Judgement Call

[evilmonkey 2]

So my fiance's interview is set for 27th July.

I am super confused as to whether I should go from atlanta to support her during the interview in London or not?

I believe our case is very simple, we have all the required documents and in all honesty she should be pretty okay without me but then there is the other stupid half of my brain telling me if I go, our case would be more stronger. For e.g. lets say God forbid but if shes denied I would end up making a trip anyway to marry her in the UK and file as CR-1.

So do you think it is worth it to go to the UK at a cost of $2000(flight + hotel) for 3 days ? My instinct is saying yes...but like a loser I need some reaffirmation (or good reasons as to why I should not go )

[070809 0]

My opinion... save the money for something else. Like your wedding or AOS perhaps. Like what you said you have a pretty simple case and you trust her that she'll be doing good in the interview. Pray pray pray and good luck

[Chris Knouse 3]

I would agree with the poster above. Its England after all and there is probably not much language barriers or anything. If it was where sh spoke another language or aomsehint maybe but still you cant go in and other than sit outside there isnt much you can do.

[claudia2212 0]

So my fiance's interview is set for 27th July.

I am super confused as to whether I should go from atlanta to support her during the interview in London or not?

I believe our case is very simple, we have all the required documents and in all honesty she should be pretty okay without me but then there is the other stupid half of my brain telling me if I go, our case would be more stronger. For e.g. lets say God forbid but if shes denied I would end up making a trip anyway to marry her in the UK and file as CR-1.

So do you think it is worth it to go to the UK at a cost of $2000(flight + hotel) for 3 days ? My instinct is saying yes...but like a loser I need some reaffirmation (or good reasons as to why I should not go )

I'll put it like his, my advice would be that if you have sufficient proof of your relationship and everything is correct then you should just relax and use the money for something else like the other member said. i believe you will not be permitted into the interview so i would say to really think about it...and good luck on whatever you decide to do... I wont lie, maybe your fiancee whats you to go for moral support!

[marlea 84]

If you can afford it and it would make you feel better, then go. I'm in a very similar situation, my fiance is in the UK as well and I would love to go to the interview with him, but I know it isn't very practical. From what I have read regarding K1's in the UK, it's pretty much an assumed approval unless there is a huge red flag, such as not enough income on the I-134, but even in cases such as those people get conditional approvals pending additional documentation, which is only a slight delay. So basically, going along won't really have any impact on the outcome of the interview, and it might be better to use the money elsewhere.

[Lovemad 7]

If you can afford it and it would make you feel better, then go. I'm in a very similar situation, my fiance is in the UK as well and I would love to go to the interview with him, but I know it isn't very practical. From what I have read regarding K1's in the UK, it's pretty much an assumed approval unless there is a huge red flag, such as not enough income on the I-134, but even in cases such as those people get conditional approvals pending additional documentation, which is only a slight delay. So basically, going along won't really have any impact on the outcome of the interview, and it might be better to use the money elsewhere.

Hi worried a bit after reading your 'red flag about I-134, as I said in my first postings we are both students( I have graduated) and have no jobs but my cousin who is earning well over $200,000 is the sponsor.Also I have 5x times in cash in bank and own property in UK. Would there be any problems because neither of us are earning? My fiance is graduating this year and I hope to get a job once I get my work authorisation. I am UKC and he's the USC.Also how would he as the petitioner get tax returns for 3 yaers when he's a student?

[marlea 84]

Hi worried a bit after reading your 'red flag about I-134, as I said in my first postings we are both students( I have graduated) and have no jobs but my cousin who is earning well over $200,000 is the sponsor.Also I have 5x times in cash in bank and own property in UK. Would there be any problems because neither of us are earning? My fiance is graduating this year and I hope to get a job once I get my work authorisation. I am UKC and he's the USC.Also how would he as the petitioner get tax returns for 3 yaers when he's a student?

1. Is your cousin a UK or US citizen? The co-sponsor must be either a US citizen or a legal permanent resident in the US. If the cousin is one of these two, then you shouldn't have a problem. Otherwise, you might consider getting a co-sponsor from the US, a family member of your fiance's for example.

2. Sadly, for K1's, I've read that the amount of money the beneficiary has access to has absolutely no baring on the I-134. To be able to sponsor oneself is very difficult. You might look in the guides for more information on that, as I wouldn't want to give you an incorrect number. If you are able, maybe you could transfer the 5x amount of money to a US account (joint account) in your name and your fiance's name, and that way he could technically sponsor you with that money.

3. Technically, he probably should have filed tax returns for the past three years, even if he was a student, he just wouldn't have owed anything. But that is a small matter and won't make a difference. But tax returns aren't 100% necessary for the I-134 so as long as he was a student and isn't making money. The co-sponsor is the one who has the income and the CO will be much more concerned with the tax return for the co-sponsor.

Basically, I would have the same question a CO would have of you: If neither of you are working (him) or able to work (you, as it will take months to get a work authorization) how exactly are you planning on supporting yourself? Jobs aren't readily available right now. Personally, I graduated from grad school in late 2008 and it took me 18 months to find a job. So the CO won't be ok with the fact that you are both just planning on getting jobs at some point, especially with the unemployment rate in the US being over 9% right now. If it isn't blatantly obvious where the money to support both of you will come from for up to 6 months or more, the CO may be wary.

[Damian&Kelly 16]

There's no need to go to the interview. London is pretty straight forward and in most cases doesn't even ask for any relationship proof. London is mainly worried about criminal records and the affidavit of support. If you make enough on the affidavit and both have a clean criminal record than you shouldn't have anything to worry about. I'd use the money else where, maybe on the wedding or the plane ticket for her to come here or even a nice honeymoon!

From what I read, all the USCs that went to the interview in London with their fiances weren't allowed to talk anyways. And if your case is straight forward than you being there isn't going to be the decision maker. As it wouldn't be the decision maker if there are red flags.

[Amyyduck 20]

If your instinct is saying yes and you can afford the trip without too much trouble then I'd say definitely go for it. I'm planning on being there for my Fiancé's interview, not for the sake of making our case stronger but simply because I know my Fiancé well enough to know that he'll need me there when the time comes. And because if everything turns out the way it should, I want to be there with him so that we can celebrate together!

[Lisa and Ian 7]

So my fiance's interview is set for 27th July.

I am super confused as to whether I should go from atlanta to support her during the interview in London or not?

I believe our case is very simple, we have all the required documents and in all honesty she should be pretty okay without me but then there is the other stupid half of my brain telling me if I go, our case would be more stronger. For e.g. lets say God forbid but if shes denied I would end up making a trip anyway to marry her in the UK and file as CR-1.

So do you think it is worth it to go to the UK at a cost of $2000(flight + hotel) for 3 days ? My instinct is saying yes...but like a loser I need some reaffirmation (or good reasons as to why I should not go )

I remember feeling this way, too. The interview is London is pretty easy, if the paperwork is organized (specifically the docs asked for in P3).

You said your case was straight-forward, so there should be no real reason to go. I figured my fiance would be fine by himself, and he'd probably know better than me what to do if he ran into a problem (you can read our embassy review for reassurance, if you want). He was fine (and it was all over by the time I woke up, which was selfishly nice)

I know exactly how you feel, but it didn't end up being a necessary thing. In the end, look at your finances and do what makes sense to you. Good luck!

[Lovemad 7]

1. Is your cousin a UK or US citizen? The co-sponsor must be either a US citizen or a legal permanent resident in the US. If the cousin is one of these two, then you shouldn't have a problem. Otherwise, you might consider getting a co-sponsor from the US, a family member of your fiance's for example.

2. Sadly, for K1's, I've read that the amount of money the beneficiary has access to has absolutely no baring on the I-134. To be able to sponsor oneself is very difficult. You might look in the guides for more information on that, as I wouldn't want to give you an incorrect number. If you are able, maybe you could transfer the 5x amount of money to a US account (joint account) in your name and your fiance's name, and that way he could technically sponsor you with that money.

3. Technically, he probably should have filed tax returns for the past three years, even if he was a student, he just wouldn't have owed anything. But that is a small matter and won't make a difference. But tax returns aren't 100% necessary for the I-134 so as long as he was a student and isn't making money. The co-sponsor is the one who has the income and the CO will be much more concerned with the tax return for the co-sponsor.

Basically, I would have the same question a CO would have of you: If neither of you are working (him) or able to work (you, as it will take months to get a work authorization) how exactly are you planning on supporting yourself? Jobs aren't readily available right now. Personally, I graduated from grad school in late 2008 and it took me 18 months to find a job. So the CO won't be ok with the fact that you are both just planning on getting jobs at some point, especially with the unemployment rate in the US being over 9% right now. If it isn't blatantly obvious where the money to support both of you will come from for up to 6 months or more, the CO may be wary.

Thanks Marlea for such a detailed answer and for reassuring me.

1. My cousin is a US citizen.

2. I could get the money wired into my US account asap.

3. Fiancee does have tax returns for summer jobs so that's fine.

Re the source of the money 5x as an only child my parents are happy to give the amount now and I am also a joint owner of the family home and a flat.I do know that getting a job is really difficult but I am willing to take a job to survive for the months when Iam job hunting once I get work authorisation. I love him so much we want to be together.Thanks for your reply once again.

[marlea 84]

Thanks Marlea for such a detailed answer and for reassuring me.

1. My cousin is a US citizen.

2. I could get the money wired into my US account asap.

3. Fiancee does have tax returns for summer jobs so that's fine.

Re the source of the money 5x as an only child my parents are happy to give the amount now and I am also a joint owner of the family home and a flat.I do know that getting a job is really difficult but I am willing to take a job to survive for the months when Iam job hunting once I get work authorisation. I love him so much we want to be together.Thanks for your reply once again.

In that case, you should be ok. The co-sponsor should be enough, but if you are concerned you could also consider the money transfer. Though, the transfer is a bit more suspect as the CO might see that as you paying your fiance to get you to the US. The cousin who is a US citizen would probably be your best bet. Just make sure you have all the evidence you need from that cousin.

[Lovemad 7]

Thanks Marlea, feel better already.