Too early to book flight back to the US?

[Hund_und_Katz 0]

Hello fellow Visa pilgrims,

My German fiancee just recently sent her documents into the U.S. consulate at Frankfurt and is awaiting her K-1 Interview date. We'd like to book tickets back to the States together because the price is right and we would like to get it taken care of (we're planning a religious/"ceremonial" (i.e. - non-legal) wedding in Germany in August).

Of course, there's always a chance that her K-1 visa won't be approved and we will have wasted our money. As approval rates are high for Germany, that's a risk we're willing to take. But my more immediate concern is: will the fact that she has already booked a flight into the U.S. raise any red flags at her interview and harm her chances of being approved? Is this likely to come up in an interview and cause problems?

Thanks kindly for any advice you can give me,

Kurt (Hund_und_Katz)

[YuAndDan 153]

Moving this to embassy/consulate forum

It is recommended to not book airline tickets, and plan weddings, assuming that you "WILL" get the visa, I have seen many posts where something gets hung up at the consulate, and it takes several weeks to months to get the visa if at all.

Pre-booking a flight is NOT a red-flag.

[Mrs. Disney 0]

Although the chances of being approved in Germany are high, most people will advise you not to book anything unless you have the visa in your hands. But if you found a good deal, you could go ahead and also buy an airfare protection or something, one that will allow you to change flight dates without losing all the money paid on a previous ticket. Call a travel agent, they can be very helpful. We got a airfare protection from Expedia for an international flight for 39 dollars. Good luck!

[Hund_und_Katz 0]

Although the chances of being approved in Germany are high, most people will advise you not to book anything unless you have the visa in your hands. But if you found a good deal, you could go ahead and also buy an airfare protection or something, one that will allow you to change flight dates without losing all the money paid on a previous ticket. Call a travel agent, they can be very helpful. We got a airfare protection from Expedia for an international flight for 39 dollars. Good luck!

Thanks kindly for your help, and best of success to you both!

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Hello fellow Visa pilgrims,

My German fiancee just recently sent her documents into the U.S. consulate at Frankfurt and is awaiting her K-1 Interview date. We'd like to book tickets back to the States together because the price is right and we would like to get it taken care of (we're planning a religious/"ceremonial" (i.e. - non-legal) wedding in Germany in August).

Of course, there's always a chance that her K-1 visa won't be approved and we will have wasted our money. As approval rates are high for Germany, that's a risk we're willing to take. But my more immediate concern is: will the fact that she has already booked a flight into the U.S. raise any red flags at her interview and harm her chances of being approved? Is this likely to come up in an interview and cause problems?

Thanks kindly for any advice you can give me,

Kurt (Hund_und_Katz)

Here is my take. It is best not to book anything until the visa is IN HER HAND. That said, if you do and you are prepared to pay the penalties for canceling or changing flights, then go for it. If you think it will save you enough to risk the penalty (usually at least $200 for flight changes) then why not?

No it will not raise any red flags at the interview.

[payxibka 10,047]

Hello fellow Visa pilgrims,

My German fiancee just recently sent her documents into the U.S. consulate at Frankfurt and is awaiting her K-1 Interview date. We'd like to book tickets back to the States together because the price is right and we would like to get it taken care of (we're planning a religious/"ceremonial" (i.e. - non-legal) wedding in Germany in August).

Of course, there's always a chance that her K-1 visa won't be approved and we will have wasted our money. As approval rates are high for Germany, that's a risk we're willing to take. But my more immediate concern is: will the fact that she has already booked a flight into the U.S. raise any red flags at her interview and harm her chances of being approved? Is this likely to come up in an interview and cause problems?

Thanks kindly for any advice you can give me,

Kurt (Hund_und_Katz)

I would never reccomend doing what I did... but I did it. I calculated based on the best information I had, and then gave myself 6 weeks of cushion... The visa did not show up until a little more than a week before the flight....

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Hello fellow Visa pilgrims,

My German fiancee just recently sent her documents into the U.S. consulate at Frankfurt and is awaiting her K-1 Interview date. We'd like to book tickets back to the States together because the price is right and we would like to get it taken care of (we're planning a religious/"ceremonial" (i.e. - non-legal) wedding in Germany in August).

Of course, there's always a chance that her K-1 visa won't be approved and we will have wasted our money. As approval rates are high for Germany, that's a risk we're willing to take. But my more immediate concern is: will the fact that she has already booked a flight into the U.S. raise any red flags at her interview and harm her chances of being approved? Is this likely to come up in an interview and cause problems?

Thanks kindly for any advice you can give me,

Kurt (Hund_und_Katz)

I would never reccomend doing what I did... but I did it. I calculated based on the best information I had, and then gave myself 6 weeks of cushion... The visa did not show up until a little more than a week before the flight....

Yikes! Was that because Ukraine was still using the Warsaw consulate? They are much faster now, (my wife had hers in 3 business days) but I wouldn't gamble on less than 3 weeks even now. Just so the OP knows, I have also booked a return flight for our son 3 weeks after his interview. I do not recommend it, but I got a super deal on the tickets and if I had to pay $200 more it would still be cheap. You have to just weigh the risks and benefits.

[payxibka 10,047]

Yikes! Was that because Ukraine was still using the Warsaw consulate? They are much faster now, (my wife had hers in 3 business days) but I wouldn't gamble on less than 3 weeks even now. Just so the OP knows, I have also booked a return flight for our son 3 weeks after his interview. I do not recommend it, but I got a super deal on the tickets and if I had to pay $200 more it would still be cheap. You have to just weigh the risks and benefits.

No Kiev, the change from Warsaw is at about 5 years now.... I booked the flight when we got NOA2 not when I even knew the interview date

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Yikes! Was that because Ukraine was still using the Warsaw consulate? They are much faster now, (my wife had hers in 3 business days) but I wouldn't gamble on less than 3 weeks even now. Just so the OP knows, I have also booked a return flight for our son 3 weeks after his interview. I do not recommend it, but I got a super deal on the tickets and if I had to pay $200 more it would still be cheap. You have to just weigh the risks and benefits.

No Kiev, the change from Warsaw is at about 5 years now.... I booked the flight when we got NOA2 not when I even knew the interview date

Wow, you ARE a steely eyed gambler!

[rebeccajo 14]

Hello fellow Visa pilgrims,

My German fiancee just recently sent her documents into the U.S. consulate at Frankfurt and is awaiting her K-1 Interview date. We'd like to book tickets back to the States together because the price is right and we would like to get it taken care of (we're planning a religious/"ceremonial" (i.e. - non-legal) wedding in Germany in August).

Of course, there's always a chance that her K-1 visa won't be approved and we will have wasted our money. As approval rates are high for Germany, that's a risk we're willing to take. But my more immediate concern is: will the fact that she has already booked a flight into the U.S. raise any red flags at her interview and harm her chances of being approved? Is this likely to come up in an interview and cause problems?

Thanks kindly for any advice you can give me,

Kurt (Hund_und_Katz)

How are they going to know?