Side loading at NVC or bring to interview

[roughlyworried 5]

Hello,

 

Is it better to side load at NVC or take additional evidence to the interview? I’ve read some conflicting info, all anecdotal of course. Some say that it can affect a COs decision (I’ve also heard a CO makes a decision before the interview even happens and if you side load it can end up making the decision positive?) I’ve also heard that they could already have made a decision and not even consider hand brought evidence and deny. Others say it won’t affect their decision even if side loaded. Some say it’s a red flag. Again others say an I-130s approval is enough since that means the CO would believe the relationship based on the available info and adding additional info without their asking could cause them to reconsider what USCIS already decided. 

 

of course I’m once again asking for opinions, but still curious and confused. Our original I-130 only has one meeting together, whereas we’ve met a few more times since filing. Thanks!

Edited April 20, 2023 by roughlyworried

[Chancy 6,241]

2 hours ago, roughlyworried said:

others say an I-130s approval is enough since that means the CO would believe the relationship based on the available info and adding additional info without their asking could cause them to reconsider what USCIS already decided. 

 

That is definitely not true.  If USCIS petition approval was enough, there would be no point to consular adjudication and visa processing.

 

In any case, no one other than consulate insiders would know for sure what they do with evidence side-loaded at NVC stage.  But, I have not seen any reports here on VJ of side-loading harming a case.  It certainly didn't harm my case, though I have no idea if it helped at all.

 

[leeen21 27]

I've been wondering about this as well, and I just wanted to clarify what side-loading means. Does it mean that you upload more documents to CEAC while you are waiting for your interview? And if so, do you upload those under the applicant's civil documents? Or under the petitioner's financial documents?

[Chancy 6,241]

2 hours ago, leeen21 said:

Does it mean that you upload more documents to CEAC while you are waiting for your interview? And if so, do you upload those under the applicant's civil documents? Or under the petitioner's financial documents?

 

Yes, it means uploading additional bona fide relationship evidence to CEAC prior to the visa interview.  You may upload them under the additional documents section of the Civil Documents tab.

 

[roughlyworried 5]

On 4/20/2023 at 9:08 PM, Chancy said:

 

That is definitely not true.  If USCIS petition approval was enough, there would be no point to consular adjudication and visa processing.

 

In any case, no one other than consulate insiders would know for sure what they do with evidence side-loaded at NVC stage.  But, I have not seen any reports here on VJ of side-loading harming a case.  It certainly didn't harm my case, though I have no idea if it helped at all.

 

Makes sense. I’m just getting concerned because we spent a lot of time after our initial petition together, in fact the majority of the time after the initial I-130 was spent together. However, in the I-130, they only have our original couple month meeting trip after getting married online. And seeing that COs are not required to consider hand brought evidence and side loaded NVC evidence, it’s made me wonder what the best path is since our time after the initial filing seems to be critical to our case.