What happens to the 'evidence' at/after the interview?

[John&Lena 17]

Hey y'all!

I was wondering what happens at or after the interview with everything you bring with you.

Like the evidence of your ongoing relationship, I will bring letters, pictures, drawings he made for me, ...you know stuff like that.
Does the embassy keep that as evidence and add it to your case, or can you take it back home with you?

I mean, I wouldn't want to lose all that since it is quite precious to me.

So can anyone tell me what they do with that, and with all other documents for that matter?

[agrabs 241]

They handed ours back to us at the interview.

[indiana_sweetie 120]

They gave it all back to my hubby, in batches, through the slot under the window.

[mariepear 12]

I made copies of everything and brought the originals with me also. They looked at the originals and gave it back to me.

Edited September 29, 2013 by mariepear

[Darnell 8,478]

a pile in your hands? on interview day?

it depends.

if the Vice-Consul takes it, then it's added into the casefile, and you never, ever, see it again.

If the Vice-Consul just 'sees it' and not 'take it', well, effectively, it's in your hands when yer walking out of the IV Unit after the interview.

So, plan ahead - if COPIES are acceptable, then take copies.

For 'documents' - if you bring an original and a copy, showing both, the Vice-Consul will take the copy instead of the original, if you have that convo with the Vice-Consul.

Ultimately, after the visa interview, a visa packet is made inside the IV Unit, and you hand-carry that on your trip into the USA - you are not allowed to open that visa packet. That's the entire casefile, and you become a highly-paid courier (paid by yerself or yer petitioner) for the Department of State, during your trip into the USA.

[John&Lena 17]

if the Vice-Consul takes it, then it's added into the casefile, and you never, ever, see it again.

Never to be seen again? Why is that? There isn't much they can do with lovey-dovey handwritten letters, no? Where does it go, why would they keep that?

[Darnell 8,478]

Oh, but I answered that bit - reread what I wrote.

[Gill2013 2]

CO handed over to my wife ..they won't keep it

[John&Lena 17]

Oh, but I answered that bit - reread what I wrote.

There's no need to be 'mean' here. I was just wondering since that part made no sense to me. I just had a question and as far as I know, we are all here to ask and answer those.

[John&Lena 17]

They handed ours back to us at the interview.

Okay, good to know!

They gave it all back to my hubby, in batches, through the slot under the window.

Thanks for your reply, I hope it's the same for me.

I made copies of everything and brought the originals with me also. They looked at the originals and gave it back to me.

That's not a bad idea, I think I might just go do that too then.

CO handed over to my wife ..they won't keep it

I sure hope you're right.

Thanks all!

[Darnell 8,478]

There's no need to be 'mean' here. I was just wondering since that part made no sense to me. I just had a question and as far as I know, we are all here to ask and answer those.

Yer worried about 'stuff', and I've explained the process. If you have a deep concern over 'stuff' - bring originals and photocopies. Is quite possible the Vice-Consul will not add any relationship evidence into the casefile, that you hand over, on interview day.

I'm not being mean, I swear !

[nicaj 0]

Hey, for the most part, IV LES (locally employed staff), the people that prep your paper work at the window before you speak to the consul, keep only the originals when is absolutely necessary or you forget to ask for them. For the most part original pictures, bc, marriage certs are given back to you and the copies are given to you on a sealed envelope or better known as The packet. Which you will travel with and hand to the inspector at the port of entry. That goes for all IV cases approved in U. S. Consulates.

[ricky and elaine 8]

Thanks Darnell! You seem to have your finger on the pulse on Immigration! I often wondered about that "packet" the one people freaked out about if it was slightly opened..like it contained a some terrible thing if opened...We need not look to complicate an obviously complicated thing..I believe we will all come out of this journey with eyes wider and looking more to detail. I think everyone would do themselves a favour and not look too hard. Do it by the books and you should not have a problem. Stay kind and supportive. Also Darnell you seem to have the ability to diffuse an escalating issue with grace.

Guess we never really know what happens to the packet..but we all want it in our hands.

All the best to all

[nicaj 0]

If it is open by accident no need to worry. Take it to the IV section where they will add a " special glue to it" most Likely 99 cent adhesive glue and presto! off you go.

Maybe you will hear a rant or grunt from the staffer but that's it, it's their job to fix it.

[Andrea&Henry 311]

Hey y'all!

I was wondering what happens at or after the interview with everything you bring with you.

Like the evidence of your ongoing relationship, I will bring letters, pictures, drawings he made for me, ...you know stuff like that.

Does the embassy keep that as evidence and add it to your case, or can you take it back home with you?

I mean, I wouldn't want to lose all that since it is quite precious to me.

So can anyone tell me what they do with that, and with all other documents for that matter?

In my 2 years here I'd never read about someone who had their love letters and stuff, kept away from them (maybe if the person had a administrative review in the moment of her/his interview and the CO wants to recheck everything). Normally, once you are done, they handle it back to you. In some cases (like mine) they didn't even ask to see nor a single photo. It was funny cause my now hubby and I spent weeks working on our proof, putting everything well organized, printed a LOT of pics, but I guess they were pretty sure our relationship is genuine.

So don't worry, just make copies but bring the originals just in case...I wouldnt be worry about that at all

Good luck!