Thursday, April 7, 2011

7 Tips for dealing with the Fiance Visa Interview Questions

These are my own personal tips based on my own personal experience, so I can’t say for sure that they’ll work for you, only that they served me well.  As the non US citizen member of the couple, it was me who had to undergo the interview for US visa and answer various fiance visa interview questions.  Anyway, here are my K1 interview tips.

  1. Do some advance research about the sort of fiance visa interview questions that you might be asked well in advance.  (See part 6)
  2. Also check up on all the instructions before you travel to the embassy or consulate.  For me going to the US Embassy in London, there were no electronic devices allowed, but many people failed to read that in advance and were sent to a local chemist/drugstore where they had to leave their devices for a (not small) fee.
  3. Make sure that you take your bank card with you and there’s money in your bank, as may have to pay a large fee for the fiance visa.  I did.
  4. Give yourself plenty of time to get to the embassy or consulate for your fiance visa interview.  For me, I had to go to the US Embassy in London which is in the city centre.  This presented a variety of potential difficulties and in the end I traveled down from Yorkshire in advance and stayed with my brother in Brighton, so that the journey on the morning would be a bit easier.  Once you’re there, the truth is they’ll almost certainly keep you waiting around, but you still don’t want to be late.
  5. Once you’re inside the embassy, try to remain calm and alert while you’re waiting around to be called.  I took a book to read, but didn’t read much of it as I was paranoid that I’d miss my number being called.  When they do eventually call you up, be polite and courteous, even if you feel frustrated.
  6. Here are some examples of the sort of K1 fiance visa interview questions that you might be asked.  What is the date of your fiancee’s birthday?  How did you two meet?  What does your fiancee do for a living?  Do you have any brothers or sisters?  Do you know the date that you will travel to the USA?  Did you have a party to celebrate your engagement?  As you can see, the questions aren’t too difficult if you’re in a bona fide relationship.
  7. Be prepared for the fact that you’ll have to book and a pay for the delivery of your K1 Fiance Visa by courier.  I hadn’t thought it through and I told them to deliver the K1 Fiance Visa to my home.  However, I realized later that as you have to sign for it in person with ID and the couriers don’t give you an exact time and date for delivery, it made more sense for the documents to be delivered to my workplace.  So I had to ring them and change the deliver address later.

89 comments:

  1. please can you tell me how much time the fiancée visa takes so u can finnely go to the interview

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  2. Hi rofy, sorry not to respond earlier. I talk about the waiting times in this post: http://myk1fiancevisaexperience.blogspot.com/2011/04/fiance-visa-processing-time.html

    and this post:
    http://hubpages.com/hub/How-I-got-my-K-1-Fiance-Visa-so-that-I-could-move-to-the-USA-and-marry

    (you'll have to copy and paste, sorry.)

    From applying for the petition through to attending the interview took about 7 months.

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  3. How long did it take for you visa to come through in the post after the interview?

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  4. i agree with Anonymous! i really need to know the answer to that question! how long did it take from the day of the interview until the day you received the visa from the courier? thanks! :D

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  5. It took 6 days, I think. The weekend got in the way.

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  6. Wow.. thanks for this... I am in Canada waiting and it's been about 5 months... Now they are telling me it could be up to 60 days after the interview to get the visa. : (

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  7. Hi,
    I am also from England, attempting to get my K1 visa.
    what did you take to the embassy for the interview? And what kind of evidence for the relationship in written proof did you take to the embassy?
    Thanks

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  8. I took a good book to read and that was about it. They didn't allow any electronic devices in London, including mobile phones and ipods. My relationship proof I sent with both the petition and the K1 Fiance Visa forms. I plan to write about it in a post, but we had things like photos of us together, photos of us with family, flight tickets to show visits, photos of our engagement and the ring, print outs of online conversations in msn and skype, a declaration of intent to marry written by myself...

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  9. Thanks for the quick reply.
    did you take all the evidence down to the interview with you to provide whilst there?

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  10. I have been given a list of all the things I need to take with me to the interview at the embassy. Everything must be either original or a certified copy and I also have to provide one photocopy of everything as well.

    Am just waiting for my interview date to come through now - travelled to London last week with my sons for our medicals, so fingers crossed I won't have to wait too long for an interview date.

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  11. Can you help me by figuring out how to pay for the visa I was given a number to call to pay but it says the transaction didn't o through. No matter what credit card we put it says the same thing. How did you pay for the visa. Also to pay for the visa what do we need
    I would appreciate your help this is driving me crazy.

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  12. hi, i just wanted to ask you if you remember how long it took for them to book you an interview date? I sent in my papers 3 weeks ago and im still waiting for the letter of my interview date. I called them and they said it takes 4 weeks for them to upload my information onto their system and that he couldnt help me at this point. I hope im not waiting 2 months for my interview date...

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  13. Immigration will send you a receipt that they received your application and payment. It will then take about 5 more months for them to notify you when the interview date will be...You must be patient. It had taken exactly 6 months for them to set up my date and then the interview date was scheduled for one month later. So it will take about 7 months from the time you mailed in your application.....Good Luck and one again you will need to be very patient.

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  14. @Anon - Yes, that time scale sounds like the one I had. It was a long wait!

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  15. my fiance and I are wondering about the timeline from exam to interview she went 3 weeks ago to the exam thsnk you

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  16. I have written my visa timeline now for people like yourself to look at. Link below.

    http://myk1fiancevisaexperience.blogspot.com/2011/10/my-k1-fiance-visa-timeline.html

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  17. Just wondering if anyone has heard of having to call the Embassy to set up a interview date,we was told we may have to do this,also does anyone know how to go about extending our petition it is up on the 14th of nov.

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  18. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  19. Thank you very much for posting your own experience and advice. One question for you based on something that stood out to me. Why did the embassy send people to a local chemist to drop off their electronic items?

    Was it the closest trusted shop or something? It just seems like a weird move on their part.

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  20. Ok everyone this is for anyone who worries about
    extending their K1 petition and doesn't know how to go about it, the link here is a very good form letter to send to the embassy and to your Fiance forget the part about the number in it all they want to know is that you still want to marry ,Hope it helps someone out
    http://www.immihelp.com/visas/kvisa/i-129f-k1-fiance-petition-extension-request.html

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  21. Does anyone know when you are meant to give them payment for the visa? I have sent all the required information and had my medical exam. I assumed I had to pay on the day of the interview, whenever that might be! Now i'm worried I won't get an interview because I haven't paid yet. I appreciate any info.

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  22. I have the same question. I am wondering when and in what form do I pay them? Thanks!

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  23. Hi to both Anonymous , I had this worry too. The
    Embassy told me they will send my Fiancé a letter as to when her interview is to take place, then me or her call to pay the fees for the visa and interview (make sure you get a receipt number) as they will need it for the interview. Hope this helps

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  24. I seen older men with 25 + age difference had their fiance visa approved and now happily married in the US. But how about the older women with same age difference petitioning their younger men fiance? With a real love relationship? Will they make it too?

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    1. Hi, I see u asking question about age difference, I know you write this 5 years ago, I am older woman in relationship with younger man, now 6th year. I am 15 years older. We love each other very much. Love is not problem, I applied for fiancee visa and I m waiting. Did you have same? I mean are u younger? I assume you already must have your case finished,would you please tell me how it end it? I am very stressed so is my fiancee. Thank you Petra

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  25. I sent my evidence to the London Embassy in advance by mail. You should doublecheck with the embassy, but I believe that the system might have changed and you might have to take the evidence in person when you go for your interview now.

    I personally paid for my visa application on the day of my interview. If you pay in advance, I think you will need to take proof, such as a receipt, check this with the embassy.

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  26. Hi paul, how about the relationship only about 5 months but me and my bf decided to marry.. will they accept me? bcs we are very serious about us, we know each other and we are ready for marriage. What would i do to make them sure me and my patner are ready enough? we skype 3 hours a day and we do it everyday. It's so intensive i think but I don't know what the embassy would say about that.

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  27. @Dita - Certainly when I went through the process, I don't remember there being any stipulations about the length of the relationship, they just wanted proof that it was genuine.

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  28. hi i am trying to get my dominican fiance over to live with me in scotland on fince visa can any 1 help with wot questions they will be ask on there interveiw please

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  29. we are getting married as soon as he gets his visa and dose it matter how long you been with them as i am only over a year ad we love eachother so much is the visa hard to get in scotland and dose my dominican fiance pay in santo damingo for visa

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  30. @anon - I give some examples of the questions they can ask in the post. They are not at all difficult generally and certainly in my case, they only asked me a couple of easy questions.

    @anon - I cover the basic requirements that I had to meet to get a visa in this post: http://myk1fiancevisaexperience.blogspot.com/2011/08/meeting-k1-fiance-visa-requirements.html

    There are different stages of the visa with fees to pay at each stage.

    I don't think it will be any harder to get a visa in Scotland than it is in England.

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  31. hi .i `ve just got my oppintment latter for k1 fiancee visa.my oppintment is in next wk .i m just worried about the question they may ask .is it possible to tell me what kind of question they asked ...thank u adil

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  32. I think as long as you know your fiancee reasonably well, you will be okay. The questions are generally at the level of what job does she do? How did you meet? Did you have an engagement party? That sort of thing. It wasn't a formal interview in my experience, just a couple of easy questions. The waiting around for my name to be called turned out to be the biggest pain for me as it went on for hours!

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  33. Any idea on how much the visa costs on the day?

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  34. Do I have to write down the names of family members(parents) that I petitioned & given affidavit of support 20+years ago in my affidavit of support? I don't remember the exact dates. I am petitioning my fiance and using the form I-134. I need some advice please.

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  35. thank u soo much .
    do pray for my visa .still thinking about my oppintment.

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  36. Can anyone please tell me if there is a known requirement for how long we have to have met in person?
    For example, we have known each other for almost 2 years, we met through her sister at my church and we are to meet in about a month for only 6hrs. I’ll be on a cruise ship. She is in Colombia.
    Or, does anyone know of the hardship circumstances that can be accepted instead of the meeting in person? My ex-wife has a hold on my US passport for $70k of child-support arrears, so they won’t renew my passport and if this would apply as a hardship to be accepted? Thank you…

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  37. can a big age difference be a hardship or denied? Even if you have all the proof of a bona fide relationship? Can anyone help or comment please. Thanks

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  38. Hi Paul, Could you please tell me if they asked you at the interview any personal questions about your work history etc? Also do you know if they check up on your work history? Thank you! Misha
    Btw love your blog! :-)

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  39. Hi Paul,could you please give me any information about my concern ,I received my k-1 visa case approval from Manila last Sept.6,2011, is there any adjustment or changes of the letter because I want to process my visa in Manila anytime from now.Thank you for giving me information.

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  40. Hi all.

    In anyone's experience, does financial stability come into play? I have heard that if need be you can get someone to say that they will support you financially if your US partner doesnt earn over a certain amount per year.

    If this is the case, at what point is this declaration sent off?

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  41. @Anon - The requirements don't stipulate age difference as a problem, that's all I can say on the matter, as I'm not an immigration expert.

    @Anon - I gave the US authorities details of my current employer and contact details of my manager. I don't know if she was conacted.

    @Anon - Sorry, but I have no experience of applying from the Philipines. My only experience is going from the UK via the London Embassy.

    @Myke - Financial support barely featured at the visa stage for me, but did become important when I applied for a green card once I'd arrived in the US. You will need to read the guidelines for green card application, I think.

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  42. my fiance and i have just started our K1 process, we got all the paperwork together and she sent it off about 2 weeks ago, hopefully everything will smoothly and i will be out with her in Arizona by christmas

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  43. Also Paul, with your medical i read you got all the injections before your required exam, did you get the from your GP or did you need to go someplace else?

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    Replies
    1. I asked at the health centre where I saw my GP. But they will probably just assign you a nurse, that's what they did with me anyway.

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    2. I went to my GP today to find out what vaccination i already had and they couldn't find any on there system, they also said that they would have to charge me for any i get there, i have found a travel clinic near me and am going to head there on Monday and see if they can do it for me instead. hopefully as its an NHS clinic it will be free.

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  44. Hello to all! can anyone help me fill up the DS-156K- where can I get a sample of a fiance answers to some questions? thank you guys

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  45. Hi again I am applying for a k-1 fiance visa and needed help for some of the answers to DS-156K form. thank you

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    Replies
    1. If you are in Britain, the CAB might help you for free.

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  46. I am going to be applying for my K1 soon. I am in England and my partner is a US citizen. I gave birth to our baby boy 2 weeks ago today, here in England. Does my baby need a medical for the K1? Also, i know he is entitles to a US passport automatically after birth declairation at the Embassy here... is that all he needs to be able to enter the US, or is there some other document he needs with the K1?

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    Replies
    1. No idea, I can only talk about my own experiences, sorry.

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  47. hi paul.can i ask something about the affidavit of support of my fiance.kinda confused of where to send that form.is he will going to send that to me or to where?my fiance already received a letter saying that USCIS received his petition and it's in the process.what comes next after that?

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  48. hello,i just want to ask if what are the vaccines that are needed for medical examination?i only have 5 vaccines.please reply.

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    Replies
    1. I wrote a post on this. Please look through them before asking questions in the comments.

      Delete
  49. hi paul my fiancee(gf) is 72 years old and im only 34 years old..we had a lot of proof that our relationship are true and correct..my questions is.. there no problem when a older women marrying in young men?thank you..

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  50. hello, can some one help? am in africa my fiancee is in the u s can i take my fiancee interview any part of africa even if is in not my country of birth?

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  51. erm i wanted to know possibly what fee you had to pay and how much because my fiance in america has already paid 340 dollar porcessing fee and im curious as to why they charge for the visa this end too if so?

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  52. its been 10 days now and I still didnt get my passport and visa. i was interviewed together with my 2 girls last march 21,2011.the Consul told me that I a approved to see my fiance.(its a k1/k2) visa. the last window that got my papers told me when I asked her when can I get my passport with the visa and she told me to just wait it would come. I wasnt given any papers to fill up for the courier that is responsible for the delivery. please would anywone guide me whats happening with my passport and the visa. its 10 days already from the day of my interview.

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  53. Sorry, but I don't see how anyone can answer this question other than your consul? I got my visa from London, maybe your consul handle it differently and take longer, I don't know where you are.

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  54. hi Paul,
    Great blog mate, has really helped me. i did take a look at your time line but thought i'd ask to see if you had further details. I recieved a letter from the US embassy on April 3rd saying that they had all the required documents to set an interview date however they were waiting on the medical results. i actually had my medical that day so lets assume over bank holiday weekend n'all that they got the results on 11/12th April. just curious to know pal, how long did you wait from that point until getting your interview date? sorry for the essay, once again, great blog....thank you in advance and i know you dont hold all the answers :) lol. but any help at this point will be most appriciated.

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    Replies
    1. If I remember rightly, the doctor told me that it typically takes around 5 working days for the medical report to be accepted by the embassy. I was given an interview date and told to set up a medical before the interview date. I arranged my medical so that it was about 10 days before the date of my interview.

      A slightly different procedure appears to being followed for you (it may have changed since I did it?). I honestly can't say how long it will take for you. Nothing ever seemed to happen quickly with my visa in my experience, however!

      Delete
  55. hi paul i just wanna know about something, coz in the near future my fiancee and i will apply for fiancee visa but im worried about my health problems, do you think it would give me problems for applying k1 visa?

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  56. Hi Paul me and my fiance applied for K-129f {fiance visa} and it was received by the USCIS on Feb.21,2012. I would like to ask of how many months usually the USCIS approve an application? Thank you..

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    Replies
    1. My petitioner comes from Alaska and our application was received by the California Center...

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  57. hi, we met 4 times till now but we dont have any photgraph together do u think they will ask me our photograph... second i m 28 yrs and she is 53 yrs .. do u think is that also problem? well we are working for same company. she is in US office and i m in india office. please help i m very much worried. we have just our chat history from fb, skype , gmail, yahoo and phone details... thanks

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    Replies
    1. I don't know what criteria they use to judge what is a 'suspect' relationship. The rejection rate is low, however. It would have helped to have a photo of you together, or with each others' relatives, I think, but you can use other evidence. We also used plane tickets and letters and cards sent by mail.

      Delete
  58. Hi! Mr Paul,
    I need ur help for my interview to immigration, can you share if what you have more knowing about the question for k1visa. Thanks,may GOD bless you!

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  59. does any one have an idea of how long it takes for the embassy to send the interview date after one has sent in all the required forms and have gone for the medical.
    thanx in advance

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  60. Hi there, how much was the fee you had to pay at the embassy when you had your interview?

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    Replies
    1. I don't post details of fees, as they can and do change. Check the offical site.

      Delete
    2. Hi

      Tks very much for post:

      I like it and hope that you continue posting.

      Let me show other source that may be good for community.

      Source: Nurse manager interview questions

      Best rgs
      David

      Delete
  61. Yes anonymous in my case I sent forms in on 1/8/12, had medical 16/8/12, was issued interview date 18/9/12 and interview is 16/10/12.

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  62. Hi everyone
    soon I'm gonna apply for K1 visa...
    all the above comments really helping me out..thanks

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    Replies
    1. I appreciate the 7 tips for interview purpose mention by you about K1 Fiance Visa.The 7 tips really helpful those person who facing interview of k1 Fiance visa.With the help of they prepare himself easily.

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  63. These tips are definitely very useful! The part about arriving early at the embassy is something that no one should take for granted. Arriving early means you get an earlier number, so you’ll be done ahead of many other people. Knowing what to bring and what to leave behind is also crucial, as you don’t want to have to reschedule an interview or be denied of the visa. Staying calm, polite and courteous when addressing the consul is very important because it will enable you to answer all their questions correctly.

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  64. hi!

    I done my interview in US embassy and they didn't tell me if i have passed the interview or not and they don't even tell me if do i need to produce any papers..they just asked me if i have husband and child so i tell them the truth that i don't have and they just told me you can go home. do i passed the interview?how can i know if i passed??i feel very dissapointed and confused pls. help me.

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    Replies
    1. I am guessing, but it probably means you've passed, if they have not highlighted any particular problems. The pass rate for the K1 is very high.

      When I did it, I immediately had to make arrangements for my visa to be delivered to me at the embassy, so there wasn't much doubt.

      Delete
  65. Hi Paul. I just wanted to thank you for posting all your experiences! You have been a wonderful source of calm and comfort as we negotiate this visa journey! I am from Scotland myself and have completed my medical, awaiting news of an interview date! We are into our 9th month of patiently waiting, hopefully with a positive outcome in the near future!! Many thanks Paul.

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    Replies
    1. Best wishes, Claire! It can be a long and frustrating wait!

      Delete
  66. Hi Paul, can anyone sign for the visa when it gets delivered? As in, could I have it delivered to my parents house who could sign for it on my behalf?

    Thanks
    Luke

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    Replies
    1. There were strict instructions when I got mine. I had to sign in person with proof of ID. It meant that I had to get the visa delivered to my workplace. You need to read the latest version of the rules, not take my word for it - your parents might be able to sign, but they would need some specific forms of ID from you, I suspect.

      Delete
    2. Hi Paul, than ks for taking the time to get back to me, just wanted to ask you one more question... when you finally got the visa, and prepared to move, did you have to inform the British Gov. that you are leaving the country, or can you just pack up and go as such? I was just wondering if I will need to inform anyone officially that I am leaving the UK

      Cheers again,
      Luke

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    3. I don't think that you do need to officially inform anyone that you are moving away, other than the obvious, like household bills etc.

      Delete
  67. Hi Paul ,

    My K1 application got approved in MAY2012 . After that I havent heard anything from them. My issue is I lived in london,UK from 2008-2012 and moved back to home country India in MARCH2012 . I informed them about this change . However ignoring this they still send my file to london embassy instead of India for me to set my interview. Now it seems file is still in london and nothing being done.What would you suggest me to do or who to contact so that file gets moved to India asap ? USCIS hotline ? London embassy ? American embassy in India ? .

    Thanks & Regards,
    Jack

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    Replies
    1. I don't know. You have listed what seem to be the obvious options, starting with the USCIS.

      Delete
  68. How do u answer question 11 on the I-134 for a K1 visa. i find it very confusing
    Mel

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  69. Hello Paul! First of all thank you so much for starting this blog. My fiancé will be going to the US embassy for his K1 interview next week! We are so excited and confident we will have it as our relationship is bona fide. Besides the when did you meet her? how long have you known her? were there other specific questions? Also, we will be having a very small blessing here by my Pastor and we will sign court documents. Do you think we should get a letter from my Pastor stating that we will be marrying as we don't have anything else to show as a preparation for marriage here? Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  70. hi paul
    me and my fiancee have a photo together ..and me and my fiancee always talking in skype ,yahoo,and facebook but dont have a letter ....it is ok in embassy if only the photo together no letter ???

    ReplyDelete
  71. Are you starting a Fiance Visa? The reality Show 90 Day Fiance is holding casting calls for men and women who are about to start the 90 day fiance process. Please go to http://www.90dayfiance.com/90-day-fiance-casting-call.html As seen on TLC. This is you opportunity to be on one of the most popular new reality shows entering it second season

    ReplyDelete