Extending NOA2 ( I-797) Approval Expiration Date

[Misha♥Jeff 12]

Hi VJ Family,

I posted a question in a previous topic regarding how to extend the expiration date of our I-129F since Michelle is going through the 6-month course of TB meds. Since the treatment lasts longer than the 4-month expiration of the approved petition, I was worried that we would need to begin the K1 process again after her TB treatment.

Good news from the embassy in Manila about an extension...I sent them an email and here is their response:

"We understand that the applicant is undergoing the recommended Directly Observed Therapy (DOT) for tuberculosis (TB) at St. Luke’s Extension Clinic. We are unable to initiate processing the case until our panel physicians have cleared the applicant for travel to the United States.

As soon as the medical results are available and the applicant is cleared of any infectious pulmonary illness, St. Luke's will advise her regarding the interview scheduling.

We want to assure you that, while an approved I-129F petition is originally valid for four months from the date of approval, it may be revalidated by a consular officer for an additional four months during the applicant’s visa interview. This revalidation is routine as long as the petitioner and beneficiary remain legally free to marry and plan to do so within 90 days after the beneficiary enters the United States."

Just wanted to share this info in case some of you are going through the same process.

M&J

[amykathleen2005 441]

That's nice. At least you don't have to worry about the expiration.

[msamulski 0]

Hi Jeff.

I think we will also need to request an extension once we reach the NOA2 status.

I thought that a date for the K1 interview had to be scheduled before the beneficiary could go forward with the medical test, but it seems Michelle took her medical before a date for her K1 interview had been determined. Is this accurate?

Also, I think it is great that you were able to contact the US Consulate in Manila through e mail. Can you give me an e mail address for a contact at the US Embassy who handles the 129-F through K1 processes?

Thanks.

[Misha♥Jeff 12]

Hi Jeff.

I think we will also need to request an extension once we reach the NOA2 status.

I thought that a date for the K1 interview had to be scheduled before the beneficiary could go forward with the medical test, but it seems Michelle took her medical before a date for her K1 interview had been determined. Is this accurate?

Also, I think it is great that you were able to contact the US Consulate in Manila through e mail. Can you give me an e mail address for a contact at the US Embassy who handles the 129-F through K1 processes?

Thanks.

We scheduled the embassy interview online as soon as Michelle paid the visa application fee at BPI and got the reciept #. You will need that # to schedule the embassy appt. Then she preregistered for St. Lukes online, and went at her earliest convenience to get the physical (first come first served). There is definitely an "order of events" for what comes after NOA2. You should refer to the following topics for more details. This is what we used after getting the NOA2:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/383588-fianlly-got-mnl-case-number/

and

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/384991-slmc-required-docs-for-medical-appt/

The email address I used to contact the Embassy in Manila is:

IVManilaReplies@state.gov

Hope this helps.

M&J

[Tahoma 2,292]

I think we will also need to request an extension once we reach the NOA2 status.

I thought that a date for the K1 interview had to be scheduled before the beneficiary could go forward with the medical test, but it seems Michelle took her medical before a date for her K1 interview had been determined. Is this accurate?

Also, I think it is great that you were able to contact the US Consulate in Manila through e mail. Can you give me an e mail address for a contact at the US Embassy who handles the 129-F through K1 processes?

The U.S. Embassy Manila can extend the validity of your I-129F petition for up to one year. Just email them at the address that M&J posted.

St. Lukes prefers that you have the Embassy interview scheduled, but it's not required. They will allow you to complete your medical if you submit either a printout of your petition's approval NOA or a printout of your NVC letter.

[Misha♥Jeff 12]

St. Lukes prefers that you have the Embassy interview scheduled, but it's not required. They will allow you to complete your medical if you submit either a printout of your petition's approval NOA or a printout of your NVC letter.

We scheduled the interview with the embassy before Michelle went in for the physical exam. At St. Lukes, initially they didn't ask her about her embassy interview.

However, when her x-ray came up as "suspicious" on the second day, they asked her if her interview was already scheduled and told her she needs to cancel it until the culture results from a sputum test were back (eight weeks out).

Edited February 19, 2013 by Misha & Jeff

[Tahoma 2,292]

Sorry to hear about your delay at St. Lukes.

[Misha♥Jeff 12]

Sorry to hear about your delay at St. Lukes.

Thanks. Yeah it sucks, but we are more than 2 months into it. Michelle tests negative now, but will still be on "maintenance" meds until June. Luckily she lives in Metro Manila and didn't need to move from the province for the 6-month treatment. However it is a one-hour commute to St Lukes EVERY day.

[Jean and Joseph 0]

Hello all, my fiance just gave the sputum specimen at St. Lukes and was told to wait 2 months (putting it at Oct.) but the NOA expires Oct. 31. They told her she is negative for TB. I am sooooo praying everything works out and she comes to the US. I hate living here without her. I will email like Jeff stated to try and extend, as many people have stated, it is easy and they understand. Im going to email IVManilaReplies@state.gov now.

[Casey_Ana 7]

Hi, Jeff and Michelle. We did not email the embassy yet Per, St. Luke's they will report our cases for extension. Did they also said the same thing to Michelle? Thanks for your response. Have a great day!

[TBoneTX 45,550]

*** Thread moved from K-1 Process forum to the Philippines regional subforum -- country-specific discussion. ***