Wife’s cousin’s F11 immigrant visa expires soon, how to renew?

[Chris Amos 5]

Hi all,

 

My wife and I are concerned about her cousin’s F11 immigrant visa and he still remains in Kazakhstan. Due to Covid-19, he cannot use his visa to see his mother and the expiration date is May 13th. Does anyone know if there is a way to renew the F11 visa or any word from Immigration about waiving any expired visas or such?

[geowrian 22,335]

the visa cannot be extended but it can be reissued at the consulate's discretion if it meets the criteria.

FAM: https://fam.state.gov/fam/09FAM/09FAM050410.html#M504_10_5

Quote

9 FAM 504.10-5(A)  (U) Issuing Replacement Visa During Validity of Original Visa

(CT:VISA-411;   07-20-2017)

a.  (U) If you are satisfied that an applicant will be or was unable to use an immigrant visa (IV) during its validity period because of reasons beyond the applicant’s control and for which the applicant is not responsible then you may issue a replacement visa with the originally allocated visa number within the same fiscal year even though the visa has not yet expired.  You should recall and cancel the originally-issued visa and collect once again the appropriate IV application processing fee (including the Diversity Visa Lottery Fee for a DV applicant), unless the applicant was unable to use the visa as a result of action by the U.S. Government over which the alien had no control and for which the alien was not responsible.

b. (U) An applicant who will be or was unable to use an IV during its validity period because of reasons within the applicant's control can submit a new visa application if the petition has not been revoked and if the basis for immigration still exists (i.e., familial relationship).  This also applies for new IV applications outside of the original IV's fiscal year of issuance.

Note that a new medical and a new visa fee payment are required under current policy. Unless that policy changes, expect that they will be required. It's possible they will waive the fees given the situation, but they have not stated any intent to do so at this time.

The medical is necessary as the visa validity period is tied to the medical validity period.

Edited April 12, 2020 by geowrian