US Immigration from Russia

I was hoping someone could give me some insight into how taxes returns are reviewed during the visa interview and how they affect the approval of the visa. My wife lives in Moscow, Russia, and today, we received the letter stating that her interview for the CR-1 visa had been scheduled for February 2, 2023 at the U.S. Embassy in Yerevan, Armenia.

When I submitted all of the financial documentation to NVC last May, I included tax return transcripts for 2019 and 2020 along with a copy of my Form 1040 for 2021. I filed taxes jointly with my wife, and when I mailed in my Form 1040, I included the W-7 form to get my wife an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), which was necessary to file jointly. We did not have the proper photo identification for the W-7 to be approved, and with no secure way for her to mail her documents from Russia to the U.S. and no opportunity to meet in person, the W-7 and subsequently the Form 1040 were rejected.

I was planning on meeting her in Dubai next month and resubmitting the tax return for last year at a Certified Acceptance Agent (CAA) there, but now, with only 3 weeks until the visa interview, there isn't really any time to do anything. Does anybody recommendations or know how this might affect the visa process?

Thanks, I appreciate any responses.

So, heads up. If you take a Russian beneficiary on a trip, you may run into a case where US trade sanctions kick in.

This specific itinerary involved going on a cruise ship registered in Bahamas, with the cruise company having physical presence in United States. The itinerary did not include any US ports.

WASHINGTON, January 4. /TASS/. Lynne Tracy, the new US Ambassador to Russia, will arrive in Moscow in coming days, Spokesman of the US Department of State Ned Price said at the briefing.

"She was just confirmed last year. The ambassador very much looks forward to moving to her post in Moscow," Price said. "She is someone who knows the bilateral relationship as well, if not better, than anyone. We look forward to having her in place, because it is important to have ambassadors representing the US around the world," he noted. "It is especially important in case of Russia, where we maintain the channels of communication," Price added.

Read more here: https://tass.com/russia/1558837

Hello!

I have my interview in less than 2 weeks. I already have my 10-year green card, ROC was approved without interview. I applied in October 2022 and the evidence I submitted will be included in the list below. I am thinking "it's better to bring it and don't need it rather than don't bring it and regret about it"; however, I am still trying to find that middle ground, so I don't get lost in papers.

Here are my questions:

1) What else should I add?

2) For what period of time should the bills/bank statements be? I submitted last 6 months (April - September 2022) and for the interview I will only have 2-3 more bills/statement. Should I just add new statements to those I submitted or should I do every 6 months within 3 years of marriage? Every month?

3) Should I bring copies along with the originals (for ex., for birth certificates, passports, green cards etc)?

What I am planning on bringing:

• Appointment letter
• Mine:
  • Green Card (2-year and 10-year)
  • Driver license + Real ID
  • Two passports (both from the same country)
• US Citizen Spouse's passport
• US Citizen Spouse's driver's license
• US Citizen Spouse's Birth Certificate
  
• Tax Transcripts (2019, 2020, 2021)
• Tax Returns (2019, 2020, 2021)
  
• Marriage Certificate + Amendment + Letter of explanation (there was a typo in marriage certificate, thus it needed amendment)
  
• Lease Agreements (2019-2020, 2020-2021, 2021-2022)
  
• Bank Statements:
  • Joint Saving Account (last 4 months)
  • Joint Checking Account (last 6 months)
  • Chase Credit Card as an authorized user of USC spouse's account (copies of front and back)
  • Citi Credit Card as an authorized user of USC spouse's account (copies front and back)
    
• Medical Insurance for me and spouse (proof from the website)
• Medical Insurance ID cards
• Driver's License showing same address for me and spouse (copy)
• Car Title (both names)
• Car Insurance (both names)
• Phone Bills (last 6 months)
• Electricity Bills (last 6 months)
  
• Photos from the last 3 years

Thank you!

Applied for lifting conditions December 2021. No news except statement from USCIS on accepted biometrics from OOS back in April 2022z Applied online for N400 on December 13th. Got note, dated December 13th that biometrics was accepted. Got another note on I-751 on December 23rd that my lifting conditions case being transferred.. Why? Are these two events somehow connected? Does it mean that removal of conditions will take longer due to case transfer from the California?