Petitioner attending K1 interview. How will we be questioned?

[xwind 10]

I will be attending my fiance's interview but I was wondering how will we be questioned. Am I allowed to stand and answer questions with her, or will I be told to be quiet or sit down instead? My fiance can't speak English very well, maybe beginner level... I speak fluent Tagalog so that's how we've always communicated. I'm under the assumption that she will be given a translator right? But honestly I would rather like to either answer the questions myself or at least explain the question to her in Tagalog so she can give a proper answer in case she misunderstood what they asked her.

Follow up question for those whose fiance had an annulment before, were you asked about any specifics of the annulment? Her case was fairly complicated, and I feel that it might be difficult to give a simple answer for even a simple question.

[apple21 953]

Its upon the consul's discretion to speak with you or not. Your fiancee can request for a translator at the beginning of the interview. You cannot translate for her as far as I know. She must answer herself.

[luckytwo15 13]

I attended my fiancée's interview (now wife). We were asked questions about how many kids I had with my first marriage and also for the divorce decree at the pre-screening window. Also, fiancée gave them all the basic things on the list such as NBI, etc. I stood next to her and we both answered questions.

Next window is the oath, which can be done in English or Tagalog.

Then the next window was the CO. The CO greeted me then told me to sit down and wait while she interviewed fiancée. So, for that part she was solo and did great. She confidently answered all the questions, which were: when is the wedding, what state is the wedding, civil or church. Also she was asked for more pictures of us together. The interview is easy as long as all the documents are in order and the answers are direct and confident.

[Hank_ 9,171]

I will be attending my fiance's interview but I was wondering how will we be questioned. Am I allowed to stand and answer questions with her, or will I be told to be quiet or sit down instead? My fiance can't speak English very well, maybe beginner level... I speak fluent Tagalog so that's how we've always communicated. I'm under the assumption that she will be given a translator right? But honestly I would rather like to either answer the questions myself or at least explain the question to her in Tagalog so she can give a proper answer in case she misunderstood what they asked her.

Follow up question for those whose fiance had an annulment before, were you asked about any specifics of the annulment? Her case was fairly complicated, and I feel that it might be difficult to give a simple answer for even a simple question.

Whether the CO wants to ask you questions or not is at their discretion, I know when I was there with my asawa I was asked as many questions as she was by both the pre-screener and CO.. it was very low key, chit-chatty almost. The CO we had spoke Tagalog and I am betting they all do, he had asked my asawa a question, when she hesitated for a second with the answer he immediately asked again in Tagalog, which got a grin out of us.

[Greenbaum 12,258]

I attended my wife's and two children's interview and I was able to stand with her when she met with the Filipino CO but he did not direct any questions my way. When we were called up for US CO he looked me and greeted me nicely, asked if I was the petitioner and I responded in the positive and then in a nice tone he explained to me that they really appreciate that the petitioner attends the interview, but at this time, he had questions for me. I invited me to sit and if he needed anything he would call me up. Ten minuets later they were finished and the CO (he was Filipino) smiled and told them they were approved. Wife said there was not much to the interview, just a few questions.

We have all enjoyed the experience, one that I will never forget. I hope others will attend if they are able to.

[manilaraf 28]

When my wife had her interview two weeks ago I went with her (a given considering ours was a DCF case).

The prescreener had me pay for the Visa while she interviewed the wife. When I got back she had more than a few questions to ask me, most likely to see if our answers matched up.

Once we got to the US Foreign Service officer, she asked if I was the petitioner and actually addressed both of us when she asked most of the questions aside from basic biographical questions from the wife.

There are translators available although I get the impression most of the US-FSOs can either speak or understand at least rudimentary Tagalog and know more the longer they're in-country. Try not to answer for her, especially if the questions are being directly addressed to her.

[VOL 425]

From my observations they tend to let the Petitioner attend the actual interview on K1. If the couple is married then they tend to want beneficiary alone, and beneficiary is not allowed to attend the actual interview with the CO.

[Hank_ 9,171]

Beneficiary is the VISA APPLICANT They have to attend.

Petitioner is always allowed to attend the interview with the K-1 or IR/CR-1, whether they will be asked questions or not is up to the CO.

[xwind 10]

It's funny that for some reason I imagine a CO to be like an FBI agent who has thoroughly read and studied your entire file and evidences, then asks tricky questions in order to catch you off guard or confuse you such that you answer wrong so they can deny your visa even if you are a legit couple with complete paperwork. That doesn't seem to be the case though. It sounds like the CO's are generally very kind and only ask a few basic questions just to see if you are able to answer honestly and confidently. I even read that sometimes they don't even look at your evidence (maybe because they already have?). ...Here I am trying to account for every possible question they might throw at us... I think I'm stressing over nothing hehe.

[kipper_22 2]

I will be attending my fiance's interview but I was wondering how will we be questioned. Am I allowed to stand and answer questions with her, or will I be told to be quiet or sit down instead? My fiance can't speak English very well, maybe beginner level... I speak fluent Tagalog so that's how we've always communicated. I'm under the assumption that she will be given a translator right? But honestly I would rather like to either answer the questions myself or at least explain the question to her in Tagalog so she can give a proper answer in case she misunderstood what they asked her.

Follow up question for those whose fiance had an annulment before, were you asked about any specifics of the annulment? Her case was fairly complicated, and I feel that it might be difficult to give a simple answer for even a simple question.

During my interview, I noticed some USC(petitioner) were allowed to go with their Filipina fiancee during interview. Some USC were asked to sit down and wait while fiancee was interviewed, but either way you will be allowed to go inside embassy and queue up with your fiancee. Also, an interpreter is available in case fiancee can't express herself effectively in English. In most case for filipinos, we can understand English but can't express ourselves effectively in English. If she is not too fluent, she can always ask for an interpreter. Goodluck.

[Greenbaum 12,258]

From my observations they tend to let the Petitioner attend the actual interview on K1. If the couple is married then they tend to want beneficiary alone, and beneficiary is not allowed to attend the actual interview with the CO.

Beneficiary = the one who will "benefit" from the visa approval so naturally they will be the one at the interview.

Edited March 19, 2015 by Greenbaum

[Greenbaum 12,258]

It's funny that for some reason I imagine a CO to be like an FBI agent who has thoroughly read and studied your entire file and evidences, then asks tricky questions in order to catch you off guard or confuse you such that you answer wrong so they can deny your visa even if you are a legit couple with complete paperwork. That doesn't seem to be the case though. It sounds like the CO's are generally very kind and only ask a few basic questions just to see if you are able to answer honestly and confidently. I even read that sometimes they don't even look at your evidence (maybe because they already have?). ...Here I am trying to account for every possible question they might throw at us... I think I'm stressing over nothing hehe.

If you are not hiding anything then you will typically sail right on through the interview to approval.

If there is a hint of something (this is where the FBI comes in) that looks like a scam then off come the gloves. The can unearth a scam rather fast. I am sure they have seen it all.

While at my wife's interview, the CO asked me to be seated and while waiting I couldn't help hearing a conversation go on at the very last window that was close to the waiting area, where I happen to be seated. The young girl was being interviewed and trying to pass off her nephew (her sisters kid, that she was trying to get a visa for to immigrate to USA/California) as her own child on a K1/K2 visa. The CO caught that right and away and the lights went on over her head and I could see the sweat pouring down her face (just kidding) but she was so nervous and the CO kept asking questions of which she stumbled on every answer or her answer was convoluted causing additional questioning. Finally the CO had had enough and declined her application and bared her and the nephew for further processing for now and for the future. Hard lesson to learn.

[Mabenita 5]

HELLO.. I JUST POSTED AWHILE AGO IF I THE PETITIONER CAN GO WITH MY FIANCE IN MANILA DURING HIS INTERVIEW? WITH WHAT IVE BEEN READING NOW, THE ANSWER IS A YES?!

Thankyou.

[VOL 425]

HELLO.. I JUST POSTED AWHILE AGO IF I THE PETITIONER CAN GO WITH MY FIANCE IN MANILA DURING HIS INTERVIEW? WITH WHAT IVE BEEN READING NOW, THE ANSWER IS A YES?!

Thankyou.

You can go inside US embassy anytime you want acutally if you are in danger

You can go with her inside the visa department also, No issues...

[Mabenita 5]

You can go inside US embassy anytime you want acutally if you are in danger

You can go with her inside the visa department also, No issues...

YEEEE.. THANKU.