Time to complete NOA2 Procedures / Exit Permit

[onlyconnect 0]

Dear everyone, we recently received our NOA2 for a IR-1 visa for my wife. However, our plans may have changed and we will possibly not be relocating to the US any time soon. Does anyone know how long the process can be stalled at this point before the application is invalidated and needs to be started over? If it can't be stalled for more than a few months, does anyone have experience getting a green card generated and then applying for an exit permit, e.g. how long it took and how many years one can reside outside the US and maintain the green card? Thank you for your help!

[Hypnos 6,576]

You can delay the process for up to a year at the NVC, and can probably stall further at the embassy.

Once the visa is issued then you will have approximately six months of validity on it.

[Jawaree 717]

• After that U annually contact embassy to keep petition alive

[J&N071213 57]

After NVC receives your case you have to contact them at least once a year to keep your case open.

[NikLR 13,220]

You can delay the visa process for 2-3 years at the NVC. You need to keep in contact with them for at least once a year, preferably doing something like paying a bill and sending information.