Interview Question- What is the best answer?

[Coco8 1,042]

Before the consulate interview, practice with your fiance on how she will answer questions so that she doesn't get nervous. For the interview, you will also have to gather additional material showing how often you have contact over the phone, chats, etc. Plenty of people on VJ have big age gaps. The key seems to be answering questions honestly, but also being able to answer questions about your life and background. And answering questions about the relationship.

 

Because of how you explained the engagement, I think you would be fine, but avoid using the word ceremony. Just say you got engaged and you had a family gathering so that both families would meet each other. The emphasis is on the fact that it was important for families to meet. 

 

I think that those who have more problems with the engagement parties are those who have religious engagement ceremonies because it is difficult for the consuls to differentiate them from a marriage ceremony. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited July 5, 2018 by Coco8

[Bhagya32 9]

2 hours ago, WhatAWait! said:

The ceremony was was simple and it happened in one of my fiance's relatives house.  No she did not wear mehendi. There were no decoration. and there were just about 15 people from both of our family side. I am planning to visit before her interview date so I can spend time with her as well as be there for her at the time of interview. If they deny I am also planning to get court marraige. I realized that I dont have to be there for 30 days-my fiances residency of 30 days should be sufficient. I am just praying that the counsellor sees the true relationship and not suspect.

I agree with Coco8. Usually, Indian women like to draw mehendi on their hands on any special occasion. Sometimes K1 visa applications get rejected because the CO thinks the couple is already married even though they are not because of the engagement photos with lot of people present and everyone wearing a lot of jewelry and heavy sarees which makes it look more like a wedding. You had a simple ceremony so you shouldn't worry much about it right now. You already filed and paid for the K1 so just wait and see how it turns out to be. Meanwhile try to see her as much as you can during the waiting period. And if you still get denied, you can get married and file for CR1. Good Luck!

Edited July 5, 2018 by Bhagya32

[Little_Vixen 1,869]

I can't believe how many people do not read the whole thread before commenting. Saying he has nothing to worry about if the relationship is real is sticking your head in the sand. If that was the only worry he had it would be true. But they have many other red flags. They have met only once. They had a religious ceremony. India is a high fraud country. And from what I understand it was an arranged marriage? This is not as simple as convincing the officer that it was an innocent ceremony. As missileman mentioned, you can get lucky and the officer will see it for what it was, an unofficial celebration of your engagement. If he doesn't, there's nothing you can do about it. Trying to convince would look suspicious. Just be honest. Realize you made a mistake and hope the officer sees it your way.

 

Also, are you people seriously telling him to go find another fiancée in America? What kind of cow poo advice is that? So when things go tough you give up on your fiancée and find an easier one? Even if they met once and if it was arranged that doesn't mean they don't love each other. You don't just give up on the person you love.

 

And to he OP. Marriage means sacrifice. Especially marrying on a K1. I understand it is hard for you to go a month without pay but it is only a tiny tiny sacrifice compared to the sacrifice she is making for you. She is leaving her mom and dad, her brothers and sisters, her friends, her country, everything she's ever known to move to a country she has never been to, in a culture she doesn't understand, with a language she might not even comprehend, to a man she only met once.

 

Alright I'll get off my soapbox now. I really do wish you all the best. I hope the officers will see your case positively. I do advise you to go meet her again at least once, preferably at the time she has her interview. Personally I would not abandon the K1 for a CR1 just now. Your K1 is underway for a while already and there's a possibility you will be approved. But that is a choice you need to make. Wait for another 3 or 4 months to see how this pans out and then go for the CR1, or go for a CR1 right now.

[Unidentified 2,930]

7 hours ago, Michael2017 said:

K1`s are not usually rejected. Of course, some are, but the big majority of K1s are approved. Do you need to worry? Maybe a bit. Is there a BIG chance it gets approved? YES. Visiting one more time and being present at interview would boost this story.

Once again a poster from a low fraud country telling someone from a high fraud country everything will be peachy...

 

11 hours ago, Meri Thomas said:

Hi, in my case the difference of age was about the same and it was approved without any extra question about the age.

About the numbers of visit, it was 3.

Please read the entire thread: age difference is his least concern. 

[BJ & Christine 1,392]

Since ur unable to take time off of work to visit then send her money to come and stay with u for a period of time. Money isn't a issue for u. Best to do what u can to have seen each other more then once.

[pherNfer 20]

22 hours ago, Roel said:

So because you were fine, no one else will face any issues? Come on.  Not to mention you're from a low fraud country.

That is not at all what I said. I said I'm actually several years older than my husband (which tends to raise even more red flags) and we did not have issues with any of our applications or interviews. I made no other comments on anyone else's process or issues. And as for being from a low fraud country, according to my attorney, the UK raises a little more concern because you can still immigrate to the UK directly from higher fraud countries (because Brexit hasn't actually happened yet) into the UK and then the path from UK to Canada to America is monitored closely. Strength in conviction in your relationship and having a lot of documentation goes a long way. 

[Unidentified 2,930]

2 minutes ago, Jenny & Chris said:

That is not at all what I said. I said I'm actually several years older than my husband (which tends to raise even more red flags) and we did not have issues with any of our applications or interviews. I made no other comments on anyone else's process or issues. And as for being from a low fraud country, according to my attorney, the UK raises a little more concern because you can still immigrate to the UK directly from higher fraud countries (because Brexit hasn't actually happened yet) into the UK and then the path from UK to Canada to America is monitored closely. Strength in conviction in your relationship and having a lot of documentation goes a long way. 

Yes, you can immigrate but unless you're a UK citizen you're still applying based on the country you're originally from. 

 

Like we've mentioned earlier, the age different is the least of the OP's issue. And just because yours went fine, it's not helpful saying to someone they won't have a hard time because you didn't. Because again, you're from a low fraud country, his future spouse is not. 

[pherNfer 20]

1 minute ago, Unidentified said:

Yes, you can immigrate but unless you're a UK citizen you're still applying based on the country you're originally from. 

 

Like we've mentioned earlier, the age different is the least of the OP's issue. And just because yours went fine, it's not helpful saying to someone they won't have a hard time because you didn't. Because again, you're from a low fraud country, his future spouse is not. 

 

1 minute ago, Unidentified said:

Yes, you can immigrate but unless you're a UK citizen you're still applying based on the country you're originally from. 

 

Like we've mentioned earlier, the age different is the least of the OP's issue. And just because yours went fine, it's not helpful saying to someone they won't have a hard time because you didn't. Because again, you're from a low fraud country, his future spouse is not. 

Again, I did not at all say that they would not have issues because we didn't, I said that they should have strength in conviction in their relationship and a lot of documentation. This is a support site to share your own experience so people going through a very stressful process can get an idea of what other people have been through. Do you have any of the issues that they are dealing with in their application? Maybe you could share some of them and help them, too.

[geowrian 22,337]

9 minutes ago, Jenny & Chris said:

I made no other comments on anyone else's process or issues.

Then what was the point of the comment in this particular thread, if not to imply that the age difference would not be an issue for the OP?

9 minutes ago, Jenny & Chris said:

And as for being from a low fraud country, according to my attorney, the UK raises a little more concern because you can still immigrate to the UK directly from higher fraud countries (because Brexit hasn't actually happened yet) into the UK and then the path from UK to Canada to America is monitored closely.

Your attorney is speaking from where the sun doesn't shine. UK is considered very low fraud for US immigration. All VWP countries are (or else they wouldn't be eligible for the VWP).

9 minutes ago, Jenny & Chris said:

Strength in conviction in your relationship and having a lot of documentation goes a long way. 

Exactly.

[BVGApeach 288]

On 7/4/2018 at 9:48 AM, WhatAWait! said:

The official wedding in court takes 30 days stay in that country. I do not have 30 days time off and this is the very reason why I applied for K1. Got engaged in India -in the presence of both our families. I am in automotive sales and taking 30 days off will leave me without a paycheck for a month.  I have already used my 15 days time off when I went to visit and engage with her last January.

Can you guys get married in a different country? Meet somewhere where the rules for marriage are a bit more lenient? 

[WhatAWait! 31]

Hello Well Wishers! Thank you for your candid opinion and advice. Appreciate it. After reading through all these posts and considering how much I value this relationship- I have decided to fly to meet with her in two weeks. I will be staying there with her family at their house. I am also for now planning to be there with her at the time of interview too. My question however is, do I send the details of my trip- proof of travel tickets etc to USCIS upon my return or provide my fiance to bring the proof of my additional visits? I have heard that at the interview it is unlikely that the officer would care to look at what ever proof my fiance will bring. Does any one have any advice/ Suggestion?
 

[EmmNM 179]

49 minutes ago, WhatAWait! said:

Hello Well Wishers! Thank you for your candid opinion and advice. Appreciate it. After reading through all these posts and considering how much I value this relationship- I have decided to fly to meet with her in two weeks. I will be staying there with her family at their house. I am also for now planning to be there with her at the time of interview too. My question however is, do I send the details of my trip- proof of travel tickets etc to USCIS upon my return or provide my fiance to bring the proof of my additional visits? I have heard that at the interview it is unlikely that the officer would care to look at what ever proof my fiance will bring. Does any one have any advice/ Suggestion?
 

You have already submitted your i-129f right? In that case you cannot send anything in anymore. You need to wait for the interview to show any further proof of ongoing relationship.

[WhatAWait! 31]

On 7/5/2018 at 2:17 AM, Coco8 said:

Before the consulate interview, practice with your fiance on how she will answer questions so that she doesn't get nervous. For the interview, you will also have to gather additional material showing how often you have contact over the phone, chats, etc. Plenty of people on VJ have big age gaps. The key seems to be answering questions honestly, but also being able to answer questions about your life and background. And answering questions about the relationship.

 

Because of how you explained the engagement, I think you would be fine, but avoid using the word ceremony. Just say you got engaged and you had a family gathering so that both families would meet each other. The emphasis is on the fact that it was important for families to meet. 

 

I think that those who have more problems with the engagement parties are those who have religious engagement ceremonies because it is difficult for the consuls to differentiate them from a marriage ceremony. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you for the guidance. By the way what are some of the questions that she might expect? And its strange to ask but - I would ask any way- What are some of the answers that brought success to people in the past? I dont understand how one can present a true answer in a way that is convincing. The fact does not change just because the way one replies. But it seems like at the interview one has to master the art of convincing. I am just seeking any ones advice to help my situation. Thanks

[WhatAWait! 31]

On 7/9/2018 at 1:02 AM, EmmNM said:

You have already submitted your i-129f right? In that case you cannot send anything in anymore. You need to wait for the interview to show any further proof of ongoing relationship.

Yes, the forms have been submitted. I am wondering if they will look at the additional visits proof when my fiance goes for interview.

[JE57 239]

Typically during an interview the officer will look at the evidence ahead of time and will then ask only a few questions.   Typically the best response is only answer the questions asked and don't provide additional details..  HOWEVER, the exception to this is if you she can answer a question that provides more context and might result in the officer being interested in seeing the documents.   So for instance if the officer asks, where will you live in the USA then she could respond, We'll live in xxxxxx), in the two visits to India that he's made since he submitted the I129F he's told me SO much about where we'll be living.   Takes a bunch of confidence to pull that off well :-)