Should I go to the interview with her?

[IgorK 0]

Hi all, just registered on this website, but I have been lurking here in the past quire a bit - wealth of information! USCSI of Vermont has issued our NOA1 February 25th and I am really hoping that everything will be ok and the process will get rolling sooner than later.

Given that everything goes right and we do get the interview, I am seriously considering scooting over to my sweetie in Moscow to be there for an interview with her. Good idea or bad? From the stand point of hving more chances to get approved. We have known each other 8 years by now and we just met in Fall of '08... Your thought are greatly appreciated!

Regards,

Igor.

[Bobby+Umit 161]

Wouldn't hurt to be there for the interview - but you won't be allowed in during it. Depends on the embassy - you will probably be allowed to sit in the waiting area.

[Ladylethal 12]

With a straightforward case and having all the proper documentation your fiancee shouldn't have problems in the interview. That being said, if you're comfortable with flying there (time and budget) it certainly won't hurt it. Some consulates allow for the USC to be present at the interview and some don't.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Hi all, just registered on this website, but I have been lurking here in the past quire a bit - wealth of information! USCSI of Vermont has issued our NOA1 February 25th and I am really hoping that everything will be ok and the process will get rolling sooner than later.

Given that everything goes right and we do get the interview, I am seriously considering scooting over to my sweetie in Moscow to be there for an interview with her. Good idea or bad? From the stand point of hving more chances to get approved. We have known each other 8 years by now and we just met in Fall of '08... Your thought are greatly appreciated!

Regards,

Igor.

I went to the interview and do not regret it. I suggest anyone that can, do this. For moral support if nothing else. Moscow is not a particularly difficult consulate, pretty easy accoridng to the reports actually. But it is tremendous moral support for her. I think Alla would have fainted dead away before she made it in the door! Go if you can. Also, I must admit it was really pleasant to be there and get the good news, I think my eyes would have popped out of my head if I had to be here while she was in there. I'll rank it right up there with the birth of a baby. We did this together, every step, every document, every piece of paper, how could I miss the finale?

[IgorK 0]

Thanks for your help!

I too just want to be there for her and ideal case would be flying back together. I am not sure if it would be possible, but this is my best case scenario. It is too bad that they would not allow me in, but I do understand their reasons too.

Oh well, I hope it all goes smooth for us. Back to the daily torture of wait

Again, thank you for your help.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Thanks for your help!

I too just want to be there for her and ideal case would be flying back together. I am not sure if it would be possible, but this is my best case scenario. It is too bad that they would not allow me in, but I do understand their reasons too.

Oh well, I hope it all goes smooth for us. Back to the daily torture of wait

Again, thank you for your help.

Kiev let me in and when they called Alla to the interview window I walked right up with her...no problem. I have heard sometimes Kiev asks the USC to sit in the waiting room (about 5 ft. away) Not sure how Moscow handles it.

Check the regional forums. We had our visa in hand 3 business days later, I would allow a week or maybe two, to be safe. If you can stay that long, it is entirely possible she can come back with you. In Kiev it was also possible to arrange for pickup of the visa at the FedEx office, so that could speed things up if your fiancee lives far from Moscow. FedEx delivery in Ukraine and Russia is not so predictable outside of big cities.

I do not suggest you buy her a plane ticket before the visa is in hand, however I have gotten good ticket prices on as little as three days notice. International flights tend to be a little different than domestic. They have a certain number of "cheap seats" and as long as some of those are available you can get the cheap tickets right up to flight time. Worst case, you pay a little more for the ticket. Air travel is down right now. Alla flew to Ukraine last week and the plane was barely 1/3 full and we got astounding prices for round trip tickets for our son from Moscow to JFK (he is a student in Moscow and will return there) Cheaper than flying to Florida or Chicago! And that was for mid-summer rates!

[IgorK 0]

Gary and Alla - thanks again for your suggestions!

Best,

Igor.

[dcrespo314 0]

here you go man, according to this your not allowed in the interview so unless you want to go to Russia to give your fiancee a little peace of mind and just hang out with her, i would not bother going.

http://www.visajourney.com/consulates/inde...&cty=Moscow

[Brad and Vika 129]

here you go man, according to this your not allowed in the interview so unless you want to go to Russia to give your fiancee a little peace of mind and just hang out with her, i would not bother going.

http://www.visajourney.com/consulates/inde...&cty=Moscow

I am not sure this is true now. Post on the Russia forum and get embassy specific advice from VJers that went to Moscow interviews (there are some). I also attended Vika's K-1 interview in Kiev, and had the same experience as Gary. There was no separate waiting area there, just windows facing the waiting room. Also, you might check out the embassy/interview reviews (on the toolbar in blue above).

[Neonred 3,913]

I went over to be with my then fiancee while she attended her interview in Moscow. No, you will not be allowed in during her interview. The interview process takes 2 to 2 1/2 hours. My fiancee entered at 8:00 and got out at 10:30. I spent much of my time at a nice cafe down the street. My fiance and I flew back together a week later, but we had the passport with visa held at the local DHL office for pick up. The US Embassy in Moscow is not a difficult embassy for K-1 visas and rarely do well prepared VJrs have problems. I knew it could be a small risk, but I did buy the return tickets well in advance as I felt very confident with our petition.

I am very glad I was there as we did have a problem with my fiancee's daughter's K-2 visa. She was planning to travel to the US later and there was some confusion and initially they told her she would have to come back for another interview. Because I was there I was able to go back to the embassy (different entrance for US citizens) and resolve the issue.

Most don't go for their fiancee's interview (I think I was the only US citizen waiting outside) but I was happy I did.

[Brad and Vika 129]

I went over to be with my then fiancee while she attended her interview in Moscow. No, you will not be allowed in during her interview. The interview process takes 2 to 2 1/2 hours. My fiancee entered at 8:00 and got out at 10:30. I spent much of my time at a nice cafe down the street. My fiance and I flew back together a week later, but we had the passport with visa held at the local DHL office for pick up. The US Embassy in Moscow is not a difficult embassy for K-1 visas and rarely do well prepared VJrs have problems. I knew it could be a small risk, but I did buy the return tickets well in advance as I felt very confident with our petition.

I am very glad I was there as we did have a problem with my fiancee's daughter's K-2 visa. She was planning to travel to the US later and there was some confusion and initially they told her she would have to come back for another interview. Because I was there I was able to go back to the embassy (different entrance for US citizens) and resolve the issue.

Most don't go for their fiancee's interview (I think I was the only US citizen waiting outside) but I was happy I did.

Cool - I hoped some one from the RU portal was probably on. Was your experience recent?

Edited to say that I see your interview was in '06 - had I only looked at your timeline

Edited May 25, 2009 by Brad and Vika

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

here you go man, according to this your not allowed in the interview so unless you want to go to Russia to give your fiancee a little peace of mind and just hang out with her, i would not bother going.

http://www.visajourney.com/consulates/inde...&cty=Moscow

I am not sure this is true now. Post on the Russia forum and get embassy specific advice from VJers that went to Moscow interviews (there are some). I also attended Vika's K-1 interview in Kiev, and had the same experience as Gary. There was no separate waiting area there, just windows facing the waiting room. Also, you might check out the embassy/interview reviews (on the toolbar in blue above).

Yes, I used the term "waiting room" loosely, there really is not a separate room.

I would have been there if I had to wait outside and would never consider it a "bother". In my opinion giving my fiancee peace of mind and "hanging out" with her was the point of the trip. I did not even know, or ask, if I would be allowed in the interview. I didn't care.

[KimandRuss 0]

If your fiance has your passport with her when shes interviews and the interviewing officer knows you are serious enough to have travelled there to be with her then it can only help your case.

Do visit the regional forums here on VJ and have a look at the Embassy info link above to find out how long the wait is for the visa after the interview.

As stated previously, though, nothing is guaranteed and you may find yourself out some $... however, you get to see your fiance. So, either way, it's a win!

[It's me 1]

I dont think it would hurt nything if you did go. I want to go to my husbands interveiw...

[Joe_&_Nadiya 1]

Hi all, just registered on this website, but I have been lurking here in the past quire a bit - wealth of information! USCSI of Vermont has issued our NOA1 February 25th and I am really hoping that everything will be ok and the process will get rolling sooner than later.

Given that everything goes right and we do get the interview, I am seriously considering scooting over to my sweetie in Moscow to be there for an interview with her. Good idea or bad? From the stand point of hving more chances to get approved. We have known each other 8 years by now and we just met in Fall of '08... Your thought are greatly appreciated!

Regards,

Igor.

My suggestion s: If it is feasible for you at the moment then YES, attend the interview with her, even though you won't be able to stand there with her while the CO asks her questions...Your presence there will for sure ease her mind...I went with my fiancee' and I don't regret ita bit. She was definately glad I did.

Good luck