NRobinson

I had the ROC interview as I did not have an AOS one.

Bring all your stuff (new and old). I found the whole thing to pretty easy, it was more a conversation than a real interview. We did not have co-mingling finances, or photos and it was all fine (we still don't have those). They can see pretty quickly if you are a real couple or not.

Hey guys,
 
Just sharing some good news and my timeline.
 
Had my interview for CR-1 (spouse visa) on Feb 10, 2021, and received an "Issued" status on CEAC today. Should be receiving my visa in a couple of days.
 
I am the beneficiary (Singapore citizen), and my husband is the petitioner (US citizen).
 
As my husband is currently unemployed, we had to use my income and assets for the Affidavit of Support (I-864). I submitted the I-864A during the NVC stage for my income and assets to be used.
My income can be used as I am an online video content creator, and my income comes from online advertisement revenue from YouTube and Facebook. After I move to the US, I will continue to create and publish videos on the same platforms (YouTube & Google), so my income will continue from the same source. I also have cash assets which is more than 5x the requirement (5x $21,550 for 2 people).
 
Timeline:
I-130 NOA1 Submitted :    11 July 2020
I-130 Approved :    9 Dec 2020
NVC Received :    14 Dec 2020
Case Completed at NVC :    15 Jan 2021
Interview Date :    10 Feb 2021
Interview Result :    Received 221g - need more proof of relationship (texts, emails)
Sent in documents: 16 Feb 2021
Visa Case Status "Issued": 18 Feb 2021
 
The interview was pretty scary. The officer doesn't seem to believe that our relationship was real as our pictures does not have any friends or family members in them. We have yet to meet each others' friends and family yet as they are all in different states and in different countries. We also did not have a wedding, it was just the two of us at the courthouse, with a simple civil ceremony. So the interview ended with the officer giving me a 221g form saying it was refused, and she returned my passport as well. She asked me to submit more evidence of our relationship like texts and emails. So I prepared over 200 screenshots of texts and emails between me and my husband, and sent it to the embassy. It got approved 2 days later, so that's a relief!
 
Took a total of 7 months and 8 days from submitting the I-130 on 11 July 2020 to today (18 Feb 2021).

Congrats! I'm so happy for you

Hey guys,
 
Just sharing some good news and my timeline.
 
Had my interview for CR-1 (spouse visa) on Feb 10, 2021, and received an "Issued" status on CEAC today. Should be receiving my visa in a couple of days.
 
I am the beneficiary (Singapore citizen), and my husband is the petitioner (US citizen).
 
As my husband is currently unemployed, we had to use my income and assets for the Affidavit of Support (I-864). I submitted the I-864A during the NVC stage for my income and assets to be used.
My income can be used as I am an online video content creator, and my income comes from online advertisement revenue from YouTube and Facebook. After I move to the US, I will continue to create and publish videos on the same platforms (YouTube & Google), so my income will continue from the same source. I also have cash assets which is more than 5x the requirement (5x $21,550 for 2 people).
 
Timeline:
I-130 NOA1 Submitted :    11 July 2020
I-130 Approved :    9 Dec 2020
NVC Received :    14 Dec 2020
Case Completed at NVC :    15 Jan 2021
Interview Date :    10 Feb 2021
Interview Result :    Received 221g - need more proof of relationship (texts, emails)
Sent in documents: 16 Feb 2021
Visa Case Status "Issued": 18 Feb 2021
 
The interview was pretty scary. The officer doesn't seem to believe that our relationship was real as our pictures does not have any friends or family members in them. We have yet to meet each others' friends and family yet as they are all in different states and in different countries. We also did not have a wedding, it was just the two of us at the courthouse, with a simple civil ceremony. So the interview ended with the officer giving me a 221g form saying it was refused, and she returned my passport as well. She asked me to submit more evidence of our relationship like texts and emails. So I prepared over 200 screenshots of texts and emails between me and my husband, and sent it to the embassy. It got approved 2 days later, so that's a relief!
 
Took a total of 7 months and 8 days from submitting the I-130 on 11 July 2020 to today (18 Feb 2021).

221(g) Allows Consular Officer to Request Further Information
INA Section 221(g) is a fairly broad, generic provision covering denials of visa applications. It directs consular officers not to issue a visa if it appears that the applicant is not eligible under any section of law. In practice, it is often used when there is any problem or additional information required in a case, even if the matter is minor or temporary. It allows the consular officer to ask for more documents, or otherwise review the case in more detail. It includes cases that cannot be approved because, for example, the employer’s petition approval is not yet in the Petition Information Management Service (PIMS) system, as explained in our article, PIMS Verification Update (28.Dec.2007). It also applies to those cases that need to undergo further security checks.
Cases Can be Approved After 221(g)
Since INA 221(g) is so broad, there are many visa applications that are approved following the issuance of an INA 221(g) refusal. Security checks can clear, PIMS can be updated, and missing documents can often be provided. Thus, there are many who have received INA 221(g) refusals at some point, but, ultimately have been able to obtain their visas to enter the United States.
Separately, an INA 221(g) refusal does not mean that an applicant potentially is not eligible for a different visa. There are many situations in which, for example, the consulate will not issue an H1B visa to an individual because the company sponsor cannot provide the requested proof. Such individuals might be eligible for different visas through new employers or for H-4s, for example, through their respective spouses.
221(g) Must be Revealed on Future Visa Applications
On the visa application form, each applicant is asked whether or not s/he has ever been refused a visa. The answer to this question is “yes” whenever there has been an INA 221(g) refusal. This is the case even if the matter that created the INA 221(g) refusal was overcome, and the visa was finally issued.

Here it is:
 
9 FAM 504.11-2(A)  (U) Visa Issued or Refused if Application Properly Completed and Executed
(CT:VISA-1;   11-18-2015)
a. (U) There are no exceptions to the rule that once a visa application has been properly completed and executed before a consular officer, a visa must be either issued or refused.  (See 9 FAM 504.9-2.)  For statistical and comparison purposes, all posts should follow the identical refusal procedures and report refusals the same way in their required reports of visas issued and refused.  (See 9 FAM 504.3-2.)  Accordingly, any alien to whom a visa is not issued by the end of the working day on which the application is made, or by the end of the next working day if it is normal post procedure to issue visas to some or all applicants the following day, must be found ineligible under one or more provisions of INA 212(a), 212(e), or 221(g). (INA 221(g) is not to be used when a provision of INA 212(a) is applicable.)  This requirement to find an applicant ineligible when a visa is not issued applies even when:
(1)  (U) A case is medically deferred;
(2)  (U) The post requests an advisory opinion from the Department;
(3)  (U) The post decides to make additional local inquiries or conduct a full investigation; or
(4)  (U) The only deficiency is a clearance from another post. 
b. (U) There is no such thing as an informal refusal or a pending case once a formal application has been made.

They know how easy it is to transfer money.  The only advantage to transferring money early is that it is already USD.  It doesn't really matter in which first world country your bank is located.