Expiration Date of I-129F/I-797

[Suavester92 0]

 

My fiance & I had our I-129F petition approved in April. Unfortunately due to Covid-19, the consulates in Australia are closed and/or not currently processing visas. 

 

On my I-797 Notice I received from the USCIS, there exists a "Notice Type" section that includes an "Approval Notice" that is valid only until August 13, 2020. I am afraid that the consulate will not process our application until after this expiration date. Does this mean we will have to re-apply for the I-129F all over again and the excruciating processing time that goes with it? 

 

Is this an issue? Does anyone know if extension will be granted due to the current crisis? Should we reach out to the USCIS to request an extension? 

 

Obviously when we submitted our petition back in Jan 2020, we were not aware of the upcoming pandemic. This seems unfair if our petition now expires because consulates are not processing. 

If anyone has any info our tips it would be incredible helpful! 

[payxibka 10,044]

7 minutes ago, Suavester92 said:

 

My fiance & I had our I-129F petition approved in April. Unfortunately due to Covid-19, the consulates in Australia are closed and/or not currently processing visas. 

 

On my I-797 Notice I received from the USCIS, there exists a "Notice Type" section that includes an "Approval Notice" that is valid only until August 13, 2020. I am afraid that the consulate will not process our application until after this expiration date. Does this mean we will have to re-apply for the I-129F all over again and the excruciating processing time that goes with it? 

 

Is this an issue? Does anyone know if extension will be granted due to the current crisis? Should we reach out to the USCIS to request an extension? 

 

Obviously when we submitted our petition back in Jan 2020, we were not aware of the upcoming pandemic. This seems unfair if our petition now expires because consulates are not processing. 

If anyone has any info our tips it would be incredible helpful! 

Consulates can and will extend the petition for up to one year 

[Suavester92 0]

Just now, payxibka said:

Consulates can and will extend the petition for up to one year 

That's great news. Thank you for the quick reply! 

[NoMansLand2020 298]

@Suavester92

 

They should be automatically extended. I believe it's four months at a time. I don't believe that you need to do anything. Especially during the pandemic. 

Edited July 1, 2020 by Solaris81

[Desireehaj 1]

On 7/1/2020 at 3:47 PM, payxibka said:

Consulates can and will extend the petition for up to one year 

They will extend petitions from the date of filing or the interview. We are in administrative process while they investigate our relationship and supposedly do a DNA test. Do you know when my K-1 will expire. I keep getting different answers. 

[payxibka 10,044]

9 minutes ago, Desireehaj said:

They will extend petitions from the date of filing or the interview. We are in administrative process while they investigate our relationship and supposedly do a DNA test. Do you know when my K-1 will expire. I keep getting different answers. 

A k1, when issued, expires 6 months after the date of the medical exam 

[Desireehaj 1]

11 minutes ago, payxibka said:

A k1, when issued, expires 6 months after the date of the medical exam 

Would you happen to know if a lawyer help with that without having to apply all over again? 

[payxibka 10,044]

1 minute ago, Desireehaj said:

Would you happen to know if a lawyer help with that without having to apply all over again? 

Have you been denied yet? 

 

No visa has even been issued.

[Desireehaj 1]

No I he was just given a 221g I believe which is not an approval or denial. They said they needed to investigate our case further, kept all of our original evidence and told him to be ready for a DNA test. That was in February. 

[Corey Novak 5]

I’m in the same boat. My I-129f petition expires on the 23rd of this month. I’ve tried to call the embassy down in Panama but I keep getting a busy signal. I’m assuming that just means they are closed. I’ve been trying to email them asking for an extension but I feel like I’m not getting anywhere and I’m starting to freak out.