attending interview with fiance...

[Karonya and Adel 8]

My fiance and I have a couple of red flags in our file. Age diff and this is my second try with a MENA man. I know that no one can give an answer with any certainty. That being said, in your opinion, would my attendance at his interview make a significant enough difference to make the expense worth it?

[Karonya and Adel 8]

amend that to read significant IMPACT to help overcome the flags.....

[TBoneTX 45,469]

Absolutely be there. If you're not allowed inside at the interview, you can give your fiance your passport so that he can show it to the CO. This may be enough to get yourself invited in. At minimum, it certainly won't hurt your case. We here on VJ can never know how many visas were issued because the petitioner's presence turned the tide.

Edited December 27, 2010 by TBoneTX

[jessandyura 0]

I agree it makes a huge difference. My fiance and I became engaged after a month. (We are religious and thats just the way do things!) He attended the interview with me and I think it really erased any questions from our interviewer's mind. The interviewer even cracked a joke about it... You dont waste time do you? Haha.

I would also plan to explain away those red flags. Be ready to clearly state why you had a failed past relationship etc.

Before our interview I was BEYOND nervous. Really, I think, these people want to approve K-1 VISAs. You just have to help them by providing them with the info they need to support your relationship and cover any questionable things. If they seem to be unsure offer to show them pictures or some of your other paperwork that has to do with their area of doubt.

Good Luck!

[ArabLoveMorocco 1]

My fiance and I have a couple of red flags in our file. Age diff and this is my second try with a MENA man. I know that no one can give an answer with any certainty. That being said, in your opinion, would my attendance at his interview make a significant enough difference to make the expense worth it?

I would try to attend if you could. It will not hurt. I am not sure if the "man" at the embassy will let you in though, but hey give it a try. An age difference between couples in the ARAB culture is common, so i do not think it is real red flag to a person who is familiar with the ARAB world. But i did not understand when you said "second try with a MENA man"?

GOOD LUCK!

[HeatDeath 430]

At a lot of consulates, it doesn't matter. At some consulates, it can be very helpful. And at a few consulates, it's absolutely required. I'm pretty sure, for folks from Algeria, it falls between the second and third category. If there's any reasonable way you can afford it, I would go.

[Élan 3]

If you can afford it, I would recommend going. If nothing else, it will give you and your fiance more confidence during the interview and maybe neutralize your "red flags" a bit. So in my opinion (since you asked!), I'd say go if it won't put you in debt or have other significant negative consequences.

[Karonya and Adel 8]

I would try to attend if you could. It will not hurt. I am not sure if the "man" at the embassy will let you in though, but hey give it a try. An age difference between couples in the ARAB culture is common, so i do not think it is real red flag to a person who is familiar with the ARAB world. But i did not understand when you said "second try with a MENA man"?

GOOD LUCK!

Yeah I didn't make that very clear sorry. I mean this is my second application for a visa. The first was in 2002, he was from morocco.

I emailed the embassy and they have said I can attend the interview, so I will be going. Thanks for all the advice!