If the I-129F fiance Petition form expires

I’m sure you saw the top right hand of the I-129F form and wondered about the OMB expiration date. Does it say 8/31/2018? 

1. Does this mean the form is expired and you can’t use it anymore?

2. Will we get in trouble if we submit this form?

Well, not exactly. 

There are two types of dates written on the I-129F form. The first (on the top right hand) is the OMB expiration. The second is the “edition date” on the bottom left.

OMB expiration – is the government’s way of making sure they keep reassessing forms so they’re continuously being checked, improved, and readjusted.

Edition date – is the time the I-129F form was issued. This is currently the 4/10/2017 version

If we pass the OMB expiration date, it just means the form is due for a new edition. However, until the USCIS issues a newer version of the I-129F form, you can still keep using the older one.

You should not get in trouble if you submit the I-129F form after it expires.

The edition date is what really controls which form the USCIS is accepting in their lockbox facility.

So, your steps are…

(1) Check the USCIS website for which “edition date” they’re currently accepting 

(2) Instead of worrying about the OMB expiration date, be sure that the edition date is the latest one. 

(3) Until the USCIS issues a new form, you can keep using the older one without getting into trouble.