K1 interview: is a decision already made even before the interview?

[Eric&Mirella 367]

My case is going through AP since yesterday despite my interview date being March 1st. I read it means the embassy is checking the USCIS package. My question is: 

Could the approval or denial of a k1 visa happen even before the interview? 🤨

[EandH0904 1,184]

When my now-husband had his K1 I feel the decision was made prior to his interview.  When he walked up to the window they already had his 221G. 

 

If your interview was that long ago are you sure it's still at the Consulate and hasn't been returned? Have you contacted your congressman representative for assistance?

[Ben&Zian 4,397]

37 minutes ago, Eric&Mirella said:

My case is going through AP since yesterday despite my interview date being March 1st. I read it means the embassy is checking the USCIS package. My question is: 

Could the approval or denial of a k1 visa happen even before the interview? 🤨

 

It seems in some cases that yes a decision is made upon review of the I-129f packet by the CO. The interview then is conducted to perhaps sway their decision but it has been seen in cases where seems like the case was dead in the water before anything was said.

 

Is this always the case? No, of course not, but they do review the original petition before hand, that's where majority of the information comes from. Naturally ongoing proof or evidence of relationship can be considered but they don't have to even look at it if they don't want to.

 

This is something you really can't stress over though because it is kind of an unknown for sure. 

 

This seems to mostly occur in high fraud countries for the most part, least that's been the case for several ones here on VJ where this seemed to be the case.

[geowrian 22,335]

Technically, no. But COs at some embassies/consulates do appear to make very strong impressions beforehand.

[Eric&Mirella 367]

17 minutes ago, EandH0904 said:

When my now-husband had his K1 I feel the decision was made prior to his interview.  When he walked up to the window they already had his 221G. 

 

If your interview was that long ago are you sure it's still at the Consulate and hasn't been returned? Have you contacted your congressman representative for assistance?

My interview is going to happen on March 1st 2019. But is under AP since yesterday. Apparently that's pretty common for my country. 

[Eric&Mirella 367]

15 minutes ago, Ben&Zian said:

 

It seems in some cases that yes a decision is made upon review of the I-129f packet by the CO. The interview then is conducted to perhaps sway their decision but it has been seen in cases where seems like the case was dead in the water before anything was said.

 

Is this always the case? No, of course not, but they do review the original petition before hand, that's where majority of the information comes from. Naturally ongoing proof or evidence of relationship can be considered but they don't have to even look at it if they don't want to.

 

This is something you really can't stress over though because it is kind of an unknown for sure. 

 

This seems to mostly occur in high fraud countries for the most part, least that's been the case for several ones here on VJ where this seemed to be the case.

I agree with no overthinking/stressing about that. It's uncertain for sure. But made me curious. I've read somewhere that 97-99% of k1 visas in my country are approved.  

[EandH0904 1,184]

9 minutes ago, Eric&Mirella said:

My interview is going to happen on March 1st 2019. But is under AP since yesterday. Apparently that's pretty common for my country. 

I'm sorry I don't understand how you are in AP before an interview?

[Eric&Mirella 367]

Just now, EandH0904 said:

I'm sorry I don't understand how you are in AP before an interview?

Not sure, but other people that got their visa approved experienced the same. 

[payxibka 10,044]

It's a consulate thing.  Some will put in AP for housekeeping tasks before or after the interview

[Eric&Mirella 367]

3 hours ago, payxibka said:

It's a consulate thing.  Some will put in AP for housekeeping tasks before or after the interview

Thanks for the info! 

[Jeanne Adil 1,651]

23 hours ago, Eric&Mirella said:

My case is going through AP since yesterday despite my interview date being March 1st. I read it means the embassy is checking the USCIS package. My question is: 

Could the approval or denial of a k1 visa happen even before the interview? 🤨

interview is scheduled for March 1 2019 according to your timeline

AP is the process after interview so strange if CEAC site says AP

[Eric&Mirella 367]

3 minutes ago, adil-rafa said:

interview is scheduled for March 1 2019 according to your timeline

AP is the process after interview so strange if CEAC site says AP

Apparently is a normal thing the embassy does in my country.