Planning ahead

[EzyEby 5]

My approved I-130 petition is at NVC. No case or IV number assigned to us yet. I am optimistic that our process will go smooth and so planning ahead here. I want to buy her ticket ahead of time because it will cost us less. I am just wondering if it is a good idea. I read somewhere here where some people advised not doing it. This process have been costly (including traveling back and forth to see my wife). I am looking for a way to save in the remainder of this process and also considering that I want to go with my wife when her interview date comes out. A friend of mine was able to recoup the foreign part of the airfare. The airline did not refund him airfare within the states. Your response will be appreciated.

[JA_Martinez 81]

Do not book anything. The NVC website also states that. You havent made it thru the NVC yet....nor do you have a Visa appt nor a visa.

[michelle_enrique 6]

You should wait before doing that just in case there are any delays

[juliecabrera 8]

I STRONGLY advise you to wait, it's too risky.

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

Nigeria sometimes put females in AP after the interview ( not as often ) and every once in a while the visa printing machine breaks it you want to buy ahead ask the fee for change ( not refund ) the flight sometimes you pay a few hundred but you don't lose everything allow at least 2 weeks after interview for the printing of the visa and it is still very risky

[Ryan H 3,812]

Moved from Progress Reports to Process & Procedures.

[dwheels76 5,468]

My approved I-130 petition is at NVC. No case or IV number assigned to us yet. I am optimistic that our process will go smooth and so planning ahead here. I want to buy her ticket ahead of time because it will cost us less. I am just wondering if it is a good idea. I read somewhere here where some people advised not doing it. This process have been costly (including traveling back and forth to see my wife). I am looking for a way to save in the remainder of this process and also considering that I want to go with my wife when her interview date comes out. A friend of mine was able to recoup the foreign part of the airfare. The airline did not refund him airfare within the states. Your response will be appreciated.

Do you even have your case# yet? From case number to case complete if you pay on time, send package in on time and have no checklist (RFE) you will be done in about a month. Than you will wait in queue for interview which could be 2 to 4 months for Lagos.

Buying a ticket is not advised especially out of Lagos. Lately people have been put in AP and being investigated and resources checked. There are no guarantee's.

Honestly you buy the ticket when you have Visa in hand. I have even seen through Lagos what should be a week later to collect Visa took months. WAIT!!

[EzyEby 5]

Do you even have your case# yet? From case number to case complete if you pay on time, send package in on time and have no checklist (RFE) you will be done in about a month. Than you will wait in queue for interview which could be 2 to 4 months for Lagos.

Buying a ticket is not advised especially out of Lagos. Lately people have been put in AP and being investigated and resources checked. There are no guarantee's.

Honestly you buy the ticket when you have Visa in hand. I have even seen through Lagos what should be a week later to collect Visa took months. WAIT!!

I already have the case and invoice id number. I have gathered the records needed for NVC including police clearance which I received via mail from my wife yesterday. Thanks for the advice guys. I am still contemplating on buying the ticket when I am through with NVC and found out the interview date. I am not worried about the AP and delayed visa issuance because me and my wife have nothing to hide. If it happens then that's how the process is meant for us. The only thing that worries me is that me and wife did not know each other that long before we got married. It was love when I met her and I moved on to marry her. I just hope the NVC or CO don't raise an issue about it.

Edited March 1, 2014 by Ryan H

[NikLR 13,227]

Do not buy a ticket until the visa is in hand. Any number of things can happen. Since you have 6 months to use the visa after obtaining it, you'll have plenty of time to make sure to get a cheaper ticket (which is generally about 90 days out from the fight date.) That also gives your wife the time she needs to finish up anything, like visiting relatives she may not see for a long time.