USC Spouse not allowed at Interview?

[timeforeverything 3]

I am so confused. We have scheduled my husband's interview at the Guatemala Embassy and I have always been under the impression that the USC spouse can attend the interview. When I emailed to ask the Guatemala Embassy if it is possible to bring my baby (who breastfeeds, I cant leave her with anyone), I was told that only my husband could go to the interview. Is this normal? Thanks!

[Ben&Zian 4,398]

Depends on the embassy honestly. Some will let the USC in to the interview, and some won't. 

Edited February 27, 2017 by Ben&Zian

[Rick & Apple 233]

This is from the Guatemala City Embassy website:

https://guatemala.usembassy.gov/visas/immigrant-visas/stepbystepprocess/step-6-the-day-of-the-interview.html

 

The following people may accompany the visa applicant to the interview:

• Petitioner
• Interpreters - an applicant may bring one interpreter if he or she does not speak English or Spanish well enough to participate unassisted in the visa interview
• Special Needs Visitors - applicants may bring one person to help if they are elderly, disabled or if the applicant is a minor child applying for a visa.
• If you have a medical or other condition requiring a wheelchair or a special accommodation, please alert the greeters/guards to your needs as you enter the building.

 

Due to the limited size of our waiting room and the high volume of visa applicants, accompanying persons others than those listed above, will generally not be admitted to the Embassy. Drivers, friends, extra relatives and others not specifically named above cannot be permitted to enter and will be asked to wait outside of the Embassy to meet the applicant after the interview. Attorneys will NOT be permitted to accompany anyone into the waiting room or to the interview.

[KierenHby 899]

Embassies have stock responses to emails. Highly doubtful they'll turn away a nursing baby while parents on embassy business. 

[Confusedtinybird 41]

I don't think they are going to turn you away either. I entered with my husband showed them my US passport and they didn't have a problem with my entering. I would bring your passport. But, I agree it does depend on the Embassy. Some Embassies are tight on space so I think that is why they might have a limit on who can attend,

[Imani 105]

1 hour ago, timeforeverything said:

I am so confused. We have scheduled my husband's interview at the Guatemala Embassy and I have always been under the impression that the USC spouse can attend the interview. When I emailed to ask the Guatemala Embassy if it is possible to bring my baby (who breastfeeds, I cant leave her with anyone), I was told that only my husband could go to the interview. Is this normal? Thanks!

I don't see why if you are being petitioned for, the usc must be allowed on the interview.  When you scheduled the interview did you have to select how many people would be attending?  Sorry to hear that your baby would not be allowed.

[Mily90 8]

19 hours ago, timeforeverything said:

I am so confused. We have scheduled my husband's interview at the Guatemala Embassy and I have always been under the impression that the USC spouse can attend the interview. When I emailed to ask the Guatemala Embassy if it is possible to bring my baby (who breastfeeds, I cant leave her with anyone), I was told that only my husband could go to the interview. Is this normal? Thanks!

 

Yes the petitioner can go. I went with my husband back then fiance on the K1 visa (Guatemala embassy). A women that went to on the same day as our appointment was actually asked why the petitioner was not with her. It is up to you to decide. you have the same chances with or with out the petitioner they are not as strict. I don't know about the baby but if they don't let the baby in then just stay outside and if your husband is asked where you are  your husband can simply say she is outside because we have a baby whom we can't leave with anyone but my wife. 

[timeforeverything 3]

I emailed again to confirm, and explain that I would like to have it in writing for my husband to bring to the interview explaining why I am not present for the interview. This is the response I received:

Thank you for writing to the U.S. Visa Service Desk.

Regarding your concern please note that if the embassy did not request that the petitioner need to be at the embassy is not necessary please also note that even though you are a US citizen the part of the embassy were is going to be take place the interview just the applicant of visa are allow to enter.

[KierenHby 899]

Have things changed at the Guatemala consulate in the past 3 yrs since Mily90 accompanied her fiance? 

I received a similarly worded email, for India; but I went ahead and was able to enter the embassy carrying my US passport. 

[patriot10 11]

Having been through the process recently in India, I can confirm that the petitioner is NOT required...but if petitioner wants to stand by the beneficiary through the process, there is no objection.

Also, as far as kids go, i have been to the Delhi embassy many times with kids 8 year old and 4 year old...never received any objections.

All in all, its pretty humane and friendly.

 

All the same, since you are going for an interview and getting the main visa is the main concern, it is best that arrangements are made in such a way that you can concentrate on the matter at hand rather than various distractions.

 

The interview process itself is pretty calm and sorted out and does not take long although if on that particular day, there are many cases (in my case there were 20 cases and i was 15th in line- Got in at 8:30 was out at 11, my own interview lasted under 10 minutes- there were only 2 windows that were taking the interviews) so,  you should be out quite soon to tend to the child in case he/she is with a trusted baby sitter.

 

 

 

 

[timeforeverything 3]

Okay, finally got a good answer!

I emailed another address from the Guatemala Embassy ( GUATEMALAIV@state.gov ) and now I have been told that yes I can attend if I want, but it is not required. And that our baby can come too. I am going to print out that email just in case to bring with us.

[NickJackson 0]

I am a U.S. citizen and my wife is from Guatemala. I went through the interview process 19 months ago (May 2015) and it was a very friendly experience. I, the very easily entered the U.S. embassy with my wife and we got our pack from one Guatemalan gal and a window and took a seat and waited for about an hour if I recall. For our interview, we were called up to a different window and spoke to a U.S. woman who conducted the interview. We showed her pictures, my wife answered a few questions in Spanish and we were approved immediately on the spot. 5 or 6 Days later we had our documents we needed to be released to fly to the US. I think I was very welcomed to stand next to my wife and it even helped to see us together like a married couple to the interviewer. Go with him.

[timeforeverything 3]

We had the interview on Thursday, everything went well and we were approved! I posted a review of the interview experience on the consulate reviews section.....

There was no problem with my baby and I entering with my husband, I just presented my passport and went in with him.  All in all it was a very easy interview, but I think it is because our two daughters were born in Guatemala and registered their birth abroad with my husband as the father.  The interviewer didn't ask for a single proof of marriage other than the marriage certificate! Just need a lot of patience and be prepared to wait in line. Our appointment was at 7:20am and we were out of the embassy at 9:30am.

Good luck to everyone going through the process! And thanks for all of the advice