Wife's interview

[PhilC 5]

Are the chances better for a yes if I am there for my Wife's interview in Kiev?

[GelendzhikBelle 7]

Are the chances better for a yes if I am there for my Wife's interview in Kiev?

Dunno if "better" Phil but the Consular Officer will probably want to know how

well you communicate with your Wife and I suspect if there are questions about

your Tax filing or other that she will be hard pressed to understand this let

alone explain.

If she is fluent..VERY fluent in English this is possibly not an issue. There

is no "requirement" the Petitioner be present, only the Benficiary.

In my case I definitly do not want my Wife going through the problems at an

American airport without any assistance. She is not that fluent in English yet.

Our POE is JFK in New York and it is a challenge even for an American that has

not used the airport before. I am a Pilot and was disoriented for a while trying

to get to the Domestic flight gate.

The short if it is that there is no specific "rule" you must be present

but consider if you were a Consular Officer you'd really want to know why

the Petitioner was not present. You may have perfectly good reasons..and

that also would be part of the scene.

Vern and Lara

Married April 20, 2012 in Moscow Russia..the happiest day of our lives!!

[Brad and Vika 129]

Although there is a strong difference of opinion about this on VJ, we thought that my presence helped. The CO doing the interview spoke mainly to me, although he was apparently fluent in Russian and Ukrainian (Vika's English was already fluent). If nothing else, your appearance proves beyond a doubt that the two of you have met during the past two years, and you can tell the CO yourself that you intend to marry within the 90 day limit.

[Phil & Alla 26]

On the other side of the coin, I cold not afford to go again (I went 3 times in 6 months). I had prepared a packet for Alla's interview that anyone could follow and locate everything that was required. We went over possible interview questions from what reviews said here and other sites. A CR-1 might be different, but Alla had no idea how to read my tax returns or answer finical questions other than where I worked (which she was asked), hell is is hard for me to read tax returns She had no problems at the interview and made it through JFK and on to Las Vegas where I met her-- she was not fluent in English. If you can do it, always better to go to the interview, but many make it through it without the USC there GOOD LUCK!!!

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Are the chances better for a yes if I am there for my Wife's interview in Kiev?

I would say no difference for her chances. If you go, go for her and for yourself.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Although there is a strong difference of opinion about this on VJ, we thought that my presence helped. The CO doing the interview spoke mainly to me, although he was apparently fluent in Russian and Ukrainian (Vika's English was already fluent). If nothing else, your appearance proves beyond a doubt that the two of you have met during the past two years, and you can tell the CO yourself that you intend to marry within the 90 day limit.

I cannot say it does not help. I went and we had NO questions asked, but there are other members here with the same situation and they did not go. I say it never hurts, it always makes your SO feel better and the celebration afterwards...well, um, should not be missed!

Edited November 11, 2012 by Gary and Alla

[GelendzhikBelle 7]

I cannot say it does not help. I went and we had NO questions asked, but there are other members here with the same situation and they did not go. I say it never hurts, it always makes your SO feel better and the celebration afterwards...well, um, should not be missed!

Wink Wink! I'm ALL for the celebration of this Journey to be completed!! We have plans to attend the Bolshoi too! So..wine and dine for sure... My tax filing (We have three businesses) makes the CPA and IRS guy weep! Hahaha..It's going to be interesting to see the CO response to the phone book thick of paperwork I file each year! Good thing too that Lara is the Chief Accountant in her present job.

[PhilC 5]

Thanks for the replays. My wife is fluent in English, Russian and Ukrainian. She is smart and also an account. I don't think the POE is going to be a problem. She will fly into IAD (Dulles,Va.) on Aeroflot. I plan to drive up to meet her about a three hour drive from home. Time off from work is hard and money is tight. I have a week to think about it. Keep the comments coming.

[GelendzhikBelle 7]

Thanks for the replays. My wife is fluent in English, Russian and Ukrainian. She is smart and also an account. I don't think the POE is going to be a problem. She will fly into IAD (Dulles,Va.) on Aeroflot. I plan to drive up to meet her about a three hour drive from home. Time off from work is hard and money is tight. I have a week to think about it. Keep the comments coming.

She would not have any problems. Time away is a tuff situation for all of us. I was gone almost a month when we got married and the work really was stacked up when I got back. I told my troops this time we would shoot for not more than 2 weeks in Russia. For a while they thought I was the one immigrating (not a bad idea actually!). Keeping the businesses going (phone and Internet) and my rat race job on top of that was not fun. I think if she were questioned at the Interview the fact that your not able to get away from the job would be good enough. They do expect us to take care of our spouses financially after all!! Can't do that if the incoming cashflow stops.

[PhilC 5]

She would not have any problems. Time away is a tuff situation for all of us. I was gone almost a month when we got married and the work really was stacked up when I got back. I told my troops this time we would shoot for not more than 2 weeks in Russia. For a while they thought I was the one immigrating (not a bad idea actually!). Keeping the businesses going (phone and Internet) and my rat race job on top of that was not fun. I think if she were questioned at the Interview the fact that your not able to get away from the job would be good enough. They do expect us to take care of our spouses financially after all!! Can't do that if the incoming cashflow stops.

Thanks Gelen, I would love to take off and be there to fly back with her. I have supported her since May. She had to quit her job to take care of her son during the summer. It might be cheaper to have her stay in Ukraine and send her money every week.

[GelendzhikBelle 7]

Thanks Gelen, I would love to take off and be there to fly back with her. I have supported her since May. She had to quit her job to take care of her son during the summer. It might be cheaper to have her stay in Ukraine and send her money every week.

She'll be fine during this. Better you get her in the States and you can plan the families future together. Its tuff long distance and the sooner she is with you the better for all. We're all in the same stress and hoping to get the Interview date and that over with. Smile!! Your almost there now!

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Very likely!

Thanks Gelen, I would love to take off and be there to fly back with her. I have supported her since May. She had to quit her job to take care of her son during the summer. It might be cheaper to have her stay in Ukraine and send her money every week.

[jimnlena 8]

I imagine it is a slight help to be there for interview. I did not go and lena had no problems. As long as paper work is in order there should be no problems! If money is somewhat tight probably better hold back, as there are many expense's comming up after she arrives!! "I think cheapest part of process was the visa approval!"

Good Luck!!

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

I imagine it is a slight help to be there for interview. I did not go and lena had no problems. As long as paper work is in order there should be no problems! If money is somewhat tight probably better hold back, as there are many expense's comming up after she arrives!! "I think cheapest part of process was the visa approval!"

Good Luck!!

Very true. The cost of a trip can be go a long way tocover expenses when she arrives. I promise you, whatever kitchen utensil you have, there are things she needs, she will not like the bed sheets, towels, etc. She left behind her hair dryer, curling iron and alarm clock because they are 220v. She will discover that clothes are "almost free" about 22 hours after her arrival, the keyword being "almost", and decide she needs to replace some clothes and shoes she left behind.... So far, all this is covered by the cost of a plane ticket.

But I say IF you can go, then do so for the peace of mind of both of you.

There is one VJ memebr that lives in FL, his fiancee had her interview the same day Sergey had his interview. Alla went to Sergey's interview, I was here. At 2am EDST this gentleman and I were on skype with each other AND with Alla and his fiancee on the phone in line at the consulate in Kiev. What a hoot! Then they had to go in and he was flippin' out! She came out first, we were still on skype and he was saying "SHE IS APPROVED!...What?...Sergey was approved also!..." then my phone started ringing...

Anyway, expect a late night if you are here. I am sure all will be OK.