Visas Approved Before Interview Even Happens?

[misswhy 0]

I read comments on two other sites recently that a few people had gone in to their interviews, only to find that their visas were already approved before they even had the interview. Can this be possible, I wonder? And I am curious to know just how they learned this. Would like to know if anyone else here is of the opinion that some visas are already approved, unless the beneficiary gives the CO some reason to change it at the interview? This has really got me thinking today.

Anyone here have this experience?

[Done--Really 331]

Happens all the time--that is, the decision has been made, and the interview is a formality, but don't depend on it, particularly being from a MENA country

[misswhy 0]

This is a general question in no way even considering my particular situation, or where we're from. Anyone who would count on an approval before it is actually in hand would have to be a complete imbecile...

This is a general question in no way even considering my particular situation, or where we're from. Anyone who would count on an approval before it is actually in hand would have to be a complete imbecile...

[Done--Really 331]

Hey miss...

Lighten up !! Most answers here will try to address what you asked, and also to be expansive so that other learn as well. MENA countries have extra hoops for people to jump through--it is what it is.

[amandas1216 8]

go magical!

[Done--Really 331]

Hey Amanda

How you doin' girl...I was worried about you for awhile, but you seem to be in better spirits these days

[misswhy 0]

This is a general question in no way even considering my particular situation, or where we're from. Anyone who would count on an approval before it is actually in hand would have to be a complete imbecile...

lol.. guess no one can say for sure so far if they felt that this happened to them.

[Heartwarming 15]

Nobody can say that because it has most likely not happened to anyone to the best of their knowledge. At the same time, I suppose it is not even necessary to know this information because anything could happen. As we all know this process is unpredictable and anything can happen in which we least expect.

[Princessblack 21]

I know for sure that it can happen with military folks due to their jobs and its inherent that they are DOD personnel.

[Ben and Jill 37]

This is an interesting topic because when Ben went for his interview, he noticed when he walked up to the window and noticed his paperwork in front of the CO, that it already had an "approval" stamp on it. I asked him if it was our I-129F petition because I was perplexed as to how it could have already been approved before his interview. He said no, it was the documents we just filled out and handed in the day before the interview. Wow....I guess it is possible. I just never mentioned it before as I had forgotten about it shortly after because we were so thrilled since that part of our process was over, but I saw this post and thought to share.

Edited September 28, 2011 by Ben and Jill

[san diego 407]

I think in some cases decision already made. I actually went to Moscow for the interview. The NEVER allow petitioner to be at the interview. This time they have let me in and the only question they asked: "Is this your fiance?". Then they said that visa is approved. I am absolutely positive decision has been already made.

[JoannaV 174]

How this works in practice is going to vary from country to country. If they have already received all the paperwork from the NVC then they can look through it before the interview, and as they've seen all the evidence already they may already have made their decision...but of course if, for example, you turned up stoned then they would most certainly re-evaluate the situation haha.

[misswhy 0]

I know for sure that it can happen with military folks due to their jobs and its inherent that they are DOD personnel.

that's something i didn't even think of, princess.. that's a good point. thanks

[misswhy 0]

This is an interesting topic because when Ben went for his interview, he noticed when he walked up to the window and noticed his paperwork in front of the CO, that it already had an "approval" stamp on it. I asked him if it was our I-129F petition because I was perplexed as to how it could have already been approved before his interview. He said no, it was the documents we just filled out and handed in the day before the interview. Wow....I guess it is possible. I just never mentioned it before as I had forgotten about it shortly after because we were so thrilled since that part of our process was over, but I saw this post and thought to share.

wow - so you are now the 3rd person i saw that mentioned this happening to them, although the first i've seen on this site. i'm more convinced that this can and does happen - maybe more than we even know.

[Done--Really 331]

It seems to me that it is pretty easy to tell if there has been a decision by the nature of the questions at the interview. Ours were extremely easy and they said on the spot that it was approved, while another couple was going through hell, and while we don't know their outcome since we left while they were still being grilled. So were we pre approved--almost to a certainty. Was the other couple not pre approved--also almost to a certainty.