Deadlines after I-130 Approval

[TravelingHome 0]

For everyone on here who has gone through the IR1/CR1 process, I am wondering if there is a deadline once you receive your I-130 approval to respond or file with the NVC?

I am asking because my wife has a 2 year commitment to her home country due to a J-1 visa. We would like to start the I-130 petition process early so it is completed before her 2 years are completed. However, given the variance in I-130 processing times, we don't want to petition too early and then have to re-petition because the petition expired before her 2 years were completed. Has anyone had this situation before? Thanks.

[NikLR 13,220]

Yes you have a year in between each contact with the NVC. It's quite possible to stretch the NVC process out 2 years.

[TravelingHome 0]

That's grear to hear. Thanks!

Edited March 14, 2015 by TravelingHome

[grad_student 11]

No I-130 will not expire. After your I-130 petition is approved, your case will be forwarded to NVC. You need to make atleast one contact every 12 months to keep your case active. Making contact is as simple as calling them and talking to a representative (as far as I understand it). Good luck. I am in a similar situation. I have already sent you a PM btw.