VisaOfficer:

The thing about domicile is that we can only issue visas if a petitioner is domiciled in the U.S. That's because a family-based visa's sole purpose is to reunite a family, so if the petitioner's not even there, the grounds for issuing a visa disappear. Defining a period of domicile is a bit vague; basically, the Consular officer has to be convinced that the petitioner has returned to the U.S. and intends to stay there. I'd say, and this is just my personal opinion, not a U.S. Government rule, that once the mother has returned to the U.S. and a month has gone by, that would be a good time for the daughter to contact us.

Her age "freezes" at the date the petition became current, so even if she turns 21, she'll be all right.

Hello VO,
In a little over a week from today it will be a month that my friend's mom went back to the US. In a recent email communication with the embassy sent for her mom, she was asked to reschedule whenever she can convince the interviewing officer that her mom intend to live/stay in the US.
The confusing issue now is what and how will she convince the interviewing officer that her mother truly live in the US or rather intend to continue staying/living in the US? she can provide proves that her mom has returned to the US such as admission stamp on her passport, renewed I.D, pictures, recent medical visit letters and other scheduled appointments in the US. She have copy of the mom's LPR card, SSN card, proves that her dad is deceased and mom now only visit Nigeria and permanently live in US. Also, is it advisable or serves as more evidence to just wait for some months (3,4,5 months) after her mother's return to US before rescheduling since her age won't be a problem if she turn 21yrs before visa is issued? Will waiting that long be a problem or consider abandoning her application? Her mom live with her brother and family so no utility or lease/mortgage is in her name.

Greetings VO!
I am sending this question on behalf of a friend that attended her immigrant visa interview last month.

My friends mother who is a LPR applied for her (F2A) some years ago and she attended her interview last month. The interview went fine and her medical and all other required evidence and document also submitted. During the period of the interview, my friends mother (petitioner) was in Nigeria completing some traditional mourning rites for her late husband (my friends dad) which ended in August. She also applied for re-entry permit since this process can be up to a year or more per tradition. Her mother is scheduled to be back in US by next week.
The VO who interviewed her told her that her mother has to come back to US first to prove her domicile in The States before she can come back for her visa. She has been a permanent residence living in US for almost 5yrs now but spent the last year in Nigeria due to the death, burial, and other traditional rites of her late husband. The question now is if there is a time frame or period that she has to wait before emailing or contacting the embassy for a new appointment after her mother's return to the US? Is there a required period for her mom to stay in the US after her return before she contact the embassy? and will she or her mom have to reapply if she turn 21 before her visa is issued?