Go with her for interview?

[Bryan+Nelia 4life 0]

Ok guys I believe our interview will be here soon, as the NVC sent our packet out to embassy. Im trying to plan for it now. I really would like to go there to help her with interview, packing, and morale support. The trouble is the money will be substantial (I have around a 40k /year job). I would have to buy 1 ticket in advance from Las Vegas around $1000, then buy 2 round-trip tickets for her and myself to Manilla $300 (we need to return to her home to pack). Then the worst part is buying two tickets to Las Vegas with very little advance notice $2000-3000? Probably another $1000-1500 in miscellanious expences. Thats a range of $4300-5800. I have been saving up and should be very close to 6k by january, but do you guys think it would be better to let her do it on her own and save the surplus money for our new life? I know she is a very smart, capable and strong woman. Are relationship is definetly bonafide so we should have no trouble passing (God willing). I would love to be there with her through this whole process especially the flight over here to a new country where she will be totally lost and scared. But at the same time we will definately need money when she gets here. She says she wants to do it on her own, but I know she would feel better with me there, and maybe it would help us pass all the more? I know this isn't easy to answer but I value your opinions so thanks for helping me descide!

[Bryan+Nelia 4life 0]

bumpity bumpity

[Dakine 26]

Alls I know is I've seen LOTS of petitioners kicking themselves in the butte for not attending the USEM interview [me included].

Never have seen anyone regretting they did attend.

[evemonte 0]

Ok guys I believe our interview will be here soon, as the NVC sent our packet out to embassy. Im trying to plan for it now. I really would like to go there to help her with interview, packing, and morale support. The trouble is the money will be substantial (I have around a 40k /year job). I would have to buy 1 ticket in advance from Las Vegas around $1000, then buy 2 round-trip tickets for her and myself to Manilla $300 (we need to return to her home to pack). Then the worst part is buying two tickets to Las Vegas with very little advance notice $2000-3000? Probably another $1000-1500 in miscellanious expences. Thats a range of $4300-5800. I have been saving up and should be very close to 6k by january, but do you guys think it would be better to let her do it on her own and save the surplus money for our new life? I know she is a very smart, capable and strong woman. Are relationship is definetly bonafide so we should have no trouble passing (God willing). I would love to be there with her through this whole process especially the flight over here to a new country where she will be totally lost and scared. But at the same time we will definately need money when she gets here. She says she wants to do it on her own, but I know she would feel better with me there, and maybe it would help us pass all the more? I know this isn't easy to answer but I value your opinions so thanks for helping me descide!

my opinion: let her do it on her own. as you said she is smart. if you're documents are all intact and complete, i.e. you have substantial evidence of your existing relationship and no problem with the income/affidavit of support, she'll get approved. i've seen couples in the US embassy in manila whose fiances were not allowed in the room by the consul during the interview (it is the consul's discretion to let the fiance in or not). better save the money. you'll need to pay another 1040usd for her AOS. more expenses coming your way -- new set of clothes and shoes (as it is very cold for us who are from the tropics), your wedding, etc.

just meet her at the airport when she arrives and call her before the interview. just a tip for your fiancee during the interview: do not volunteer any information, just answer straight to the point and be alert of trick question. good luck!

[Mr.&Mrs.A 0]

Alls I know is I've seen LOTS of petitioners kicking themselves in the butte for not attending the USEM interview [me included].

Never have seen anyone regretting they did attend.

Dakine, can you elaborate on how you being at fiancee's interview at USEM would have made things different? I ask as I'm going thru a similar situation and would enjoy your input.

[Dakine 26]

Alls I know is I've seen LOTS of petitioners kicking themselves in the butte for not attending the USEM interview [me included].

Never have seen anyone regretting they did attend.

Dakine, can you elaborate on how you being at fiancee's interview at USEM would have made things different? I ask as I'm going thru a similar situation and would enjoy your input.

For one you get "points" for multiple visits as they ALWAYS ask how many times you have met.

For another if the bene is denied as mine was you, a American citizen, at least are there and can try to do something about it directly to the director instead of by fax and email.

Beneficiary's can't just show their PP and walk in the embassy.

[vanillamocha 0]

Ok guys I believe our interview will be here soon, as the NVC sent our packet out to embassy. Im trying to plan for it now. I really would like to go there to help her with interview, packing, and morale support. The trouble is the money will be substantial (I have around a 40k /year job). I would have to buy 1 ticket in advance from Las Vegas around $1000, then buy 2 round-trip tickets for her and myself to Manilla $300 (we need to return to her home to pack). Then the worst part is buying two tickets to Las Vegas with very little advance notice $2000-3000? Probably another $1000-1500 in miscellanious expences. Thats a range of $4300-5800. I have been saving up and should be very close to 6k by january, but do you guys think it would be better to let her do it on her own and save the surplus money for our new life? I know she is a very smart, capable and strong woman. Are relationship is definetly bonafide so we should have no trouble passing (God willing). I would love to be there with her through this whole process especially the flight over here to a new country where she will be totally lost and scared. But at the same time we will definately need money when she gets here. She says she wants to do it on her own, but I know she would feel better with me there, and maybe it would help us pass all the more? I know this isn't easy to answer but I value your opinions so thanks for helping me descide!

Hello guys,

I agree with evemonte as long as your case is not complicated and papers are complete.. your fiancee will be ok and nothing to worry about..by that you can save up money. Had my interview last Nov.13 w/o my fiance. Everything went well. I prepared a long sheet of questions (and answers) prior my interview but none of it were asked. Consul and I were just like talking casually. I firmly believe your fiancee can manage (by herself) and can bring home the PINK slip good luck

[Bryan+Nelia 4life 0]

Yah I knew this would be a tough one to give advice on. Alot of differences between cases I guess, and if she gets a nice adjucator. Im leaning on letting her do it on her own save a bunch of money for us. I just so scared it will bite me in the ####.

[mari joe 1]

Yah I knew this would be a tough one to give advice on. Alot of differences between cases I guess, and if she gets a nice adjucator. Im leaning on letting her do it on her own save a bunch of money for us. I just so scared it will bite me in the ####.

Just give yourself a little more time to decide. After you get the appointment date for her and it's less than month away and you still have a gut feeling that something could go wrong, then by all means get there and help her. I do think your estimates on tickets are high though.

In order to fly within the philippines just book directly with the airline such as philippine air and pay with a creditcard in pesos, you will find its much cheaper that way. The international flights should be much cheaper than you estimated also, especially after Christmas. Good luck.

[PhiLandShiR 18]

If you can afford to go, for sure go! But if not, its usually OK. These ladies from Philippines are tough as nails, they just don't know it!

Just call her and be supportive. Go over some of the interview questions found here in the forums and she will be fine.

But most of all, tell her to be honest in her answers. If she does not know an answer its ok to say 'I don't know but I have that information in my papers and I can look it up if you want'.

It is no time for her to be shy. If she can't hear a question or does not understand what is being asked, its very important for her to speak up and say so!!

Good Luck!!!

-Phil

Yah I knew this would be a tough one to give advice on. Alot of differences between cases I guess, and if she gets a nice adjucator. Im leaning on letting her do it on her own save a bunch of money for us. I just so scared it will bite me in the ####.

[Bryan+Nelia 4life 0]

If you can afford to go, for sure go! But if not, its usually OK. These ladies from Philippines are tough as nails, they just don't know it!

Just call her and be supportive. Go over some of the interview questions found here in the forums and she will be fine.

But most of all, tell her to be honest in her answers. If she does not know an answer its ok to say 'I don't know but I have that information in my papers and I can look it up if you want'.

It is no time for her to be shy. If she can't hear a question or does not understand what is being asked, its very important for her to speak up and say so!!

Good Luck!!!

-Phil

Yah I knew this would be a tough one to give advice on. Alot of differences between cases I guess, and if she gets a nice adjucator. Im leaning on letting her do it on her own save a bunch of money for us. I just so scared it will bite me in the ####.

Well the good thing is she comes here to get informed too, but im compiling a list of all thing Interview so she can study and be ultra ready.

[Nenita and David 1]

Here is my situation. We have a CR-1 interview scheduled for Dec. 9, but I'm requesting that it be rescheduled for a date between Dec. 21-31 so that I can attend the interview. I certainly understand the concern about costs - trips to the Philippines are without a doubt the most expensive part of the visa process! I'm lucky that I do have a good job and can swing the cost, but it still wasn't easy... $2,000 for the plane ticket alone is a lot of money for almost anyone. But as I see it, the trip is not only to be at the interview, but also to spend time with my wife and her family at Christmas. That's the part of the trip that's priceless.

I know I won't regret going. For one, it's not a guaranty that we'll ever be able to get together with all my in-laws again. Although I certainly hope this isn't the last time I see them all together, there's always that possibility. We figure that it will be 3-4 years after my wife leaves before we'll be able to return again. That's why the trip is worth it for me. While I do want very much to be there for the interview, there are many other reasons to go to the Phils, too.

[Ann Marie and Leo 9]

Ok guys I believe our interview will be here soon, as the NVC sent our packet out to embassy. Im trying to plan for it now. I really would like to go there to help her with interview, packing, and morale support. The trouble is the money will be substantial (I have around a 40k /year job). I would have to buy 1 ticket in advance from Las Vegas around $1000, then buy 2 round-trip tickets for her and myself to Manilla $300 (we need to return to her home to pack). Then the worst part is buying two tickets to Las Vegas with very little advance notice $2000-3000? Probably another $1000-1500 in miscellanious expences. Thats a range of $4300-5800. I have been saving up and should be very close to 6k by january, but do you guys think it would be better to let her do it on her own and save the surplus money for our new life? I know she is a very smart, capable and strong woman. Are relationship is definetly bonafide so we should have no trouble passing (God willing). I would love to be there with her through this whole process especially the flight over here to a new country where she will be totally lost and scared. But at the same time we will definately need money when she gets here. She says she wants to do it on her own, but I know she would feel better with me there, and maybe it would help us pass all the more? I know this isn't easy to answer but I value your opinions so thanks for helping me descide!

If you can go on the trip it is well worth it, just to be together during this time, I found it a real bonding experence before. I am sure she will do fine with out you there as well. As mentioned your ticket estamates are high, as you can get a open ended return, round trip for you under $1000, and a one way for her to the US for around $740. Good luck

[Bryan+Nelia 4life 0]

Ok guys I believe our interview will be here soon, as the NVC sent our packet out to embassy. Im trying to plan for it now. I really would like to go there to help her with interview, packing, and morale support. The trouble is the money will be substantial (I have around a 40k /year job). I would have to buy 1 ticket in advance from Las Vegas around $1000, then buy 2 round-trip tickets for her and myself to Manilla $300 (we need to return to her home to pack). Then the worst part is buying two tickets to Las Vegas with very little advance notice $2000-3000? Probably another $1000-1500 in miscellanious expences. Thats a range of $4300-5800. I have been saving up and should be very close to 6k by january, but do you guys think it would be better to let her do it on her own and save the surplus money for our new life? I know she is a very smart, capable and strong woman. Are relationship is definetly bonafide so we should have no trouble passing (God willing). I would love to be there with her through this whole process especially the flight over here to a new country where she will be totally lost and scared. But at the same time we will definately need money when she gets here. She says she wants to do it on her own, but I know she would feel better with me there, and maybe it would help us pass all the more? I know this isn't easy to answer but I value your opinions so thanks for helping me descide!

If you can go on the trip it is well worth it, just to be together during this time, I found it a real bonding experence before. I am sure she will do fine with out you there as well. As mentioned your ticket estamates are high, as you can get a open ended return, round trip for you under $1000, and a one way for her to the US for around $740. Good luck

Eww I didn't think of open ended return! Makes perfect sence though thank you much! I guess that decides it! Off to PH again! (god i hate that flight!)