Spouse required on Interview day

[keepfaith 0]

I have interview soon for N-400 based on 3 year marriage and have plenty of evidences. Are we required to bring spouse. The interview letter does not say anything about that. Will greatly appreciate any experience!

[Brother Hesekiel 2,235]

No.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

No. Your spouse can accompany you to the interview but they will not be allowed to join you during the interview itself. They will wait for you in the waiting room.

[Saddle Bronc 124]

No. Your spouse can accompany you to the interview but they will not be allowed to join you during the interview itself. They will wait for you in the waiting room.

Exactly as happened

[NickD 202]

I certainly don't agree with this as the sponsoring USC, it's not just my wife's evidence in question, it's OUR evidence, and not only in regards to the N-400, but the I-751 as well. After the AOS where I was permitted to attend the interview, couldn't even call the USCIS in her behalf, wanted to speak directly to her. They seem to have completely forgotten, this is MY family and as the USC spouse, subject to a five year prison term and a $250,000.00 fine even if there is a slight misunderstanding.

Certainly wish I was with my wife with that utility bill ####### they started, show me anywhere in any USCIS publication where a stupid utility bill is required for evidence, but they recently started that #######. Just made sure she had a joint utility bill to show them. In regards to all the other evidence, they all had my name on it.

With exception of the civics and English test, the entire rest of her interview dealt with us, not just her, could have kicked me out for just that phase. But I was there for moral support and there in the rare event, they would have a question for me. But as it was, sat in the waiting room staring at that portrait of GWB for 43 minutes, seemed like an eternity. Wife tried to introduce me to her IO, her IO wouldn't even turn her head.

If my wife did not get her USC, would still be locked in to the USCIS due to that I-864 contract I was forced to sign, but letting them know my exact location all the time. And if I was in with her on her interview, she would have not kept my original copy of our tax returns when she had an exact copy of those in that huge stack she was too lazy to look at. But thank God, my wife had enough sense not to turn over our original divorce papers, that would have cost us a small fortune to get originals from.

They did let a friend of mine, also a sponsoring USC attend a post interview to explain our overly complicated legal system when his wife was rejected for an RFE that caused a hugh delay. Would have been much better for them is they let him in originally. I did drill my wife on our evidence and all the questions in the N-400 from his experience.

But no, the sponsoring USC is not permitted to attend the interview, even for the items that pertain to that person. So make sure the applicant has full knowledge of all the evidence both of you present.

[warlord 72]

I never brought my spouse, but the IO did ask why she wasn't here with me (in the room). I just said she was working and that was that. Mine was marriage based too. So it's up to you if you want to bring your spouse or not, sometimes it's good if you don't have a lot of evidence at all. I had way too much, so the IO didn't question my intentions at all...

[antda 13]

Hi Everyone,

In answer to the question about spouses during the interview:

My husband has always been there for me for all of my immigration appointments and non-appointments to my "local" office, especially so that I need him to drive me there, since it is a long-distance drive (about 200+ miles round-trip) to the city (I hate driving in cities), and more so that I need him for moral support. He doesn't mind though, and I'm always glad to have him there with me. And yes, he was there when I had my N-400 interview recently.

As well, I brought along my baby son to the interview too, as I had no other childcare arrangements and had no choice but to bring him. But both my husband and my son had to wait in the waiting room/area while I was interview by myself (which was ok, though a bit nerve-wracking)....

And at the end of the interview, the Immigration Officer got to see both my husband and my son that day in the waiting room when my interview was completed(lol..while I was breastfeeding/nursing...very awkward.......oh well baby has to eat...), as I had to wait a bit longer in the waiting room after the interview for my interview results to be given due to requesting for accomodations. The immigration officer was very nice though, and didn't mind meeting my family there.

For more about my recent N-400 interview experience, you can read about it here:

N-400: Ant’s Citizenship INTERVIEW PASSED.…BUT….(Part 1 of 2)…., (11/18/09) My Helpful Very Detailed N-400 Buffalo, NY Experience Here

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...=229435&hl=

In my opinion, overall, yes, I think it is beneficial for one to have their spouse attend, even if they are just waiting in the waiting room. It is good to know that there is "someone there by your side for support through this difficult immigration process", and can actually be quite beneficial that way. However, if they can't make it though, for some valid reason or other, I'm sure the immigration officials would understand their absence (if they are required to attend for such an interview or for whatever else). Just make sure though, the immigration officials have a good explaination as to why that is the case and a way to contact that spouse if need be. For example, give them your spouse's work or cell phone number and have your spouse answer the phone call from them.

Lol...with all that extra "joint evidence" that one sends in, you would think that would be enough for them......

Then again...maybe it's better to appear in-person anyways..."To put a human face to all that paperwork..."

Hope this helps too. Good luck with the rest of your immigration journeys.

Ant

Edited December 4, 2009 by Ant+D+A