Hey fellow VJ members,

Wasn't quite sure if this was the place to post my question, but I am hoping you could give me some direction here. My husband and I are still at the very beginning of our long I-130 journey, but as I read along I am finding questions that should be answered before it's too late. Anyway, my husband is a German citizen and the NVC will be shipping everything to the US consulate in Frankfurt, Germany (provided that application gets approved).

First: When we go for the interview in Frankfurt, will it be done in German, or in English. If done in English, will there be a translator present, or can you request one. I will be attending the interview as well, but I can speak both German and English... I am just worried that he will struggle because he really has very little knowledge of the English language.

Secondly: I was reading the US Embassy site for Frankfurt, Germany and they said that documents that were in German required no English translation. Is this true? So both English and German emails, cards, letters, etc. will be accepted without translation?

I think that's about it for now. I also have a question regarding the I-864 in the immigration new thread that I am still seeking an answer for. I thank everyone here for the help and knowledge and can't wait to return my knowledge to someone else.

Best regards,

Przy

Consulates are prepared to conduct interviews in the local languages applicable to their service area. Lack of English skills is sometimes an issue when there is no common language or the couple is unable to demonstrate the ability to communicate with each other. Your fluent German will rule the day on that issue.

Thanks for the speedy reply... that's one less thing to worry about.

Regards,

Przy

J's interview was last week; they didn't even ask him if he preferred English or German, they just conducted everything in German.
Also, they didn't ask to see any of our backup information; the offical documents, such as his birth certificate, were already in both languages.

Don't worry about the documents not being in English, the COs should be fluent in German and be able to read the documentation you sent the NVC with the DS-230. The only time people should be concerned is there is a document not in English nor in the native language of the beneficiary.

Diana

Thank goodness someone else asked this question! It seemed like everyone's spouses spoke English at the interview. I speak fluent Portuguese and my husband is learning English but I am not sure he will be up to par for the interview... having read some reviews saying that it may make a difference in the outcome based on whether or not the intending immigrant speaks English at the interview, I was getting a bit worried... but the answers that people have given here makes more sense, regarding the couple's ability to communicate, etc.

My personal relief aside, I would say that yes, the interviewer should always be bilingual (English and the national language in the given country). My understanding, at least for Brazil, is that any documents sent to NVC need an English translation, but anything sent to the consulate doesn't (since they should generally be bilingual there.)

Good luck!

As an aside, I'd say the immigrants 'non-english' skills will be more of a concern once they arrive in the US than they would on interview day.

Thanks everyone! Appreciate the quick and helpful responses. Great group of people here. Thanks again.

Regards,
Przy

Not at the interview...they should speak the native language....My husband speaks Spanish...and his English is ok but limited. he has been in school for 1 year trying to learn it before he comes...so your spouse should be fine!

but the port of entry they will ask your spouse several questions in English....so he sould be prepared....

It was actually kind of funny because my husband's first time in the USA was last year. He had a new passport and everything. We arrived together, I cleared customs without a problem and we met on the other side. The custom's officer started asking my husband questions and then the officer just called me over to translate. After that, the office took my husband to another room so he could register (or so they say because of his new passport) his information. The officer there then started asking my husband questions and he answered them in English without a problem, but the officer insisted I come over and translate again. My husband and I will be returning to the States together when/if his visa gets approved, so I am hoping there won't be any problems with English. Either way, his English is slowly, but surely getting there. After a year in the US, it will be just as good as anyone else's.