My spouse was successfully issued the IR1 visa so I’m going to lay down a detailed update with a timeline and the kind of documents submitted. This was a very cumbersome process and took some time to get things aligned. In fact, I was told by an attorney that there have been a few policy shifts with consulates worldwide that are making backlogs and processes more difficult. I’m not sure how true this holds, but politics aside, here are the details:
This is NOT legal advice and all cases are different! I am only documenting my experience so take this as educational reference only! Some details may be omitted or changed for privacy.
Spouse receives 221g for proof of domicile via consulate interview. As mentioned earlier, only Driver’s license, bank statements, and taxes were submitted via NVC.
Efforts and documents gathered attached to a cover letter with a table format as follows:
Petitioner Name
Petitioner Social Secuirty Number
Beneficiary Name
Case Number
Contact Info
“ I, XXXXX, petitioner of my husband/wife, XXXXX, have taken the necessary steps to re-establish my domicile in the United States. Below you will find the detailed efforts to establish and maintain my domicile in the US along with supporting documents.
Efforts Supporting documents
School enrollment for children Vaccine updates and confirmed pre-enrollemnt letter
Letter from family home owner Copy of a deed and petitioner financial obligations
Transfer of funds to US bank Transaction Receipts
Car registration and Insurance Copy of registration/insurance
one-way flight to US Boarding Pass
Efforts in Job search Copy of emails of job application submissions and offers
Voter’s ballot Ballot with petitioner’s name and address
New Phone Line Receipt with phone number and address
I certify under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States that the statements in this letter and all accompanying evidence are true and correct.
(Sign and Dated) "
June 6 - Mailed in Proof of domicile package along with the front page cover letter to the embassy.
June 12 – CEAC status still showed refused but date updated to June 12 (Probably shows someone received the package and opened the file)
June 18 – CEAC status refused but date updated to June 18
June 19 – Embassy emails and asks for a driver’s license no older than 12 months. Strange because they already have a copy via NVC and shown during the interview. But I emailed it again anyway. CEAC date updated but still refused.
June 23 – CEAC status changed to ready.
June 24 – CEAC status changed to refused. Received an email asking about an alias that my spouse listed on the DS260. Asking if it was an official legal name or nick name. And requesting information about it’s use as well as requesting proof of name change. Since using alias for public services and banking was common in the country, I emailed them back explaining it uses.
June 25 – CEAC status changed to Administrative Processing. Received an email requesting evidence or documentation of it’s use. Wrote a cover letter explaining where and why it was used and submitted translated bank statements and residence certificate recording both the alias and true legal name in PDF format.
June 30 – CEAC status changed to refused.
July 1 – CEAC status changed to administrative processing
July 3 – CEAC status changed to issued
July 9 – Received visa in the mail
July 21 Entered into the United States
Few takeaways I should have followed and some advice that was helpful:
1.) If your spouse’s English is not too proficient, request an interpreter! My spouse could not hardly understand the english spoken, and when the interpreter came to translate, he/she left the interview after 5 minutes. The consulate interview is NOT a great place to practice your English! Be firm on an interpreter being present to fully understand.
2.) According to some advice given, the strongest forms of proof of domicile are your financial ties to the US, such as job offers, US investments, taxes paid in the US in W2s, rental agreements/lease, home ownership, and school enrollments. Secondary evidence would be car registration/insurance, phone lines, voter registration, bank accounts, driver’s license, etc.
3.) Embassy decides your proof of domicile, not NVC. NVC would only DQ the bare minimum in my experience.
4.) Be prepared to explain any alias and submit any evidence. Don’t lie to them about it.
5.) Attach contact information on your cover letters, especially an email to have them contact you directly for any requests. Not doing so may delay until they can properly contact you.
6.) Be patient and truthful. The name of the game now for them is to find 1000 reasons to say NO, especially in these trying times. Just give them zero reasons to refuse you.
Thanks to everyone in this community for the support. It has certainly been a long journey, and if there are any questions, I can also do my part to contribute.
mymercyprevails reacted to fiftytwo05g in Visa refused in Tokyo