Cambodia - Should I book a one way ticket for the K1 interview?

[mysoeng 2]

We are waiting for our K1 interview to be scheduled any day now at the Phnom Penh consulate. This may be wishful thinking, but should I book a one way ticket in case we get approved so my fiance can return with me? He's never been on a plane before so I definitely feel I should make the trip with him when it's time for him to come to the US. Is there anyone from Cambodia that can provide advice on this? If we don't get approved right away, do you think it would be ok for him to make the long trip to the US by himself? Yes, I can make another trip back to get him, but the tickets are soooo expensive. I would love to know what other couples did who were approved for the K1 visa in Cambodia. Thank you everyone!

[DrayChan 0]

I would wait to book a flight. First you don't know if the visa will be approved and then you will be out more money to change the flight. Also, you do not get the visa right away, they will tell you come to come back in a few days to pick up the visa. This is my experience and it may not be the same for all. Also, if I remember correctly, the interview was set-up somewhere like a month or more in advance of the actual interview.

When my wife went for her interview, I was not there with her. She passed on her second try, we had an RFE. When she did pass, they advised her to come back in a few days to get the visa. Once I got confirmation from her that she passed I booked a flight to Cambodia to travel back the U.S. with her. Once we had the visa in hand I started to book a flight for her to come back to the states with me on the same flight. I would suggest travelling with your significant other, especially if they have never flown before. There is no direct flight from Cambodia to the U.S. so there will be transfers from one gate to another. This can be overwhelming for someone who has never flown or speak English, as in the case of my wife. I am guessing you will have a lay over in Taiwan, Japan, or S. Korea, which are all big airports and can be very confusing going from gate to gate. Then when you arrive to Seattle, you will have to go through Customs and Immigration, depending on his proficiency with the English language, your presence would probably be very helpful to fill out the forms and deal with the agents. I brought copies of my documents for the K-1 visa with me just incase there was any problem going through Customs and Immigration.

Good luck to you and your fiancé.

Dar

Edited November 3, 2016 by DrayChan

[NikaMo 39]

Do not book a flight until visa in hand. Yes he can travel himself. But no way to know when he will get visa in hand even he pass the interview. They give back passport with visa only on Friday's. It could be a week after or 2 weeks after he passes interview.

[SAMBOLAK 0]

I booked one way ticket to go Cambodia and be with my fiancé for the interview. They will let you know right on the spot whether they will issue you a visa or need more information. Typically, if you approved for Visa this week. You can pick up your Visa next Friday. I would suggest that you wait to book your flight after you know the final outcome of your interview. Your fiancé can travel to the US alone if he can speak and understand English because they will ask him some questions at custom. Good Luck!

[Tee and Megan 10]

On 11/2/2016 at 11:40 PM, mysoeng said:

We are waiting for our K1 interview to be scheduled any day now at the Phnom Penh consulate. This may be wishful thinking, but should I book a one way ticket in case we get approved so my fiance can return with me? He's never been on a plane before so I definitely feel I should make the trip with him when it's time for him to come to the US. Is there anyone from Cambodia that can provide advice on this? If we don't get approved right away, do you think it would be ok for him to make the long trip to the US by himself? Yes, I can make another trip back to get him, but the tickets are soooo expensive. I would love to know what other couples did who were approved for the K1 visa in Cambodia. Thank you everyone!

Chum Reap Sou Mysoeng, 

 

I booked a round trip ticket to be with my beloved for his interview. I planned it so that I arrived a day or two before the interview took place and would leave two weeks after that. I figured, if we were approved, it would give the Consulate enough time to process the visa and for us to say goodbye to family and friends. 

 

We had our interview on Monday and were told to pick up our visa the following Friday. (with a little over a month before the visa expired) As soon as we found out he'd passed the interview, I bought him a one-way ticket to the States, and was even able to get him a seat next to mine on the same plane when we left two weeks later. 

 

Korean Air was pretty reasonable, even with very little lead time; I think his short notice ticket was the same price as the ticket I booked months in advance (as soon as we knew the interview date, actually).  And their online phone system is great if you want to try to book a flight on the same plane. 

 

Hope this helps! Praying for your journey!

 

Megan and Tee