F2B Retention

[EireneFaith 54]

I am planning to apply for Naturalization. I have 2 petitions under F2B category. When I am Naturalize my petition will automatic be upgraded to F1. My sons need to request to opt out to automatic conversion. According to Visa Bulletin their Priority Date will take 7 years more to be current. My question is when is the best time for them to send the request of F2B retention from DHS US Embassy in Manila. This letter is necessary during their interview if their petition is on the process. Thank you.

[Jojo92122 1,924]

Wait.  

 

Upon naturalization, the cases for your kids automatically become F1 cases.  However, USCIS and the NVC will continue to process the cases as F2b until you update them with your proof of US citizenship.  Once you notify them that you are a USC, then they will process the cases as F1.  Then, you can ask for F2b retention.

 

The best time to ask for F2b retention is about 6 years from now when you have a clearer idea on whether staying in the F2b category would be faster than the F1 category.

There is no way to know how the F1 and F2b categories will move in the next 7 years.  The F1 category could end up being faster than the F2b category and F2b retention would be a bad idea.

[EireneFaith 54]

5 minutes ago, Jojo92122 said:

Wait.  

 

Upon naturalization, the cases for your kids automatically become F1 cases.  However, USCIS and the NVC will continue to process the cases as F2b until you update them with your proof of US citizenship.  Once you notify them that you are a USC, then they will process the cases as F1.  Then, you can ask for F2b retention.

 

The best time to ask for F2b retention is about 6 years from now when you have a clearer idea on whether staying in the F2b category would be faster than the F1 category.

There is no way to know how the F1 and F2b categories will move in the next 7 years.  The F1 category could end up being faster than the F2b category and F2b retention would be a bad idea.

Thank you for your advise. You are right the movement of F2B and versus F1 are not predictable, but most of the time the F2B is faster than F1. Have you requested the opt out for yourself or for your relatives? I want to plan very well  as I am starting to file for my Naturalization. I don't want for my sons to wait more years than I am expected. 10 years are too long enough. Their PD is Feb. 5 2014.

[Mack123 6]

Good morning I'm in f1 and would to switch back to f2b anyone know the process to do that?

[Jojo92122 1,924]

7 minutes ago, Mack123 said:

Good morning I'm in f1 and would to switch back to f2b anyone know the process to do that?

You write a letter to the NVC requesting F2b retention.

 

Use the search function on VJ, there are many examples on F2b retention requests.

[Triple28 65]

16 minutes ago, Triple28 said:

If anyone wants to request a F2B retention (from F1), you can write a letter to NVC using this electric form: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/ask-nvc.html. Fill in all the information, write a request for F2B retention, attach your scan of certificate of naturalization and approval letter (and a signed request letter if possible).

 

After 3 weeks, they will change your case to F2B. However, they will note that the DHS or Consular will decide if your case is valid for F2B (which mean you will have to sign an agreement for F2B retention in the interview). 

 

You should keep all the letters which were being sent by USCIS and NVC. Sometimes, they will ask your approval letter and certificate of naturalization, to prove that your case was approved before you got naturalization (F2B upgraded to F1).

If your case was approved after you got naturalization, which mean you are F1 from the beginning, so you will not have a chance to go to F2B.

 

Remember, you cannot go back to F1 after you request a F2B retention, so you should wait and check F1 and F2B cut off date, to see which one will pass your PD sooner. 

 

In 2017, F1 moved faster than F2B 6 months, then it was retrogressed.

In 2018, F2B moved faster than F1 3 months until now.

 

As you can see, their processing time is changing rapidly so you cannot predict them too soon.

Sorry. My previous post is wrong in one sentence. I cannot edit it so I hightlighted the corrected one above.

[TBoneTX 45,497]

Incorrect initial post removed at poster's request; corrected one (just above) remains.

[Mack123 6]

Good afternoon did anybody that have done the F2B retention have gotten a IL

[Triple28 65]

1 hour ago, Mack123 said:

Good afternoon did anybody that have done the F2B retention have gotten a IL

Yes. It's me.

PD 15 May 2011.

 

1 May 2018, send an inquiry to NVC asking for F2B retention.

 

16 May 2018, NVC reply with F2B preference.

 

22 May 2018 got Case completed email (2nd time) with F2B preference.

The 1st time CC which I got in 2017 is F1.

 

1 Jun 2018 send a query to NVC asking about my case status.

 

15 Jun 2018 got email from NVC note that the Consulate will schedule my interview.

 

2 Jul 2018 got interview letter for August 2018.

 

[EireneFaith 54]

4 hours ago, Triple28 said:

Yes. It's me.

PD 15 May 2011.

 

1 May 2018, send an inquiry to NVC asking for F2B retention.

 

16 May 2018, NVC reply with F2B preference.

 

22 May 2018 got Case completed email (2nd time) with F2B preference.

The 1st time CC which I got in 2017 is F1.

 

1 Jun 2018 send a query to NVC asking about my case status.

 

15 Jun 2018 got email from NVC note that the Consulate will schedule my interview.

 

2 Jul 2018 got interview letter for August 2018.

 

That's fast. From which country are you? When was your petitioner become Naturalized Citizen? I am applying for Naturalization. I have 2 petitions F2B category. I know their Family Preference will be upgraded to F1 which is very slow in the Philippines that's why I will asked my sons to request to NVC a F2B Retention. Their PD is February 2014.

Thank you.

[Triple28 65]

1 hour ago, EireneFaith said:

That's fast. From which country are you? When was your petitioner become Naturalized Citizen? I am applying for Naturalization. I have 2 petitions F2B category. I know their Family Preference will be upgraded to F1 which is very slow in the Philippines that's why I will asked my sons to request to NVC a F2B Retention. Their PD is February 2014.

Thank you.

When you become citizen, you do not have to notify the NVC about that.

 

You can wait until your PD is current in Table 2, then you got Welcome Letter from NVC guiding paying fees, submitting documents etc.

That is the time you should submit a COPY of certificate of naturalization (not original) and a letter of F2B retention.

 

After NVC get your naturalization certificate and letter of F2B retention, they will change your case to F1. Several weeks later, they will change it to F2B.

 

If you check the case status via email with NVC and find out that your case is still F1, you have to send them your SCAN of certificate, letter and approval notice to ask NVC again, until you see F2B in your preference.

 

If you do not ask F2B retention and hide the fact that you are citizen, when you child attend the interview for F2B, the consular Officer will ask him to go home, wait for F1 interview or after F2B retention is approved.

 

Phillipines is very strict with F2B retention letter. You have to ask DHS to send you a letter of approval about F2B retention before the interview, by sending a copy of certificate, letter and approval notice. 

 

[EireneFaith 54]

11 minutes ago, Triple28 said:

When you become citizen, you do not have to notify the NVC about that.

 

You can wait until your PD is current in Table 2, then you got Welcome Letter from NVC guiding paying fees, submitting documents etc.

That is the time you should submit a COPY of certificate of naturalization (not original) and a letter of F2B retention.

 

After NVC get your naturalization certificate and letter of F2B retention, they will change your case to F1. Several weeks later, they will change it to F2B.

 

If you check the case status via email with NVC and find out that your case is still F1, you have to send them your SCAN of certificate, letter and approval notice to ask NVC again, until you see F2B in your preference.

 

If you do not ask F2B retention and hide the fact that you are citizen, when you child attend the interview for F2B, the consular Officer will ask him to go home, wait for F1 interview or after F2B retention is approved.

 

Phillipines is very strict with F2B retention letter. You have to ask DHS to send you a letter of approval about F2B retention before the interview, by sending a copy of certificate, letter and approval notice. 

 

Thank you so much. Your advise is highly appreciated.

[tcmd818 0]

Hi. I need advice. Im from the Philippines and im a beneficiary for F2B petition with PD july30,2007. September 2017, i recieved my welcome letter from the NVC. Did all the processes and paid all fees,  finally finished submission of all the documents by March 2018. I inquired regarding my case status at NVC, then recieved a response that my documents are all complete and waiting for PD to be current. Finally, received my interview letter today, and my interview set on april 23, 2019. But only to find out that my mother filed her citizenship last October 2018. She didnt notify the NVC regarding her naturalization, thinking that the process is done and just waiting for a visa. Now that i have 5 weeks before the interview, do i still have enough time to go through the opt-out letter and the other procedures? Please help... 

[Weebee 57]

5 hours ago, tcmd818 said:

Hi. I need advice. Im from the Philippines and im a beneficiary for F2B petition with PD july30,2007. September 2017, i recieved my welcome letter from the NVC. Did all the processes and paid all fees,  finally finished submission of all the documents by March 2018. I inquired regarding my case status at NVC, then recieved a response that my documents are all complete and waiting for PD to be current. Finally, received my interview letter today, and my interview set on april 23, 2019. But only to find out that my mother filed her citizenship last October 2018. She didnt notify the NVC regarding her naturalization, thinking that the process is done and just waiting for a visa. Now that i have 5 weeks before the interview, do i still have enough time to go through the opt-out letter and the other procedures? Please help... 

Did she file in October or she took her oath? Just filing N-400 doesn't make her a citizen. 

 

Edited March 12, 2019 by Weebee

[EireneFaith 54]

On 3/12/2019 at 10:54 AM, tcmd818 said:

Hi. I need advice. Im from the Philippines and im a beneficiary for F2B petition with PD july30,2007. September 2017, i recieved my welcome letter from the NVC. Did all the processes and paid all fees,  finally finished submission of all the documents by March 2018. I inquired regarding my case status at NVC, then recieved a response that my documents are all complete and waiting for PD to be current. Finally, received my interview letter today, and my interview set on april 23, 2019. But only to find out that my mother filed her citizenship last October 2018. She didnt notify the NVC regarding her naturalization, thinking that the process is done and just waiting for a visa. Now that i have 5 weeks before the interview, do i still have enough time to go through the opt-out letter and the other procedures? Please help... 

You have enough time to submit an opt out letter. Send all the necessary requirements with the opt out letter and you don't have to worry.