DCF Interview Question

[msdelila 1]

Hi,

I plan to file the I-130 for my husband in Israel next week. I am a USC and an Israeli citizen. We were married in Israel, and still reside here. I begin studying in the US this August, so I will have to fly to the US without him. We were told that the wait time for Israel is about 6 months, so they said "don't expect the interview until Oct". My question is, when he gets his interview at the consulate, do I have to be present with him? That would mean I would have to take those days off from school and fly all the way back here. I asked 2 different officers at the consulate....one said "yes", one said "no". Go figure!

Thanks

[txladykat 1]

Hi,

I plan to file the I-130 for my husband in Israel next week. I am a USC and an Israeli citizen. We were married in Israel, and still reside here. I begin studying in the US this August, so I will have to fly to the US without him. We were told that the wait time for Israel is about 6 months, so they said "don't expect the interview until Oct". My question is, when he gets his interview at the consulate, do I have to be present with him? That would mean I would have to take those days off from school and fly all the way back here. I asked 2 different officers at the consulate....one said "yes", one said "no". Go figure!

Thanks

No, once you file your application, you are free to leave the country. Everything else that occurs from that point on is for the beneficiary. You can, of course, be present at the interview if you are in the country (if your embassy even allows, at some don't), but it is not required.

[Penguin_ie 5,997]

As soon as you filed the I=130, you can leave the country.

6 months? Wow that seems like a long time for DCF!

[ahlpo 0]

I'd say it's highly recommended to be present, not only as a show of support but also to help relieve any worries your spouse might have.

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

It really depends on the consulate. I know of several London DCF folks who went without their American spouses and did just fine. For other consulates, it may be nearly imperative; some might not even let you in. I went with my husband because we lived in London (40 minutes by bus) and I wanted to be there for him, and also get a day off of work!

You might want to ask this question in a regional sub-forum for more targeted answers.