Tokyo Consulate Issued 221(g)

[Jason and Yuka 0]

Greetings all to this forum!

My wife just went to the interview for the IR1 Visa and she is stating that the officer questioned her as if he was already suspicious of our situation, making her uncomfortable. My wife did forget to bring photos and/or letters we have to show that our marriage is legit, so I'm sure that didn't help our case...

When all was said and done, the officer took her passport and the mailing envelope my wife provided to them, and lastly he issued my wife a 221(g) form, checking the "OTHER" box, which states "proof of credible relationship"...

I am hoping that being the fact that the officer/interviewer took my wife's passport and mailing envelope, that once my wife goes back to the embassy with pictures and letters showing "credibility" to our marriage, that the Visa will be issued fairly fast, as she is hoping to return back to the U.S.A. around December 13th.

Anyone that has experienced this type of situation, or has some knowledge around this situation me and my wife are in, would be GREATLY appreciated!

[Darnell 8,480]

well, this stuff is covered in the I-130 instructions.

here's my interpretation of it, and what I gathered up for the I-130 submittal:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=218775&st=0&p=3324240&hl=Rusticentry3324240

so read that, prep your 'bonafide marriage' evidence, and send it on in response to the 221G.

[Penny Pincher 11]

When did you last meet your wife? How often your conversation was?

[Jason and Yuka 0]

I last met my wife on May, 2011. We talk every day via Skype and our phone apps which make it easier for us to be apart. I know some people may find that kind of relationship strange (which is probably why the interviewer issued the 221g), but me and wife are both very strong minded and loyal to each other, and our ultimate goal (which is to save enough money to buy our own house soon) is why we managed to work and have a long distance marriage for this long. She has been working in Japan since 2009 and now we feel we are both ready to buy a house and be reunited.

Hope this helps answer your question(s) Jeize.

[Jason and Yuka 0]

Darnell said:

"well, this stuff is covered in the I-130 instructions.

here's my interpretation of it, and what I gathered up for the I-130 submittal:

so read that, prep your 'bonafide marriage' evidence, and send it on in response to the 221G."

Thanks Darnell for the feedback and resource! There is a lot of stuff to read and research on here, so I appreciate the short cut!

[Darnell 8,480]

'proof of credible relationship'

is also the same as

'bonafide marriage evidence'

Bonafide marriage evidence is covered in the I-130 instructions, so you were to submit that with the I-130, initially.

A marriage grows over time, so the evidence grows over time -

You are supposed to show this stuff at some point... I-130 Submittal into USCIS, DS-230 submittal into NVC, hand carry all into the Interview on Interview Day. Getting a 221G for it is indicative that this evidence was missing or scant.

Ultimately, the Visa Officer Adjudicates the Visa Application based on many things, it's not just showing up at the interview on interview day.

If the bonafide marriage evidence was IN the casefile because you submitted it with the I-130, that's a big deal, as the Visa Officer sees this stuff prior to interview day and it helps with his/her adjudication.

So, restudy the link I gave you, you need to prep a collection of stuff.

When you're through with the prep, if you come back to this topic and LIST the things that you've gathered or generated, we can vette it for you, giving you some other advice.

[Penny Pincher 11]

you mentioned this :

My wife did forget to bring photos and/or letters we have to show that our marriage is legit, so I'm sure that didn't help our case...

Proof of continuous relationship is what they were asking for. So, I guess submit all your photos and conversations with your wife to prove that you both are still in good terms and you both are trying your best not to miss any weeks or days without any single conversation.

My friends submit screenshots every month of their skype convos (with video pic), screenshots of calls from viber or phone calls, sending money like remittances etc. You do not need to print all of your conversations. I hope that s. Good luck

And watch this tips as well

Edited December 3, 2012 by Jeize loves Yalee

[jaycali 415]

What kind of evidence (if any) did you submit with the initial I-130 petition? If you haven't seen each other since May 2011, why did you wait until 2012 to submit the I-130 petition? How long have you been married, and how many times had you met prior to getting married?

It sounds like the CO wants evidence that your relationship is still on good terms and ongoing. He may have become suspicious due to the long time in which you have not seen each other.

[Jason and Yuka 0]

Thanks to everyone that had posted responses to my topic/question - much appreciated! My wife actually went back to the Tokyo embassy (where she had her interview) and brought photos, letters, cards we had sent each other throughout our time apart, as well as a new bank statement that shows her on the account. She said all she did was hand in those documents, and was told by one of the immigration officers that if she gets the Visa then it will be received in the mail in about a week! That to me, sounded like very good news!

Jay Jay, to answer your question(s) below, we submitted all the documentation that was outlined in the I-130 and also the following processes (NVC stage), so basically we were good up to the point where my wife forgot to bring the proof of consistency with our marriage (such as the photos and other pieces of info that "Jeize loves Yalee" so kindly provided). You are right, I shouldn't have waited so long to get everything together and file everything. Long story short, I made mistakes that nearly cost my marriage... the only good thing that really came out of our time apart was the fact that my wife was able to gain work experience while living in Japan, so we both saved money to buy our own house, which is our plan when she returns.

You hit the nail on the head Jay Jay, with your comment about the CO being "suspicious" due to the long time in which me and my wife have not seen each other. My wife told me that is what one of his comments were, was his skepticism about our marriage, due to us not seeing each other that often during a 3 year hiatus away from each other.

This has been quite a learning experience (a "come to Jesus" experience if you will) for both me and my wife. When we get through this and my wife returns, I know what we have gone through will have made us that much stronger to persevere through the tough, challenging times, so I'm grateful in a way for all of this.

Thanks again to all for providing such great feedback!! I'd like to say that you all have become my "cyber-friends" on Visa Journey!

[jaycali 415]

Honestly, I think few things make a relationship stronger than surviving a visa journey

Congrats btw!

[Penny Pincher 11]

What kind of evidence (if any) did you submit with the initial I-130 petition? If you haven't seen each other since May 2011, why did you wait until 2012 to submit the I-130 petition? How long have you been married, and how many times had you met prior to getting married?

It sounds like the CO wants evidence that your relationship is still on good terms and ongoing. He may have become suspicious due to the long time in which you have not seen each other.

I disagree on that. I have friends who have been approved even they were petitioned 3yrs-5yrs after. What they need is the proof that they have ongoing relationship, simple as that. Besides, petitioning your wife is one way of ongoing relationship. They just need some supporting evidences that they are still in relationship.

[jaycali 415]

I disagree on that. I have friends who have been approved even they were petitioned 3yrs-5yrs after. What they need is the proof that they have ongoing relationship, simple as that. Besides, petitioning your wife is one way of ongoing relationship. They just need some supporting evidences that they are still in relationship.

Agreed - Which is why in this case, evidence of an ongoing relationship was requested. If I was a CO handling a case of a couple who hadn't seen each other for 3 - 5 years, I'd probably request some recent call or chat logs too.

[Jason and Yuka 0]

Greetings and good afternoon my cyber-friends!

Does this mean our reunification should be televised Jay Jay!?

Just to also clarify, me and my wife have seen each other within the 3-5 year hiatus, though it was brief, I still went to see her in Japan, right after the tsunami early last year, just in time for the Japanese holiday "Golden Week".

I'm by no means an expert on immigration, but I'm confident all the photos, cards/letters (past and recent), as well as a bank statement that still shows it is joint... and even her parents wrote a letter (which was translated to English) to express their approval of our marriage and willingness to account that our marriage is indeed legit, (which I did not know they were going to do, but am happy that they did), will be enough to get my wife approved for a Visa.

As far as Skype/chat records and so forth, I agree that those are good ideas, but should what we have already provided not be enough to get her Visa (which would be a complete travesty in my opinion), then I will simply move to Japan to be with her over there and start my life anew.

I have served in TWO branches of my nation's military (Navy and Air Force), both honorably, so if I am to be considered having a "fraudulent" marriage, then we live in a sad world, and I will be ashamed of any U.S. embassy that doesn't take into account our heroes that are willing to fight for our country!

So they can doubt me and my wife all they want, but that isn't going to be enough to keep us from finally being together once again.

I shall keep all you guys posted on what our final outcome is...

[jaycali 415]

Greetings and good afternoon my cyber-friends! Does this mean our reunification should be televised Jay Jay!? IMO all VJ reunions would make good reality TV Just to also clarify, me and my wife have seen each other within the 3-5 year hiatus, though it was brief, I still went to see her in Japan, right after the tsunami early last year, just in time for the Japanese holiday "Golden Week".I'm by no means an expert on immigration, but I'm confident all the photos, cards/letters (past and recent), as well as a bank statement that still shows it is joint... and even her parents wrote a letter (which was translated to English) to express their approval of our marriage and willingness to account that our marriage is indeed legit, (which I did not know they were going to do, but am happy that they did), will be enough to get my wife approved for a Visa.As far as Skype/chat records and so forth, I agree that those are good ideas, but should what we have already provided not be enough to get her Visa (which would be a complete travesty in my opinion), then I will simply move to Japan to be with her over there and start my life anew.I have served in TWO branches of my nation's military (Navy and Air Force), both honorably, so if I am to be considered having a "fraudulent" marriage, then we live in a sad world, and I will be ashamed of any U.S. embassy that doesn't take into account our heroes that are willing to fight for our country!So they can doubt me and my wife all they want, but that isn't going to be enough to keep us from finally being together once again.I shall keep all you guys posted on what our final outcome is...

While no one can guarantee anything anywhere, I honestly think you're fine. Japan is a very low fraud country. The Co probably just saw that you hadn't met in person for the last year and a half and wanted some sort of recent evidence that the marriage is still healthy.

[Jason and Yuka 0]

While no one can guarantee anything anywhere, I honestly think you're fine. Japan is a very low fraud country. The Co probably just saw that you hadn't met in person for the last year and a half and wanted some sort of recent evidence that the marriage is still healthy.

Thank you sincerely for the encouragement and advice Jay Jay. You seem to know what you're talking about on here, so I'm thankful to you and the others that have contributed to my forum post.

Hopefully someday me and my wife will get a chance to visit Norway, as I understand it's a very beautiful place.