To Go or NoT to Go to the INTERVIEW???!!!

[Renee and G 1]

My Fiance and I have been discussing whether or not I should attend his interview in 18 days! Our original plan was for me to go. Then we decided that he would go solo and we would instead fly to the US together when he was approved. My one-way ticket to see him is already booked and we are waiting until his interview to book our return flights together. We looked up tickets the other day for me to go to the interview with him and it would set us back another $1000 - 1200 for 3 days. I cannot go any longer because of my job and vacation time.

Like all couples who are in love, we will pay whatever it takes to make it happen and to be together. IF me being there will help us get a YES, then I definitely want to be there with him!

A little bit about us:

---Met in September 2010, saw each other twice that year.

---In 2011, we saw each other on six times (some of the trips included meeting my sisters, family vacation to meet my parents, Easter Holiday, Christmas Holiday with his family)

---He has been denied a Tourist Visa 2 times.

We have tons of photos, phone conversations, plane tickets, etc to prove our relationship but I want to be really sure. Can my VJ friends help?

[Nathalie2007 3]

I totally know what you mean!!! I have the same question even though I am a few months behind you guys but still trying to plan ahead!

I wish I had the answer for you!!! Let me know what you decide and for sure keep us posted on how it goes in the Embassy

I know everything is going to go great!

[Renee and G 1]

OKAY I WILL! We really want to make the best decision! I know he really wants me there too!

[Carlos&Alyssa 4]

Ive gone back and forth on this decision as well, but I believe that we have sufficient proof of our relationship including call/chat logs, photos, itineraries, boarding passes, passport stamps, etc...and to me it sounds like you guys do as well!

If you havent already, I would definitely recommend reading the Embassy Reviews for Venezuela (which you can find a link for at the top of each VJ page)...reading these will give you a feel for if others thought it was beneficial/crucial to attend their fiances interview in your Beneficiarys country!

Good Luck!

[Andrea&Henry 311]

In our case you we had the same issue but we rather to do this together. We think that paying for a trip only for him to "pick me up" doesn't make any sense to us. If we get approved(In the name God I know we will), he's taking part of my clothe and personal stuff and then I'll take the other part with me. We all know about POE issues and having your US fiance doesn't make any difference. I met several couple who enter to the US together and they still have to wait between 2 til 5 hours.

I rather to have my fiance with me, (Im a pretty anxious person) giving me the support and we have the whole week off from work. If I were a CO,having the 2 of them together speak volumes about the couple in a good way. (Im not saying that going alone is a bad stuff, but having them together sounds better to me, is just my opinion)

I travel alone most of the times I don't care traveling alone. I'll try to book my flight tuesday or wednesday in a late flight so the airport wouldn't be so crowded and busy.

ThAT'S what we are planing but you know how it is, only in the hands of God. Hope you chose the right decision

Love youuuuuuuuu and thanks for the support btwwwwwwwwwwwww

blessings

[Andrea&Henry 311]

I almost forgot, he's coming back to the US next sunday without me cause I'll have to wait for my passport and that would take a few days and my fiance needs to go back to work. Meanwhile I'll be packing setting things up...that's our plan.

[EminTX 131]

To the OP, if you can find other embassy reports that are specifically for fiancés (men as opposed to fiancées-women), that might give you a bit more information.

For us, in Perú, he said only 3 men were waiting among more than 50 people. No one before him smiled when leaving the interview until he had his (making him very nervous). When asked why I was not with him, this was the question and his response.

Por qué su prometida no lo acompaña? (No, por razones de trabajo.).

It was satisfactory in Lima. Is this because it is always good enough or because he is male? Nobody can know.

[Renee and G 1]

THANK YOU BOTH FOR YOUR HELP! :)

Thank God, I do think that we have enough evidence to prove that our relationship is real! This gives us peace! AFter speaking with our families and after reading your message Andrea, my heart is telling me to goooooo. you are right, it would speak volumes! I know that getting a Visa in Venezuela is not easy and I do not want to have any regrets. he is already nervous and I want to be there with him for every step because this is for our future.

thank you for your help and support too!!!! i never imagined that i would be traveling to venezuela for 3 days hahaha but I may have to follow my heart on this one!

[EminTX 131]

Check everywhere for flights--when I looked outside Expedia, Orbitz, and Trip Advisor, that was when I found the cheaper and much, much faster option through Mexico.

If you are unable to go, send a letter to be opened while he is waiting for the interview. Tell him he is awesome, you believe in him, that you know he will do just fine, and that you can't wait to see him in just a few days, and a few mushy things. Heck, write it on the back of a photo of you two together. (It's only 98 cents to mail a normal letter/card anywhere in the world!) Having that in his hand while he is standing at the interview-window-booth couldn't hurt and the boost to his confidence might make all the difference in the world.

(Even though the interview for my fiance was successful, I wish I had done this, just because I love him and it would have made him feel a little less nervous.)

[Renee and G 1]

awwwww that is so sweet, I absolutely LOVE that idea! more importantly, HE would LOVE it so much!!!

thanks for the ticket advice too. I am going to do some looking tonight. there would be no better feeling than to find a cheaper flight option! congratulations to the both of you on a successful interview!!!!!

[TBoneTX 45,524]

Then we decided that he would go solo and we would instead fly to the US together when he was approved.

Infamous last words. The most infamous last words ever spoken or written. NEVER PRESUME ISSUANCE OF A VISA!

we will pay whatever it takes to make it happen and to be together. IF me being there will help us get a YES, then I definitely want to be there with him!

Much better words. FAR better words.

Even if you're left in the waiting area or even not allowed inside the building at all, imagine the boon when he presents your U.S. passport to the consul as a first action and says "She's waiting outside." Gooooooooooooooooooooooooooooal!

Do not ever take any chances with any Latin American consulate.

Edited March 30, 2012 by TBoneTX

[Renee and G 1]

thank you for sharing your experience in Peru, I read your review and it was really helpful. I have been reading the reviews from Venezuela and it is true that you never really know what is going to happen. it is in God's hands. We need to make a decision on this and fast...

Tbone, your message made me smile. especially the "goooooooooal" looking at your timeline, i see that you speak from experience. it definately puts things into perspective!!! thank you!

i would be so angry at myself if I had to regret not going and this decision is adding more stress. I wish that they would just TELL US to come or NOT to COME. it seems that most of you are saying that me going to his interview WILL HELP US! right?!?!

[Nathalie2007 3]

All this great advise helped me make my decision for when the time comes! Thank you Renee and G for posting this!!

[NY_BX 397]

I went to the interview with my fiance. It made a huge difference given Egypt is a high fraud country. We were instatnly approved and he received his visa with 2 weeks; no AP. I don't know about Venezuela, but if it makes all the difference, go!

[cathy2904 97]

(It's only 98 cents to mail a normal letter/card anywhere in the world!)

It's $1.05 now.