Petitions/Applications Returned to the USCIS by an Embassy/Consulate-221(g)?

[K&J Avouzi 1]

My CR-1 husband had his interview in Ghana on Oct 8th 2015, for whatever reason he was denied his VISA to the USA under 221 (g). I understand what that means, but I am looking for timeframes of when we will hear back on this process. Early March 2016 we received a letter stating:

Department of State Sent Case to USCIS For Review

On March 4, 2016, the Department of State sent us your case, Receipt Number LINXXXXXXXXXX, for review. We are reviewing it, and will notify you by mail when we are done.

Please help me find answers to the following questions:

1. Now what?
2. What should I expect next?
3. How long will it take for them to contact us again?
4. What should I, the US citizen be doing/preparing to help our case in the mean time?
5. Will this cost any more money?
6. If they require more evidence, what type of evidence should I gather?

Thank you all SOOO much! I find VJ to be quite helpful in this dreadful process.

[efofie 8]

All you can do is to wait till USCIS send you a letter stating the reason why you were denied. In many cases, they give you 30 days to send more evidence. Your case can be reaffirm or revoke. Did the CO tell your husband why the couldn't approve his visa?

[Ebunoluwa 6,136]

My CR-1 husband had his interview in Ghana on Oct 8th 2015, for whatever reason he was denied his VISA to the USA under 221 (g). I understand what that means, but I am looking for timeframes of when we will hear back on this process. Early March 2016 we received a letter stating:

Department of State Sent Case to USCIS For Review

On March 4, 2016, the Department of State sent us your case, Receipt Number LINXXXXXXXXXX, for review. We are reviewing it, and will notify you by mail when we are done.

Please help me find answers to the following questions:

1. Now what? USCIS will (in most cases) send you a NOID/NOIR letter listing the reasons of refusal and then you have the chance for rebuttal.
2. What should I expect next? Same as above.
3. How long will it take for them to contact us again? Nobody knows, could be another 6 months + or sooner.
4. What should I, the US citizen be doing/preparing to help our case in the mean time? Find the reason for refusal.
5. Will this cost any more money? No, except new police report and new medical before the interview.
6. If they require more evidence, what type of evidence should I gather? That depends on the reason the case was returned. If they will be satisfied with your rebuttal response then they will reaffirm it and forward it to the embassy with recommendation to approve the visa. If they are not satisfied with your explanation/evidence then they will deny the petition. In some cases no NOID/NOIR letter is send and they reaffirm.

Thank you all SOOO much! I find VJ to be quite helpful in this dreadful process.

[robinanis 77]

Our cr1 was returned also from embassy tunisia on june 2015 we were reaffirmed jan 2016,and returned to the nvc in jan.til today nvc has not recieved it.i didnt get any r from uscis stateing this. I was told on the phone several times that it was reaffirmed.finally after repeated attempts to get this in writing uscis sent me an email on march 3 that is was reaffirmed ,nvc says to allow 90 days to be recieved by them.my senator told me to allow 1 yr for uscis review. Guess im lucky it took us 6 months to be reaffirmed. I check rhe status websites and there have been no updates.i was told ny uscis and nvc to not depend on them cuz they dont always update.i also opened our ceac and found on the ds260 that in red letters it said reopened, i had to update that form because it expires after a yr.but we filed 2014 why is it just now asking for an update? So something is being prosecced i believe. I dont know why uscis and nvc keep us in the dark.we to this day have no reasons why he was denied, be prepared for the wait.but call uscis everyday dont let this rest and talk to a two tier officer.the ones who answer the phone only see what you see

[efofie 8]

Did you send any more prof of married before it was reaffirmed or they didn't request anything?

[robinanis 77]

Nothing was requested, we believe co thought is was not a bonafide marriage.she told him we would divorce after 2 yrs.lol well news to her we didnt and never will! Its been two yrs march 3 ,maybe embassy wanted to see if we would stay together during this processe , we just dont know, but nothing asked of us, just reaffirmed

[bookman 11]

Nothing was requested, we believe co thought is was not a bonafide marriage.she told him we would divorce after 2 yrs.lol well news to her we didnt and never will! Its been two yrs march 3 ,maybe embassy wanted to see if we would stay together during this processe , we just dont know, but nothing asked of us, just reaffirmed

did the Co requested medical or passport Size pic? I am afraid. Co handed my husband 221g n asked him for his contact number she said she will call him in one or two months. She told him everything looks good. But need to do some check. 5weeks n still counting no word since. Edited April 8, 2016 by bookman

[robinanis 77]

After his interview feb2015 everything was given back to him.and told it woyld be sent back to uscis for revocation.uscis recieved it in june 2015, we recieved. I797 that our case was trancfered to california for review and there is no time frame for this,ive called everyday sind feb 2014 , reaffirmed this yr in jan.he will go get updated medical and police when the time comes

[Monalisa22 84]

It could take up to 16 months to hear back from USCIS. They will either reaffirm the petition or send a Notice of Intent to Revoke which will give you a chance to respond.

[Ryan H 3,856]

**Hijack post along with reply to said post removed.**

[pushbrk 13,411]

1. Now what? USCIS will (in most cases) send you a NOID/NOIR letter listing the reasons of refusal and then you have the chance for rebuttal.
2. What should I expect next? Same as above.
3. How long will it take for them to contact us again? Nobody knows, could be another 6 months + or sooner.
4. What should I, the US citizen be doing/preparing to help our case in the mean time? Find the reason for refusal.
5. Will this cost any more money? No, except new police report and new medical before the interview.
6. If they require more evidence, what type of evidence should I gather? That depends on the reason the case was returned. If they will be satisfied with your rebuttal response then they will reaffirm it and forward it to the embassy with recommendation to approve the visa. If they are not satisfied with your explanation/evidence then they will deny the petition. In some cases no NOID/NOIR letter is send and they reaffirm.

The above is an excellent response. I would add the following.

1. You will surely receive a NOID, which is a Notice of Intent to Deny the initial petition that was approved.

2. Since you've already heard from USCIS, I would predict the NOID arrival in 3 to 6 months.

3. It's late, but the first thing to do, is have the visa applicant write a detailed report of everything that happened at the Embassy, including but not limited to every question and every answer, as exactly and in order as humanly possible.

3. Post that report in this thread, so we can interpret it for the likely underlying reason for the denial.

4. Once the reason for denial is understood, we can advise on how to prepare to respond to the NOID

5. Do not just wait for the NOID. Be proactive as described above.

While it is possible for USCIS to reaffirm without sending a NOID, this is not your preferred outcome, as it gives you no opportunity to add evidence or explain anything, that would help the Consular Officer to be leaning in the direction of approval prior to the next interview.

It is absolutely critical that you fully understand not only what happened at the interview, but what it means. You must also gain an understanding of the red flags in your case, so you can address them. Now is a time for absolute candor with yourselves, between you and your spouse, and with those attempting to help you.