Consulate: do they already know they'll approve or not?

[FherJess 15]

I read somewhere on the forum (can't remember who said it) but it got me thinking.

This member made an opinion stating that once the interviewer at the Consulate first sees your petition (before the interview, before speaking to you) that they've pretty much already made up their mind as to whether to approve or not approve the K1 visa.

How many believe this to be true?

It got me thinking....that if there is truth to this, perhaps it wouldn't be such a bad idea to include more than is requested in the initial filing of the I129F petition.

I suppose as a way to show them (@consulate) that it is indeed a true relationship.

It wouldn't necessarily be front loading or be overwhelming but more like adding of proof of talking, Skype, etc.

I realize that it's not needed to file the petition but I also don't think it could hurt, right?

I'm just trying to figure out the best thing to do but I don't want to confuse or overwhelm the ones who are to approve the PETITION.

Thoughts?

[ShirahBet 42]

It seems that some consulates have a history of deciding before the interview, yes. I had good proof of relationship with the i130 and just added more onto the actual visa application sent to the nvc. That's your other option, add more onto the visa app.

[Boggy1974 124]

We included all relevant documents about our relationship and all required evidence on the instructions into our petition - if this is what "front-loading" is, then that's well & good.

It will be helpful to one's case if all evidentiary documents are included in the petition stage (uscis) and at NVC stage before the complete packet get sent to the consulate. It's true that COs review casefiles before interview to help him/her make an informed decision.

What someone said about some CO making a decision before a visa applicant even walks into the interview window or room is just one's opinion. I don't think there's any basis in fact or data to support this. If a CO ever publicly admit to doing this, that will amount to making prejudicial decisions. But it doesn't surprise me to hear that there is history of some consulates doing this due to rampant fraud cases.

Edited March 10, 2013 by Boggy1974

[Boiler 45,665]

There is no way they could make a call on a couple of limited questions asked at the "interview " so yes.

[lost_at_sea 995]

I read somewhere on the forum (can't remember who said it) but it got me thinking.

This member made an opinion stating that once the interviewer at the Consulate first sees your petition (before the interview, before speaking to you) that they've pretty much already made up their mind as to whether to approve or not approve the K1 visa.

How many believe this to be true?

It got me thinking....that if there is truth to this, perhaps it wouldn't be such a bad idea to include more than is requested in the initial filing of the I129F petition.

I suppose as a way to show them (@consulate) that it is indeed a true relationship.

It wouldn't necessarily be front loading or be overwhelming but more like adding of proof of talking, Skype, etc.

I realize that it's not needed to file the petition but I also don't think it could hurt, right?

I'm just trying to figure out the best thing to do but I don't want to confuse or overwhelm the ones who are to approve the PETITION.

Thoughts?

If you fill out more of your info, like where you're from etc, people can give more specific advice. It's often unnecessary to go mad with evidence in the petition stage.

In some countries that are seen as having high-fraud records, it's been shown that it is very beneficial to "front-load" the application. You may want to check reviews for your local consulate: http://www.visajourney.com/consulates/ Or the sub-forum relevant to the beneficiary's country.

Edited March 10, 2013 by lost_at_sea

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

It will vary a great deal by country, but yes, the CO has a good idea what his decision will be, before the interview. The demeanor of the applicant, and the answers to the questions he asks, can change a tentative approval into a denial. However, if the decision beforehand is a tentative denial, not much the applicant can do, or show, will change that to an approval.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

But, K-1's do have a high approval rate, so going into the interview the odds are well on the side of the applicant.*

*Also very dependent on what country.

Edited March 10, 2013 by The Patriot

[FherJess 15]

I apologize for not mentioning that my fiancé will be interviewing in CIUDAD JUAREZ, MEXICO.

I did a search and have been reading the many MANY posts in the CDJ portal....so much info but oh so helpful!

[sarsorti 36]

There is no way they could make a call on a couple of limited questions asked at the "interview " so yes.

So if our case is already at the embassy can or should we send extra information with packet 3 forms and docs? I plan on taking everything but the kitchen sink but if they have already decided are they even going to look at the extra evidence brought to the interview?

[Boiler 45,665]

So if our case is already at the embassy can or should we send extra information with packet 3 forms and docs? I plan on taking everything but the kitchen sink but if they have already decided are they even going to look at the extra evidence brought to the interview?

I do not know the details of your case and whether there are any 'issues'.

You are also going through Algeria.

[Ebunoluwa 6,136]

That is consulate specific. For example, Lagos is a high fraud post and K1's don't get an overwhelming number of approvals there and the CO's mind is already made up and it is vital to frontload. Even then it is tough. If he is from Algeria going through Juarez then expect a bit of a tougher road as well. No matter what consulate, it is often the Nationality of the beneficiary that weighs into undergoing AP, getting approval or refusal.

Read your specific consulate reviews and forum for feed back.

[sarsorti 36]

That is consulate specific. For example, Lagos is a high fraud post and K1's don't get an overwhelming number of approvals there and the CO's mind is already made up and it is vital to frontload. Even then it is tough. If he is from Algeria going through Juarez then expect a bit of a tougher road as well. No matter what consulate, it is often the Nationality of the beneficiary that weighs into undergoing AP, getting approval or refusal.

Read your specific consulate reviews and forum for feed back.

Thank you, I have read them. although there are not a lot of reviews for Algeria and many are CR1. Some are OK, others are incomplete and some are just hard to understand. I guess every cases is different bases on specifics and I just have to believe everything is going to be OK.

[sarsorti 36]

That is consulate specific. For example, Lagos is a high fraud post and K1's don't get an overwhelming number of approvals there and the CO's mind is already made up and it is vital to frontload. Even then it is tough. If he is from Algeria going through Juarez then expect a bit of a tougher road as well. No matter what consulate, it is often the Nationality of the beneficiary that weighs into undergoing AP, getting approval or refusal.

Read your specific consulate reviews and forum for feed back.

We are going through Algeria,the US embassy in El-Biar Algiers, not sure where Juarez is or if it is one and the same. Thank you I did read the reviews and feed back but there are not too many that follow through and none too recent. It looks pretty bleak but I just keep telling myself every case is different and hopefully the CO will leave some room in their mind to allow people to plead their case. My God it sounds like there is no hope and you are on trial for your life, guilty automatically and lucky if you can prove your innocence. It shouldn't be this way.

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

I read somewhere on the forum (can't remember who said it) but it got me thinking.

This member made an opinion stating that once the interviewer at the Consulate first sees your petition (before the interview, before speaking to you) that they've pretty much already made up their mind as to whether to approve or not approve the K1 visa.

How many believe this to be true?

It got me thinking....that if there is truth to this, perhaps it wouldn't be such a bad idea to include more than is requested in the initial filing of the I129F petition.

I suppose as a way to show them (@consulate) that it is indeed a true relationship.

It wouldn't necessarily be front loading or be overwhelming but more like adding of proof of talking, Skype, etc.

I realize that it's not needed to file the petition but I also don't think it could hurt, right?

I'm just trying to figure out the best thing to do but I don't want to confuse or overwhelm the ones who are to approve the PETITION.

Thoughts?

It will not hurt to add in some relationship evidence with the petition. Then, bring more with you to the interview in case they ask for it. I do not think they totally make up their minds each and every time from looking through your file, but I think they get a good idea, and then they ask you some questions at the interview that makes up their minds one way or the other. We personally did a little front loading on our petition so the evidence would be there in the file already for the CO to see before the interview. No need to go crazy with front loading for Juarez, but a little is not a bad idea at all.

[sarsorti 36]

I do not know the details of your case and whether there are any 'issues'.

You are also going through Algeria.

The only real "issue" or red flag that I can honestly speak of is our age gap, specifically he is 22 years younger than I am. Oh, yes and the other "issue" as you mention, Algeria. The age is not an issue for us and we have all our ducks in a row. As for front loading, well lets see, I plan on attending the interview with him, (yes I have a tourist visa for myself to Algeria), both of our families are well aware of our relationship and our OK with it. I have never had children but am healthy and can still give him a family. He is covered with International health insurance that we purchased ourselves, he already has several job opportunities lined up with certified letters from the potential employers. I live alone in a mortgage free home and have as required a sufficient affidavit of support, and even though I do not need a co-sponsor I have prepared one just in case and will have it with us at the interview. 5 hours a day of communication for 365 days plus two visits in person if this is not proof of an ongoing relationship there is no proof. We spend more time together than a married couple of 10 years under the same roof. And yes, he speaks excellent English (his 3rd language), although my Arabic leaves little to be desired, I am trying. Pictures and plans and hopes and dreams, just like all people in love. Phone logs, chat logs, texts, Skype and email. Am I missing anything here? Please tell me if I am missing something here because we are almost there and I pray we don't have to go through this again, as I know everyone here is praying for the same thing.