Our NOA2 approval is up June 25th and we're still waiting on our Police Certificate before we can send in the Packet 3 checklist. Sarah will be here for a visit in Dallas June 7-22, so hopefully we will get everything sent off in time to get Packet 4 before she visits. Yes, we are a little slow due to buys work schedules right now.

Sarah called the US embassy in London and asked what their policy was, and they said that it was no problem that the approval can be extended for up to 4 months.

We then emailed the US embassy asking for confirmation and they said that yes this was common and just to send a letter requesting extention and that we still intended to marry within 90 days of her entering the US. So I Fedex'd a notarized letter to the embassy. And yes, you read that correctly, the embassy DID reply to our email...although it took about two weeks

Now, my question is this - has anbody else asked for an extension? If so, what was your experience...how did they notify you and how long did it take? I just want to cover my bases so we don't have to start all over again.

how long ago did you request the police certificate?

why don't you send back the checklist anyway and deal with the problem later if it does not arrive in time. there was a thread discussing that issue not too long ago in this forum.

i believe mags also once said that worst-case, if you don't have it at the interview, you may be approved "pending receipt" of the certificate.

That's a good idea, I'll tell her to send it back then. She sent off for it about two weeks ago.

Also, I found another thread from February where FWAGUY answers the question somewhat:
The petition has a 4 mos. validity date from the date of approval (NOA2)... why I do not know but it does.... Typically the consulate extends the petition automatically if it is actively "in process" but the question is, do you want to take the chance or make an inquiry with a request.

I decided not to take that chance and sent in a notarized letter asking for the extention and re-confirming that we will marry within 90 days of entry into the US.

So I'll let everyone know what my experience is in detail in case this issue comes up again. It seems to me that it would be hard to get in under the deadline anyway unless you really stay a step ahead of the game so I'm not too worried.

Here's the email that we sent to the US Embassy in London:



Sent: Thursday, May 03, 2007 2:06 PM
To: London, Consular
Subject: Telephone call reference:- CIU282


Dear Sir/Madam


Case Number: ############


Further to my telephone call to your helpline this afternnoon, I would be grateful if you could confirm the discussion. My Fiance and I have received our I-797 Notice of Action which is dated 27th February 2007. It states that this approval is valid until 25th June 2007.

We would like to extend this deadline and believe we can do so for up to 4 months. The process for this is for my fiance to write to the Immigrant Visa Branch in Grosvenor Square to request an extension in timeline and to once again pledge that we will marry within 90 day of my arrival in the US.

I gained the impression that this extention is usually granted as a matter of course providing we follow the above procedure. Is this correct?

Thank you



And the reply from the embassy...only took two weeks for them to reply! I think that they meant United States at the end...She will take this communication to her interview just in case:

From: "London, Consular" <LondonConsular@state.gov>
Subject: RE: Telephone call reference:- CIU282
Date: Fri, 18 May 2007 09:16:05 +0100

The information you have been provided is correct. All that is required is a notarized statement from your fiancé of his intention to marry you within 90 days of your arrival in the United Kingdom.

Sincerely

Consular Information Unit

Well if you are worried that the police cert wont be back in time you can always do what the other person suggested send back the pack 3 and say pending on the certificate - normally they give you an interview about 6 weeks ahead so hopefully the police cert will arrive within the 6 weeks before the interview.

In my case we applied for our K1 application early last year - and we finally had an interview date of October 2006 - but my fella and I had a a few issues to sort out so I wrote to London embassy (email) asking them how long our case can remain open before we had to apply all over again - the reply I got was that our case was open till september 2007 - after that we would have to apply again. So I guess there is some leaway - If the interview date you are given is still too eary i guess you could just write to them asking for another date - London embassy have been very helpful in our case - if you dont ask you wont know lol

Good luck:) oh btw - my fella and I sorted things ot and now we are continuing with our application and have medical and interview in june:)

Lina (UKC)