Interview Question

[Nick + Elizabeth 54]

I know we haven't gotten our NOA2 yet but I'll have to start thinking about putting aside extra money if I need to fly out for his interview. I see some people saying you should definitely be there for your fiancé's interview and that in some cases it can make or break your approval. How true is that? I'd prefer to save the money since he would be coming right over after, but if it could sway our outcome then I certainly want to be there.

[my_honey-bunch 0]

Not necessary for you to be w him on the day of his interview.. This not a requirements.. As far as I'm concerned, you both will ask to present for the interview of his AOS..

[tacos and egg 0]

Not necessary. It's wiser to save your money. A lot of expenses you'll get incurred once he's there.

[Nick + Elizabeth 54]

What's his AOS? And, yes, that's what I was thinking too about the money stuff. Until he finds work I know it'll be a bit tight!

[Moomin 292]

Adjustment Of Status - after you're married and file the paperwork to USCIS to adjust status to LPR(greencard holder).

Not required for the US citizen to be present at the K1 interview at the embassy. In some countries, it's recommended(and few countries will flat out deny the applicant if the petitioner isn't prsent). You're going through London and it's only required for the UK fiance(e) to be present there. Of course unless they specifically requested you to be there. Anyways, save your money and use it on AOS instead. AOS is around 1070 dollars and the sooner you submit it after you're legally married(along with EAD), the faster you guys can start having 2 incomes.

[JBR 0]

I had the exact same question...but I didn't want to jinx myself and ask before I get my NOA2 (had enough waiting for that). My embassy is in Lima, Peru...anyone out there knowledgeable of this specific embassy? Will it be a deal breaker if I am not there? It is going to be tough for me to leave work this fall...

[djricky4 67]

best to ask these questions in your regional forums, you will get a better answer from peeps who have been through it already.

[Moomin 292]

I had the exact same question...but I didn't want to jinx myself and ask before I get my NOA2 (had enough waiting for that). My embassy is in Lima, Peru...anyone out there knowledgeable of this specific embassy? Will it be a deal breaker if I am not there? It is going to be tough for me to leave work this fall...

It varies from country to country and situation to situation, however for experience, I'd suggest you go to the embassy info section on Visa Journey, or to the US embassy's webpage. It is outlined on VJ that a petitioner attends the interview ( http://www.visajourney.com/consulates/index.php?ctry=Peru&cty=Lima ), otherwise see reviews at http://www.visajourney.com/reviews/index.php?cnty=Peru and select the appropriate "topic filter" (K1 visa interview if that's the case).

EDIT; I do agree when it's country specific(most things are after the case goes overseas to the embassy), better to ask in the regional forums, and have the topic reflect that it's specific to that country.

Edited August 13, 2012 by moomin

[TnJ 131]

Adjustment Of Status - after you're married and file the paperwork to USCIS to adjust status to LPR(greencard holder).

Not required for the US citizen to be present at the K1 interview at the embassy. In some countries, it's recommended(and few countries will flat out deny the applicant if the petitioner isn't prsent). You're going through London and it's only required for the UK fiance(e) to be present there. Of course unless they specifically requested you to be there. Anyways, save your money and use it on AOS instead. AOS is around 1070 dollars and the sooner you submit it after you're legally married(along with EAD), the faster you guys can start having 2 incomes.

One reason you see others saying that "it may make or break the interview" is because some countries are high fraud countries. These are cases when a couple must go a little above and beyond what most have to go through to prove a bonafide relationship. It shouldn't be of any issue in the UK as the UK is not a high fraud country. Many here have gone through the UK without the petitioner with success. I plan on attending our interview simply to give my fiancee support, and I just want to experience it with her. Generally speaking, a CO seeing a couple together can be beneficial in proving that a real relationship exists.

[TBoneTX 43,081]

One reason you see others saying that "it may make or break the interview" is because some countries are high fraud countries. These are cases when a couple must go a little above and beyond what most have to go through to prove a bonafide relationship. It shouldn't be of any issue in the UK as the UK is not a high fraud country. Many here have gone through the UK without the petitioner with success. I plan on attending our interview simply to give my fiancee support, and I just want to experience it with her. Generally speaking, a CO seeing a couple together can be beneficial in proving that a real relationship exists.

Excellent reply. This is the only response from a Manila filer that's worth paying any attention to, in this thread.

[MERIC061609 15]

I had the exact same question...but I didn't want to jinx myself and ask before I get my NOA2 (had enough waiting for that). My embassy is in Lima, Peru...anyone out there knowledgeable of this specific embassy? Will it be a deal breaker if I am not there? It is going to be tough for me to leave work this fall...

To answer your question. No, you, the USC, don't need to be there. My fiance's interview was last wednesday and I was not there. He was approved right away without any trouble, Please read the reviews posted for this particular embassy. I just entered our experience last week.

MERIC

[Linds&Youssef 56]

The answer to this question depends on what country we're talking about. Since your case is for a fiance from the UK, you don't need to worry about it. Typically where you'll see the petitioner trying to be present for the interview is when the case's beneficiary is from a "high fraud" country. For example, my fiance's and my case interview is in Casablanca because he's from Morocco (a high fraud post). As such, the COs who interview there are a lot harder on the beneficiaries when they interview them, often trying to trip them up, catch them off guard, and subsequently catch them in a lie that proves the relationship is not legitimate (since it's their job to always assume an illegitimate relationship until proven otherwise). Even though the consulate's official stance is that the petitioner is not allowed into the interview, there have been documented cases where the CO has asked something like "why didn't your fiance come to be with you at the interview" to which the beneficiary has replied that the petitioner was waiting outside, and the CO sent for the petitioner to then enter the consular office and meet with the CO personally. The couple of cases that I've seen like this cite this, specifically, as what tipped the vote in their favor. Just so you know the story. This is not the rule, but the exception, and it's more of a precaution than anything. All that said, you should be fine... Best of luck!

[VadnVince 24]

I know we haven't gotten our NOA2 yet but I'll have to start thinking about putting aside extra money if I need to fly out for his interview. I see some people saying you should definitely be there for your fiancé's interview and that in some cases it can make or break your approval. How true is that? I'd prefer to save the money since he would be coming right over after, but if it could sway our outcome then I certainly want to be there.

It's unanimous, SAVE YOUR MONEY! The biggest interview will be the AOS to get the green card. Between the U.S. & the U.K., all other stuff is preliminary red tape that gets in your pocket enough!

[Nick + Elizabeth 54]

Thank you all, great info! Actually, something said led me to wonder something else... He can't work until we are married? I thought he could work with the fiancé visa after entering the country? There is so much to learn about this process, thank god for this website and everyone on it!

[TnJ 131]

Thank you all, great info! Actually, something said led me to wonder something else... He can't work until we are married? I thought he could work with the fiancé visa after entering the country? There is so much to learn about this process, thank god for this website and everyone on it!

He can work with EAD(Employment Authorization). Check the AOS guide at top. When you adjust status, you can also file for EAD. This will allow the beneficiary to work sooner than waiting on AOS to be approved. You can also file for travel permissions. Both are included in the cost of the AOS, but you have to choose to file them at that time. Otherwise, you will miss out on that opportunity. He can't work on the K-1 alone. The K-1 allows him to enter the US one time. From this, he gets a I-94 arrival card that determines the 90 days expiration period. You have that 90 days to marry or the beneficiary has to leave. Once married, you file for AOS as soon as possible. The sooner you file AOS, the sooner you can file EAD, and the sooner the beneficiary can work.