Petitioner Interview

[pushbrk 14,481]

I am new to this forum and I have a few questions. My fiancé had his interview on Nov 9, and they gave him a blue slip requesting an interview with me (not very convenient right now but what can I do). I sent an email telling them I can get to Jamaica next week.

1) Do they schedule interviews for the petitioners so soon? If not about how long does it take. Was planning to get married in January but that may not be possible now

2) After the interview would I be able to wait for a week or so and have him travel back with me?

3) If not, how long before he has the visa in hand?

4) If you selected on the ds-230 to have them assign a social security # would he get that at the airport?

Thanks for all the helpful replies in advanced

Requesting a second interview to include the petitioner is a major development and must be taken seriously. It's is NOT a good development. It means the Consular officer thinks the relationship is fraudulent and they will try to discover any material misrepresentation to go with the denial. Expect a "stokes interview". Just google "stokes interview".

Concern yourself first with preparing to overcome the decision to deny the visa. All your other issues are minor details.

[FromJA 0]

Thanks.. When I google stokes interview I only see cases where the people are already married. I will still make sure that we are prepared to answer any questions they have. We have nothing to hide.

[sus 70]

Requesting a second interview to include the petitioner is a major development and must be taken seriously. It's is NOT a good development. It means the Consular officer thinks the relationship is fraudulent and they will try to discover any material misrepresentation to go with the denial. Expect a "stokes interview". Just google "stokes interview".

Concern yourself first with preparing to overcome the decision to deny the visa. All your other issues are minor details.

Pushbrk - Please familiarize yourself with the embassy of which you are speaking before you make a blanket declaration. This is COMMON practice in Jamaica - In fact, many used to recommend that you attend the interview so that this could be avoided. However, the embassy recently changed to not allow the petitioner (without special permission) to attend the initial interview, and will blue slip if they feel appropriate.

Most people that were blue slipped incurred the cost of the trip - only to walk into the embassy, be asked who they petitioned for, and were approved.

Your response is not accurate for Jamaica.

[pushbrk 14,481]

Pushbrk - Please familiarize yourself with the embassy of which you are speaking before you make a blanket declaration. This is COMMON practice in Jamaica - In fact, many used to recommend that you attend the interview so that this could be avoided. However, the embassy recently changed to not allow the petitioner (without special permission) to attend the initial interview, and will blue slip if they feel appropriate.

Most people that were blue slipped incurred the cost of the trip - only to walk into the embassy, be asked who they petitioned for, and were approved.

Your response is not accurate for Jamaica.

My advice is for the couple to be prepared for a stokes type interview. If it turns out to be simpler, great. If not prepared, not so great.

[RICARDO4EVA2 199]

Pushbrk - Please familiarize yourself with the embassy of which you are speaking before you make a blanket declaration. This is COMMON practice in Jamaica - In fact, many used to recommend that you attend the interview so that this could be avoided. However, the embassy recently changed to not allow the petitioner (without special permission) to attend the initial interview, and will blue slip if they feel appropriate.

Most people that were blue slipped incurred the cost of the trip - only to walk into the embassy, be asked who they petitioned for, and were approved.

Your response is not accurate for Jamaica.

Ratid... Tek it ova sus.

[sus 70]

Ratid... Tek it ova sus.

Im Hiez-haad Ricardo!

Edited November 11, 2010 by sus

[Aztec&Taino 144]

Thanks everyone....

No idea why they blue slipped him. He had all the supporting docs and pictures to prove the ongoing relationship and they didn't even ask to see it. I have already been to Jamaica twice this year. It seemed like they had already predetermined that they wanted to see me. He answered all the questions they asked, they were the usual how we met stuff. I wish they would have stated this before.

You could see it as a positive for the fact that at least he was not flatly denied... Yes, not convenient, but nothing about this process is convenient!

Best wishes

[Sasha_Cool 0]

I filed k-1 and k-2 and k-2 was ready in 12 days and k-1 was ready in 26 days. Your fiance may have answered a question inconsistent in what you have on the application. Depends on who is doing the interview they may be satisfy with a little information or better with a lot of information along with the sponsor there. I saw another couple, where the interviewing officer just asked the beneficiary questions and didn't ask the petitioner and she was there. So it just depends. Good Luck!!!

[FromJA 0]

Thanks... I'm still waiting on them to get back to me with an interview date and we will take it from there. They usually respond a little faster than this.

[TBoneTX 49,663]

My advice is for the couple to be prepared for a stokes type interview. If it turns out to be simpler, great. If not prepared, not so great.

OP (and others here): Pushbrk's advice is rarely (if ever) to be dismissed. Read this thread thoroughly:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/207292-embassy-wants-petitioner-at-next-cr-1-interview-any-advice/

[FromJA 0]

Again I only see it as it relates to people who are already married but will make sure that we are prepared....

Hows this for an interview date Dec 23 @ 7 am? I was thinking they can't be serious but on the bright side we will get to spend Christmas together.

[JAPrincess 27]

Again I only see it as it relates to people who are already married but will make sure that we are prepared....

Hows this for an interview date Dec 23 @ 7 am? I was thinking they can't be serious but on the bright side we will get to spend Christmas together.

Greetings FromJA

Christmas together is the bright side! Airfare during that time is crazy

Glad you are able to go at that time, and wishing you all the best!

Re: the stokes interview

Yes, it is something that could happen when you apply to adjust his status after you are married.

Having nothing to hide is good, being prepared is good also.

Sus is right is her statement tho, MANY get blue slips for the petitioner to attend an interview through the JA embassy so it does not necessarily mean that your case is suspect.

Again, all the best

[TBoneTX 49,663]

Re: the stokes interview

Yes, it is something that could happen when you apply to adjust his status after you are married.

As the above statement now reads, in the context in which it appears, it's incomplete and perilous to rely upon. A Stokes interview can be conducted during the consular stage (in regard to CR-1 and K-1 visa applications) as well as during Adjustment of Status. The prospect of a Stokes is NOT to be taken lightly IN THE SLIGHTEST, and anyone who is dismissive of the seriousness is playing with raging fire.

[DarlingNikki 7]

Ratid... Tek it ova sus.

Sorry! Just had to get that out. But seriously, on another note, you really have no idea what they will be asking you. So if this STOKES interview has to deal with being scrutinized and your being overly prepared for it then I say run with it. If it turns out they just wanted to see your face, Great! Be blessed and good luck!

Oh... and mi jealous. Mi waan spen christmas wid my honey too!

[DarlingNikki 7]

If they're "assessing the bona fides of the relationship," they're questioning its legitimacy. Oh, brother... but at least El Salvador is tipping you off about it, unlike how Ecuador does it.

Fully expect to be put through a Stokes interview, where you are separated, questioned separately about many details of your relationship, and judged on whether (and how well) your answers match.

Bring EVERY SCRAP OF EVIDENCE that you have, from Day One of your relationship. Also, and this is crucial: Collect signed, one-page letters from your people and his, in which the writers attest to the authenticity of the relationship and provide details about it. Each letter should state who the writer is, how he/she knows you, and COMPLETE contact information of the writer.

For our Stokes interrogation in Ecuador, we produced 13 letters from my people and 3 letters from hers. (Fewer letters from the foreigner are better, because too many may raise questions in the minds of the CO regarding whether those writers later hope to piggyback to the U.S. with help from the foreigner.)

Start collecting these letters NOW! Simply ensure that each writer knows when you met, knows the correct spelling of your SO's name, and will include accurate details in his/her own words, attesting to the authenticity of the relationship. Again, SIGNED hard copies are best; scanned SIGNED copies are OK; e-mail messages will do. The letters need not be notarized.

Finally, when your third interview is scheduled, go to El Salvador several days early and take a minimum of a zillion pictures of yourselves together, in different venues & clothing. Print these, and bring them -- with receipts from (say) a hotel where you stayed together -- to hand to the CO.

At least you have a chance not to be blindsided. Good luck, and let us know the results.

Okay.... I wanted to post this because I see what preparation tips they are providing you. As we well know, Jamaica runs on their own time and their own reasoning. However, if they do inted to conduct a "Stokes" interview with you (as described above) then I see no reason why the preparation mentioned in the rest of the post isn't useful. Now given, this references El Salvador and they are totally different. However, I think the idea of the suggestion is that you be totally prepared for what they may try to hit you with.

Either way, be confident (but appear humble) in the validity of your relationship. Be prepared to show them anything you could imagine they might ask for and you should be fine. Better you have than dont have.

Lastly... Don't mek nobody scare you into denial. Ah yur ting this and nubody cyan tell yuh excatly how it ah go guh. Just mek sure yuh ready fih everyting and remember to PRAY. Bless up.