Showing up at Visa interview with Fiancée

[chriz009 0]

Got my NOA2 letter the other day. Does anyone know if it is to our benefit for both me and my fiancée to show up at the Visa interview? We are going to interview at the Manila, Philippines US consulate.

[Girl from Celebes 588]

Got my NOA2 letter the other day. Does anyone know if it is to our benefit for both me and my fiancée to show up at the Visa interview? We are going to interview at the Manila, Philippines US consulate.

For my experience, it helped me. The CO stopped asking me questions after I told him that my fiancé was with me and waiting outside of the room.

[six7one 17]

Got my NOA2 letter the other day. Does anyone know if it is to our benefit for both me and my fiancée to show up at the Visa interview? We are going to interview at the Manila, Philippines US consulate.

In my opinion it is a big benefit. My fiancee's interview was a few minutes when I was with her as opposed to unaccompanied fiances who were at the CO window for up to 20 minutes for their interviews. Was it required I attend? Nope, but it sure was interesting and a great experience.

[TBoneTX 47,533]

*** Country-specific thread moved from K-1 Process forum to the Philippines regional subforum. ***

[iamthebest 2]

aww its a big help.. my fiance was with me.. and they only asked me 1 question..

[Greenbaum 12,260]

I agree with what others have said; t's not necessary but the questions fall off to almost none when you as the petitioner are there. I enjoyed being with my family as they were taking this all important step. It truly was an experience I will never forget.

I went with her to the US Consulate's window and he asked if I was the petitioner and I answered yes and he said we are always glad to see you the petitioner and thank you for coming. Please have a seat and if needed we will call you up. After that 5 min max at the window they were finished. Taking the oath took longer than the interview. I think more than 50% of the questions asked weren't asked because I was there. Could we have been approved if I was not there YES. If you can go... go. You will enjoy the experience.

[Hank_ 9,174]

Got my NOA2 letter the other day. Does anyone know if it is to our benefit for both me and my fiancée to show up at the Visa interview? We are going to interview at the Manila, Philippines US consulate.

Is it a benefit? Sure. Necessary? No. Worth while experience? Priceless! I highly recommend it for just that reason, if you can attend for sure do.

Now that you are moving toward the visa application, pop over to the Philippine forum to get better answers related to Manila embassy.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/forum/129-philippines/

For more details follow the flashing arrow below this post.

[M J 11]

I will be going to Phils in a few weeks to attend the interview with my Fiance. I am pretty excited. Originally I did not plan to do it, but since we have delayed things a bit so my Fiance has time to graduate college before an issued visa would expire, I decided it would be worth it for me to attend with her in case any issues or questions come up because of that. Plus this whole process has taken so long for us now, I want to do everything I can to make it go as smooth as possible. Me being there will also make her more comfortable, and what a great experience to share with her.

Anyway, one thing I have been wondering about is what to wear to the interview? The times I have been to Phils before I pretty much lived in shorts and a t-shirt every day. I only took long pants with one time only to wear on the way there and back due to the cold weather here. I don't plan to wear a suit or anything, but was thinking that maybe I should wear something a little nicer than shorts and a t-shirt. Does it matter? What did those of you that attended wear?

[Alona_Dan 0]

It definitely helps as others have said. I went with Alona since we have 2 children...no way could she do it herself. Great experience. I was able to talk with her interviewers. We ran into an issue with our son and if I wasn't there it would have taken 6 months to clear up. Ended up working things out the next day. Go and spend time with her and enjoy the Philippines...it's an awesome place. I stayed for a month and took the family home after we got all the Visas. If you do that, you cannot attend the CFO briefing with her. I sat outside most of the morning and took a cab home after her lunch break.

Embassy attire....I wore jeans and a polo shirt. I fit right in with the local attire.... No need to get formal and I don't think they would hold it against you if you were dressed nice with shorts.

[Hank_ 9,174]

I will be going to Phils in a few weeks to attend the interview with my Fiance. I am pretty excited. Originally I did not plan to do it, but since we have delayed things a bit so my Fiance has time to graduate college before an issued visa would expire, I decided it would be worth it for me to attend with her in case any issues or questions come up because of that. Plus this whole process has taken so long for us now, I want to do everything I can to make it go as smooth as possible. Me being there will also make her more comfortable, and what a great experience to share with her.

Anyway, one thing I have been wondering about is what to wear to the interview? The times I have been to Phils before I pretty much lived in shorts and a t-shirt every day. I only took long pants with one time only to wear on the way there and back due to the cold weather here. I don't plan to wear a suit or anything, but was thinking that maybe I should wear something a little nicer than shorts and a t-shirt. Does it matter? What did those of you that attended wear?

I wore shorts and a T-shirt to the interview, I normally wear flops but I went big time and wore tennis shoes that day (or as they all say... rubber shoes )

It is for sure a great experience and highly recommend to any that have a chance to attend.

[Caryh 5,206]

If she's not confident, it can be loads of help. I would have liked to be there myself, but time off from work is limited. If your case has red flags, it can truly make a difference in how hard it is for your fiancee. My wife and I had known each other a long time, had a front loaded petition, so they didn't really ask her any questions, and it was more them making comments on evidence provided in the petition, and my now wife confirming them. She brought a ton of documentation and pictures they never asked to look at either. Still its best to be as prepared as possible just in case, and being there with her is the best evidence of a continuing relationship.

[Mike-eeh and Odie 193]

I was in the same boat as Caryh, limited vacation time. I say if you can be there, do it. My wife gets very stressed and nervous when it comes to interviews. I knew if I had been there she would have been much more relaxed and less stressed. She did get awarded her visa though, but was sad we could not be there together to celebrate afterwards with a nice dinner and night out.

If I could do it all over again, I would have found a way to get the time off to accompany her in Manila.

[Greenbaum 12,260]

^{Your fiancé will appreciate your attendance and the experience is one you will never forget.}

^{Shorts and a polo shirt would be just fine.}

[tEe328cEe 12]

in my experience, it helps if your USC fiance accompanies the applicant. In my observation, the interview with the consul was faster than the ones who's alone. when i had my interview, the american consul didn't even ask my fiance to take a seat when he's about to interview me while i saw some consul lets the petitioner take a seat. maybe i was just lucky my fiance was with me from the moment i took an oath until he told us i'm approved =)