Can I attend my spouse's interview?

[PerutoNC 5]

 

My husband finally received his visa appointment in Peru for his CR-1 visa. I would really like to attend the interview with him. I am living in the US now but plan to go to Peru at least for moral support. On the consulate website it says only the beneficiary is required to be there but do you know if it is possible for me to attend as well? Is there anything I need to do to make sure I am let in to the consulate?

 

Also, do you know what materials we are allowed to take in to this particular embassy (Lima, Peru)? We have a binder with all of our paperwork nicely organized but I heard rumors that binders, folders, etc isn't allowed- only papers. Does anyone know the details on this?

 

Thank you!

[Timona 3,957]

I wouldn't waste airfare if the invitation strictly states beneficiary. 

 

Some areas are still following strict COVID protocols.

[PGA 224]

On 6/22/2022 at 7:10 PM, PerutoNC said:

 

My husband finally received his visa appointment in Peru for his CR-1 visa. I would really like to attend the interview with him. I am living in the US now but plan to go to Peru at least for moral support. On the consulate website it says only the beneficiary is required to be there but do you know if it is possible for me to attend as well? Is there anything I need to do to make sure I am let in to the consulate?

 

Also, do you know what materials we are allowed to take in to this particular embassy (Lima, Peru)? We have a binder with all of our paperwork nicely organized but I heard rumors that binders, folders, etc isn't allowed- only papers. Does anyone know the details on this?

 

Thank you!

I did not attend the interview with my spouse but waited across the street with others (I live here though). It did seem for some cases that day, they did let the petitioner in with the individual but not sure what the circumstances were (maybe aged adult needing assistance). I'm not sure with the explicit statements in the email about only the beneficiary attending, I would waste the time and money to fly here but I guess you can always try. 

 

Yes, they are pretty weird about what you can bring inside....basically it's the documents inside a manila folder and that's all. NO plastic folders and I would assume a large binder would also not be allowed, also no bags, cells, etc. Depending on what time appointment is, there is a table next to entry that will watch that stuff for you for a fee. My wife's appointment was early and I don't think they were set up yet but didn't matter because I was there to watch the stuff.  

Edited June 24, 2022 by PGA

[Chancy 6,233]

*** Moved from US Citizenship General Discussion to Embassy/Consulate Discussion ***

 

[TBoneTX 43,254]

There's NEVER any downside to the petitioner's presence, whether in the consulate or within range.

 

Emotional support is one aspect.  Functionally, the consul can call in the petitioner to get questions answered that might otherwise result in a 221(g) if the beneficiary were there alone.

 

If you're not allowed inside the consulate, give your U.S. passport to your husband so that he can show it to the Locally Engaged Staffer who's collecting papers, and subsequently to the consul.  If nothing else, it adds to the fact that yours is a bona fide relationship.

[amp0101 2]

Could you please tell me what the wait time was between being DQ'd at NVC to the interview date? Just trying to calculate what we might be looking at for Lima when we get to that stage. Thank you so much and good luck with the interview! I'm not an expert, but I'd assume they wouldn't allow you in, not even to wait in line with him. I lived in Lima for 10 years and any time I had to do something at the embassy, my husband would just wait for me at the Sarcletti's cafe across the street.

[PerutoNC 5]

42 minutes ago, amp0101 said:

Could you please tell me what the wait time was between being DQ'd at NVC to the interview date? Just trying to calculate what we might be looking at for Lima when we get to that stage. Thank you so much and good luck with the interview! I'm not an expert, but I'd assume they wouldn't allow you in, not even to wait in line with him. I lived in Lima for 10 years and any time I had to do something at the embassy, my husband would just wait for me at the Sarcletti's cafe across the street.

An update... I went to the interview with him and they let me in. I'm definitely glad I went. 

 

We got DQ'd in January, recieved the message about the interview date mid June, and our interview date was early August. My husband is now in Peru awaiting his visa via mail. We're not quite sure yet how long that will take. 

[amp0101 2]

That's awesome to hear!!! I'm so glad to know they let you in and ... CONGRATULATIONS!! 
Now you've motivated me to travel for the interview as well (although looks like that's going to be quite a long way away yet). Happy moving plans! Thanks for the timeline details, you know how stressful not knowing is.

[PerutoNC 5]

On 9/2/2022 at 7:47 AM, amp0101 said:

That's awesome to hear!!! I'm so glad to know they let you in and ... CONGRATULATIONS!! 
Now you've motivated me to travel for the interview as well (although looks like that's going to be quite a long way away yet). Happy moving plans! Thanks for the timeline details, you know how stressful not knowing is.

Yes, not knowing the timeline is the hardest part! A couple of tips based on my experience:  

• Medical Exam: When you get the instructions sheet for the interview (it will come in the email) you will see that your partner will need a medical exam at a specific doctor in Lima. It has to be 2 weeks before the interview. I recommend following up a week later to make sure the doctor sent the report in to the embassy. Ours had not arrived and caused a delay. When we called the doctor after the interview she just said "oh, lo siento joven, lo mandamos hoy"...... so easily a delay that could have been avoided if we had been a little more proactive about following up. 
• Police Reports: The instructions we got said to bring the police reports even if they had expired. When we got to the interview they asked for updated reports. I would take the expired ones with you but go ahead and get updated ones if you can to take as well. This will help avoid a delay.
• Updated Forms: The same thing goes for any forms that might be "out of date" or from the year before. We were asked to get an updated affidavit of financial support only because it was signed last year. Of course, this is because of the delay on part of the embassy BUT  it is something I could have easily had ready before the interview if I had known they would request it.
• Upload: Any forms you update- police records, financial reports, etc- I would go ahead and upload them on the online platform. Maybe you could call the file "Updated forms date___."   Many people had updated forms on hand but the agent still gave them a "rejected pending documents" because they needed them in electronic form. If that happens it isnt a problem, they didnt request that we go back for another interview but it just adds time to an already long process. 

Good luck! 

[amp0101 2]

Thank you so much!! This is amazing advice that we'll keep in mind when the time comes!

[Palawan 130]

On 6/22/2022 at 7:10 PM, PerutoNC said:

 

My husband finally received his visa appointment in Peru for his CR-1 visa. I would really like to attend the interview with him. I am living in the US now but plan to go to Peru at least for moral support. On the consulate website it says only the beneficiary is required to be there but do you know if it is possible for me to attend as well? Is there anything I need to do to make sure I am let in to the consulate?

 

Also, do you know what materials we are allowed to take in to this particular embassy (Lima, Peru)? We have a binder with all of our paperwork nicely organized but I heard rumors that binders, folders, etc isn't allowed- only papers. Does anyone know the details on this?

 

Thank you!

In my experience Embassy/Consulates have different rules for US Citizens vs what a beneficary can do or can bring into the Embassy/Consulate in the Intervew areas.

[Kwilso25 1]

Hello all new to the site but I love it gives me a little hope for our long wait for fiancé visa (Nov. 2021). Question: Do you guys think I could enter with her and our newborn baby? She will be giving birth in January to our baby girl. I already have been staying here in Lima since August. I will be here but I wonder if with the baby they might let me enter with her. Or would she go in with our daughter to give us more proof of relationship along with the birth certificate with my name on it.
 

I don’t wanna use my daughter like that but hey we gotta make this happen! Haha. We assume if God willing we get approved by January we will get interview a month or two later. Trying to wrap my head around CBRA for my baby girl when she gets here but I am in another thread for that. Thanks everyone!

[PerutoNC 5]

On 10/20/2022 at 4:04 AM, Kwilso25 said:

Hello all new to the site but I love it gives me a little hope for our long wait for fiancé visa (Nov. 2021). Question: Do you guys think I could enter with her and our newborn baby? She will be giving birth in January to our baby girl. I already have been staying here in Lima since August. I will be here but I wonder if with the baby they might let me enter with her. Or would she go in with our daughter to give us more proof of relationship along with the birth certificate with my name on it.
 

I don’t wanna use my daughter like that but hey we gotta make this happen! Haha. We assume if God willing we get approved by January we will get interview a month or two later. Trying to wrap my head around CBRA for my baby girl when she gets here but I am in another thread for that. Thanks everyone!

Hey, I just went for my husband's visa in August and they let me go in with him. I would assume they would let you go in as well. I do not know about the child but maybe. Could you have a family member nearby that could take the baby if they don't let her in? I did see kids in there but I am not sure if it is because they were also requesting a visa for the child.  However, if your daughter has a US passport or is requesting the visa then I would think yes. It is always hard to know, I wish there was a clear answer online. 

 

Good luck! I know this not knowing and long wait is the hardest part, but it will be worth it!

[Kwilso25 1]

On 10/21/2022 at 5:41 PM, PerutoNC said:

Hey, I just went for my husband's visa in August and they let me go in with him. I would assume they would let you go in as well. I do not know about the child but maybe. Could you have a family member nearby that could take the baby if they don't let her in? I did see kids in there but I am not sure if it is because they were also requesting a visa for the child.  However, if your daughter has a US passport or is requesting the visa then I would think yes. It is always hard to know, I wish there was a clear answer online. 

 

Good luck! I know this not knowing and long wait is the hardest part, but it will be worth it!

I think we could find someone to take her but I would rather enter with her. But that’s good to know they let you in gives us some hope. She will have her passport by then so she would not need a visa as she will already be a citizen (We will go through CBRA process to get her papers after she is born in January). 
 

Thank you so much for the reply! It is great to hear from someone else going through the process here in Peru. What is your timeline as far as the visa is concerned? We will get through this and it will be 100% worth it! 

[PerutoNC 5]

19 hours ago, Kwilso25 said:

I think we could find someone to take her but I would rather enter with her. But that’s good to know they let you in gives us some hope. She will have her passport by then so she would not need a visa as she will already be a citizen (We will go through CBRA process to get her papers after she is born in January). 
 

Thank you so much for the reply! It is great to hear from someone else going through the process here in Peru. What is your timeline as far as the visa is concerned? We will get through this and it will be 100% worth it! 

We had our interview the first week of August. They wanted a few updated papers so it took a few more months for them to approve the visa. My husband got his visa in the mail 2 weeks ago and his flight will arrive this week to the US! It could take less time for you but I have to say, when we were there they sent everyone away asking for more paperwork. My only advice would be to get everything updated with new dates even if the instructions say not to. Take the originals and the new documents plus upload the new documents to the system. A lot of people had physical copies of new forms but then had to upload them after the interview and you know that means it will take awhile for them to review. Also, call the doctors and confirm they sent in the medical exams the day before you go to the interview. Our hold up was the doctor still hadn't sent those in even though my husband had done his exams weeks before. Once it is approved the mail is fast, that's the good news!