TastyCake

This was part of the point of my original post on this topic.  UIA is a nickel-and-dime airline that, on the surface, may look like a decent option financially.  However, after they're through with the body cavity searches it isn't such a bargain after all AND their service is lousy.
 
We flew the Kiev-to-NYC nonstop flight and hated every minute of it.  Never again.  We will pay the higher fare for a better airline in the future.

After my son's experience with UIA in 2014 during his flight to the US ... Well, we've decided that no one in our family EVER will have this airline again. And we never recommend the airline to anyone.
It could be, probably, "doable" only for a short flight. But long one - NO.
 
 I'd prefer to have an "extra" stop/connection/layover with Lufthansa Group  than a direct fly with UIA. Price would be about the same, but service - incomparable. 
 
OP, really sorry for your terrible experience with UIA... 

We had our interview bright and early Monday morning.  My lady is from Vinnytsia and we had her visa in hand at the TMM office in her city that Thursday morning.  So... three business days and we were golden.  Here's the catch.  We had NO Ukrainian or U.S. holidays getting in the way.
 
A fellow Ukraine petitioner said they had their interview about 10 days before ours.  His lady is from Dnipro (further from Kiev than Vinnytsia) and she got her visa at her local TMM office in 3-4 business days.
 
Therefore, assuming no holidays or other complications, it seems 3-4 business days has been the turnaround time recently.
 
I pause in telling someone they are safe to book a flight in, say, 5-7 business days because any hiccup can cause costly flight reschedules.  You just never know.  I would counsel someone to NOT book anything until the visa is in hand and ALL data on the visa has been validated as being correct.  That's what we did.  Though probably infrequent, a name or DOB could be incorrect and then where are you?  Back at the embassy and you're rebooking flights.  As it is I cost myself hundreds through some stupid decision making because of the choppy way this whole thing works.  At least from now on I can book flights in advance with a certain degree of certainty things will be as they are.

We had our interview bright and early Monday morning.  My lady is from Vinnytsia and we had her visa in hand at the TMM office in her city that Thursday morning.  So... three business days and we were golden.  Here's the catch.  We had NO Ukrainian or U.S. holidays getting in the way.
 
A fellow Ukraine petitioner said they had their interview about 10 days before ours.  His lady is from Dnipro (further from Kiev than Vinnytsia) and she got her visa at her local TMM office in 3-4 business days.
 
Therefore, assuming no holidays or other complications, it seems 3-4 business days has been the turnaround time recently.
 
I pause in telling someone they are safe to book a flight in, say, 5-7 business days because any hiccup can cause costly flight reschedules.  You just never know.  I would counsel someone to NOT book anything until the visa is in hand and ALL data on the visa has been validated as being correct.  That's what we did.  Though probably infrequent, a name or DOB could be incorrect and then where are you?  Back at the embassy and you're rebooking flights.  As it is I cost myself hundreds through some stupid decision making because of the choppy way this whole thing works.  At least from now on I can book flights in advance with a certain degree of certainty things will be as they are.

Thanks.  There's no way I could have done this without all of your help.  🙂

I have the best job in the world, it's called retirement.  So every day is a holiday!

Are they hiring?

Pulling for you!

No but you don't need to wait for the green card to travel, you just need AP.  You're suggesting a potentially longer wait than necessary. 

Attached is an example of a K-1 visa I found on the internet.  I hope it is an example that is both correct and current.  The second example is, I think, a B-1 but it includes the things you should check on your K-1 visa (along with indications where each piece of information can be found).  I'm really hoping this is helpful to people and I apologize if there are better, more accurate examples somewhere on this website.
 
If these examples are not correct and/or current, please let me know and I can have this post nixed.  However, I thought it might be useful.
 
THIS SHOULD BE AFFIXED TO YOUR PASSPORT !  IF NOT, HOUSTON WE'VE GOT A PROBLEM !  CONTACT THE EMBASSY ASAP AND EFFECT REPAIR !

Sorry, Trapper.  I never got an email telling me you replied to my earlier comment.  I just stumbled on this by chance.  Been busy planning for my trip, etc.
 
Like Shiran, I would have asked if you updated your email at the NVC.  If not, that may explain why you didn't get anything from the embassy.  However, fear nothing.  The email is about as much help as a bad case of acne.  I already was on top of everything it pointed out.  It looks like you are ready to go.  T-minus  5 days for you.  7/8 days for me.  🙂 
 

You know, I don't think you and I are disagreeing about a whole lot.  I think one of the few chasms between us (and perhaps the only one) is I feel just because a person posts here a couple thousand times doesn't make them a wizard.  It just means they like to opine.  I have a CIO at my company who's just a ball of gas in a 3 piece suit.  Talks a ton, should listen more.  I found the terms/phrases further below and some seem to come from people with comparable tenure to me.
 
Speaking like it's a fait accompli this couple will be denied (and this is implied to one degree or another in the comments below) is a bit much in my opinion.  My advice to the couple was to come to the interview prepared.  Maybe many of the reasons people got denied in the past was that 'hand caught in the cookie jar'' look when confronted.  Prepare, prepare, prepare.  If this couple is legit, I hope they knock it out of the ballpark at the interview and get their approval.
 
< you're probably toast >  This from a guy I like very much, he has been very supportive of me, but I think this comment was unnecessary... or could have been worded better
 
Well, I'd start researching the spouse visa at this point.   Really?  Instead of first having the interview where you may find out you have nothing to worry about?
 
I'm pretty sure they will find you are "too married"  From a person with 22 posts whose country is Thailand.  To date, only received their NOA1
 
Like others have said, you should likely start reading up on the CR-1 spouse visa process.  Likely?  So, in other words, your goose is cooked?
 
Secondly, the exchange of rings and your parents being in attendance, frankly, that seems like a wedding to me.  23 posts, still at the NVC.  Different country (Nigeria)
 
hubby/wife chats + ring exchange = married or too married for a K1  This person has the most credibility - India and completed the interview.  Still, not a CO so let the process happen
 
Putting my CO hat on again and reviewing the details of this case, I would deny you.   Thank God you're not the CO handling their visa application.  Wait... you're probably not even a CO
 
going to look too married even to me   Country is Morocco.  Doubtful ever a CO.  Are you familiar with India customs?  Have you worked for a U.S. embassy there?
 
Terms of endearment are scrutinized and calling each other husband wife, wifey hubby, any reference to a spouse other than sweetie or babe. Is viewed as marital terminology.  Country is Jamaica.  To this individual it is marital terminology?  To a CO, after a viable explanation, maybe it is not an issue.  I'd like a nickel for every engaged couple who regularly calls each other husband and wife in a playful manner prior to the wedding ceremony
 

And???  I never came across as a genius.  Re-read all my posts here.  I only say let this guy go through the process and people should stop speaking in absolutes.  There are many things to consider here.  This couple may sail through the interview but you have people shoving the spousal process in their face already.
 
There are many visas and many countries.  Even Greenbaum would admit he doesn't know it all.  There are some people opining in this thread with not a whole lot of experience.  I've been in the visa game for over a year but only a VJ member recently.  But you won't catch me speaking like others in this thread.
 
You've seen it happen before?  Trust you?  I am still waiting on even one link in which a petitioner/beneficiary has specifically cited the husband/wife reference being a direct cause of a K-1 denial.  That was what I asked.  No one has delivered yet.  It would be refreshing if someone could direct us to a precedent that would make this couple be concerned.
 
I have seen multiple people here predicting a denial. 
 
  

Ok, thanks for the link.  It's the only one I have seen and it dates back a bit.  There is a precedent though this was a different country.  Maybe the CO was strict.  Maybe they'll be strict in Mumbai.  But it's not a guarantee this couple will get denied.  Let's see what they say after the interview.
 
 

And???  I never came across as a genius.  Re-read all my posts here.  I only say let this guy go through the process and people should stop speaking in absolutes.  There are many things to consider here.  This couple may sail through the interview but you have people shoving the spousal process in their face already.
 
There are many visas and many countries.  Even Greenbaum would admit he doesn't know it all.  There are some people opining in this thread with not a whole lot of experience.  I've been in the visa game for over a year but only a VJ member recently.  But you won't catch me speaking like others in this thread.
 
You've seen it happen before?  Trust you?  I am still waiting on even one link in which a petitioner/beneficiary has specifically cited the husband/wife reference being a direct cause of a K-1 denial.  That was what I asked.  No one has delivered yet.  It would be refreshing if someone could direct us to a precedent that would make this couple be concerned.
 
I have seen multiple people here predicting a denial. 
 
  

You know, I don't think you and I are disagreeing about a whole lot.  I think one of the few chasms between us (and perhaps the only one) is I feel just because a person posts here a couple thousand times doesn't make them a wizard.  It just means they like to opine.  I have a CIO at my company who's just a ball of gas in a 3 piece suit.  Talks a ton, should listen more.  I found the terms/phrases further below and some seem to come from people with comparable tenure to me.
 
Speaking like it's a fait accompli this couple will be denied (and this is implied to one degree or another in the comments below) is a bit much in my opinion.  My advice to the couple was to come to the interview prepared.  Maybe many of the reasons people got denied in the past was that 'hand caught in the cookie jar'' look when confronted.  Prepare, prepare, prepare.  If this couple is legit, I hope they knock it out of the ballpark at the interview and get their approval.
 
< you're probably toast >  This from a guy I like very much, he has been very supportive of me, but I think this comment was unnecessary... or could have been worded better
 
Well, I'd start researching the spouse visa at this point.   Really?  Instead of first having the interview where you may find out you have nothing to worry about?
 
I'm pretty sure they will find you are "too married"  From a person with 22 posts whose country is Thailand.  To date, only received their NOA1
 
Like others have said, you should likely start reading up on the CR-1 spouse visa process.  Likely?  So, in other words, your goose is cooked?
 
Secondly, the exchange of rings and your parents being in attendance, frankly, that seems like a wedding to me.  23 posts, still at the NVC.  Different country (Nigeria)
 
hubby/wife chats + ring exchange = married or too married for a K1  This person has the most credibility - India and completed the interview.  Still, not a CO so let the process happen
 
Putting my CO hat on again and reviewing the details of this case, I would deny you.   Thank God you're not the CO handling their visa application.  Wait... you're probably not even a CO
 
going to look too married even to me   Country is Morocco.  Doubtful ever a CO.  Are you familiar with India customs?  Have you worked for a U.S. embassy there?
 
Terms of endearment are scrutinized and calling each other husband wife, wifey hubby, any reference to a spouse other than sweetie or babe. Is viewed as marital terminology.  Country is Jamaica.  To this individual it is marital terminology?  To a CO, after a viable explanation, maybe it is not an issue.  I'd like a nickel for every engaged couple who regularly calls each other husband and wife in a playful manner prior to the wedding ceremony
 

Of course COs review the packets.  It's their job.  This is news?  We just don't know how closely.  We don't know if they look at every letter.  We don't know if Adi49 is in trouble or if there is nothing to worry about at the end of the day.
 
It's dinner time.  Maybe people should eat before responding.  Or take a remedial English class.
 

You know, I don't think you and I are disagreeing about a whole lot.  I think one of the few chasms between us (and perhaps the only one) is I feel just because a person posts here a couple thousand times doesn't make them a wizard.  It just means they like to opine.  I have a CIO at my company who's just a ball of gas in a 3 piece suit.  Talks a ton, should listen more.  I found the terms/phrases further below and some seem to come from people with comparable tenure to me.
 
Speaking like it's a fait accompli this couple will be denied (and this is implied to one degree or another in the comments below) is a bit much in my opinion.  My advice to the couple was to come to the interview prepared.  Maybe many of the reasons people got denied in the past was that 'hand caught in the cookie jar'' look when confronted.  Prepare, prepare, prepare.  If this couple is legit, I hope they knock it out of the ballpark at the interview and get their approval.
 
< you're probably toast >  This from a guy I like very much, he has been very supportive of me, but I think this comment was unnecessary... or could have been worded better
 
Well, I'd start researching the spouse visa at this point.   Really?  Instead of first having the interview where you may find out you have nothing to worry about?
 
I'm pretty sure they will find you are "too married"  From a person with 22 posts whose country is Thailand.  To date, only received their NOA1
 
Like others have said, you should likely start reading up on the CR-1 spouse visa process.  Likely?  So, in other words, your goose is cooked?
 
Secondly, the exchange of rings and your parents being in attendance, frankly, that seems like a wedding to me.  23 posts, still at the NVC.  Different country (Nigeria)
 
hubby/wife chats + ring exchange = married or too married for a K1  This person has the most credibility - India and completed the interview.  Still, not a CO so let the process happen
 
Putting my CO hat on again and reviewing the details of this case, I would deny you.   Thank God you're not the CO handling their visa application.  Wait... you're probably not even a CO
 
going to look too married even to me   Country is Morocco.  Doubtful ever a CO.  Are you familiar with India customs?  Have you worked for a U.S. embassy there?
 
Terms of endearment are scrutinized and calling each other husband wife, wifey hubby, any reference to a spouse other than sweetie or babe. Is viewed as marital terminology.  Country is Jamaica.  To this individual it is marital terminology?  To a CO, after a viable explanation, maybe it is not an issue.  I'd like a nickel for every engaged couple who regularly calls each other husband and wife in a playful manner prior to the wedding ceremony
 

You know, I don't think you and I are disagreeing about a whole lot.  I think one of the few chasms between us (and perhaps the only one) is I feel just because a person posts here a couple thousand times doesn't make them a wizard.  It just means they like to opine.  I have a CIO at my company who's just a ball of gas in a 3 piece suit.  Talks a ton, should listen more.  I found the terms/phrases further below and some seem to come from people with comparable tenure to me.
 
Speaking like it's a fait accompli this couple will be denied (and this is implied to one degree or another in the comments below) is a bit much in my opinion.  My advice to the couple was to come to the interview prepared.  Maybe many of the reasons people got denied in the past was that 'hand caught in the cookie jar'' look when confronted.  Prepare, prepare, prepare.  If this couple is legit, I hope they knock it out of the ballpark at the interview and get their approval.
 
< you're probably toast >  This from a guy I like very much, he has been very supportive of me, but I think this comment was unnecessary... or could have been worded better
 
Well, I'd start researching the spouse visa at this point.   Really?  Instead of first having the interview where you may find out you have nothing to worry about?
 
I'm pretty sure they will find you are "too married"  From a person with 22 posts whose country is Thailand.  To date, only received their NOA1
 
Like others have said, you should likely start reading up on the CR-1 spouse visa process.  Likely?  So, in other words, your goose is cooked?
 
Secondly, the exchange of rings and your parents being in attendance, frankly, that seems like a wedding to me.  23 posts, still at the NVC.  Different country (Nigeria)
 
hubby/wife chats + ring exchange = married or too married for a K1  This person has the most credibility - India and completed the interview.  Still, not a CO so let the process happen
 
Putting my CO hat on again and reviewing the details of this case, I would deny you.   Thank God you're not the CO handling their visa application.  Wait... you're probably not even a CO
 
going to look too married even to me   Country is Morocco.  Doubtful ever a CO.  Are you familiar with India customs?  Have you worked for a U.S. embassy there?
 
Terms of endearment are scrutinized and calling each other husband wife, wifey hubby, any reference to a spouse other than sweetie or babe. Is viewed as marital terminology.  Country is Jamaica.  To this individual it is marital terminology?  To a CO, after a viable explanation, maybe it is not an issue.  I'd like a nickel for every engaged couple who regularly calls each other husband and wife in a playful manner prior to the wedding ceremony
 

You know, I don't think you and I are disagreeing about a whole lot.  I think one of the few chasms between us (and perhaps the only one) is I feel just because a person posts here a couple thousand times doesn't make them a wizard.  It just means they like to opine.  I have a CIO at my company who's just a ball of gas in a 3 piece suit.  Talks a ton, should listen more.  I found the terms/phrases further below and some seem to come from people with comparable tenure to me.
 
Speaking like it's a fait accompli this couple will be denied (and this is implied to one degree or another in the comments below) is a bit much in my opinion.  My advice to the couple was to come to the interview prepared.  Maybe many of the reasons people got denied in the past was that 'hand caught in the cookie jar'' look when confronted.  Prepare, prepare, prepare.  If this couple is legit, I hope they knock it out of the ballpark at the interview and get their approval.
 
< you're probably toast >  This from a guy I like very much, he has been very supportive of me, but I think this comment was unnecessary... or could have been worded better
 
Well, I'd start researching the spouse visa at this point.   Really?  Instead of first having the interview where you may find out you have nothing to worry about?
 
I'm pretty sure they will find you are "too married"  From a person with 22 posts whose country is Thailand.  To date, only received their NOA1
 
Like others have said, you should likely start reading up on the CR-1 spouse visa process.  Likely?  So, in other words, your goose is cooked?
 
Secondly, the exchange of rings and your parents being in attendance, frankly, that seems like a wedding to me.  23 posts, still at the NVC.  Different country (Nigeria)
 
hubby/wife chats + ring exchange = married or too married for a K1  This person has the most credibility - India and completed the interview.  Still, not a CO so let the process happen
 
Putting my CO hat on again and reviewing the details of this case, I would deny you.   Thank God you're not the CO handling their visa application.  Wait... you're probably not even a CO
 
going to look too married even to me   Country is Morocco.  Doubtful ever a CO.  Are you familiar with India customs?  Have you worked for a U.S. embassy there?
 
Terms of endearment are scrutinized and calling each other husband wife, wifey hubby, any reference to a spouse other than sweetie or babe. Is viewed as marital terminology.  Country is Jamaica.  To this individual it is marital terminology?  To a CO, after a viable explanation, maybe it is not an issue.  I'd like a nickel for every engaged couple who regularly calls each other husband and wife in a playful manner prior to the wedding ceremony
 

I don't doubt certain countries are tougher than others.  You're not getting the point of my first post.  'Seem' married and 'too' married could be because of other reasons and perfectly justifiable ones.  Maybe in those other cases there was specific evidence the embassy uncovered.  Maybe the people in question really were married and did their darndest to hide it.  If it's such a high fraud country then it stands to reason you could have people who come on here and say, 'Aw shucks, we are not married but the embassy denied us' but it was perfectly legit to deny them.
 
And that may even apply to Adi49.  We don't know.  Could be a lying SOB or could be a very honest person and they are not married yet.  What we don't know is the outcome of their interview in advance.  We have one too many self-ordained geniuses on this website who think they know everything because they hang around here like curtains.  What I don't like is when people speak in absolutes.  What made them sages?  Do they read tea leaves, tarot cards?  Or are they just a gift from God to us mere mortals?
 
Let's see what Adi49 comes back with after the interview... assuming this individual is willing to share what happened.

It would fall under the category of looking ‘too married’. This was also mentioned at the start of this thread. In your case, the referring to each other as husband and wifey (😳) could fall into that category, where in somebody else’s case the engagement party could have been considered ‘too married’ for a K1

Thanks for the tips.  Oh, and she took a photo of her DS-3025 just now and sent it to me.  That box that you said SHOULD be checked IS checked so good news on that front.

Hi Shiran:
 
My fiancee received her x-ray CD, vaccination form, sealed package for the visa interview and she thought maybe one other item but she couldn't remember what it was.  It has been like 1,000 degrees in Ukraine the last 3 weeks with more of it coming next week so she wasn't of sound mind and body when we spoke.  So this 'extra item' may not even exist.  I'll ask again tomorrow after she has had a good night's sleep.  She had just gotten back from a 2.5 hour train ride and then another forgettable trip on маршрутка.
 
I am hoping when I arrive two weeks from now the weather moderates to some degree.  My Irish ☘️ blood handles things better when the weather is closer to spring or autumn.

Unless your fiancee doesn't speak English, or his/her English is not where it needs to be, this is personal preference only.
 
I am flying to be at the interview.  I am also flying out to get her (pending issued visa in hand, all data correct, etc.).  She speaks English well enough and could probably swing the POE on her own.  However, I know how flustered she can get in airports.  I know she will be nervous, airport employees will be barking out instructions as she enters the terminal, etc.  It would be umpteen times easier for her if I was by her side.  And just like a prior poster whose fiance is from Brazil, I am doing this because I love her and want her comfortable as she enters the country for the very first time.
 
This is NOT to say those who don't accompany their fiances/fiancees don't love them as much.  It is simply a personal preference.  I know it isn't always possible for people to do this.  Reasons can be financial, don't have the vacation time, et. al.
 
For me, if any unforeseen complications pop up either at the embassy or the POE, I would rather be there to assist (if possible) instead of being somewhere else where accessibility is not so good.  She had a small ticket snafu at the end of one of our meetings about a year and a half ago.  I did nothing but stroke her back as the ticket agent rectified the situation.  She was initially upset but told me later it was nice to have me there until everything was resolved.  It was a small matter at the end of the day but she gets nervous and fidgety sometimes.
 
All things being equal, ask his/her preference and comply if possible.  Even if it means eating a little salary, burning some vaca time it can go a long way if your fiance/fiancee is anything like mine.