Is it worth it to attend consulate interview?

[Websters202 149]

Think of it this way:  Can you put a price on your peace of mind?

 

I think you'd rather be there, because if you're not and she gets denied for any reason, you may be kicking yourself for not going.

 

Having her take your passport into the embassy is a positive sign of support and legitimacy of your relationship.

 

 

[Dashinka 24,492]

I will add my thoughts that I believe it is a good idea to be there in this major relationship step.  In our case, when my then fiancé was interviewing for her K1 I made a trip over to be with her.  In our case, the Moscow consulate allowed me inside and actually did the interview within earshot of me in English.  It was great being there and being able to celebrate with Katya after the approval.  That being said, I certainly understand that logistics and cost also play a roll.

 

Good Luck!

[OCman 12]

1 hour ago, Websters202 said:

Think of it this way:  Can you put a price on your peace of mind?

 

I think you'd rather be there, because if you're not and she gets denied for any reason, you may be kicking yourself for not going.

 

Having her take your passport into the embassy is a positive sign of support and legitimacy of your relationship.

 

 

That is very true.  Regret not being there can be very painful for years or even a lifetime if things got denied.  

 

 

[OCman 12]

41 minutes ago, Bill & Katya said:

I will add my thoughts that I believe it is a good idea to be there in this major relationship step.  In our case, when my then fiancé was interviewing for her K1 I made a trip over to be with her.  In our case, the Moscow consulate allowed me inside and actually did the interview within earshot of me in English.  It was great being there and being able to celebrate with Katya after the approval.  That being said, I certainly understand that logistics and cost also play a roll.

 

Good Luck!

 

It's kind of unfair that US consulates in many countries allow the US citizens to go in but not other ones like China, because the US citizens can certainly explain things better than the non-English speaking applicants.  

 

I wonder if it's because the rejection rate is higher in the ones that don't allow sponsors to go in.  

 

Edited April 20, 2019 by OCman

[Dashinka 24,492]

1 hour ago, OCman said:

 

It's kind of unfair that US consulates in many countries allow the US citizens to go in but not other ones like China, because the US citizens can certainly explain things better than the non-English speaking applicants.  

 

I wonder if it's because the rejection rate is higher in the ones that don't allow sponsors to go in.  

 

That is definitely hard to say,  it I agree, I find it odd that some consulates allow the USC to at least enter during a family visa interview and some do not.  I know that if Moscow hadn’t allowed me in, I still would have been there waiting for Katya.

 

Good Luck!

[AfricanQ 241]

11 hours ago, Mrsamoah2019 said:

If you are able to go then I highly recommend..I wish I can be there at my husband's interview 

Congratulations ur almost done with the process. I'll definitely be there for my husband interview 

[dfrazie2 2]

Wow! that's great that you were able to be there! my fiance and I have been living together in Shenzhen for 3 years and have been rejected twice for just a tourist visa in Guangzhou :( I'm debating if it would be better for us to just go to Hong Kong. Guangzhou has definitely put a bad taste in my mouth. 

[SalishSea 17,827]

6 hours ago, OCman said:

 

It's kind of unfair that US consulates in many countries allow the US citizens to go in but not other ones like China, because the US citizens can certainly explain things better than the non-English speaking applicants.  

 

I wonder if it's because the rejection rate is higher in the ones that don't allow sponsors to go in.  

 

Most consulates allow the visa applicant to have the interview in their native language.

[Dashinka 24,492]

5 hours ago, Jorgedig said:

Most consulates allow the visa applicant to have the interview in their native language.

Agreed, Katya had the option, and she chose English.

[givionte 138]

Guanzghou is pretty strict about the one-person interview policy, except in situations where they have some suspicions about a bonafide marriage and may need to interview both.  The Chinese security is also very high, so the best you'll be able to do is wait outside at the Starbucks nearby, they don't allow loitering around the consulate outside, since it's busy around there.

 

From my research a common question always is "Where's your spouse right now" or "When did you last see your spouse?".  Could it be helpful to say he/she traveled to the consulate together and he's waiting outside the exit?  Yes, perhaps.  But if all your records your spouse brings to the interview are complete and organized, that is far more important than anything.  Also, the interview can be in the language of choice, so just get comfortable with all the evidence, look it over a dozen times until familiar with it.

 

China Eastern flights to GZ are uber cheap right now, you always have the option.

Edited April 21, 2019 by givionte

[givionte 138]

12 hours ago, OCman said:

 

because the US citizens can certainly explain things better than the non-English speaking applicants.

 

You can speak Mandarin, English and I believe Cantonese inside the Guangzhou consulate.

[Mike E 11,739]

20 hours ago, OCman said:

 

 

Flying to Guangzhou is not an easy trip.  Were you there for just a couple days?  

If you have to make the trip again, you may want to consider flying direct to HK or Shenzhen.  

 

 

 

 

Canton is a non stop for me out of SFO. Really one of the easiest places to reach from the USA. 

 

Anyway, I went to Myanmar to support my fiancée.  I wasn’t allowed in the consulate. The CO asked her when was the last time we met. She said he is waiting outside.  Visa approved. 

 

Go to Canton if you can.  

 

[OCman 12]

10 hours ago, dfrazie2 said:

Wow! that's great that you were able to be there! my fiance and I have been living together in Shenzhen for 3 years and have been rejected twice for just a tourist visa in Guangzhou I'm debating if it would be

better for us to just go to Hong Kong. Guangzhou has definitely put a bad taste in my mouth. 

I am sorry to hear that you have been rejected twice just for tourist visa.  

Going to HK for US visa?  Not sure if that's possible. 

It all depends on where you and your fiance are based.  

 

 

Edited April 21, 2019 by OCman

[OCman 12]

9 hours ago, Jorgedig said:

Most consulates allow the visa applicant to have the interview in their native language.

Yes, thanks for the clarification.  

But my spouse won't be able to explain my documents which are all in English, if the CO has questions about them.  

[NikLR 13,227]

16 hours ago, OCman said:

 

It's kind of unfair that US consulates in many countries allow the US citizens to go in but not other ones like China, because the US citizens can certainly explain things better than the non-English speaking applicants.  

 

I wonder if it's because the rejection rate is higher in the ones that don't allow sponsors to go in.  

 

Even if they're allowed in, they're not allowed to be interviewed.  So regardless the USC can't explain anything even if they're allowed in!  Anything that needs an explanation should either have one attached or not be included if it can be misinterpreted.  The CO will be fluent in English and able to read everything provided to them.  They do not have to look at anything brought to interview however so everything should have been included at the USCIS or NVC stage.