denial reaffirmed case at NVC and a new interview

[Afrilaskan Queen 0]

Hello All,

I have some questions about IR-1 visa interview.

For those who don't know, our petition was approved in 2007, we had an I-129 interview (but we were married, using I-130 after U.S. arrival). That interview resulted in a denial. Finally in 2010 our case was reaffirmed or reapproved, sent to NVC. Our case is only waiting on one more piece of paper and then our petition (now called an IR-1) will be sent to the embassy.

We are married over 3 years now, due to extenuating circumstances I have been unable to live in the country my husband lives, only long visits. I do not know what to expect with an IR-1 interview. Last time we just spoke the truth, but later found out our case was never even looked at in the Embassy, the whole situation was just incredible stressful.

Once NVC has our last required paper, I wonder how to prepare for all of this.

Thanks

[BigSigh 12]

Good luck with everything!

[pushbrk 12,908]

Hello All,

I have some questions about IR-1 visa interview.

For those who don't know, our petition was approved in 2007, we had an I-129 interview (but we were married, using I-130 after U.S. arrival). That interview resulted in a denial. Finally in 2010 our case was reaffirmed or reapproved, sent to NVC. Our case is only waiting on one more piece of paper and then our petition (now called an IR-1) will be sent to the embassy.

We are married over 3 years now, due to extenuating circumstances I have been unable to live in the country my husband lives, only long visits. I do not know what to expect with an IR-1 interview. Last time we just spoke the truth, but later found out our case was never even looked at in the Embassy, the whole situation was just incredible stressful.

Once NVC has our last required paper, I wonder how to prepare for all of this.

Thanks

Be prepared to address the reasons for the initial denial in pretty much the same way you did to get the case reaffirmed. You've given no information about the issues that caused the initial denial so without a clear understanding of them, how much more do you expect in the way of counsel here?

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

Be prepared to show what you have as common things. Is he on your insurance? Do you have any joint accounts ? What do the two of you have together ?

[tokyo.lovers 6]

what happens if they keep denying the visa? what do people do?

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

You can keep fighting, hire lawyers go to court to try to show that their reasoning in the denial is wrong. It is expensive and it is a hard thing to beat the government in court. Many long distance relationships will eventually fall apart due to the separation. This is especially true in areas where it is a longer and more expensive trip so you can only go visit maybe once a year. At some point the couple has to examine if they can move the other way. This is often difficult for the USC as the standard of living can be very different in your spouses country. It gets more complicated if the USC has medical conditions that require first world medical care or if there are children from a previous relationship that must be considered.

[Afrilaskan Queen 0]

Good luck with everything!

Thanks TeyaValentina! I hope it is very soon! I miss my hubby so much.

[Afrilaskan Queen 0]

Be prepared to address the reasons for the initial denial in pretty much the same way you did to get the case reaffirmed. You've given no information about the issues that caused the initial denial so without a clear understanding of them, how much more do you expect in the way of counsel here?

Hi pushbrk,

Well the denial reasons were that we came to the interview without any evidence (i.e. emails, photos), which wasn't true. The other was the photos they did see were posed for the immigration process (huh?), the last one was denial based on marrying on my first trip to my hubby's country. However when our case was reapproved, the request was not to meet burden of proof on those reasons, they wanted more evidence of a continuing relationship, so that is what we sent.

Do you have suggestion now? Thank You.

[canadian_wife 1,822]

Since you are already dealing with a difficult consulate, I would (of course) tell the truth, but with every answer offer evidence.

For Example

Question: "How long have you known your husband?"

Answer: "For x years, as you can see by our phone lots and e-mails, we've been in constant contact since then and these boarding passes show many vists since our first meeting"

Good luck

[Afrilaskan Queen 0]

Since you are already dealing with a difficult consulate, I would (of course) tell the truth, but with every answer offer evidence.

For Example

Question: "How long have you known your husband?"

Answer: "For x years, as you can see by our phone lots and e-mails, we've been in constant contact since then and these boarding passes show many vists since our first meeting"

Good luck

Hello Canadian_Wife,

Thank you for this suggestion! I think that's an excellent way of showing our evidence and answering the questions. I believe they will want to see evidence from prior to our marriage since one of the reasons for denial was that we didn't bring evidence (which wasn't true). There is very few emails, mostly pictures/travel/phone records.

I am trying to figure out how many pictures to bring, how many is too many. I dont' believe they will sit and thumb through the 5000 pics we have...lol. But I learned from the first interview that they look at these pictures critically, it seems odd to me, I mean we just took pictures when we wanted to and we looked into the camera and smiled, but the found that to be suspcious and posed. I cannot seem to put myself in the interviewers place, because I see our loving relationship - but they are looking for a reason that it's not.

Well I appreciate your suggestion, I will suggest my husband keep that in mind when he interviews. Thank You.

[canadian_wife 1,822]

Is there any possible way you could be there, in Nigeria, when he is interviewed? He could bring in your passport to show you are in the country (I assume you'll be given an entry stamp). This may help with the validity questions

Good luck

[Afrilaskan Queen 0]

Is there any possible way you could be there, in Nigeria, when he is interviewed? He could bring in your passport to show you are in the country (I assume you'll be given an entry stamp). This may help with the validity questions

Good luck

Hello canadian_wife,

Yes, I have been planning for the past year to be at this interview, I will be there at the Embassy though I realize I cannot actually come in for the interview. I am so anxious for the date and to get my ticket in advance if possible. thanks for your encouragement. I do hope it will make a difference, and I really do not want to leave the country again without my hubby - it feels like your heart is being put in half.

Take Care

[Married2009 32]

Phone records are good, any cards or letters you have sent to each other, gifts, affidavits from family and friends. As to the pictures, I had mine on the computer, and copied and pasted them into a word document (I put about 8 pictures per page), so I could put captions under the picture. Just short one sentence captions that stated who or what. For you, since they already suspect your pictures, maybe a caption of not only where you were, but some small bit of info, like what was happening when you took the pic. Make the captions like you were making it for a friend to see. (Not sure if I am explaining it right).

Also, do a timeline of your relationship. People from hard countries say it helps a great deal. Go over the timeline with him, and make sure you both know the dates and events. There are some posts about relationship timelines, just not sure where. I know a lot of people in Vietnam create them.

Good luck!

Edited to add: PM me if you want me to send you one page of what I did on the pictures.

Edited June 4, 2010 by Married2009