Right time to submit

[ecuatorianos2018 41]

Hey everyone! This is my first time on here after spending a long time getting the i-129f packet in order. I have a question on when to submit the packet because my fiancée is set to graduate from college in her home country  the first week of December 2019. From the current timelines, the visa process seems to be taking around 9-10 months which the timing would work great if I sent it now. However, I'm worried in the rare chance that the visa is issued earlier than expected that she would have to wait and I know the visa only has a validity of 6 months for her to enter. With this in mind, would it be better to send the visa now or wait until the beginning of 2019 or something? Thank you all very much!  

[DaveAndAnastasia 2,078]

There's no way to predict how long your case will take; you can find current averages, and they haven't changed much over the last year or so. But they went up a lot in the first half of 2017. And went down a lot at some point, because in 2011 they were pretty similar to now.

So file when you and your fiancé are ready. It's extremely unlikely she'll get her visa soon enough that coming to the US in Dec 2019 would be too late.

[Tinman71 42]

I'm pretty sure the actual visa has a 4 month expiry window also us is takes 6 months or so then nvc 4-6 weeks then you can schedule the interview at the consulate to suit the graduation time. Plus I'm thinking approval times may increase by a few weeks with the upcoming holiday season. Time off at thanksgiving and Christmas season. It's truly a crapp shoot

[DaveAndAnastasia 2,078]

1 minute ago, Tinman71 said:

I'm pretty sure the actual visa has a 4 month expiry window also us is takes 6 months or so then nvc 4-6 weeks then you can schedule the interview at the consulate to suit the graduation time. Plus I'm thinking approval times may increase by a few weeks with the upcoming holiday season. Time off at thanksgiving and Christmas season. It's truly a crapp shoot

The approved petition has a 4 month window until it expires (can be renewed twice, almost certainly will be if there just aren't slots available, but always make sure; don't count on getting it extended just for convenience); the beneficiary needs to schedule an interview before then. The visa expires six months after the medical.

 

[Tinman71 42]

Just now, DaveAndAnastasia said:

The approved petition has a 4 month window until it expires (can be renewed twice, almost certainly will be if there just aren't slots available, but always make sure; don't count on getting it extended just for convenience); the beneficiary needs to schedule an interview before then. The visa expires six months after the medical.

 

Thanks for the clarification. 

[kris&me 572]

seems u can  submit it anytime

with the process taking so long now and fiancee can within 6 months of medical,  it would all work out