Did you buy your ticket before or after the interview?

[ILoveJoy 0]

I will be attending Joy's interview, so I bought a round trip ticket for me. About 2 weeks ago, I purchased a one-way ticket for Joy on the same flight as my return so we can travel back to the US together a week after the interview.

Yes, I am gambling that the embassy will approve the visa and allow us to pick it up in time for Joy to make the scheduled flight. It is, however, a calculated risk. If I wait until we have Joy's visa in hand, I may not be able to get her on the same flight as me, or the price may be prohibitive. So, we are rolling the dice.

Marc

[PlatyPius 5]

Most people wait until they're actually approved. Most also wait until the visa is in hand.

[vsmtghdy 2]

Although USEM's guidelines said not to finalize travel unless applicant have their visa.... my husband bought the ticket before my interview, so we can travel together. We were pushing our luck then... I received my visa Friday at 1PM, went to CFO for the stamp at 3PM since Monday will be a holiday and our flight will be on Tuesday... and we made it. But it is really not advisable because there are some things that can happen during the interview, better to buy the ticket when you have the visa at hand.

[RonMay 1]

i had my interview in dec. 27 (got approved), got my visa in jan 3 and i texted my husband about the great news. later did i know he bought the ticket right away after he got the msg. which we could have had get a better deal if he waited for me to check some deals in our local phil agent. but guess he was so excited and he's been looking for great deals/dates to travel even before hand in the internet so made it as a surprise when i checked my email and saw the flight sked ... GOOD LUCK!!!

GOD BLESS!!!

[Tanjay 0]

I just want to survey how many purchased airline tickets/bookings before/after actually passing the interview? We are about to purchase and I want to know YOUR experience/s?

Is it worth it to buy before passing the interview (worst come to worst, we can pay the $50 to rebook the flight)?

or wait after the interview (but our target date for him to be here is Feb 15, his interview is Feb 7th! It would be too expensive to buy after the interview because it is s close to the flight date)?

I purchased my honey's return ticket back with me, our return flight is 2 weeks after her interview. Hopefully, with God's help, things will go well. If not, I just lose $50 cancellation fee.

Edited January 22, 2008 by Tanjay

[Roserick 0]

I don't think I will even celebrate if my wife gets approve..

Not with the VISA in Hand..

[Skeeter211 2]

We bought Mir's ticket after her visa was already delivered and in hand. Did not want to risk it. I sent her the money and she bought it there because it was about $150 dollars cheaper. She said that she was even asked to bring her visa (to make a copy) by the ticket agent that sold her the PAL ticket. Not sure that part would happen if I bought it here for her though.

Another point is that for the Philippines, they are now doing an additional document check with NSO prior to issuing the visa that has delayed some people. This is new and only adds another layer of government that can slow things down. One government agency is enough. Now there are two having to work together in a timely manner. Good luck! I say buy it after or you are taking a big risk.

Scott

[JenK 0]

Our interview is Wednesday (I AM SO SCARED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) and he won't buy a ticket until the visa is in hand. We have looked at prices and dates of when he plans to come, but that's all so far. Definitely not jumping the gun.

Jennifer

[marie_9 0]

my hubby booked a ticket with date for me but didn't pay yet until am done with my interview.. coz abviously, we must wait first for the result but not expecting of such unwanted circumstances that may arise.

[*JG* 2]

AFTER.......too many things can go wrong.

[Roserick 0]

my hubby booked a ticket with date for me but didn't pay yet until am done with my interview.. coz abviously, we must wait first for the result but not expecting of such unwanted circumstances that may arise.

Good Luck on that.. Doesn't the Booking only last 2 weeks? If not paid for you will need to rebook again?

I have canceled my wife and daughter's booking... It is just plain too risky... I don't want to re-schedule 3 flights if we don't get my wife's Visa on time..

We will just take this process step by step..

[kev_n_jena 89]

Oh come on you bunch of chickens...LOL Just kidding you all. I'm a gambler. I bought her one way ticket shortly after I learned of her interview date. During the interview, which I attended, we asked that she was allowed to pick up the visa in person. Our wish was granted but no promises were made on the date. Her interview was on a Friday, so after the interview we flew to Samar that Saturday for a celebration espidida (spelling?). We received a call or text on Wednesday or Thursday I can't remember, that her visa was ready for pickup. We flew back to Manila and picked up her visa and then stayed in Phils until the next Wednesday I think.

It was a gamble and a little nerve racking waiting to be contacted about the pickup but in the end it was worth it because I was able to attend the interview and we were able to fly back together. That was July 2007. I'm not sure if a lot of people are doing it that way now or not.

Good luck on whatever you decide. Our case was fairly simple with no kids involved.

Kev n Jena

[Roserick 0]

Oh come on you bunch of chickens...LOL Just kidding you all. I'm a gambler. I bought her one way ticket shortly after I learned of her interview date. During the interview, which I attended, we asked that she was allowed to pick up the visa in person. Our wish was granted but no promises were made on the date. Her interview was on a Friday, so after the interview we flew to Samar that Saturday for a celebration espidida (spelling?). We received a call or text on Wednesday or Thursday I can't remember, that her visa was ready for pickup. We flew back to Manila and picked up her visa and then stayed in Phils until the next Wednesday I think.

It was a gamble and a little nerve racking waiting to be contacted about the pickup but in the end it was worth it because I was able to attend the interview and we were able to fly back together. That was July 2007. I'm not sure if a lot of people are doing it that way now or not.

Good luck on whatever you decide. Our case was fairly simple with no kids involved.

Kev n Jena

Yeah.. If things didn't turn out the right way for you, you would have been crying here in VJ and ranting on USEM Manila's incompetence..

[kev_n_jena 89]

Oh come on you bunch of chickens...LOL Just kidding you all. I'm a gambler. I bought her one way ticket shortly after I learned of her interview date. During the interview, which I attended, we asked that she was allowed to pick up the visa in person. Our wish was granted but no promises were made on the date. Her interview was on a Friday, so after the interview we flew to Samar that Saturday for a celebration espidida (spelling?). We received a call or text on Wednesday or Thursday I can't remember, that her visa was ready for pickup. We flew back to Manila and picked up her visa and then stayed in Phils until the next Wednesday I think.

It was a gamble and a little nerve racking waiting to be contacted about the pickup but in the end it was worth it because I was able to attend the interview and we were able to fly back together. That was July 2007. I'm not sure if a lot of people are doing it that way now or not.

Good luck on whatever you decide. Our case was fairly simple with no kids involved.

Kev n Jena

Yeah.. If things didn't turn out the right way for you, you would have been crying here in VJ and ranting on USEM Manila's incompetence..

hmmm.....do I rant a lot?

[kev_n_jena 89]

The only "rant" that comes to mind is one time I posted something about an email from from USCIS after the fact and I'm not even sure if that would qualify as a rant. Oh well......I really try to avoid it.