Did you buy your ticket before or after the interview?

[jayzar 1]

I already got my visa since jan 19, but still we havent purchased our tickets.

maybe this week nalang.

-jyz

But it think buying it before the interview gives you an advantage, for it will be your reason for visa pick-up.

Isn't it, Sis Lheds?

But it clearly states not to make travel plans...

yes USEM firmly states that.. but other have the will to take the risk.

But in our case, we didn't. And still now we dont have our ticekts yet.

[kev_n_jena 89]

I already got my visa since jan 19, but still we havent purchased our tickets.

maybe this week nalang.

-jyz

But it think buying it before the interview gives you an advantage, for it will be your reason for visa pick-up.

Isn't it, Sis Lheds?

But it clearly states not to make travel plans...

Roserick,

Speaking of clearly. You're clearly beating a dead horse here. Obviously making travel plans hasn't been grounds for denial or delay in the recent past. To the contrary, it's been used as a reason to actually speed up the process. That said, it may not be the best idea given the current state of affairs ie: document checking. I don't know. Has anyone been able to pick up their visa in the last month?

You makes yo choices, you takes yo chances...

Kev

[garya505 2]

I bought tickets before the interview, but allowed enough time for them to deliver the VISA in the event that they denied my request for VISA pick-up.

[Roserick 0]

Roserick,

Speaking of clearly. You're clearly beating a dead horse here. Obviously making travel plans hasn't been grounds for denial or delay in the recent past. To the contrary, it's been used as a reason to actually speed up the process. That said, it may not be the best idea given the current state of affairs ie: document checking. I don't know. Has anyone been able to pick up their visa in the last month?

You makes yo choices, you takes yo chances...

Kev

Well I never said anything about denial.. All I'm trying to say is this is very risky. and its highly not recommended..

Geezz.. I'm not that rich to gamble that kind of money.. I value every cent I make..

Like you said.. There is choice and its yours to make..

[EricC 0]

I won't buy my ticket until after she is approved. Don't want to risk it and I have waited this long already, whats a little while longer.

[JeffMayeth 0]

Mayeth's interview is scheduled Feb 7, and I finalized the ticket just the other day. We went through part 1 of the process with no RFEs', no problems in the medical. We took the risk, but I can afford to pay the airline penalty for switching dates if it came to that. She has been to the states twice and is confident for her interview. We have all our papers together, and it would take something way way way out of our control for her not to pass.

We scheduled her for two weeks after the interview to give her time to wrap everything up, and be with her family. Flights out of the Philippines are not cheap, but I lucked out at $710USD, I couldn't afford to not get it then.

I think caution is warrneted by each couple, but each also needs to weigh their situation. My gal lives within an hour of the airport and the Embassy, so that relieves a lot of hassle.

Good luck and god bless all.

[Roserick 0]

I won't buy my ticket until after she is approved. Don't want to risk it and I have waited this long already, whats a little while longer.

I won't buy any Plane ticket until Visa in hand..

[sofia2009 1]

Mayeth's interview is scheduled Feb 7, and I finalized the ticket just the other day. We went through part 1 of the process with no RFEs', no problems in the medical. We took the risk, but I can afford to pay the airline penalty for switching dates if it came to that. She has been to the states twice and is confident for her interview. We have all our papers together, and it would take something way way way out of our control for her not to pass.

We scheduled her for two weeks after the interview to give her time to wrap everything up, and be with her family. Flights out of the Philippines are not cheap, but I lucked out at $710USD, I couldn't afford to not get it then.

I think caution is warrneted by each couple, but each also needs to weigh their situation. My gal lives within an hour of the airport and the Embassy, so that relieves a lot of hassle.

Good luck and god bless all.

I am planning to do the same..after my fiance medical and no problem with that, we will buy a plane ticket leaving on March 8..I already started looking and I think I got great price for $810 with $100 fee if I want to reschedule it..I think, i will have a good deal with that rather paying on plane ticket leaving in the next two days!!!Good luck on every one!

[Roserick 0]

I am planning to do the same..after my fiance medical and no problem with that, we will buy a plane ticket leaving on March 8..I already started looking and I think I got great price for $810 with $100 fee if I want to reschedule it..I think, i will have a good deal with that rather paying on plane ticket leaving in the next two days!!!Good luck on every one!

When I 1st heard my Wife's Interview.. I was so excited I quickly called my agent and scheduled both my daughter and wife for March 5th.. Then after few days it hit me.. I thought about worst case scenarios, I mean I have no control of the Visa, why am I controling the flight.. Called my agent again and cancelled it.. Told em I will buy it when we get her Visa to be on the safe side..

I mean.. I was imagining.. What if she doesn't have her VISA before March 5th? I am going to have to re-schedule my flight $50-$100, daughter and wife too..

It can accumulate to $300 worth of charges for re-scheduling fees.. Does money could have went to clothes shopping when they get here..

[chris4gretchen 1]

I already got my visa since jan 19, but still we havent purchased our tickets.

maybe this week nalang.

-jyz

But it think buying it before the interview gives you an advantage, for it will be your reason for visa pick-up.

Isn't it, Sis Lheds?

But it clearly states not to make travel plans...

Yes it states clearly not to make travel plans. But that message is to the beneficary who is being interviewed. On the DS 157 form its asks you if you know the specific date you will come to USA. Most who go to the interview dont bring the petitioner. If the petitioner comes to be present at the interview with the beneficiary, you can ask to get your visa early and pick it up and they USUALLY do since you traveled internationally to be there and there are more than the normal travel hopes. They usually dont let the beneficiary pick up the visa when they are alone without the petitioner. It is up to the consul though.

If you pay your document fee 2 weeks before your interview , you shouldnt have much trouble with waiting. Visa delivery in manila is 3 to 5 business days. The only hold up you chance is if they put you on some extended review and dont grant your visa. I certainly will request to pickup our visa and even if they dont grant it, i expect to have it in 5 days time there.

there is a group of us going first of march and every guy who is going has booked all his tickets for himself and his fiance or wife with a return date. It is a risk, but ill pay the fee to change our ticket if i have to, and we have a contingency plan in case we are not granted our visa.

Chris

Edited January 31, 2008 by chris4gretchen

[payxibka 10,045]

I bought before we even knew the interview dates....

[LuzyC 0]

My hubby bought the ticket AFTER the interview.

[garya505 2]

My hubby bought the ticket AFTER the interview.

Same time he made reservations at the Megastar?

[Eternal Love 2]

I am planning to do the same..after my fiance medical and no problem with that, we will buy a plane ticket leaving on March 8..I already started looking and I think I got great price for $810 with $100 fee if I want to reschedule it..I think, i will have a good deal with that rather paying on plane ticket leaving in the next two days!!!Good luck on every one!

When I 1st heard my Wife's Interview.. I was so excited I quickly called my agent and scheduled both my daughter and wife for March 5th.. Then after few days it hit me.. I thought about worst case scenarios, I mean I have no control of the Visa, why am I controling the flight.. Called my agent again and cancelled it.. Told em I will buy it when we get her Visa to be on the safe side..

I mean.. I was imagining.. What if she doesn't have her VISA before March 5th? I am going to have to re-schedule my flight $50-$100, daughter and wife too..

It can accumulate to $300 worth of charges for re-scheduling fees.. Does money could have went to clothes shopping when they get here..

I am planning to do the same..after my fiance medical and no problem with that, we will buy a plane ticket leaving on March 8..I already started looking and I think I got great price for $810 with $100 fee if I want to reschedule it..I think, i will have a good deal with that rather paying on plane ticket leaving in the next two days!!!Good luck on every one!

When I 1st heard my Wife's Interview.. I was so excited I quickly called my agent and scheduled both my daughter and wife for March 5th.. Then after few days it hit me.. I thought about worst case scenarios, I mean I have no control of the Visa, why am I controling the flight.. Called my agent again and cancelled it.. Told em I will buy it when we get her Visa to be on the safe side..

I mean.. I was imagining.. What if she doesn't have her VISA before March 5th? I am going to have to re-schedule my flight $50-$100, daughter and wife too..

It can accumulate to $300 worth of charges for re-scheduling fees.. Does money could have went to clothes shopping when they get here..

I think you have made your point plenty of times But as everyone says, it's up to the couple to take the risk. For me, I have the same situation as JeffMayeth. I think it is more economical for me to pay the rescheduling fee than to book a flight that is close to the interview date. I want to be with my Patrick as soon as possible! Lets put it this way, I paid $710 for the ticket before interview ( a good price for Manila to Fort Lauderdale flight) . If I book it after the interview and schedule the flight 2 weeks after the interview, the price goes up to $1600 something for one-way (ROUND-TRIP is CHEAPER! - go figure! ). So, there you go... I chose to buy before the interview.

But as you said, if you are not comfortable buying the ticket before the interview, "To each is own." You have the freedom to buy the ticket whenever you want That's the beauty of it all!

The bottomline is, I want to be with my baby already. I miss him so so much!

[sofia2009 1]

I am planning to do the same..after my fiance medical and no problem with that, we will buy a plane ticket leaving on March 8..I already started looking and I think I got great price for $810 with $100 fee if I want to reschedule it..I think, i will have a good deal with that rather paying on plane ticket leaving in the next two days!!!Good luck on every one!

When I 1st heard my Wife's Interview.. I was so excited I quickly called my agent and scheduled both my daughter and wife for March 5th.. Then after few days it hit me.. I thought about worst case scenarios, I mean I have no control of the Visa, why am I controling the flight.. Called my agent again and cancelled it.. Told em I will buy it when we get her Visa to be on the safe side..

I mean.. I was imagining.. What if she doesn't have her VISA before March 5th? I am going to have to re-schedule my flight $50-$100, daughter and wife too..

It can accumulate to $300 worth of charges for re-scheduling fees.. Does money could have went to clothes shopping when they get here..

Every case is different..you have your daughter and your wife to pay the rescheduling fee.. I have only my fiance..I look on the price ticket and compare it..My first plan is to buy plane ticket 2 or 3 days after visa in hand but when i looked on the price, i need to pay about $1250 one way ticket from Manila to Arkansas...I live in Arkansas and I need to pay way much price rather from people who live in big states..I am more than willing to pay $100 rescheduling fee for $810 one way plane ticket..See what I pointing out here! Also, i told to my fiance to request a pick up visa..I made a print out letter for visa pick up but I don't know if they will let us or no because I am not with him on his interview.If pick up visa is not granted, at least, we tried!No hurt for trying..I was born a risk taker