How long can I wait outside USA with an approved I-130?

[mohassan 0]

Hello,

My wife is a US citizen, and we are living outside USA. She was thinking to submit the I-130 petition for me "spouse" and our kids "below 21 yrs", but because we're not sure when exactly we may move to USA "maybe after 2 or 3 years", then we need to know what will be the validity of the I-130 if it got approved? For how long we can postpone the process with NVC ?

Thanks,

Mhmd

[EM_Vandaveer 2,369]

You can stall for years at NVC if you wish. Approved I-130s don't expire. You just need to contact NVC at least once a year to keep the process "alive".

[mohassan 0]

You can stall for years at NVC if you wish. Approved I-130s don't expire. You just need to contact NVC at least once a year to keep the process "alive".

Thank you for the prompt reply.. So what shall I tell them on such calls if I decided to postpone the visa process? Will I have to pay any annual fees to NVC due to this waiting period?

Thanks

BR,

Edited October 18, 2016 by mohassan

[Kastrs 723]

Once you get your I130 approved, you will start the NVC process, wait several months before paying the first fee (less than 12 months!) then do the same for the second fee and then the same for sending in documents, you can stretch the process out for years depending on how fast you send everything in