's from the UK, so it's probably best that he gets cared for by NHS, rather than try to travel in his condition and get on my insurance and then wait on a list here. Also, my work and insurance in intermittent, which would not help matters.

This means he will need to stay in the UK for much longer than the 4-8 months we were expecting. Do we have to forfeit our K1 application and start over from scratch when he's well? Can we be put on hold?

I'm just finding out about this this morning, happy thanksgiving

so I don't have any more info than what I'm sharing here. Any info you can provide will help calm my racing brain. Thanks much.

Edited November 27, 2014 by Tuscadero

[Penguin_ie 5,984]

I am so sorry for your bad news.

Is there any indication how long the waitinglist is for a transplant? You can delay the visa some by taking your time sending back paperwork when it is your turn, and scheduling an interview, but that doesnt last forever so if you think you will be in the UK for several years yes, you'd likely forfeit this K1 and need to apply for another when you are ready to move.

[Nich-Nick 3,353]

I have known in the past where London has sent out a letter six months after a case arrived there with no action from the beneficiary saying basically-- do you intend to apply for a visa or what? So that is some delay right there that could be factored in.

London website FAQs --

What if I cannot travel during the validity period of the immigrant visa?

You should return the unused visa to the Immigrant Visa Branch with a letter explaining why you were unable to travel. Depending on the reasons for you not using the visa, it may be possible to re-issue you with a new visa on payment of new visa processing fees.

It says immigrant but i believe it extends to a fiancé visa. I wonder how he would fare at a medical exam to even get a visa that could be extended? Liver transplant is major and it's not like getting over bronchitis so they can retake the chest x-ray. I know you must be devastated with worry now, but getting to the US might need to take the back burner until you have a clearer picture of what's going on with his health. Refiling a petition is not a huge deal in the scheme of the seriousness of needing a transplant. See how it plays out after using all the stalling time you can. Maybe the "might need" is a false alarm and other medical procedures will take care of him. I think your bad news is too new to make a logical plan today.

[Lorvin 45]

Dear Tuscadaro - My sincere wishes for a positive and speedy outcome to your recent news.

[Tuscadero 6]

Just an update: he will most definitely need the transplant and we're looking at him being in the UK for another year. That's definitely going to interfere with the K1 visa. I'll look into that info on the web site, Nich-Nick. Thanks for the heads up.

[Pheebs1201 269]

Sorry to hear that wishing him a speedy recovery and that the transplant goes well. Will keep you in my thoughts.