How much does it help if I attend the interview?

[Brad and Vika 129]

I am sure this question has been asked before. I am planning to fly to Kiev to attend Vika's interview, that I hope will happen early next year. It looks like they will not provide the visa to you directly, and will only mail it back to her. So there appears to be NO CHANCE that I can take her back with me after the interview. Her English is pretty good, and she can definitely make it through the airports to fly to me later, and I don't think I can turn around and fly back to bring her home as I would like.

I see many posts here where the fiance' attends the visa interview alone and everything works out. How much will my attending the interview influence the consular officer?

Thanks

[payxibka 10,045]

I am sure this question has been asked before. I am planning to fly to Kiev to attend Vika's interview, that I hope will happen early next year. It looks like they will not provide the visa to you directly, and will only mail it back to her. So there appears to be NO CHANCE that I can take her back with me after the interview. Her English is pretty good, and she can definitely make it through the airports to fly to me later, and I don't think I can turn around and fly back to bring her home as I would like.

I see many posts here where the fiance' attends the visa interview alone and everything works out. How much will my attending the interview influence the consular officer?

Thanks

After the interview the visa will typically arrive 3-7 days later. It appears they "batch" the printing and assembly of the "MBE" to a single or maybe a couple days a week. It is all about timing. If you are fortunate to interview and the next day is "assembly" day you could get it in 3 days... If you interview on or a day after "assembly" day and dependant on where the weekend falls it could be more like 7 days. I certainly would not book tickets that tightly....

In Kiev, if you have done your homework and your paperwork is complete and organized and assuming you have the evidence and financial means required I see no advantage to being there. I wasn't and my wife was prepared and she was asked zero questions.

Most people who have issues is solely the result of arriving unprepared. Kiev is a good consulate but in this regard the consulate is unforgiving.

Edited July 3, 2008 by fwaguy

[moussy 0]

Well, my fiance's presence at interview helped me a lot: 1.I was nervous like hell and he helped me to calm down. 2. consul didn't ask me ANY question, just exchanged few words with Glen ("Oh, you're from MA? I am originally from Connecticut, miss home blah blah"). BUT when i was interviewed, few girls were interviewed little earlier and right after me.. alone. and they all got visas

But you really can take Vika back with you (assuming that she will get a visa) if you plan an interview on the beginning of your trip. Glen came to Ukraine for 9 days, and our interview took place on the second day of his presence, and i got my visa few days before he left, so i could just leave with him. It IS possible. Even Consul told us "If you guys plan to go to America together, you can pay some more to FedEx and they'll deliver your visa faster"

BTW, i flew to USA by myself, it's not that scary, especially if you have enough time between connection flights. I flew through Zürich, i liked it very much-quiet, safe, nice people around.. was afraid to fly through Paris...

Good luck!

[Brad and Vika 129]

Well, my fiance's presence at interview helped me a lot: 1.I was nervous like hell and he helped me to calm down. 2. consul didn't ask me ANY question, just exchanged few words with Glen ("Oh, you're from MA? I am originally from Connecticut, miss home blah blah"). BUT when i was interviewed, few girls were interviewed little earlier and right after me.. alone. and they all got visas

But you really can take Vika back with you (assuming that she will get a visa) if you plan an interview on the beginning of your trip. Glen came to Ukraine for 9 days, and our interview took place on the second day of his presence, and i got my visa few days before he left, so i could just leave with him. It IS possible. Even Consul told us "If you guys plan to go to America together, you can pay some more to FedEx and they'll deliver your visa faster"

BTW, i flew to USA by myself, it's not that scary, especially if you have enough time between connection flights. I flew through Zürich, i liked it very much-quiet, safe, nice people around.. was afraid to fly through Paris...

Good luck!

One issue we have is that Vika is from Kherson, so we would have to go back to Kherson to get the visa, then fly out of Odessa. Is there any way to get the visa delivered in Kiev, or pick it up at the embassy? I guess I also assumed that Vika would want to say goodbye to her friends and family back home. Her parents could join us if we left from Kiev, and she has relatives there too. Culturally speaking, there seems to be a great tendency to hold impromptu celebrations and gatherings. I would hate for her to miss any of those at work, etc. if her colleagues want to give her a send off. Of course this is all VERY premature, given our timeline.

[Brad and Vika 129]

I am sure this question has been asked before. I am planning to fly to Kiev to attend Vika's interview, that I hope will happen early next year. It looks like they will not provide the visa to you directly, and will only mail it back to her. So there appears to be NO CHANCE that I can take her back with me after the interview. Her English is pretty good, and she can definitely make it through the airports to fly to me later, and I don't think I can turn around and fly back to bring her home as I would like.

I see many posts here where the fiance' attends the visa interview alone and everything works out. How much will my attending the interview influence the consular officer?

Thanks

After the interview the visa will typically arrive 3-7 days later. It appears they "batch" the printing and assembly of the "MBE" to a single or maybe a couple days a week. It is all about timing. If you are fortunate to interview and the next day is "assembly" day you could get it in 3 days... If you interview on or a day after "assembly" day and dependant on where the weekend falls it could be more like 7 days. I certainly would not book tickets that tightly....

In Kiev, if you have done your homework and your paperwork is complete and organized and assuming you have the evidence and financial means required I see no advantage to being there. I wasn't and my wife was prepared and she was asked zero questions.

Most people who have issues is solely the result of arriving unprepared. Kiev is a good consulate but in this regard the consulate is unforgiving.

Point taken. She asked me to attend because of her nervousness about the process. At worst it looks like my presence won't hurt our chances any.

[payxibka 10,045]

Well, my fiance's presence at interview helped me a lot: 1.I was nervous like hell and he helped me to calm down. 2. consul didn't ask me ANY question, just exchanged few words with Glen ("Oh, you're from MA? I am originally from Connecticut, miss home blah blah"). BUT when i was interviewed, few girls were interviewed little earlier and right after me.. alone. and they all got visas

But you really can take Vika back with you (assuming that she will get a visa) if you plan an interview on the beginning of your trip. Glen came to Ukraine for 9 days, and our interview took place on the second day of his presence, and i got my visa few days before he left, so i could just leave with him. It IS possible. Even Consul told us "If you guys plan to go to America together, you can pay some more to FedEx and they'll deliver your visa faster"

BTW, i flew to USA by myself, it's not that scary, especially if you have enough time between connection flights. I flew through Zürich, i liked it very much-quiet, safe, nice people around.. was afraid to fly through Paris...

Good luck!

One issue we have is that Vika is from Kherson, so we would have to go back to Kherson to get the visa, then fly out of Odessa. Is there any way to get the visa delivered in Kiev, or pick it up at the embassy? I guess I also assumed that Vika would want to say goodbye to her friends and family back home. Her parents could join us if we left from Kiev, and she has relatives there too. Culturally speaking, there seems to be a great tendency to hold impromptu celebrations and gatherings. I would hate for her to miss any of those at work, etc. if her colleagues want to give her a send off. Of course this is all VERY premature, given our timeline.

The visa is delivered to the address you put on the FED-X delivery ticket. It depends on where you want to wait for the package. If you wait in Kiev you use that address. If you go back to Kherson, you do that.

My wife in fact had her visa packet delivered to someone else so that she could visit her parents and not have to worry about being at home when delivery was attempted. The person identified on the delivery ticket must prodce ID before and then delivery will be made.

You used to be able to do Consulate pick up but not anymore.

[Brad and Vika 129]

Thanks - we will have to talk more about where to spend our time. We are considering a trip to Turkey or Crimea immediately before the interview, but if we can arrange to leave directly (assuming Vika wants to do that), it is worth considering. Hmmm.....

[flomagy 0]

When it comes to having the SO at the interview, I personally see no advantage to it other than just being there for your spouse. In fact, I think embassy's at times use having the SO there to actually try and debunk the information the beneficiary is stating. I say this only because it seemed that during our interview comparing our stories seemed to be a priority to the officer. Hopefully your embassy is different. Just my 2 cents.........

Good Luck!!!!

[Asante Maroon 0]

It could go either way. If your SO is the type that needs the extra support (in-person) and you can afford it, I say go. But if you and your SO are confident that he/she is well prepared and can handle it alone, save your money for your SO's plane ticket, AOS fee, new clothes, etc...

Good luck

[drbilldc 0]

It could go either way. If your SO is the type that needs the extra support (in-person) and you can afford it, I say go. But if you and your SO are confident that he/she is well prepared and can handle it alone, save your money for your SO's plane ticket, AOS fee, new clothes, etc...

Good luck

I will Attend our interview in Kiev. Ekaterina asked me to because she was nervous and hey let's face it....any reason to see them...I WILL TAKE IT!!! This is what we are doing, we are essentially gambling on the plane tickets....Interview is July 17 (say a prayer for us) so i scheduled return tickets for the 26th...i did this based on reading visa journey posts about the passport arriving by fed-ex 3-7 days after the interview. We will go to the interview the return to Sevastopol to finish packing,...if we are approved. wait for passport then fly back to Kiev and hopefully AMERICA!!!!

Dr. Bill

[ronjie 0]

It could go either way. If your SO is the type that needs the extra support (in-person) and you can afford it, I say go. But if you and your SO are confident that he/she is well prepared and can handle it alone, save your money for your SO's plane ticket, AOS fee, new clothes, etc...

Good luck

I will Attend our interview in Kiev. Ekaterina asked me to because she was nervous and hey let's face it....any reason to see them...I WILL TAKE IT!!! This is what we are doing, we are essentially gambling on the plane tickets....Interview is July 17 (say a prayer for us) so i scheduled return tickets for the 26th...i did this based on reading visa journey posts about the passport arriving by fed-ex 3-7 days after the interview. We will go to the interview the return to Sevastopol to finish packing,...if we are approved. wait for passport then fly back to Kiev and hopefully AMERICA!!!!

Dr. Bill

there are ways to reschedule your tickets if you must, it usually cost a small fee but shouldn't be a problem. either through the airlines or travelers insurance.....

[Brad and Vika 129]

It could go either way. If your SO is the type that needs the extra support (in-person) and you can afford it, I say go. But if you and your SO are confident that he/she is well prepared and can handle it alone, save your money for your SO's plane ticket, AOS fee, new clothes, etc...

Good luck

I will Attend our interview in Kiev. Ekaterina asked me to because she was nervous and hey let's face it....any reason to see them...I WILL TAKE IT!!! This is what we are doing, we are essentially gambling on the plane tickets....Interview is July 17 (say a prayer for us) so i scheduled return tickets for the 26th...i did this based on reading visa journey posts about the passport arriving by fed-ex 3-7 days after the interview. We will go to the interview the return to Sevastopol to finish packing,...if we are approved. wait for passport then fly back to Kiev and hopefully AMERICA!!!!

Dr. Bill

My thought also, I will take any opportunity to go and see Vika. We discussed it, and I will try to get there immediately before the interview. We will have the passport sent to her cousin's apartment in Kiev (probably), and fly back directly. I was thrilled when she suggested that. She will take some extra time during the month before to visit relatives in other cities and say goodbye, with the understanding that it all depends on approval. I think the gamble on tickets is a good one. Best of luck to you!!!

[Brad and Vika 129]

It could go either way. If your SO is the type that needs the extra support (in-person) and you can afford it, I say go. But if you and your SO are confident that he/she is well prepared and can handle it alone, save your money for your SO's plane ticket, AOS fee, new clothes, etc...

Good luck

I will Attend our interview in Kiev. Ekaterina asked me to because she was nervous and hey let's face it....any reason to see them...I WILL TAKE IT!!! This is what we are doing, we are essentially gambling on the plane tickets....Interview is July 17 (say a prayer for us) so i scheduled return tickets for the 26th...i did this based on reading visa journey posts about the passport arriving by fed-ex 3-7 days after the interview. We will go to the interview the return to Sevastopol to finish packing,...if we are approved. wait for passport then fly back to Kiev and hopefully AMERICA!!!!

Dr. Bill

there are ways to reschedule your tickets if you must, it usually cost a small fee but shouldn't be a problem. either through the airlines or travelers insurance.....

Generally true, but during the summer tourist season in Europe the flights may be sold out. Since fuel prices have doubled on the airlines in the past year, they have been using smaller planes to make the transatlantic, and everything is pretty tight through mid-September. So you could pay the $200 change fee and have to fly weeks later.