Going online to USCIS dot gov, and looking at the forms there, it can be
easy to fool yourself, that to file an application all you need to provide is
name, address, social security number, and just like placing an order
with amazon, your partner will be dropped off at your doorstep in no time.
Sorry, it doesn’t work that way. There are a lot of small details and issues that
must be correctly taken care of in order to prepare a complete and, well most important, persuasive application.
Truly this is a case of ART over Science to do a good job.
Today I will share with you, what we do at VisaCoach, to go the extra mile, to help our client’s
successfully get through the US immigration process.
How to Make your Immigration Application stronger and more likely for success.
Tip #1 Stay Current
Keep Up to Date and current on US immigration rules and procedures. If immigration requirements, Fees, or forms change it’s critical to be on top of it. Take care that correct forms are used, correct fees are paid and whenever possible time submission of your application if possible to save yourself from changed and more difficult eligibility requirements.
For example on February 24, US immigration drastically increased the complexity and evidence requirements to apply for Adjustment of Status. We helped dozens of clients rush to submit their applications before
that big change took affect. Even now many new tougher standards have been proposed by US immigration for future implementation.
Tip #2 Complete all forms Properly.
Each form, each part, each question, should be carefully reviewed, the instructions understood and factually, and properly filled in.
Tip #3 Mandatory Evidence
Depending on the application, many documents are mandatory, they are required and MUST be provided without exception. Such as visa photos,
birth certificates, tax returns, divorce decrees, marriage certificates, criminal records etc. Failure to provide all required evidence will cause an RFE (request for evidence to be issued). And if not promptly provided after this second and last change, will cause summary denial.
Tip #4 Optional Evidence
Not on the government checklists and not officially stated as required as part of the original application. BUT in my opinion, this is what is most important, and most critical for your ultimate success. And the heart of the VisaCoach “front loaded” application philosophy, is to include with the application quality evidence, that demonstrates your relationship with your partner is “bona fide”
US immigration starts reviews of your application for immigration benefits that your application is fraudulent. Then automatically assume you are “guilty, until proven innocent”. So, to be successful you must overcome that assumption and show them that your situation is “bona fide”. You must prove that there is no sham, no fraud. You must go the extra mile to demonstrates that the two of you are a real, authentic, genuine, bona fide couple.
Tip #5 Quality not Quantity
We choose evidence that is relevant, that is material. Only use a logical, reasonable amount, do not be excessive. If corresponding for only a few months it is not helpful to provide copies of each and every dialog, hoping to impress by the number of pages or words. Attempting to “pad” the evidence, to make it appear more than what it really is, hoping to overwhelm the reviewing officer, never works. We select just enough to make a valid point, then move on to the next type of relevant evidence.
Tip #6 Tell your story
With EVERY application at VisaCoach, we ALWAYS include a well drafted letter, that clearly outlines the course of your relationship, how you met, how your relationship developed, why you chose each other, what are your plans for the future. We present the two of you as two sympathetic human beings, entitled to the reviewing officer’s understanding, respect and fair treatment. This helps to set the stage to convince him or her that you are two people with an honest, bona fide a relationship, are genuinely planning to spend your future life’s together. and DESERVE approval.
Tip #7 Explain red flags
If there are red flags in your situation, then as part of the letter telling your story, get ahead of the problem, by clearly identifying the issue, and explaining YOUR side of the story. This way we prevent the reviewer from using his imagination to take your red flag down a dark path. Instead by openly addressing the issue, explaining it, and clarifying why it is reasonable, or not a problem, we successfully defuse this “time bomb” before the consular officer gets locked in to a negative appraisal..
Tip #8 Improve Weak Evidence.
Sometimes, you simply do not have the evidence that is normally expected for your situation. Cameras and cell phones get lost, users get locked out of online accounts, culture or other factors cause your relationship to be less public usual, even storms and natural disasters can sweep away what you had. Yes, all these things have at one time or another happened to my clients. The rising tide for evidence, that usually can be generated, after the fact, are written statements from witnesses. We “fill in the cracks” of the evidence that supports your story, but asking people who the two of you have met along the course of your courtship to explain what they witnessed.
To be effective, do not provide a “John and Jane are nice people and I recommend immigration trust them.” because that kind of letter is useless. Immigration is not interested in advice from someone they do not know or trust. Instead what the letter SHOULD be about are the simple facts. No opinions asked for. Only a simple statement where the writer introduces who he or she is, what the relationship the author has to the couple, and include description of clear, specific instances of personally, in-person witnessing the couple when the couple was in-person, and ( I will repeat cause it is important) when the writer was also in-person with them at the same time. Describe the events, meetings, parties or functions, what was going on, who was there, the date, etc, etc.
The best candidate to write the affidavit is someone who does not have a personal “axe to grind” and does not benefit if the couple gets the visa. For example, someone at arms length such as a minister, doctor, teacher, colleague, boss, coworker. All are deemed more reliable than a close family member.
Tip #9 Practice Interview Questions
Before attending the interview go over and practice sample interview questions with your partner. We provide these to our clients and subscribers to the VisaCoach monthly newsletter. At the interview you must be confident, and that is only possible when can calmly and clearly answer any question thrown at you, about you, your partner, your relationship and plans for married life in the USA. Both you and your partner should agree with the answers, because it sometimes happens sometimes that you will both be separately interviewed, and asked the same question. For best chance of approval, both of your independent answers should be the same.
Tip #10 Consulate’s Requirements
Each consulate has a detailed checklist that is strictly followed of which documents and material MUST be brought to the consulate on the day of the interview. The list varies country by country but normally includes originals of civil documents, police clearances, household or singleness certificates, financial evidence and so on. Before the interview study the list of what is needed, and WITHOUT FAIL bring all that is needed..
Arriving short handed, even if you have a really pleasant and successful interview, even when the officer says “you are approved. just send in the missing items and we will issue your visa”, WILL cause lengthy delays.
The consulate officer and staff at the consulate expects your case to be in order and originally planned to issue the visa immediately, job done, then move on to the next case. If you forgot a required document, you have now upset the flow of your case. And your case is filed away.
You might promptly submit the missing piece the next day, and then wait many months for your visa. Your case has been filed, and will remain, untouched low priority, waiting for the consular reviewers to eventually “circle back” to re-open and complete processing of your case.
These tips are what we normally follow here at VisaCoach for each and every one of our cases. I hope these tips will be useful to you, and hopefully if you are one of our clients will give you a better idea of what is going on behind the scenes.
This was Fred Wahl, The VisaCoach
