US citizen spouse at interview

[M.F 1]

Hi All,

Could you please confirm is it mandatory for the USC spouse to acompany their spouse at the consulate interview?

Please confirm.

Thanks,

MF

[teeak 224]

No, definitely not mandatory.

[Happytobe 164]

Depends on the country. For a few it is, but most it is not

[heo luoi 206]

Depends on the country. For a few it is, but most it is not

What thats the first I've ever heard this?! Initially didnt even think people could attend. How would one know when its mandatory?

http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/immigrate/immigrant-process/interview/applicant_interview.html

Who Must Attend the Interview?

........

Your sponsor/petitioner does not attend the visa interview.

Edited September 14, 2015 by coldhands

[Happytobe 164]

there are not too many where it's mandatory. I think DR is where I see it mentioned most often. I believe it's in the case complete email. It's been a couple years since We went through the process, it's always possible that's not the case still, but I think I've seen it mentioned recently, as well

[M.F 1]

Could you please confirm if its mandatory or not mumbai consulate?

Thanks a lot for your replies

[Happytobe 164]

I'm not on a computer right now, but I'm sure if you look on the Website for that specific consulate, it should say.

[Kastrs 723]

Mandatory no, good idea sure

[Ryan H 3,790]

***Moved from IR-1/CR-1 Progress Reports to US Embassy & Consulate Discussion; topic is about this phase of the process.***

**Moderator hat off**

There is no requirement anywhere that makes attendance by the US Petitioner mandatory. However, there are some places in the world where it has become a de-facto requirement (Santo Domingo, DR is frequently mentioned; Guayaquil, Ecuador is another), meaning if the petitioner wasn't there, they'll delay the case until they have the opportunity to speak with the petitioner (they are allowed to do this).

My two cents is this, whether or not the petitioner's presence is a de-facto requirement or not, just being nearby or on another area of the premises can only help a case in the following way:

• make a strong case stronger
• turn a case that may have been pegged for denial into a fighting chance
• moral support for the loved one interviewing
• your own piece of mind being nearby (it's stressful enough could only be more stressful by being far away IMO)

Edited October 23, 2015 by Ryan H

[TBoneTX 43,018]

Where's the +100,000 button for Ryan's post just above? It merits enshrinement in the pantheon of All-Time Greatest VJ Posts.

There's nothing like gaining the upper hand (or leveling the playing field) by sliding the petitioner's U.S. passport under the Plexiglas window to the consul as a first action. It might even result in the petitioner's being invited into the interview.

People here should please avoid confusing "being allowed in the interview" with "being in the waiting area" or "being on the consular premises." One of these last two can result in the first.

Edited September 15, 2015 by TBoneTX

[katietw95 16]

Ryan's post is definitely correct. It is definitely a good idea to go because I feel like it does help the case. However, if you do decide to go, I do know that the Mumbai consulate does not let in the spouse for the interview, but the Delhi embassy does.

[Happytobe 164]

Thank you, Ryan for communicating what I was trying to get at!

[Trina & Raja 2]

Could you please confirm if its mandatory or not mumbai consulate?

Thanks a lot for your replies

Speaking from first hand experience, it is NOT mandatory for the US citizen spouse to attend the interview at Mumbai consulate.

My wife attended the interview by herself back in 2012 and I did not accompany her to the interview.

[M.F 1]

Speaking from first hand experience, it is NOT mandatory for the US citizen spouse to attend the interview at Mumbai consulate.

My wife attended the interview by herself back in 2012 and I did not accompany her to the interview.

Thank you for the information.