macekid421

I don't know if this has been asked before or not.
If the NVC doesn't send you a checklist telling you that the sponsor or joint sponsor doesn't meet the minimum income requirement to sponsor the intending immigrant, then it is OK right?. So how come the CO is the one that tells you if the income is insufficiant (In some cases)? Isn't NVC supposed to do that? Cause I have seen people who got a checklist regarding the AOS. Or do some people get the checklist and others don't?

I sent 100 pics to USCIS and none of them were forwarded to the embassy. CO asked for pictures and he reviewed them on the spot. Luckily we brought some to the interview.

Frontloading quality evidence, not 'fillers', is necessary with high fraud countries and submitting ongoing (after the USCIS/NVC phase)
to current evidence right before an interview is not useless but also necessary.

We found out, after a bad interview, that the CO only legally has to evaluate your case based on what you sent with the original application. So, if you sent very little evidence with your initial application, it is almost worthless to bring more to the interview because they have already decided based on the application.

That might work for the K-1 visa however, OP is doing the CR/IR-1 visa which means he has to provide bona fida evidence of an ongoing marital union with the petition.
Furthermore, the police certs, proof of being sinlge/unmarried etc that you brought to the embassy for your fiance's interview, that's all evidence that those on CR/IR-1's must submit to NVC before their case is scheduled for an interview at the embassy.
OP, everything that you submit will be forwarded. So whatever you sent to USCIS and what you add at the NVC stage will all be forwarded to the embassy. The CO at the embassy will review your case before the interview and will usually make up his or her mind before the interview. However, your spouse can still bring more evidence to the interview and sometimes the CO will look at it, sometimes not, which is why it's important to put good, strong bona fida evidence in the case file from the start.

The USCIS gives you a fair chance to prove yourself by appearing in front of the CO. The CO asks fairly simple questions that anyone can answer. They dont complicate your case but yes, USCIS sends all the evidence to the NVC and the relevant embassy and the CO study the case before he/she decides. if they cannot make a decision they let you speak. Some cases have big red flags and they COs simply decline the visa. Others are fishy and you are given a chance.

Definitely front load for Vietnam. My wife was asked a few questions and she was approved. The CO commented to my wife he wishes all cases were as organized and prepared as our case was.
Further I wasnt present at the interview. I only think this is helpful when things might be a bit lacking.

I would suggest that you give credence and deference to the comments of pushbrk, a very senior and knowledgeable member of VJ for over ten (10) years. His years of experience on immigration matters on this forum and knowledge in this area has benefited numerous immigrants from all over the world. This has enabled him to attain a level of acumen that extends from far more than my single experience with the folks at the US consulate in Guangzhou, PRC.
Full disclosure: And yes, pushbrk helped me during my family's journey through the byzantine ways of our current immigration system.
Good luck on your immigration journey.

I can only say about our k1 visa. Decision was already made before the interview. I was there to help her pack and move. My wife went to the window. Officer asked her one question: how was it like to live in Mexico (we lived in Mexico together while her case was processed and commuted to work across the boarder). She said ok. Then he said visa is granted. Clearly, decision was made ahead if time.

Your experience on hundreds of cases and reading a blog? I was giving advice based on actual events. My experience was seven months ago - NOT IN CHINA - but in Vietnam. Where is the "misinformation" that you are alleging? I am relating my experience with the process, including my time at the window with a CO in HCMC. It's hard to beat that kind of personal experience and advice - so don't try.
The so-called "front-loading" is a waste of time. My opinion based on logic and experience. I didn't front-load and we received a visa on the first try, in only a few months. Ditto that for many others I've talked to and with VN college students that I assist through various visa issues (including CR-1, K-1, etc.). And I know people that front-load and get denied and/or RFE's. So, anything concerning front-loading is nothing more than anecdotal evidence. Same goes for hiring visa services and lawyers - sometimes they work, sometimes they don't. Anecdotal, not scientific.
Follow the directions. It doesn't hurt to take a few extra photos, but 100 is overkill. Use common sense. Talk to people that have been successful IN YOUR COUNTRY. What works in Vietnam will usually work in Vietnam. I've worked in China and SE Asia - a lot of the gears are greased the same. But there are vast differences between them, too.
Keep the faith!
w

Unfortunately, based on my experience with hundreds of cases and nearly 11 years of reading here on VJ, I think the above has about as much misinformation as it does good information.
Don't listen to NVC, but I would ALMOST ALWAYS front load for HCMC and many other consulates. That said, not all front loading is equal or helpful. When a married couple has a lot of time together in person, front loading beyond the evidence from passport or passport stamps, may well be a waist of time. Time together always trumps everything else.
One key thing to remember is that while it is true in the case above that the decision was made during the interview, it is also true that the decision was mostly made before the interview. Interviews usually confirm the leanings of the CO after reading the file.
All evidence sent to NVC, is sent to the Consulate, unless there's an unreasonable quantity. Even if an unreasonable quantity is sent, the CO may not read it. Concentrate on providing meaningful evidence in a concise way, such as examples of how and how frequently you communicate, not a ream of chat text.
Even if NVC sends the side load additional evidence, the CO, is not required to consider or even look at it. They must look at the required documents brought to the interview but are not required to consider any extra evidence, unless they specifically ask for it. They MAY consider ANYTHING.

thanks! It took 4 months and 25 days. Click my timeline if you want to see more info.

I don't know how it is at your embassy, maybe read the reviews from others here who have gone through the same embassy? But in London the interviews are a few minutes long and despite taking armfuls of documents and evidence, applicants are almost never given the opportunity to show anything they have brought with them.