Palmer30

Hi All,

Firstly, I hope that everyone is safe and well in this truly terrible time that we are all going through.

I thought that I would create a thread as this week is interestingly the week that myself and my family were due to relocate to Dallas, TX from the UK, which has obviously taken a backseat due to the pandemic. My wife and I have completed our IR-1 process and I received my passport back with I-551 sticker and white envelope approx 4 weeks ago via DCF London.

Now that we have unpacked all of our belongings which we had packed ready to go, and we thankfully still have somewhere to live, I thought that I would reach out and see if anyone else is in this position?

My IV expires mid August (thankfully my medical was just before my embassy interview) but if theoretically speaking we are not able to travel before this date, I assume there are processes in place to renew my I-551? Also, I got my police certificate in January so I assume this is only valid for 6 months, as is my medical?

Grateful for any feedback. There must be many people in this position right now.

Thanks,
Palmer

Rete

In light of the fact that international travel is banned at the moment, the US Embassy can extend the validity of the IR-1 visa in your passport. BTW the I-551 stamp will be placed in your passport at the POE. You do not have an I-551 at the moment.

Palmer30

Thanks, Rete. I did wonder if that was the case. If it does come to it, hopefully it will be as simple as extending the validity of the visa and I will not have to resubmit paperwork.

I have been checking the US Embassy website to see if they have any information about the process with no luck. If my visa expires, I assume I will have to contact them and advise them of my position and see if they can provide me with some options?

Thanks for clarification on the I-551!

lansbury

It wouldn't be surprising if another medical, if the 6 months has lapsed, isn't required.

Rete

It's possible that they might want an abbreviated medical just to determine that they do not have covid-19. In the past, others have had their visa's extended w/o issue.

That said, in today's climate, we can only guesstimate what will be needed, i.e. medical, police clearance certificate updated, and if US financial sponsor, new I-864?

stuwoolf

Isnt a Police Certificate acceptable as long as it is no more than 12 months old?

Grateful for clarification.

Stay safe.

scrubbedexpat099

There are still flight, obviously USC's qualify and so do their spouses.

civilservant

I was going to mention this too. There is actually no reason, beyond desire to avoid the virus, for you to allow your visa to expire.

Palmer30

This is a factor and had been on my mind. However, having a 1 year old daughter who would be travelling with us, one has to think about what the right thing to do is and putting her in harms way to travel and take that risk, in my opinion would not be right.

Palmer30

My apologies, you are correct. I checked my paperwork and UK police Certificates are valid for 12 months.

Palmer30

That is what I was thinking too.

So I gather from feedback that there is nothing formal from the US/US Embassy that is attainable or has been posted anywhere that I have missed, which gives any form of guidance? I guess I will try and contact them in due course and see what information I can get....

civilservant

No there has been no blanket announcement regarding visa extensions.

Palmer30

I think I may have answered my own question.

Taken from the US Embassy website.

https://uk.usembassy.gov/information...d-19-outbreak/

"Immigrant and fiancé(e) visas cannot be extended. However, if you are unable to travel within the validity period of your visa due to circumstances beyond your control, you can request visa reissuance. Please monitor our website for the latest updates. After normal operations have resumed and your unused visa has expired, please reply to this email at that time to request visa reissuance. We will send you information about how to submit your passport, visa package (if applicable) and a letter explaining why you were unable to travel and requesting visa reissuance. Please note that you will be required to undergo a new medical examination and pay a new visa fee before the visa can be reissued."

stuwoolf

Ouch!

Palmer30

Yep! Plus, the additional fee’s for the medical!