CR1-Additional information after interview

[Helene S 16]

After the interview at the London embassy we were asked (green paper ticked 221g) to provide additional evidence to support the Affidavit of Support : add a  joint sponsor and provide evidence of petitioner’s domicile in the US.

 

We have sorted the joint sponsor part and are gathering evidence to justify “concrete steps to establish domicile in the US” as we both live in the UK and intend to move to the US at the same time.

 

Our first question : do we have several attempts for submitting additional evidence? 
If our evidence is not satisfactory at this point, will they ask for additional proof again or will we simply be denied the visa?

 

Our second question : has anyone sucessfully justified of “concrete steps to establish domicile” without having a US house secured signed? What evidence did you submit? 
The guidance is to not quit my job and buy tickets but on the other hand we are expected to have a lease signed or bought a property in the US, so we are at loss.

 

Any help welcome! We have been on this journey on our own  since March 2021 and the interview was a hard hit! Many thanks!

Edited May 9, 2023 by Helene S

[Redro 4,611]

12 minutes ago, Helene S said:

After the interview at the London embassy we were asked (green paper ticked 221g) to provide additional evidence to support the Affidavit of Support : add a  joint sponsor and provide evidence of petitioner’s domicile in the US.

 

We have sorted the joint sponsor part and are gathering evidence to justify “concrete steps to establish domicile in the US” as we both live in the UK and intend to move to the US at the same time.

 

Our first question : do we have several attempts for submitting additional evidence? 
If our evidence is not satisfactory at this point, will they ask for additional proof again or will we simply be denied the visa?

 

Our second question : has anyone sucessfully justified of “concrete steps to establish domicile” without having a US house secured signed? What evidence did you submit? 
The guidance is to not quit my job and buy tickets but on the other hand we are expected to have a lease signed or bought a property in the US, so we are at loss.

 

Any help welcome! We have been on this journey on our own  since March 2021 and the interview was a hard hit! Many thanks!

 

The guidance is the intending immigrant is the one who shouldn't quit their job/sell their property or buy tickets before the interview. 

 

Where do you plan on living for the first few weeks after you arrive? Most USC's returning with their spouses move in with a family member or friend for the first few weeks. 

A letter from the homeowner inviting the family to live with them (with proof of ownership) usually suffices. 

If you are planning to rent as soon as you arrive, correspondence with a real estate agent is advised. 

Evidence of looking for a job is also something that can help.

If you have children, corresponding with schools is something people show as evidence. 

 

ETA: What type of evidence to you show at the interview? 

 

Here is what happened at our interview: 

 

 

Edited May 9, 2023 by Redro

[NasUK 35]

7 minutes ago, Helene S said:

After the interview at the London embassy we were asked (green paper ticked 221g) to provide additional evidence to support the Affidavit of Support : add a  joint sponsor and provide evidence of petitioner’s domicile in the US.

 

We have sorted the joint sponsor part and are gathering evidence to justify “concrete steps to establish domicile in the US” as we both live in the UK and intend to move to the US at the same time.

 

Our first question : do we have several attempts for submitting additional evidence? 
If our evidence is not satisfactory at this point, will they ask for additional proof again or will we simply be denied the visa?

 

Our second question : has anyone sucessfully justified of “concrete steps to establish domicile” without having a US house secured signed? What evidence did you submit? 
The guidance is to not quit my job and buy tickets but on the other hand we are expected to have a lease signed or bought a property in the US, so we are at loss.

 

Any help welcome! We have been on this journey on our own  since March 2021 and the interview was a hard hit! Many thanks!

For domicile of our joint sponsor (my mother in law) we used the driving license as a proof of domicile as for denying your visa i don't think this will happen as in the end of the day i think they just need all that little information from you and most likely will approve. Let us know how it goes

[Helene S 16]

27 minutes ago, NasUK said:

For domicile of our joint sponsor (my mother in law) we used the driving license as a proof of domicile as for denying your visa i don't think this will happen as in the end of the day i think they just need all that little information from you and most likely will approve. Let us know how it goes

Thank you. We need to establish the US domicile of my husband (USC), the petitioner and MAIN sponsor, who lives in the UK with me. We need to prove he is taking concrete steps to establish domicile in the US at the same time as me. But we intend to look for a house in the US after getting the visa as we want to move in a few months only. Any advice on this?

[Helene S 16]

41 minutes ago, Redro said:

 

The guidance is the intending immigrant is the one who shouldn't quit their job/sell their property or buy tickets before the interview. 

 

Where do you plan on living for the first few weeks after you arrive? Most USC's returning with their spouses move in with a family member or friend for the first few weeks. 

A letter from the homeowner inviting the family to live with them (with proof of ownership) usually suffices. 

If you are planning to rent as soon as you arrive, correspondence with a real estate agent is advised. 

Evidence of looking for a job is also something that can help.

If you have children, corresponding with schools is something people show as evidence. 

 

ETA: What type of evidence to you show at the interview? 

 

Here is what happened at our interview: 

 

 

Thank you, I have just read the thread you linked and it was a useful read. We intend to move in 5months time so hard to quit his job so much ahead.

 

We had : correspondence and interviews with potential employers (no formal offer as we didn’t want to commit before knowing if I could go) + US voting register + US bank account (but just online banking).

 

Now we are adding : letter explaining our plan +  US tax filing records + further correspondence with one employer who is waiting on my husband (USC) to confirm our date of departure + quotes to move pets.

 

We are wondering if we should add : letter from a friend who can host us (in reality we intend to lease from the start but we can’t secure a lease 5months in advance!) + buy a flight ticket for my husband (USC).

 

Thoughts?

[SalishSea 17,808]

1 hour ago, Helene S said:

The guidance is to not quit my job and buy tickets but on the other hand we are expected to have a lease signed or bought a property in the US, so we are at loss.

That is just for the immigrant spouse.  USC can (and often does) move first to establish domicile, get a job in order to sponsor, etc.

[seekingthetruth 1,246]

Following.  I'm the petitioner but I am retired, living with my wife and family overseas.  I'm hoping a detailed letter of my plan to reestablish domicile will have some weight.

 

Instead of the letter from the friend (which is not really truthful), make some contacts with realtors or leasing or management companies who will help you find a place to rent.  You may be able to open an account with some of these companies, which shows intent.

[Helene S 16]

4 minutes ago, SalishSea said:

That is just for the immigrant spouse.  USC can (and often does) move first to establish domicile, get a job in order to sponsor, etc.

Thank you. For the sponsor question we have a joint sponsor in the US. Any advice on how to prove intention to establish domicile in order for us to move together in 5months time? We can’t secure a lease so much in advance. 

[Redro 4,611]

35 minutes ago, Helene S said:

Thank you, I have just read the thread you linked and it was a useful read. We intend to move in 5months time so hard to quit his job so much ahead.

 

We had : correspondence and interviews with potential employers (no formal offer as we didn’t want to commit before knowing if I could go) + US voting register + US bank account (but just online banking).

 

Now we are adding : letter explaining our plan +  US tax filing records + further correspondence with one employer who is waiting on my husband (USC) to confirm our date of departure + quotes to move pets.

 

We are wondering if we should add : letter from a friend who can host us (in reality we intend to lease from the start but we can’t secure a lease 5months in advance!) + buy a flight ticket for my husband (USC).

 

Thoughts?

Did you husband go to the interview with you? 

It sounds like your husband isn't ready to move to the US. I would wait until you have firm dates before submitting evidence of his intention to re-establish domicile...

it also sounds like you are only planning on moving just as your visa will expire (the visa will only be valid for 6 months from the medical) even if they only issue the visa in 2 months time. It won't have a 6 month validity from date of issue. 

Sounds like you have some great evidence but whatever you do don't couch language in "as soon as Helene S gets her visa". The entire point of filing for you is family reunification in the US... so if it sounds like your husband won't move to the US unless you do... there is no reason to issue you the visa (he isn't really intending to move back to the US).... 

The process really is difficult because US immigration works on their own timeline and they expect us to jump even if we aren't ready... Good luck!

[Helene S 16]

9 minutes ago, Redro said:

(the visa will only be valid for 6 months from the medical) even if they only issue the visa in 2 months time. It won't have a 6 month validity from date of issue. 

Thank you, your reply is extremely helpful and makes sense.
Regarding the medical, you are right, I will need to do a new one in order to be valid for our departure date. Do you know if I have to do it now before resubmitting evidence or if it’s something the Embassy might ask me to update after reviewing our additional info (and seeing our new planned departure date)?

It has a big price tag so ideally I would redo it after confirmation that our additional information was approved.

[Redro 4,611]

41 minutes ago, Helene S said:

Thank you, your reply is extremely helpful and makes sense.
Regarding the medical, you are right, I will need to do a new one in order to be valid for our departure date. Do you know if I have to do it now before resubmitting evidence or if it’s something the Embassy might ask me to update after reviewing our additional info (and seeing our new planned departure date)?

It has a big price tag so ideally I would redo it after confirmation that our additional information was approved.

You cannot re-do the  medical until the visa expires.

Then you will have to go to the embassy and show them you were unable to leave before the visa expired and request they extend it. 

 

What you're planning to do (move to the US on your timeline) probably won't work...  

Instead you should get evidence together showing your husband is moving to the US. Have proof you've secured a residence (a friend or family member not a rental is fine). 

Then once they issue the visa fly to the US with your husband and activate your visa. Then stay in the US for a few days/ a week or so... and return to the U.K to complete the moving process. 

 

From US Embassy UK website:

The validity of the visa is linked to the validity of the medical report.  If your visa has been issued and you will not use the visa before the expiry date, you are required to return your passport and visa package to the Embassy for cancellation with a covering letter explaining why you did not use the visa once the visa expires .  If you wish, you may request that the visa is re-issued.  If the Consular officer determines that the reason for not traveling was due to circumstances beyond your control, you will be required to attend a new medical, obtain a new UK police certificate (if the previous certificate was issued more than 12 months ago) and pay new visa issuance fees.

 

 

ETA: You might want to consider sending in evidence closer to your move date/after the medical expires. This way you skip a step and don't have to show why you didn't move before the visa expired. If the first medical has expired they should request another one before they issue your visa...  

 

Edited May 9, 2023 by Redro

[Helene S 16]

UPDATE : my Visa got approved!

We have followed the advice from @Redro. The key was to show that my husband IS moving to the US on date X, with or without me, rather than " we will sort everything and move together once the visa is approved".

For proof of intention to establish domicile we submitted the following additional documents :

- letter from my husband (USC) explaining our plan and testifying that he intends to move concurrently on X date with me, and listing all the documents submitted to prove it

- IRS tax returns for the last 3 years and FBAR for the last 6 years

- Single flight ticket for my husband (USC) on date X

- Temporary accomodation rental for 3 weeks upon arrival, with correspondance (air bnb)

- Car rental for 2 weeks upon arrival

- Booking and proof of deposit for the moving of our pets for date X, with extensive correspondance with the agent

-Additional correspondance with my husband potential future employer

- Correspondance with an agent for an appartment community envisaged as permanent housing (2 emails with no commitment)

This is in addition to what we previously submitted :

- US bank account (online Wise account)

- Voting register

- Seeking employment correspondance

This was processed by the Embassy in London UK. They were very responsive by email to helpi us upload the documents on CEAC and once uploaded the VISA was issued the following day (!) and the passport shiped one day later.