Interview question about engagement (special situation)

[tealeaf 0]

Hello guys,

My fiancé and I are getting closer to the interview but we don’t know how to answer a potential question about our engagement. Here is our situation:

I am from the US and she is from Vietnam. We met in graduate school in the Netherlands in Aug 2012. We started dating 1.5 months after we met and we spent 8 months together in the Netherlands dating. After that, we finished our programs and went back to our countries and continued dating long distance. I went to visit her April/May 2014 in Vietnam. Up until then we weren’t exactly sure if we would wanna marry or not. During my visit we decided that we want to be together and marry. When I went back to the US I started the k1 visa application process.

We never had an official engagement. We never really engaged but we just decided that we want to marry. I never gave her an engagement ring. I never really officially proposed to her as our decision happened very spontaneously. We simply mutually agreed that we want to marry. Going back to Vietnam or her visiting me so soon after my visit just for an official engagement for the visa was out of the question. We decided to start the application so we don’t lose time.

How would we answer any questions related to our engagement such as “when did u engage”, “where was your engagement party”, “where is your engagement ring” and so on. Can we get denied the visa simply because we never officially engaged and I never gave her a ring?

The interview will be at the Ho Chi Minh consulate. I know I have the option of attending it as well. Is there any benefit or increased chance of getting the visa if I attend? If I attend would I have to answer any questions or just sit and observe?

[visaqueries 111]

Whenever the two of you mutually decided you wanted to get married is your engagement date. A ring is not required to be engaged. I didn't have a ring from my fiance when we first got engaged. It was about a year later when I had one. We never had an engagement party either. If you have solid proof that your relationship is legitimate, you should not have any problems.

[Shauneg 762]

Hello guys,

My fiancé and I are getting closer to the interview but we dont know how to answer a potential question about our engagement. Here is our situation:

I am from the US and she is from Vietnam. We met in graduate school in the Netherlands in Aug 2012. We started dating 1.5 months after we met and we spent 8 months together in the Netherlands dating. After that, we finished our programs and went back to our countries and continued dating long distance. I went to visit her April/May 2014 in Vietnam. Up until then we werent exactly sure if we would wanna marry or not. During my visit we decided that we want to be together and marry. When I went back to the US I started the k1 visa application process.

We never had an official engagement. We never really engaged but we just decided that we want to marry. I never gave her an engagement ring. I never really officially proposed to her as our decision happened very spontaneously. We simply mutually agreed that we want to marry. Going back to Vietnam or her visiting me so soon after my visit just for an official engagement for the visa was out of the question. We decided to start the application so we dont lose time.

How would we answer any questions related to our engagement such as when did u engage, where was your engagement party, where is your engagement ring and so on. Can we get denied the visa simply because we never officially engaged and I never gave her a ring?

The interview will be at the Ho Chi Minh consulate. I know I have the option of attending it as well. Is there any benefit or increased chance of getting the visa if I attend? If I attend would I have to answer any questions or just sit and observe?

We weren't asked anything close to those questions, but that doesn't really mean anything. I would just explain it as you did here...condensed though. Edited July 8, 2015 by Shauneg

[M. Fleming 1]

Our situation is similar, We used the date that I asked her to move to the US. No ring either but after she gets the visa I am going to return to Thailand, where we will have an engagement ceremony and then return to the US for the wedding.

Just pick a date and stick with it. The point is that you intend to get married within 90 days of entry.

[TBoneTX 45,304]

Interviews at HCMC are not to be taken lightly, and they differ in scope and emphasis from interviews elsewhere. OP, it might be an excellent idea to create a detailed "relationship timeline" (see relevant threads in the Vietnam regional forum) and optimally get it to the embassy ahead of the interview. If this isn't feasible, bring it to the interview.

I'll defer to the opinions of experienced Vietnam-involved members.

[Moderator hat on]

*** Country-specific thread moved from K-1 Process forum to the Vietnam regional subforum. ***

[frontgear 194]

Vietnam is a high-fraud country and the U.S. consulate in VN is very well aware of the Vietnamese customs and traditions. Not having an engagement ceremony and engagement ring, while could be OK with other countries, will certainly raise eyebrows with the consulate officer. Be prepared to be asked a lot of questions and have a lot of proof to solidify your case.

If you do not feel you have a solid case, I would suggest that you accompany her to the interview. Being there with her only strengthens her case and puts her at ease.

[Casey&Titi 14]

More times then not, the VN Consulate will ask if you had an engagement party and ask to see photos. Since you didn't have an official engagement party of sorts, I would go with frontgear's suggestion about being present at the interview to strengthen your case. I felt it made a difference when I attended.

[tealeaf 0]

Thank you very much for the replies. I will attend the interview for sure. What happens when i attend the interview? Will they ask me any questions as well or will they interview both of us at the same time? Will the questions be addressed only to my fiance or will i be able to answer them with her or just sit in the room and watch?

[frontgear 194]

It varies. Some will interview both at the same time, some will interview one at at time, and others will not interview the petitioner. I accompanied my then-fiancee to her interview and was asked to take a seat in the waiting area while the CO was interviewing her. Only after she passed the interview that I was asked to come to the booth to have a little chat about the delay in getting her visa printed (the State Dept had a little hiccup around Aug-Oct last year).

If the CO does not want to interview you, you will be asked to sit in the waiting area, which is right next to the interviewing booths

[tealeaf 0]

On the NOA2 paper it says the petition approval is valid from 5/19/2015 to 9/18/2015. What does that mean? Does it mean my fiance must have her interview by that date?

[frontgear 194]

On the NOA2 paper it says the petition approval is valid from 5/19/2015 to 9/18/2015. What does that mean? Does it mean my fiance must have her interview by that date?

If your fiance cannot make the interview by that date, the consulate will make exception.

Edited July 16, 2015 by frontgear