Should I Plan to Attend Fiance's Interview? Does Fiance's Travel to France Have Any Bearing on Application?

[Ohemaa 0]

Hi Everyone,

I filed my I-129F in mid-December, and received a NOA very shortly thereafter. According to the USCIS website, the application is undergoing initial review and we should expect to hear something by the end of April. Assuming that this is true, perhaps we are looking at a May interview date?

If that is the case, should I be planning to travel to Dakar to accompany him to the interview? If I had infinite money and vacation time, this would be a no-brainer for me. However, my father died suddenly three weeks ago and I had to take off work for arrangements. I do not have much vacation time available, and burying my dad was also quite expensive. I have been to Senegal three times in the last year, and it all adds up! Do you think my fiance will have a harder time if I am unable to travel to Dakar for the embassy? I am doing my best to put aside money for the trip in case it's necessary, so I would really appreciate the responses.

I also have another inquiry for you lovely people: Given that my fiance was recently transferred to France for work (on a diplomatic visa) for a 3 month period, he will be outside of Senegal until the beginning of May. Is this a problem? Is this something that could weigh in favor of his application--the fact that he is trusted to travel? If so, should/how should I alert the embassy of this new development? Again, all constructive feedback is appreciated!

A bit about us, to the extent that is helpful in forming a response: We are a bonafide couple. We met by chance in Senegal when neither of us was looking for any kind of romantic relationship whatsoever, and the rest is history. I'm an African-American/Jamaican young lawyer (mid 20s) who is currently working for the federal government (nope! we don't get special treatment), and he's a student/ veteran employee (approaching mid 30s) for a telecommunications boutique in Dakar. Our families have become very friendly, especially with all the support his family has shown my mom after my dad's passing. He's a divorced dad of a 6 year old, whom I met and befriended before I met his dad. As previously mentioned, I've traveled to Senegal a couple of times last year, and am hoping to hop over to France to see him for Easter. He has a lot of family in New York, and I was friendly with his relatives before knowing of his existence. I met him while staying with his extended family during my first visit to Dakar in December 2010. I speak French and have been learning Wolof. He has been taking English classes since having met me, because he wanted to ask my Anglophone dad for my hand in marriage . (My mom is a French teacher, and my siblings all communicate with him in French.) We're (somehow progressive) Evangelical Christians; they're Muslims (with some Christians in the family). That's about all I can think of, and I hope it's helpful. I await your responses!

[Shri & Vai 1]

My condolences on your father's passing away.

I can only comment on one of your queries.

Being there of course is a major plus (that's what the USCIS officer who interviewed us said). Because I was there, he didn't spend too much time since just my being there said a lot. And we had a LOT of photos, travel itineraries, phone bills to prove that we met often and spoke daily.

That being said, it doesn't matter a lot. I had gone for the interview, but we met some applicants whose fiancees were not there and it did not matter. Their applications were approved as well. And your fiancee can always show that you weren't there only because you couldn't take more time off due to your father's death.

[CharlineLP 3]

May your dad rest in peace.

Its ok if you cant attend her interview. I was by myself when i had my fiance interview. Just make sure that she have all the necessary documents that will show the consulate that your relationship is genuine. Pictures together, e-mails and chat logs are important to have, boarding pass.

I dont think his travel to france counts because it is not related to your relationship. Goodluck on your journey.

[Hank_ 9,174]

Sorry for your loss ~

The petitioner being at the interview is a very mixed thing and each embassy is different depending on the country involved. Some embassies expect the petitioner to be there, some won't care or even allow the petitioner in the embassy, then other embassies are very friendly about the petitioner showing up. So I would suggest you ask this question in your country specific forum.

[Rufus2012 175]

Sorry for your loss, especially at such a tumultuous time in your life.

The answer is embassy specific. Some seem to absolutely (yet unofficially) require the presence of US petitioner. It cannot hurt, the only question is how much can it help. In my case (Armenia), the USC is not even allowed in the building - I gave my fiance my passport and she showed it to the CO, who did seem to take a mental note of it, but didn't really say anything about it specifically.

[TBoneTX 45,304]

For any West African consulate, I'd sure be on the premises.

I gave my fiance my passport and she showed it to the CO, who did seem to take a mental note of it, but didn't really say anything about it specifically.

This is honestly the best move than any petitioner (who's not invited or allowed in) can make. The CO may not say anything, but it scores BIG points. In fact, it can turn what would have been a borderline interview into a positive one, or salvage a planned rejection and at least give the beneficiary a fighting chance.

Who knows... you may even be invited in.

The above is advice from an attorney who served as a CO in two vastly different countries.

[feli114 65]

I plan to be there for my fiances interview. Good luck

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

With rare exceptions, the presence of the USC fiance(e) has no affect on if a visa is issued. Consulates determine if USCs are allowed in the building or not or to the interview or not. Kiev allowed it and I went right to the interview window with Alla. I am fairly certain it made no difference to THEM that I was there. They did not speak to me. I was a spectator.

Some consulates make you wait outside and your fiancee can bring in your passport to show you are out there, FWIW.

The main purpose of going, and this is no small reason, is that it is excellent moral support for your fiancee, who will soon be your wife and should be the most important priority in life. we have always considered this OUR process. I was present at every step. Even with her in Ukraine to go gather all the documents we needed for the petition and interview. I only had to wait in the waiting room for the citizenship interview.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

For any West African consulate, I'd sure be on the premises.This is honestly the best move than any petitioner (who's not invited or allowed in) can make. The CO may not say anything, but it scores BIG points. In fact, it can turn what would have been a borderline interview into a positive one, or salvage a planned rejection and at least give the beneficiary a fighting chance.

Who knows... you may even be invited in.

The above is advice from an attorney who served as a CO in two vastly different countries.

And the consulate Tbone used is one of those rare exceptions where it can be crucial.

I strongly suggest everyone go to it, it really is a great moment in your lives, even when everything goes smoothly, why miss out on that?

[Rufus2012 175]

I strongly suggest everyone go to it, it really is a great moment in your lives, even when everything goes smoothly, why miss out on that?

It was certainly a memorable experience. I waited outside in a taxi (kudos to a fellow VJ member who informed me USCs were kept outside) in the visitor parking lot. I expected her to be about 3 to 4 hours. At the 1 hour 20 minute mark, as I was gazing around, I saw what seemed to be a woman with the same colored coat, and I thought, oh that's nice, she has the same color coat as my dearly beloved. I looked away, then realized it was my fiance. I dashed out of the cab, expecting the worst, but she just smiled and said it was all done and that she was getting her visa.

Later that day was when the 12 hour jet lag finally kicked in. What a relief, and I'm so glad I was there to help her prepare, double and triple check the paperwork, and much better than waiting for a phone call.

You might be right Gary in how little it actually helps - I suspect the COs we read about noticing it have already made up their minds, and it justs reaffirms their decision (and let's not forget the 99+% approval rate anyway).

Edited February 29, 2012 by Rufus2012

[TBoneTX 45,304]

You might be right Gary in how little it actually helps

Well, maybe, but for whatever reason one goes, it cannot hurt and may help (from the CO/visa standpoint). There's no doubt that it helps from the moral-support side of things, as G. says.

[Ohemaa 0]

Thank you to everyone for the very helpful responses! Basically, based on what you all are saying, I won't stay up at night worrying if I can't go, but if I have the time and the money I will make it a priority to be there.

I plan to be there for my fiances interview. Good luck

Good! You lucky duck! Good luck to you, too!

[Pitaya 2,577]

May the good memories of your father, give you solace at this time of sorrow.

Like other's have previously mentioned, having the petitioner present at the interview, or in close proximity, may or may not make any difference. I know that the GUZ consulate won't allow me to be present at the interview. I will be traveling with my fiancee and her son to the interview. I will give my fiancee my passport and an "Evolution of Relationship" letter to present to the CO. However, this step is another step in the whole process that my fiancee and I have embarked upon together. I will be there to give support, encouragement, assistance to my SO (significant other- gotta be careful about certain terms until the deed is completed.. ). In future years, we will be able to fondly (?) recall these early days of our lives journey.

Good luck.

Edited April 9, 2012 by A&B