Should the Petitioner attend the Interview?

[alejandrorit 0]

greetings,

my israeli fiancee and i are awaiting our packet 4, and I am thinking of joining her at her interview. I cant help but believe that if the only issue that could possibly stand in our way is the adjudicator believing (incorrectly of course) that our relationship is not legit than it is very much wroth it for me to be present and introduce myself to her/him. and although I have read in the previous months that Jerusalem welcomes the petitioners to attend, they just put up a small clause buried deep in their website that due to the high number of applicants they would 'prefer' the petitioner to not attend--although they do still allow it.

so, to attend or not to attend, that is my question.

-a

[TBoneTX 49,545]

Shalom, si man.

There are dozens of threads on this exact subject. The short answer is that attending the interview (even if you must wait in a waiting-room or even outside the consular premises) can never hurt and may help -- even to the extent of salvaging an interview from 221g status or an outright refusal of the visa. If you are not allowed inside the consulate, hand your U.S. passport to the interviewee, who can then show it to the consul as proof that you are there.

Shalom, si man.

[az110965 252]

greetings,

my israeli fiancee and i are awaiting our packet 4, and I am thinking of joining her at her interview. I cant help but believe that if the only issue that could possibly stand in our way is the adjudicator believing (incorrectly of course) that our relationship is not legit than it is very much wroth it for me to be present and introduce myself to her/him. and although I have read in the previous months that Jerusalem welcomes the petitioners to attend, they just put up a small clause buried deep in their website that due to the high number of applicants they would 'prefer' the petitioner to not attend--although they do still allow it.

so, to attend or not to attend, that is my question.

-a

Greetings.

My fiancee will be having her interview at the Embassy in San Jose, Costa Rica and I emailed the embassy asking if I would be permitted to attend the interview with her. Their answer was "4) Yes sir, you may. In fact is a good idea to be present during the interview in case the Officer in Charge needs to talk to you".

That pretty well decided that I'd be attendign with her.

Good luck,

Alan

[brightskte 18]

I can see no better evidence of a bonafide relationship than a fiance(e) attending the interview. Even if you are not allowed inside, you being there would be good.

I plan on attending Mathew's interview in March.

Edited January 27, 2010 by Kayla*Mathew

[Nik+Heather 122]

The impact of the presence of the petitioner at the interview is highly dependent on the consulate involved. For the best answer, you could turn to the embassy reviews, or the interview discussion threads in the regional forums.

Naturally, the emotional support for the beneficiary may also be worth consideration regardless of the immigration aspect.

[And_Sam 44]

I don't know if it is going to help for me to be at my husband's interview or not, but I am going. For one thing, that way if they do want to talk to me, then we will be one step ahead of them. For the biggest thing though is that I miss my husband terribly and want to be with him!!

[sachinky 465]

Mumbai doesn't allow petitioners inside for the interview. I don't think it's really worth it for my husband to fly 30 hours and spend a thousand dollars to stand outside in the heat. I've applied and received both U.S. tourist and student visas before so I'm not concerned with the emotional aspect of it. I think I'd be able to handle it fairly well on my own. While it can never hurt and only help, you have to evaluate your case and decide if it's worth it. If you can take time off work -- sure go ahead and attend the interview. It's not required but is always encouraged. If your case has any red flags, I'd recommend you go for the interview.

[TracyTN 237]

Some consulates only allow the visa applicants inside though it sounds like that is not an issue in the OP's case. But to say it's encouraged may not be true for some consulates.

[Salla 0]

Hi!

I actually had my interview at the American Consulate in Jerusalem, and I called and asked if my fiancee could come with me. They told me to come alone and that bringing him would bring no benefit. It was a nerve wrecking experience, and I wished that he could have been there! I would call and go with your finace if they tell you. But as you guys know by this point they are nearly impossible to reach/get a straight answer!

The interview went extremely well and they even expedited my case for me! The Jerusalem Consulate staff were extremely nice, unlike the stories I had heard before going. Just so that you know, I was there for 3 hours before I had my interview... Bring a book.

Good luck!

-Salla