Petitioner at interview?

[aplummerjr 4]

A friend of mine is going through the K1 process. He was told that starting January 1, 2014 the petitioner is no longer allowed to attend the visa interview at the embassy. Is there any truth to this? Thanks in advance.

[Anubabes268 9]

Hello aplummerjr,

It depends on the embassy I heard that and got concerned and I contacted the US embassy in Barbados where my fiancee will have his interview in a few weeks and they said i could come along with him. My advice to your friend is to contact the Embassy directly and verify that is correct. Some embassies allow it some don't.

Good Luck!

[aplummerjr 4]

I know the Philippines allows the petitioner to attend the interview because I did it in October 2013. I'm just asking if this has changed. He hired a lawyer that told him that effective January 1, 2014 the petitition is no longer allow to attend. Of course he will call the embassy to find out for sure, but we are in the middle of a debate right now so we can't call. I just want to prove that his attorney is unnecessary.. haha!

[Steve&Ema 25]

I am pretty sure the petitioner is still allowed to attend. I have heard nothing to the contrary. I will be there for Ema's interview on the 27th of this month.

[Greenbaum 12,259]

If anyone can verify this new requirement please return and post what you have found to be true preferably first person knowledge or USEM verified.

Thanks

[Hank_ 9,173]

A friend of mine is going through the K1 process. He was told that starting January 1, 2014 the petitioner is no longer allowed to attend the visa interview at the embassy. Is there any truth to this? Thanks in advance.

I know a couple guys that were there for the interview within the past couple weeks... that tends to say no issue being there.

[Steve&Ema 25]

I know a couple guys that were there for the interview within the past couple weeks... that tends to say no issue being there.

Thanks for the verification Hank. I figured as much but it is nice hearing it from a voice of knowledge.

Edited February 18, 2014 by Steve&Ema

[Tahoma 2,291]

I haven't heard anything about it. I don't think it affects the USEM. A friend of ours just attended his fiancee's interview at the USEM a few weeks ago.

[SennaBrigante 92]

Spouses and partners were allowed to tag along when I was there last Thurs. I had notarial stuff done and there were couples there waiting for their numbers to flash on the screen.

[Jeff @ Missy 9]

I was there 2 weeks ago

[geff44 30]

A friend of mine is going through the K1 process. He was told that starting January 1, 2014 the petitioner is no longer allowed to attend the visa interview at the embassy. Is there any truth to this? Thanks in advance.

I attended my fiancee's interview today at USEM , 2.18.2014. I had no problem accompanying her to the entire process. The only time I was told to take a seat was when she was interviewed by the American Consul. He told me he will call me if he had any questions.

[Ronn63 41]

I went last June. It seems like yesterday!! I was with my wife, (then-fiance,) for the whole process. The American consul asked me more questions than her. I wouldn't have missed it for the world!!

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

I know the Philippines allows the petitioner to attend the interview because I did it in October 2013. I'm just asking if this has changed. He hired a lawyer that told him that effective January 1, 2014 the petitition is no longer allow to attend. Of course he will call the embassy to find out for sure, but we are in the middle of a debate right now so we can't call. I just want to prove that his attorney is unnecessary.. haha!

INMHO and not meaning to be smart.

Hiring a lawyer and going to the interview are two of the biggest wastes in the K-1 process. If you want to go just to see your SO, cool go, but It really is not going to help and you will see them soon anyway.Like I said just my opinion. If the only reason you are going is to help her chances. Save your money and stay home

If you have all the paper work, meet the income requirements, cenomar etc, you are going to be approved.

As for the lawyer. I hired some shisiter. Biggest waste of Money I ever spent, next to the Ab lounger. Other than reviewing your paper work for accuracy, there is not one thing they can do for you.

[aplummerjr 4]

INMHO and not meaning to be smart.

Hiring a lawyer and going to the interview are two of the biggest wastes in the K-1 process. If you want to go just to see your SO, cool go, but It really is not going to help and you will see them soon anyway.Like I said just my opinion. If the only reason you are going is to help her chances. Save your money and stay home

If you have all the paper work, meet the income requirements, cenomar etc, you are going to be approved.

As for the lawyer. I hired some shisiter. Biggest waste of Money I ever spent, next to the Ab lounger. Other than reviewing your paper work for accuracy, there is not one thing they can do for you.

Thats exactly why we were arguing. I wanted to prove to him that his lawyer is wrong. He is planning on visiting a few more times before the interview, including the interview and has no problem paying for it, just like I did. I visited the Philippines 4 times before our interview and my then fiancee (now wife) is here in the USA with me. As I said, I was just trying to prove to him that he can do it himself or at least pay ME to help instead.. hahaha

[Hank_ 9,173]

No it is not necessary to attend the interview, but I don't regard it at all... it's a great memory and I do recommend all that can attend to do it for the experience ... not because you feel you need to be there to get the visa approved - that will happen even if you stay stateside all things being equal.