US Citizen at K1 Interview

[MapleLeaf29 247]

My fiancé and I just booked his interview in Montreal.  Since the beginning of the visa process, we have been planning for me to go to the consulate with him.  We know it's not required, but we've heard it's one of the best ways to show the strength of our relationship.  

 

Recently, however, my fiancé spent some time with his grandfather, who is in his nineties.  His grandfather expressed his deep regret that he won't be able to attend our wedding, since he is too frail to travel to the United States.  He told my fiancé that he wants to spend time with both of us before our wedding in July.  My fiancé and I really want to honor this request, especially since we don't know how much longer his grandfather will be with us.

 

My fiancé and his family live in the GTA, so I can't combine our trip to Montreal with a trip to visit his grandfather.  (I also can't take that much time off work.)  With visa fees and wedding planning, budgeting for two plane tickets would also be pretty tight.  Should I prioritize the visa interview, or should I prioritize spending time with my fiancé's grandfather?  I would love your advice.

[kcrb 24]

I can absolutely relate to this. My grandfather is gravely ill, and I'm going to be gone for 3 weeks for the interview for my wife. There is a very, very good chance that he will pass away while I'm at the interview, or right before. I've spoken with my family and many of them are completely understanding. I opted to go to the interview. As callous as that might seem, if it is the difference between getting accepted and getting denied, I would choose my spouse. Luckily, though, you are not from a country that considered a "high fraud" country, so you might be able to dance around it a little bit, especially if you could get a declaration letter from his grandfather explaining the situation and stating the validity of your relationship. My grandfather and my grandmother are both immigrants and I know that they'd want me to go through with it. It pains me to think about missing my grandfather's funeral, but I have to do what I have to do for my happiness in the rest of my life. I know you're in a really hard place, but whatever you choose, make sure it is best for you and your fiance, as that is the most important thing. If it is more important to him that you visit him and his grandfather, I would go with that. 

Edited March 21, 2017 by kcrb

[KimchiLumpia 315]

From reading your prior posts, it sounds like you and your fiance are well prepared for the K1 Visa process.  With VJ's information and reviews regarding the interview process in Montreal, I think your fiance will be fine going solo.

With that being said, without question, I vote for spending time with his grandfather.  

 

[pajobra 1,395]

My grandfather is 95 and so I relate to this very well. My fiance came up here to Canada a few weeks ago to meet him which was super good. I also vote for the grandfather because family is everything. Least for me it is. Without family we have nothing.  Your fiance should be fine on his own at the interview.  Good luck!!

Edited March 22, 2017 by pajobra

[JlovesA 109]

As someone whose grandfather passed away on Monday, my vote is for prioritizing visiting him. Your fiance will be fine by himself at the interview, but you can never get the time back after someone has died.

 

Good luck with everything.

[Leafsfan 54]

I guess it all comes down to how much time you can take off work for this? It's only about 300 miles from the heart of Toronto to Montreal, could be a day trip in a car with your fiance while you're already there to visit with family. That said, Montreal is a unique and beautiful city and could be a nice getaway for you both. When I had my CR1 interview in Montreal, I showed up an hour early and was done and out the door 10 minutes after my appointment time.