Interview for K1 visa for both beneficiary and petitioner??

[Eorop88 1]

I noticed on most interview experiences from others and found out that almost every time the beneficiary is the only one to get interviewed. I bought a really good guide book on immigration and visas and it says having the petitioner in the interview with the beneficiary is plus. So why do most beneficiaries have the interview alone when you can have the petitioner in the interview as well. Im just very curious of to why that is! Thanks I would love all feedback, thanks again!!

Edited March 1, 2017 by Eorop88

[geowrian 22,338]

It's not always simple to get time off work, a ticket, etc. to fly for an interview. People need to work to pay bills, don't have the time off, etc. It's not cheap or easy for me to fly to the Philippines for a 30 minute-1 hour event. I personally am because I have the means to do it, but I completely understand why others cannot.

 

And some embassies don't permit the beneficiary at the interview.

[Cryssiekins 976]

26 minutes ago, geowrian said:

It's not always simple to get time off work, a ticket, etc. to fly for an interview. People need to work to pay bills, don't have the time off, etc. It's not cheap or easy for me to fly to the Philippines for a 30 minute-1 hour event. I personally am because I have the means to do it, but I completely understand why others cannot.

 

And some embassies don't permit the beneficiary at the interview.

Or in my case (I'm from Canada) CBSA denies entry to my husband.  Instead of paying $1,000 for the permit he would need, I sucked it up and went alone.  

 

But time and expense are most definitely an important factor, especially since every step in the process is fees upon fees upon fees. 

[b6543 25]

On the other hand, in most cases if petitioner is there for interview, i proves to be very helpful. It shows consulate that you are serious. It does make a difference ...specially in countries that are more difficult. 

[kat2017 5]

In our case we are going to have our interview at the Juarez consulate in mexico . According to our attorney the do not allow anyone but the beneficiary to go in to the building, maybe it is the same for other countries? 

[Cryssiekins 976]

6 hours ago, b6543 said:

On the other hand, in most cases if petitioner is there for interview, i proves to be very helpful. It shows consulate that you are serious. It does make a difference ...specially in countries that are more difficult. 

Absolutely.  It's the ideal situation, however not always feasible for every couple.  

 

I would have loved to have my husband with me, if for no other reason than moral support, but financially, it wasn't happening.  We used that money instead to apply for AOS.  :-) 

[shayden10 78]

9 hours ago, Eorop88 said:

I noticed on most interview experiences from others and found out that almost every time the beneficiary is the only one to get interviewed. I bought a really good guide book on immigration and visas and it says having the petitioner in the interview with the beneficiary is plus. So why do most beneficiaries have the interview alone when you can have the petitioner in the interview as well. Im just very curious of to why that is! Thanks I would love all feedback, thanks again!!

When I was interviewed for my K1 Visa at the US consulate in Montreal, Canada, my fiancé, now-husband, came with me. The first part of the interview he came with me to the window, where I presented all of the documents they requested and provided them with information about my fiancé (his phone number, occupation, our address, etc). I was returned to my seat and called shortly after to another window for the real interview, where my fiancé was not allowed to accompany me. I was asked pretty simple questions, but the bottom line is he wasn't allowed in the room. Having him there definitely helped calm my nerves, and I was able to celebrate my approval with him, but that was really the only benefit. The interviewer didn't get to see us together or our interaction, he didn't even ask if my fiancé was there until after he told me I was approved. I really don't think it has any benefit to have the petitioner there, other than personally. In a high fraud country it may be different and could look better to have the petitioner attend the interview as well, but there are quite a few consulates who don't allow the petitioner to enter at all. I loved having my husband at the consulate with me, but had I gone alone I don't feel it would have affected my approval. You just have to compose a good petition, with strong evidence of a real relationship. I also took new evidence that our relationship had continued during the processing, with new photos, tickets to concerts/theme parks/sporting events, place tickets, entry stamps and chat logs, but was never asked for it. 

[pantonia 39]

Like everyone else said, it depends on personal circumstances.

 

My now husband and I had planned his trip to visit me in advanced and it just coincided with the interview being booked for that time. I had read that some embassies allow the US citizen in the building but not to attend the interview itself, so we went together hoping for him to get as far as he could. Turns out he stayed with me the whole time, including both questioning instances. My country isn't high risk visa fraud, so I don't think it would have mattered if he hadn't attended, but it was just nice to have his support and we got the clerk to joke around with us, etc. We got the standards "you look cute together" and stuff. 

 

If he hadn't planned on visiting anyway, then I would have gone to the interview by myself. There was no way we could have afforded another trip just for that.

[David&Femke 91]

In the netherlands the petitionar is not even allowed in to the building.