Embassy Location for Interview

[Aleshere 0]

Hello, quick question: I am about to submit a I-129F for a K1 fiancee visa, and going to state "London Embassy" as interview location, as I am resident in the UK at the moment.

My US partner is here with me at the moment, but we will likely have to move around later in the year as her UK (tourist) visa is only up to 6 months (ending end of July).

 

If that is the case, will I be able to update my embassy location for my interview, and carry it in a different country (Canada, or Ireland) ?

Do I have to be resident in such countries, or would it be acceptable to be there on a tourist visa, and still be allowed to have the interview?

 

I am asking because as a consequence of the COVID outbreaks, I am not sure I would manage a flight back to the UK later this year, in the also uncertain likelihood of us being able to fly abroad in the meantime.

So many question marks..

 

Many thanks

[NoMansLand2020 298]

16 minutes ago, Aleshere said:

Hello, quick question: I am about to submit a I-129F for a K1 fiancee visa, and going to state "London Embassy" as interview location, as I am resident in the UK at the moment.

My US partner is here with me at the moment, but we will likely have to move around later in the year as her UK (tourist) visa is only up to 6 months (ending end of July).

 

If that is the case, will I be able to update my embassy location for my interview, and carry it in a different country (Canada, or Ireland) ?

Do I have to be resident in such countries, or would it be acceptable to be there moon a tourist visa, and still be allowed to have the interview?

 

I am asking because as a consequence of the COVID outbreaks, I am not sure I would manage a flight back to the UK later this year, in the also uncertain likelihood of us being able to fly abroad in the meantime.

So many question marks..

 

Many thanks

I might be wrong, but I believe your fiance will need to go to the embassy of their home country for interview. You cannot do a interview in a different location while on a tourist visa. 

 

I assume your fiance has permanent residence in the UK, so interview will need to be done there. 

Edited April 27, 2020 by Solaris81

[Wuozopo 4,293]

1 hour ago, Aleshere said:

If that is the case, will I be able to update my embassy location for my interview, and carry it in a different country (Canada, or Ireland) ?

Do I have to be resident in such countries, or would it be acceptable to be there on a tourist visa, and still be allowed to have the interview?

In practice, it is difficult to get a change of consulates accomplished. Most likely no matter what you try, your file will end up in London.  The procedure to get it to another consulate can extend your timeline significantly. You would have to get the new consulate to accept the processing of your case, then they have to request your file from London and somebody in London has to send it. That won’t happen quickly IF the consulate will interview third country nationals. 

 

Montreal lists “Canadian Immigration documents, if applicable” In their list of documentation for K1s, which sounds  like they interview actual residents of Canada and not tourists who chose to go there.  Also the average days getting to your K1 interview in London after your file arrives was 23 days (pre-virus).  Montreal and Vancouver are averaging 65 days (based on Visa Journey timelines).

 

If you are in a hurry to move to the US, you’ll be better off sticking with London in my opinion.

Edited April 27, 2020 by Wuozopo

[walter99 40]

 The interview will take place in the country of which you are a citizen of.

 I was working in Asia, i put that place for an interview location BUT my file was sent in my home country... Maybe it is just my case but i doubt it. I had my interview back home.

 Prepare for this event.

[payxibka 10,047]

Consulate shopping is not allowed,  however,  you can interview in the country of legal residence or nationality.  Touristing does not provide legal residence

[payxibka 10,047]

On 4/27/2020 at 4:13 PM, Wuozopo said:

Im Also the average days getting to your K1 interview in London after your file arrives was 23 days (pre-virus).  Montreal and Vancouver are averaging 65 days (based on Visa Journey timelines).

 

Montreal only,  Vancouver is not an option 

[Greenbaum 12,260]

13 hours ago, walter99 said:

 The interview will take place in the country of which you are a citizen of.

 I was working in Asia, i put that place for an interview location BUT my file was sent in my home country... Maybe it is just my case but i doubt it. I had my interview back home.

 Prepare for this event.

Embassy assignment is based on the beneficiary's current (at the time of filing) "home" address. You can put what every embassy you want on the form, but your case will be assigned to the address of residency. So, if you listed your address as your "home country" then ideally that where they will send you for your interview. If you had entered your Asian address as your residency then that is where your file would be sent to.

[walter99 40]

Nope. I put the Asian address,the case arrived in my home country. 

[Greenbaum 12,260]

2 hours ago, walter99 said:

Nope. I put the Asian address,the case arrived in my home country. 

They know your address from your nationality/home country. I have seen it before. Good luck and stay engaged.