Rete

For the newbies who are just starting their processing for K visas or IR visas at the US Consulates abroad, please note that while you will be using some forms that originate at the USCIS for your US Consulate interview, the instruction sheet included with these forms are for the interview with the USCIS and the requirement of the US Consulate may NOT be for same supporting documentation.

Also check the website of the US Consulate you are using for more complete instructions and then check with the forum and/or another forum for additional information.

Also note that during the summer with US Consulate personnel vacations, there are often substitute personnel used to fill in the vacancy gaps and these subs might not be familiar with what that particular Consulate routinely requires in supportive documentation.

Be very concise when you give the examiner the paperwork and ask what supporting document they might need in addition to what you supplied. Be sure that you have included in your brief case originals/copies of anything they might ask for.

We would like to see you cut the possibility that you will be asked to provide additional information you have at home but not with you thus delaying your approval.

g1ant

Isn't it about time that the USCIS got their act together and issued ONE set of rules about documents.

Having just gone through the N-400 process, at every stage the document requirements seemed to change. No one really knows exactly what you are supposed to take to your interview. The documents listed on the Interview Letter don't always agree with the guidance notes that come with the letter. The letter states quite categorically what documents they need you to take, but we have had examples recently on this board where people have taken those documents listed and it still wasn't enough.

NYC office seems to have made some rules of its own, which doesn't help anyone either. The whole application/interview process is a shambles.
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with hindsight, maybe this post should be moved to the N-400 thread

Rete

Two difference departments. One is the Homeland Security and the other is the Department of State. They are entirely separate.

As for the USCIS it has always been that each DO sets up their own set of regulations/requirements. Has been this way to my knowledge since I'm been dealing with them since 1997. One of the very reasons why the co-founders of US Marriage-Based Visa forum on Usenet setup tjhis forum.

meauxna

Immigrant Visa processing has been changing slowly but surely over the past two years.
The information is more standardized now than before, and information is more available.
The National Visa Center, part of the Dept of State, now collects the civil and interview documents ahead of time for almost every Consular post. You can follow their instructions for NVC processing here:
Instructions for Immigrant Visa Applicants

K visa applicants can use the list to make sure they have collected the correct docs as well.

I heartily agree with Rete & am reminded of something else; when sending your tax returns or financials over to your non-US partner, explain them a little bit so that the beneficiary can speak about them in the interview. There were a couple of recently reported cases where the interviewee had the documentation with them, but the CO ignored it. If there is something you want to highlight in your interview, don't be afraid to speak up to the officer to point out part of your case.