Because of the interview being scheduled much earlier than I thought, there is a possibility that due to the date it is now scheduled for, I might be able to attend. (still not 100% sure yet if I can indeed go)

My main question is.....whether it is worth it to attend? Obviously, I want to be there. But there are factors to consider, like the cost.......having to take time off of work..........etc....

All that would be moot..........however......if I knew for sure that by my being there, it might have an effect on the decision.

I do NOT believe there is any problem with the case..............it is more like an "insurance policy". If by my attending, I could do anything that might help the case, I will be there in a heartbeat.

But, that's the point. How much of an effect will it have exactly?

If there are those out there who HAVE attended the interview with their spouse, how much difference do you feel it made? And if you say it DID have an effect, how so exactly did it? Did you get questions that you were able to clarify? Were there questions given to you, that your spouse could not answer?

How exactly could it make a difference by being there?

I have about a day or 2 to make a decision.......and am just looking for some input.

Thanks.

I can't comment for all Embassy's, of course, but at my K-1 interview, only I had my fiance there for the interview. All the other couples were there by themselves and all of them got their approvals.

I think they are way more concerned about the quality and validity of your evidence showing that you are a bona fide couple, than by you physically being there.

Good luck for a successful interview, whatever you decide to do.

My fiance went by himself, and it was fine. I don't think it would have made a bit of difference if I was there or not. And we probably would have gotten on each others' nerves because we were both so anxious, it was probably better that I didn't go!

See, and some people from Colombia actually advise the USC to be at the interview. I've read of 2 posts where they said they went to the interview but they noticed that everyone who was there by themselves did not receive a visa.

I think if you can take time off from work and can afford to go, it would't hurt to be there at the interview.

Yes, I've heard that about several places, Colombia being one of them.

GOOD LUCK!!!

I HAD MY INTERVIEW IN PARIS US EMBASSY LAST THURSDAY AND MY HUSBAND CAME FROM THE US FOR THE INTERVIEW, THATS MAKES THINGS EASIER COZ THEY DIDNT ASKED ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT OUR RELATIONSHIP AND NO PROOF WAS ASKED BUT I HAVE TO SAY WE HAD A CHILD TOGETHER BEFORE WE GOT MARRIED AND SHE 2 YEARS OLD AND SHE IS AN US CITIZEN, I THINK IT WAS THE BEST PROOF SO HE JUST CHECKED THE FILE AND APROVED RIGHT AWAY WITH NO QUESTIONS SO...

If I could be there for my fiancee's interview I would. I had to use my leave before April 15th, her interview is May 9th. But I'm going see her in the first week of April.

Awesome topic.

I'm also planning on attending the interview with my fiancee. Need more feedback on this please. Anyone else attended the interview and do you feel it helped?

I know there's more petitioner attending the interview than this. Right?

This has been discusse alot here. The general census seems to be that the approval rate is better if you attend the interview. Myself, I would not even think of not being there. It can not hurt. If there is a possibility that it will help, all the better. In our case though we have a large difference in age. I feel more comfortable by being there. We may be more apt to be questionable because of the age difference.

A short while after I started this thread, I created a "poll" in the other forum.

I know it's not exactly scientific, but based on those results, the difference was negligible.....between those whose SO attended , and those whose SO didn't.

17 people replied that they did not attend the interview. Out of the 17, only 1 had a denial. That's a 94% approval rate.

Obviously, 17 people is a small sample, but still................hard to argue with the numbers that were provided. Bottom line, it doesn't really seem to make a difference whether the SO attends or not.

I believe it is country specific. It goes a lot smoother for countries like Germany, France etc. compared to African and mena countries where applicants are often
scrutinized in detail, frequently harrassed for bona fide relationship issues.
In my opinion it benefits you being there, even if not allowed in the interview, just knowing you are waiting outside can make the difference to the conoff.

I beleive that in the Ankara website it says it prefers that the SO be at the interview. It is not mandatory but that they suggest it made me want to be there with my husband.

Michele

My fiance hasn't had his interivew yet but I do plan to go with him and we plan to come to the US together a week after he gets the visa. This will allow me to spend more time with his family and make less stress for him because he has never been to the USA or even been on a plane. My friend just went to her fiance's interview in the same country, I don't know if it was any help but they got the visa and are now married.

The best evidence you can bring is yourself. I will be attending my hubbies interview in May. All the best

I attended the interview with my fiance last month - it was a lot less stressful for both of us this way. We met up in Rio a few days before the interview and I went to the medical exam with him (the doctor actually invited me into the room).
I'm so glad I went because we spent 9 days in one of the most beautiful cities in the world and we were able to go through all of that part of this process together.
The CO didn't ask us many questions - although he did want to see pictures. I think it's good for the USC to go, not only for support, but to show the CO how you and your fiance are together.
We left Brazil for Miami a few days after we picked up the visa and that was good for him because he had never left his country before and doesn't speak English. I was his translator.
In addition, we spent hours and hours and hours in airports, so it was great to be together.

We had our pre-honeymoon in Rio - so it was romantic too

True Jamaica is a high fraud country and it is recommended the spouse attend the interview.

I am leaving Wednesday for my wife's interview on Thursday in Bogota. There it seems to make a difference. Remember that the amount of approvals or denials on VJ is only a small percentage of what goes on. I know there are over 60 interviews in Bogota next Thursday and no one from VJ will be there, at least that I know of. It is country specific but to me it is worth the money for the moral support and to be able to enter the US with my wife the day she enters the US. Just my opinion, but to me it is wel worth the money given all the time and heartache you have put into this process.

Of course, just my opinion,

Doug

Awesome. I'm planning on attending wheather it makes a difference or not. Getting closer to our interview date and I want my fiance to realize she's not alone anymore. If she needs me for any reason I'll be right there. What other way to show this by attending the interview with her? This is going to be our most important interview in our lives so of course I'll be there by her side.

I don't know if it tecnically makes a difference, but I would think that allowing the Consul to see the two of you together and getting a feel for how you interact will not hurt you. I have to agree that I think the moral support of your Spouse/Fiance is priceless and worth the money spent if you can do it. I understand that some people's situation doesn't allow them to attend for a variety of reasons and that's okay. My sweetheart told me that she did not care if I could not make it to the medical exam as long as I came to be with her at the interview. I promised her (barring any unforseen emergencies) that I would make the trip. For me, its not really about an advantage for the interview. Its about being there to support the woman I love more than life itself.

Scott

The thing is, by the time the actual interview takes place, the decision is practically made. I would imagine that the decision to grant a visa is not going to be based on whether the SO is there or not. Because if that was such a determining factor, we'd ALL be there at the interview with our SO.....no matter the costs or difficulty in getting there.

But, I strongly believe that the decision to grant a visa is made on the facts and documentation provided. The person adjudicating the visa, has to try and remain objective, and look at the information in front of them.

I realize a lot of other individuals who have interviews, aren't members of this forum and therefore don't post their experiences here, however.............most "polling" data done in this country, only includes a small sample group as well. When you take into account the millions of people that live in this country, and who never participate in polls from Gannett, or some other institution that does polls.............the polls still are a pretty good indicator of the general consensus in this country.

And so, when I see 17 people respond (to that poll I made) , small sample as it may be, I think the fact that 94% of the people who responded and DIDNT attend the interview , had an SO whose visa was granted regardless, ........I think that information is probably pretty consistant with what generally happens at the interviews and consulates around the world.

I know in my own case, where my wife interviewed just a few days ago, had I been there with her.........................it would have made NO difference in the outcome. That was because we submitted an incorrect document, and the whether I was there or not....................it wouldn't have mattered a bit. They would STILL need that document. (my wife has aquired what they are asking, and hopefully will send it in Monday....and we expect to get the visa not long after).

Their decision in my wife's case, had nothing to do with whether I was there or not.......but was based on the documentation. My being there, wouldn't have changed a thing.


That being said.....................one thing I do agree with , in regards to other posts in this thread, it that it is still "preferable" for the spouse to be there, no matter how much it helps or not. I REALLY would have liked to be there with my wife........if anything, just to be there with her and give her support, so she wouldn't have to go it alone.

I'm sure in the case of every couple on this forum, were they able................they would have MUCH rather have been their with their SO at the interview, than not. It's too bad our government makes the abilty to do just that.....................so difficult.

I just know that my husband doesn't know all the paper work I did for his Visa Journey. I have a 3 inch binder full of all our documents and 3 photo books full of evidence. I really think it is what country your SO is at. I prefer to be there because I know that people in JA with out there SO were drilled hard when they went alone. When couples went most all made it through the process. Plus the plane ticket there is not to expensive from the USA. If your not going to be there I recommend putting a book or binder together for your partner and send it with everything labeled. This will help their interview go smoothly. Just my 2 cents...

I am glad your wife had a good experience.

It's not the ultimate factor but should make a good impression on the CO. This is considered making that extra trip AFTER the filling of the petition and should hold some weight. Anything that could be intreperated as having a bonafied relationship. Really depends on the embassy itself. This, of course, is just my opinion.

I attended with my husband in London (I've lived in the UK for six years so it wasn't difficult); my presence was not required but I think it soothed my husband.

Our interview was on September 11th, 2006 and they were very noid about liquids at the Embassy; there were cops everywhere with machine guns and people with mirrors on sticks hovering around all the cars and MIBs (men in black) all over the place. I think if he'd had to go alone he'd have freaked.

I agree - that is the best evidence. I plan to attend as well. Its important for to me to be there and I want to be able to support my fiance. Flying to TZ for a week is no easy endeavor and at the very least it should show them how committed we are to one another. Now if my fiance was from UK or France, I prob would not bother.