Buy your ticket before the interview..

[toastedpancake 15]

its not advisable to do that, wait until you finally have the visa in your hands..

[kate&javi 26]

We bought the plane tickets before we got the visa, but we were literally driving back and forth from our city to the Embassy (4 hours away by bus) two days prior to our flight, hoping we would have the visa issued in time. Luckily, it was issued but I was almost in serious panic mode. I'd advise against it. I also flew back to the USA with my husband, and I literally HAD to be in the USA on the day that we flew back, but it was so stressful and I wish that it didn't have to be that way -- so if there is no reason why you HAVE to be in the USA (I'm guessing no - my reason was a family matter) then wait until after the visa is issued. You will have time to say goodbye to family, friends, pack up slowly, etc. And you won't be so stressed!

[aguileralupita30 7]

You will still have enough time to do that (up to 180 days) after the interview and having visa in hand.

So after the interview they have 180 days to enter the United States?

[sarsorti 36]

hello Dear VJ's

is it okay to have plans before the visa petition interview? Like buying ticket, because it is cheaper if we book ahead of time, right?

will it affect the decision of giving you K1 visa?

thank you VJ's family

NO!!!

[SW&GI 0]

I do appreciate all the advice. Thank you so much VJ's family. God Speed

[sarsorti 36]

Actually, I bought my tickets before the interview and got lucky. I did buy tickets for date 1 week after the interview. We flew home together. Now, let's compare prices: If you buy after visa is in hand and if you want to fly within a week it will be extremely expensive. If you buy tickets ahead of time it will be MUCH cheaper. Let's say you did not get lucky and you have to change the date. Usually there is $100-150 changing fee... Still makes sense..

the last time I checked refundable tickets for an international flight are like double in cost. Its a no win situation and you are right YOU just got LUCKY.

[Darnell 8,478]

hello Dear VJ's

is it okay to have plans before the visa petition interview? Like buying ticket, because it is cheaper if we book ahead of time, right?

will it affect the decision of giving you K1 visa?

thank you VJ's family

The only two plans you should have before the visa petition interview are:

1. get the medical done and

2. bathe daily.

That's it.

[evelyn1140 18]

hello Dear VJ's

is it okay to have plans before the visa petition interview? Like buying ticket, because it is cheaper if we book ahead of time, right?

will it affect the decision of giving you K1 visa?

thank you VJ's family

Don't do it wait until you have the visa in hand. You don't know if they will be asking for more documents

[Dave&Roza 748]

hello Dear VJ's

is it okay to have plans before the visa petition interview? Like buying ticket, because it is cheaper if we book ahead of time, right?

will it affect the decision of giving you K1 visa?

thank you VJ's family

For us, I can book the flight tomorrow or 6 months from now and pay very little difference except for the time of year premiums like summer and Xmas. After the visa is in hand you can wait up to 6 months, typically, to enter the US. While your purchasing your tickets, you might want to purchase a lottery ticket too. IMHO both would be a good bet to throw your money away. Either that or spend the money for a completely refundable or reschedulable ticket, thenwhen things go south you are not out the money.

Good luck,

Dave

[DeniseFrance 14]

what? I guess not all people have a brain.

of course you wait until you get your Visa first before buying the ticket.

unless you like to gamble and loose money.

[jaycali 415]

Whether or not you have a plane ticket purchased already has absolutely nothing to do with whether or not your relationship and coming marriage is legit. So no, it won't affect the outcome of your visa application one bit.

Whether you want to buy the ticket now is up to you. Just don't be shocked if there's a delay in the visa issuance and you don't get a refund. The embassy will mail your visa when they mail it. The airline won't give you a refund if you don't have the visa on time, and the embassy certainly won't refund your plane ticket.

[Asia 2,491]

Now, let's compare prices: If you buy after visa is in hand and if you want to fly within a week it will be extremely expensive. If you buy tickets ahead of time it will be MUCH cheaper. Let's say you did not get lucky and you have to change the date. Usually there is $100-150 changing fee... Still makes sense..

But it's not like you HAVE to fly a day or a week after getting a visa, right?

Some people get lucky, but some not. And some tickets have restrictions, so the changing fee may be higher.

So after the interview they have 180 days to enter the United States?

Approximately. Sometimes it depends on your medical exam date, because your visa might be valid till your medical exam expires.

Edited January 10, 2013 by Asia

[bamaman 1]

Actually, I bought my tickets before the interview and got lucky. I did buy tickets for date 1 week after the interview. We flew home together. Now, let's compare prices: If you buy after visa is in hand and if you want to fly within a week it will be extremely expensive. If you buy tickets ahead of time it will be MUCH cheaper. Let's say you did not get lucky and you have to change the date. Usually there is $100-150 changing fee... Still makes sense..

This is really funny.... Can tell he doesn't read the fine print... You do have to pay the changing fee, but you also have to pay the difference in the ticket prices.... Like they say, nothing is free...

[GodsGift225 54]

hello Dear VJ's

is it okay to have plans before the visa petition interview? Like buying ticket, because it is cheaper if we book ahead of time, right?

will it affect the decision of giving you K1 visa?

thank you VJ's family

It has been seen in many case where people have actually went ahead and purchase a ticket months even week before there interview... Is it a smart thing to do? I don't think so.... But if you're a "Risk taker" who will do it anyways, If you have the funds to spend by all means, other wise it clearly states, " Please do not make any travel arrangement until you have your visas at hand. Once you have been interviewed and approved for an immigrant visa, collection of the immigrant visa will be within one week from the day it has been approved"

Edited January 10, 2013 by GodsGift225

[bigdog 376]

Send us the money instead, please.