Attending Interview?

[sajori 0]

So I sent an email to the embassy in Kyiv and I just wanted to make sure they knew that I'd be attending the interview with my fiance.

They sent me this reply:

Thank you for your inquiry of March 25, 2009. Please be informed that your presence at the interview is optional and will not influence the decision of the Consular officer. Although you may accompany your fiancé to the interview you will not be able to attend it in full.

Almost sounds as if they'd rather not have me there

What parts is the American fiance/e not allowed in?

[anitacastillo 0]

Every consulate handles this differently. Hopefully others from Kiev will see this - or you could ask in the regional forum.

Good Luck!!

[Brad and Vika 129]

I was able to attend the entire interview about seven weeks ago. It isn't clear to me (having been through the embassy) what part you aren't supposed to go to - because I just walked up to the window with Vika, even for the fingerprinting. At no time was I ever told to leave (or sit down in our seat five feet away) or to wait elsewhere. My presence shortened the interview to zero questions for Vika, although we saw other interviewees being asked ten minutes of questions. You should be fine going. The embassy staff were helpful and very tolerant.

[payxibka 10,047]

I was able to attend the entire interview about seven weeks ago. It isn't clear to me (having been through the embassy) what part you aren't supposed to go to - because I just walked up to the window with Vika, even for the fingerprinting. At no time was I ever told to leave (or sit down in our seat five feet away) or to wait elsewhere. My presence shortened the interview to zero questions for Vika, although we saw other interviewees being asked ten minutes of questions. You should be fine going. The embassy staff were helpful and very tolerant.

Brad,

I was not at Sveta's interview and it too consisted of zero questions... any idea what shortened hers?

[Brad and Vika 129]

I was able to attend the entire interview about seven weeks ago. It isn't clear to me (having been through the embassy) what part you aren't supposed to go to - because I just walked up to the window with Vika, even for the fingerprinting. At no time was I ever told to leave (or sit down in our seat five feet away) or to wait elsewhere. My presence shortened the interview to zero questions for Vika, although we saw other interviewees being asked ten minutes of questions. You should be fine going. The embassy staff were helpful and very tolerant.

Brad,

I was not at Sveta's interview and it too consisted of zero questions... any idea what shortened hers?

I presume it was that my presence was evidence enough that we met in the past two years and that I intended to marry her. Also, they did take support info and tax returns, checked my ID etc., so the few questions they were supposed to have answered by regs were (presumably again) answered just by being there.

[payxibka 10,047]

I was able to attend the entire interview about seven weeks ago. It isn't clear to me (having been through the embassy) what part you aren't supposed to go to - because I just walked up to the window with Vika, even for the fingerprinting. At no time was I ever told to leave (or sit down in our seat five feet away) or to wait elsewhere. My presence shortened the interview to zero questions for Vika, although we saw other interviewees being asked ten minutes of questions. You should be fine going. The embassy staff were helpful and very tolerant.

Brad,

I was not at Sveta's interview and it too consisted of zero questions... any idea what shortened hers?

I presume it was that my presence was evidence enough that we met in the past two years and that I intended to marry her. Also, they did take support info and tax returns, checked my ID etc., so the few questions they were supposed to have answered by regs were (presumably again) answered just by being there.

Sveta's interview consisted of "who helped you put together this packet of information, as it is the most organized we have seen?"... "Please go pay for the the courier.." I am not sure I know what the standard questions required by regs are....

[Brad and Vika 129]

I was able to attend the entire interview about seven weeks ago. It isn't clear to me (having been through the embassy) what part you aren't supposed to go to - because I just walked up to the window with Vika, even for the fingerprinting. At no time was I ever told to leave (or sit down in our seat five feet away) or to wait elsewhere. My presence shortened the interview to zero questions for Vika, although we saw other interviewees being asked ten minutes of questions. You should be fine going. The embassy staff were helpful and very tolerant.

Brad,

I was not at Sveta's interview and it too consisted of zero questions... any idea what shortened hers?

I presume it was that my presence was evidence enough that we met in the past two years and that I intended to marry her. Also, they did take support info and tax returns, checked my ID etc., so the few questions they were supposed to have answered by regs were (presumably again) answered just by being there.

Sveta's interview consisted of "who helped you put together this packet of information, as it is the most organized we have seen?"... "Please go pay for the the courier.." I am not sure I know what the standard questions required by regs are....

I guess I should have said meaningful questions. Our questions were (to me) "Belarussian business visas huh?, we don't see many of those!" and (to Vika while looking at me/my passport) "do you speak English" and then "sign here for your visa".

By regs I just meant the meeting, intent to marry, and ability to support stuff.

[payxibka 10,047]

I guess I should have said meaningful questions. Our questions were (to me) "Belarussian business visas huh?, we don't see many of those!" and (to Vika while looking at me/my passport) "do you speak English" and then "sign here for your visa".

By regs I just meant the meeting, intent to marry, and ability to support stuff.

Well meeting and intent had already been adjudicated by the USCIS. Consulates are not to re-adjudicate unless they discover new information. So, the bonafides and financial is all that they really need to do in most situations.

[Brad and Vika 129]

I guess I should have said meaningful questions. Our questions were (to me) "Belarussian business visas huh?, we don't see many of those!" and (to Vika while looking at me/my passport) "do you speak English" and then "sign here for your visa".

By regs I just meant the meeting, intent to marry, and ability to support stuff.

Well meeting and intent had already been adjudicated by the USCIS. Consulates are not to re-adjudicate unless they discover new information. So, the bonafides and financial is all that they really need to do in most situations.

Right-O. So I did my best work by appearing, nodding, and smiling. I wish the rest of it was that easy

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

I was able to attend the entire interview about seven weeks ago. It isn't clear to me (having been through the embassy) what part you aren't supposed to go to - because I just walked up to the window with Vika, even for the fingerprinting. At no time was I ever told to leave (or sit down in our seat five feet away) or to wait elsewhere. My presence shortened the interview to zero questions for Vika, although we saw other interviewees being asked ten minutes of questions. You should be fine going. The embassy staff were helpful and very tolerant.

Brad,

I was not at Sveta's interview and it too consisted of zero questions... any idea what shortened hers?

I presume it was that my presence was evidence enough that we met in the past two years and that I intended to marry her. Also, they did take support info and tax returns, checked my ID etc., so the few questions they were supposed to have answered by regs were (presumably again) answered just by being there.

Sveta's interview consisted of "who helped you put together this packet of information, as it is the most organized we have seen?"... "Please go pay for the the courier.." I am not sure I know what the standard questions required by regs are....

Now this is NO FAIR! I had the best packet they would have ever seen but they made me take it apart to hand under the window!

Brad, I guess we are just ugly Americans and had no idea we were not supposed to go up to the window (like you said, 5 ft. away) when they were called for the interview. I just walked right up and no one said anything. The day we were there, 6 fiancees, 3 USC petitioners and NO ONE had a question asked. They actually asked us if WE had any questions? NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL Give me that pink card and let me out of here!