Bringing a toddler to an interview

[Skye1202 5]

Hi,

 

I'm just wondering if I will be able to bring my mother in law with us to the US Embassy for our interviews? My son (3 yrs old) and I will be having our interview, and I'm not sure if we'll have it at the same time, since we were on a separate petition. Will they allow my mother in law to come with us? I'm kind of worried as he is really active, and I will be carrying a lot of documents, and I'll have to do the processing for everything. I think it might be hard to do with a hyper toddler. 

 

Note: my mother in law is not a US Citizen.

[Roel 7,191]

Your son doesn't have to be in the interview. Leave him outside with your mother in law.

[Skye1202 5]

Really? Even if he is a beneficiary? He's on an IR-2 visa application while I am on CR-1 visa.

[Hank_ 9,173]

6 minutes ago, Roel said:

Your son doesn't have to be in the interview. Leave him outside with your mother in law.

ALL visa applicants MUST attend their interview!

4 minutes ago, Skye1202 said:

Really? Even if he is a beneficiary? He's on an IR-2 visa application while I am on CR-1 visa.

 

No not really.    You son must attend his visa interview.

[Skye1202 5]

Yup for sure he will attend. I'm just wondering if someone else can accompany us to our interview given that I'll be handling the paper works, and my son might run around the area...

[Unlockable 7,306]

Children that are beneficiaries are required to attend the interview. A child as young as 3 will likely not be asked many questions. Mostly greeted by the CO. But the CO will certainly need to identify the child in person.

[debbiedoo 2,339]

kid has to be there. because of his age, the CO probably wont say much more than hi to him. take mom and she can babysit while you do everything else

[Hank_ 9,173]

2 hours ago, Roel said:

Seriously? That's kind of a retarded rule.

I remember that from my local embassy, children under 14 years old don't need to attend the interview.

Yes seriously.

 

" Q: Do all children have to come in person for their appointment?
A: Yes. Applicants under the age of 20 must attend their visa interview with at least one parent. If the child is an orphan, or both parents are outside the Philippines, a legal guardian must accompany the child. "

 

http://www.ustraveldocs.com/ph/ph-svc-visachild.asp

[Roel 7,191]

2 minutes ago, Hank_ said:

Yes seriously.

 

" Q: Do all children have to come in person for their appointment?
A: Yes. Applicants under the age of 20 must attend their visa interview with at least one parent. If the child is an orphan, or both parents are outside the Philippines, a legal guardian must accompany the child. "

 

http://www.ustraveldocs.com/ph/ph-svc-visachild.asp

Guess that rule is different for each embassy.

[Hank_ 9,173]

Yes they are.

[payxibka 10,044]

1 hour ago, Roel said:

Guess that rule is different for each embassy.

Not the only "rule" that varies by consulate 

[Carpe Vinum 2,310]

There were several toddlers and stressed mothers there in Manila when we were there for the interview.)) Mother in Law probably won't be allowed in.

Edited June 26, 2019 by boris64

[Skye1202 5]

55 minutes ago, boris64 said:

There were several toddlers and stressed mothers there in Manila when we were there for the interview.)) Mother in Law probably won't be allowed in.

Uh oh. I bet I'll be one stressed mother if this'll be the case 😅

[Falcon Cara 378]

1 hour ago, Skye1202 said:

Uh oh. I bet I'll be one stressed mother if this'll be the case 😅

I saw cages you can leave them inside the while you wait for them to call your number for the interview

[MarryMe987654 241]

You should be fine on your own.

 

When I attended my interview, there was this mother who is struggling with her kid and her documents. The other Filipinas gave her a helping hand by handling her binder for her, saving her line in the seat while she runs around the place, etc. People are very forgiving and helpful when kids are around.

 

I know it's gonna be challenging but you can strategize even before you get there: do not give the kid any sugar; give the kid a book or a toy or crayons and paper. Organize your papers so they are easy to identify and easy to be pulled out of your binder when asked. Start arranging the papers that will be initially asked so they are easily accessible to you.

 

Goodluck