The Interview...Russian Or English??

[MarkandLada 0]

Hey all!! I know I am starting to be annoying, but one more question if ya please. Does the interview HAVE to be in English or can it be conducted in Russian? I know not everybody speaks perfect English at their interviews, and am curious if there is anything Lada can say to the CO to let them know she is more comfortable speaking in Russian. We are almost there!! Thanks Everybody!!

[visaveteran 1]

Hey all!! I know I am starting to be annoying, but one more question if ya please. Does the interview HAVE to be in English or can it be conducted in Russian? I know not everybody speaks perfect English at their interviews, and am curious if there is anything Lada can say to the CO to let them know she is more comfortable speaking in Russian. We are almost there!! Thanks Everybody!!

Can be in Russia or English.

[Chuckles 0]

Many people who frequent this forum over the years have said that the interview was done in Russian, and they passed. There has been some rumors that doing the interview in English, and not being very good with English, is a negative.

[MarkandLada 0]

Many people who frequent this forum over the years have said that the interview was done in Russian, and they passed. There has been some rumors that doing the interview in English, and not being very good with English, is a negative.

So she not even attempt to speak English?? I merely told her to answer the Yes/No and easy questions in English, and for the more detailed answers attempt English then confirm answer in Russian so there are no misunderstandings....Does that sound like a decent method?

[eekee 182]

Many people who frequent this forum over the years have said that the interview was done in Russian, and they passed. There has been some rumors that doing the interview in English, and not being very good with English, is a negative.

So she not even attempt to speak English?? I merely told her to answer the Yes/No and easy questions in English, and for the more detailed answers attempt English then confirm answer in Russian so there are no misunderstandings....Does that sound like a decent method?

If she's not totally comfortable/fluent in English, it's probably better for her to do the whole thing in Russian.

[visaveteran 1]

Many people who frequent this forum over the years have said that the interview was done in Russian, and they passed. There has been some rumors that doing the interview in English, and not being very good with English, is a negative.

So she not even attempt to speak English?? I merely told her to answer the Yes/No and easy questions in English, and for the more detailed answers attempt English then confirm answer in Russian so there are no misunderstandings....Does that sound like a decent method?

My wife spoke mainly Russian...unless your fiance can speak decent English I'd go with Russian. My wife used a few English words but mostly Russian. Don't think it matters.

[Kazan' Tiger 1]

Either language is fine. Do they like to hear your answers in English? Is speaking in Russian going to increase your chances of denial?

[slim 1,525]

Hey all!! I know I am starting to be annoying, but one more question if ya please. Does the interview HAVE to be in English or can it be conducted in Russian? I know not everybody speaks perfect English at their interviews, and am curious if there is anything Lada can say to the CO to let them know she is more comfortable speaking in Russian. We are almost there!! Thanks Everybody!!

"I'm more comfortable speaking in Russian." (Only in Russian, of course!)

Many people who frequent this forum over the years have said that the interview was done in Russian, and they passed. There has been some rumors that doing the interview in English, and not being very good with English, is a negative.

So she not even attempt to speak English?? I merely told her to answer the Yes/No and easy questions in English, and for the more detailed answers attempt English then confirm answer in Russian so there are no misunderstandings....Does that sound like a decent method?

Your method sounds really good and is exactly what she should do.

Either language is fine. Do they like to hear your answers in English? Is speaking in Russian going to increase your chances of denial?

Although speaking Russian doesn't technically increase your chances of a denial, I don't think it improves your chances of approval either. The language factor is one that I believe (and this is just slim theorizing here, not gospel) the C/Os use as the deciding factor in cases that are close and could possibly be denied on other grounds - she's 20, never worked a day in her life, speaks no English and he's 65, rich as hell, speaks no Russian - or if something else in the case is fishy - previous K-1 applications, etc. - then they may look at the language issue as "well, she hasn't even attempted to learn English, how serious can she be?"

However, if your S/O is headed to the interview and they're a new English speaker or really not that comfortable speaking English, then they should, by all means, do the interview in Russian. They don't "lose points" for doing it in their native tongue, but they definitely "gain points" for attempting in English.

There are other factors involved, but for the most part, the strategy outlined by Mark above is probably best for the "average" couples.

[MarkandLada 0]

Slim, thank you very much for that post! I think that we really should not have any issues as she will be carrying a "pile" of evidence about 2 inches thick. There should be no reason for the CO to suspect her. She is 38 w/a 14 yr old daughter. I hired a private English tutor, and their lessons lasted just over 3 months. She just needs practice, and she is afraid that if she is not perfect then it will count against her. I am trying to reassure her that this will not be the case, and I will copy/paste your post to her. It also did not help that our attorney's assistant in Moscow scared the ####### out of her about the interview being in nothing but English! I will address that little issue myself! Thanks for the responses everybody!

[slim 1,525]

Yep, too many "experts" over there in Moscow. I wish the girls would just read the posts here at VJ. It would make life a lot easier on them. There are horror stories in some of the Russian Fiancee forums.

Anyway..... almost done!

[Neonred 3,564]

My wife noticed during her interview that girls doing their interviews in Russian were getting asked more questions and taking more time for the interview. Be prepared for the question that if she is not speaking fair English how are you communicating? Having said all that, relax as I have not seen any one from the VJ Russia forum have a visa denial. A few people were asked for additional evidence but were approved very quickly after providing it. A few ended up in some type of review but after a delay were approved.

[eekee 182]

Be prepared for the question that if she is not speaking fair English how are you communicating?

That's something that I have long been curious about.

But I don't think doing the interview in Russian precludes speaking passable English, just that it's a high stress situation so adding the extra stress of having to do it in a language where you're not entirely comfortable might make things worse.

[KGSodie 0]

When asked at the interview if she spoke English, my Natasha replied "Only a little", and the consular officer said "No problem, we'll conduct the interview in Russian". There were only a few questions asked, almost exclusively about her prior K-1, and several questions for her daughter about wanting to come to the USA, etc. It was a short, pleasant, "stress-free" interview all around. Getting the actual visa issued was an entirely different matter, but the interview was cake.

Just our experience.

Good luck!

[aspettando 0]

I don't want to start a new topic. Let me just tell you what the situation is. My Masha needs to go back to Petersburg after visa interview so, if the appointment is at 8am, what is the longest the interview process may take? Thank you.

[eekee 182]

It makes the most sense for her to take the night train, so don't worry about it.