Should I fly to Vietnam for my Fiance's K1 interview?

[TinNhi 22]

Hi all,

 

New member, first post here.  Once travel restrictions are lifted and K1 interviews resume in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, do you recommend I fly there to be with my Fiance for her interview?   I've read mixed experiences and opinions on this.  I understand that they may not even allow me to stand next to her for the interview, but maybe it helps our case if the CO knows that I'm physically present?  I also read here about a couple that probably would have been denied if the USC did not "save" the interview.

Thanks!

[Crazy Cat 39,136]

I see absolutely no downside to being there for the interview.  If your fiance can show the CO your passport and say "My future spouse is outside waiting for me", it would be positive......imo.

Edited June 23, 2020 by Lucky Cat

[Just Paul 4,591]

2 minutes ago, Lucky Cat said:

Even if your fiance can show the CO your passport and say "My future spouse is outside waiting for me"

This is absolutely the best thing to do!

[TinNhi 22]

Fantastic, thanks so much you guys! 

[Just Paul 4,591]

17 minutes ago, tinnhi said:

Hi all,

 

New member, first post here.  Once travel restrictions are lifted and K1 interviews resume in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, do you recommend I fly there to be with my Fiance for her interview?   I've read mixed experiences and opinions on this.  I understand that they may not even allow me to stand next to her for the interview, but maybe it helps our case if the CO knows that I'm physically present?  I also read here about a couple that probably would have been denied if the USC did not "save" the interview.

Thanks!

I was there for my spouse's interview in Juarez.  If I wasn't there she would have received a 221(g) for a document that was not needed.

 

If you can afford to go then go!

Edited June 23, 2020 by Paul & Mary

[NancyNguyen 1,657]

I went in with my spouse's K1 interview at HCM consulate, they did ask me some questions.

[payxibka 10,044]

59 minutes ago, tinnhi said:

Hi all,

 

New member, first post here.  Once travel restrictions are lifted and K1 interviews resume in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, do you recommend I fly there to be with my Fiance for her interview?   I've read mixed experiences and opinions on this.  I understand that they may not even allow me to stand next to her for the interview, but maybe it helps our case if the CO knows that I'm physically present?  I also read here about a couple that probably would have been denied if the USC did not "save" the interview.

Thanks!

The new normal may limit who can be in the building for the interview but being "just outside" would be the next best thing 

[FamousJerry 47]

My wife is from Thailand, so a bit different. But I was there with her, we got in line very early and was still a long line. But when they came to check peoples paperwork and appointments. The lady asked me if i was a USC and i said yes and she took us to the front and put us in our own line. Then when they opened my wife was first in, she showed the many my passport as well and told him i was here with her waiting outside. She told me he looked at her smiled and in about 10 min she was approved for visa and it was the easiest part of the process other than the arrival screening in usa. That was even faster 🙂

[Mark11 36]

Hi TinNhi,

 

I went to the visa interview with my Brazilian fiance' (now wife) on January 7, 2020 at the consulate in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.  I definitely got the impression that my presence was beneficial.  The consulate officer asked me a few questions, and generally spoke to us as a couple.  The actual interview was very smooth, pleasant,  and only took about 10 minutes for the consulate officer to look through the documents and ask a few questions and then say "Your visa is approved"  -- and I think me standing there and answering a few questions in broken Portuguese was a significant contributor to how well the process went.

 

Having said that, there were at least 6 other single Brazilians there for K1 interviews and those were all approved too.

 

In the end, I think it comes down to this:  if you have the vacation days and money available, I think your presence would be beneficial.  If you cannot reasonably afford the trip, I don't think your absence will be viewed as a serious negative.

 

Mark (and Sandra)

[Reconnecting Reco 24]

22 hours ago, Lucky Cat said:

I see absolutely no downside to being there for the interview.  If your fiance can show the CO your passport and say "My future spouse is outside waiting for me", it would be positive......imo.

Yep my lawyer said the same thing. I plan to be there when my fiancee does her interview. Can't attend it but I'll damn sure be right outside.

[Longrangeshootr 20]

On 6/23/2020 at 11:23 AM, TinNhi said:

Hi all,

 

New member, first post here.  Once travel restrictions are lifted and K1 interviews resume in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, do you recommend I fly there to be with my Fiance for her interview?   I've read mixed experiences and opinions on this.  I understand that they may not even allow me to stand next to her for the interview, but maybe it helps our case if the CO knows that I'm physically present?  I also read here about a couple that probably would have been denied if the USC did not "save" the interview.

Thanks!

I attended my wife’s interview I went to the window with her and they asked me if I was the  petitioner. They told me to be seated and they would call me back up if needed. The interview area is all open and no one was sitting in the seats at that window. I was able to hear every question and watch the interview. Look at my timeline if you want to see all the questions they asked her.