Interview: Bring Hard Copies of Things They Already Have?

[The White Fiance 22]

We are getting ready for my wife's interview, and I'm a little confused by the document requirements. There is a government webpage listing documents she has to bring to the interview. The thing is, we already submitted a bunch of these online. For example, they want the I-864 and a tax return, which they already have.

 

Are we really supposed to print duplicate items out and take them to the embassy?

 

I understand why they want things like passport photos, but it seems weird to ask for things they have already received and reviewed.

 

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/Supplements/Supplements_by_Post/LUS-Lusaka.html

[The White Fiance 22]

So far, the embassy has confirmed that I don't have to send them an "original" tax return, which makes sense, since those go to the IRS.

 

I am going to make a list of documents we have already sent and find out which ones they need in hardcopy. I know they need the marriage certificate.

[Troy B 224]

We included the i-864 and w2, and paystub,  what's the worse that can happen,  you have wasted paper & ink (or maybe some money).   Better than needing it and not having it.

[Jason and May 79]

On 9/25/2023 at 3:01 PM, The White Fiance said:

We are getting ready for my wife's interview, and I'm a little confused by the document requirements. There is a government webpage listing documents she has to bring to the interview. The thing is, we already submitted a bunch of these online. For example, they want the I-864 and a tax return, which they already have.

 

Are we really supposed to print duplicate items out and take them to the embassy?

 

I understand why they want things like passport photos, but it seems weird to ask for things they have already received and reviewed.

 

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/Supplements/Supplements_by_Post/LUS-Lusaka.html

My wife's process is through USEM in the Philippines; however, she is required to bring an original document of every item submitted through CEAC. "Original" can mean a copy issued by a certifying body, for example, with a wet signature and watermark, or it can mean the original copy of the tax return transcript I downloaded from the U.S. IRS website and uploaded to CEAC. The point is, I think, every single document she or I uploaded to CEAC must go with her to the interview for the I.O. to inspect. I believe on the DoS website there's a snippet that mentions something along the lines of, "If the interviewing officer cannot physically inspect the document, then they cannot verify it's authenticity." They are required to physically inspect every document submitted in CEAC before they can approve the issuance of a visa. Best practice, to my knowledge, is to send your beneficiary an original of every document you submitted in the I-130 packet and/or uploaded to CEAC. 

This is in addition to any regional items required by your beneficiary's embassy or consulate. 

[The White Fiance 22]

The embassy got back to us, and we do not have to duplicate everything. Big relief.