Best Language for Interview

[dstone 0]

Is there any advantage to request the K1 interview be in English? My Chinese fiance speaks some English and can easily memorize answers to likely questions, but I feel may have trouble understanding other questions. So if everything else was equal, does experience indicate a higher likelihood of success requesting an English interview? Thanks.

[pushbrk 12,898]

Is there any advantage to request the K1 interview be in English? My Chinese fiance speaks some English and can easily memorize answers to likely questions, but I feel may have trouble understanding other questions. So if everything else was equal, does experience indicate a higher likelihood of success requesting an English interview? Thanks.

"I speak some English but I will understand better if you ask me in (Mandarin, Cantonese, etc.)"

[dstone 0]

"I speak some English but I will understand better if you ask me in (Mandarin, Cantonese, etc.)"

I'm asking if English results in a better chance of getting the visa. Does anyone have any data on this? Many thanks.

[baron555 934]

I'm asking if English results in a better chance of getting the visa. Does anyone have any data on this? Many thanks.

Most will ask in what language do you converse with your SO? They will then switch to that language. It's only proper, don't you think?

English would be best for the CO obviously. And knowledge of that language will help here in the US.

[pushbrk 12,898]

I'm asking if English results in a better chance of getting the visa. Does anyone have any data on this? Many thanks.

The best chance of getting a visa is a good interview in any language. One subject of discussion is likely to be how the couple communicates. Data is not going to help you, as your ultimate success is not going to depend on statistics. We prepared a long list of questions and spend well over a hundred hours practicing asking and answering them in English. My wife was prepared to greet the CO in English and do the entire interview that way. On the interview day, the CO greeted her first in Mandarin and not one word of English was spoken. He asked if she spoke English, (answered "a little") then asked if I spoke Mandarin (answered "a little") then continued the interview in English. Others have been deeply questioned on communication ability and expected to converse in English.

What will happen in YOUR wife's interview will depend on the circumstances of the moment. Yes, I think it's good to improve English in any way you can prior to the interview.

[1HappyGuy 45]

Most interviews are conducted in the applicant's home language. If the applicant speaks English that is a plus, but not being able to speak but a little English will not disqualify anyone. The emphasis in the interview is how well the two people involved know each other and how they communicate. It is natural for the CO to want to hear English and any effort by the applicant is appreciated. Understand that English is the language of America and attempting to speak some will help, and also shows the desire to improve their understanding.

But, trying to rehearse questions with answers in English almost never works. You are better served to make sure your significant other knows a lot about you.

[payxibka 10,045]

Is there any advantage to request the K1 interview be in English? My Chinese fiance speaks some English and can easily memorize answers to likely questions, but I feel may have trouble understanding other questions. So if everything else was equal, does experience indicate a higher likelihood of success requesting an English interview? Thanks.

Best chance of success is an interview in the language where your SO will understand the questions with 100% certainty, and will be able to articulate a clear and accurate response. It is a decision where you will leave nothing to chance, or possibly leave something to chance because of limited vocabulary or misunderstanding of a language that they are not proficient in.

[purduefanmike 0]

Since it sounds like it's a better idea to have the interview in the language of your significant other, will it hurt your chances if you attend the interview without being able to communicate in that language?

[Darnell 8,478]

specifically for K-1 visa interviews in Guangzhou -

most of 2009, and so far in 2010 -

HOW you communicate with her is looked at , hard, by the VOs.

ONE WAY to 'get across' to a VO - HOW you TWO communicate - is with a paragraph covering this, INSIDE of an 'Evolution of Relationship' Letter.

The USC would write this up, in English, give to the K-1 person, prior to interview day - then

the EOR letter is presented on Interview Day.

It's not so much as 'English' between you two, as it is 'how you communicate' .

Good Luck !