Should USC Spouse be Present at Foreign Spouse's Interview?

[vaf124 0]

Hello,

I am trying to get information of behalf of a USC friend. His wife is Chinese and living in Guangzhou. She has just received her interview date.

I understand that the interview at the consulate is for the foreign spouse and the USC spouse need not be present as he is now in the US. The wife, however, has heard that at the interview, it is helpful for the USC spouse to be present. She has heard that they will ask at the interview if the USC husband is present--this presumably shows support from the husband, and gives the marriage more validity. The USC husband is having issues traveling to China for the interview.

Has anyone experienced or heard about anything like this? Is it actually helpful for the USC husband to be present?

Thanks very much!

[ddartt1 2]

Hello,

I am trying to get information of behalf of a USC friend. His wife is Chinese and living in Guangzhou. She has just received her interview date.

I understand that the interview at the consulate is for the foreign spouse and the USC spouse need not be present as he is now in the US. The wife, however, has heard that at the interview, it is helpful for the USC spouse to be present. She has heard that they will ask at the interview if the USC husband is present--this presumably shows support from the husband, and gives the marriage more validity. The USC husband is having issues traveling to China for the interview.

Has anyone experienced or heard about anything like this? Is it actually helpful for the USC husband to be present?

Thanks very much!

I guess the word present means alive, translations can be confusing at times. Like the name suggests its "spouse's interview" so she does not need USC husband at the interview. Good luck!

[Bobby+Umit 161]

If you can do it, by all means, it will not hurt and in some cases, could be just what your case may need.

However, each embassy has their own rules, some will let you in the gate to be with your benificiary, some will even let you sit in the waiting room, but some keep you away.. (i'm sure you could get in some other way )

Some even let you go into the interview - but that is really rare from what I have read.

What embassy are you going to? - that would help you get a more accurate answer.

[golybki T_V 0]

it is NOT required but I would really reccomend USC spouse to go with their foreign spouse to the interview, it will help alot. I speak from my own experience, I (USC) went with my foreign spouse to the interview and I am SO GLAD that I went, they didn't ask ANY questions to my foreign spouse, I was the biggest proof that we're together and intend to marry, the whole interview went VERY smooth..... now that of course varies on the consulate office and the case, but I would say that make every effort to go with your foreign spouse to the interview, it will help them being less strestful and easy things up for you both.

any questions feel free to ask me!

[vaf124 0]

If you can do it, by all means, it will not hurt and in some cases, could be just what your case may need.

However, each embassy has their own rules, some will let you in the gate to be with your benificiary, some will even let you sit in the waiting room, but some keep you away.. (i'm sure you could get in some other way )

Some even let you go into the interview - but that is really rare from what I have read.

What embassy are you going to? - that would help you get a more accurate answer.

Guangzhou. The problem is that it is going to be very burdensome to get to Guangzhou for the interview, and he wants to know if it actually helps. It seems that sometimes the VO will ask if the husband is there...do they ever actually ask to see him? Thanks!

[reeses16 8]

No, it is not necessary to go to the interview. People who have gone through Guangzhou can give you better advice. There are some consulates that are more difficult to get an approval from, and VJers will recommend attendance when possible. I'm not sure if Guangzhou falls in this category.

I didn't attend my hubby's interview and everything went well. We had a clear simple case with lots of evidence. I also sent a notarized letter saying that I was unable to attend, but I was excited for his interview and for him to come to the US. I did it to make myself feel better, I doubt it had any real weight with the CO.

Edited June 23, 2009 by reeses16

[Eric & Jin 10]

Yes, I would definitely recommend that your friend be in Guangzhou during his wife's interview. Guangzhou is one of those consulates where you should definitely take advantage of anything at all which may improve your approval chances. He will not be able to attend the interview itself but he can give his wife his passport to give to the VO who is conducting her interview which will prove that he is there. I would also recommend that he attend an ACH (American Citizens Hour) session which are held on Mondays at 2:30 if at all possible where he can ask any questions that he may have about his case or the process in general but more importantly his presence will be noted in the computer.

I attended my fiancée’s interview in Guangzhou about 3 weeks ago and also attended ACH and I feel that it benefited our case a lot. I wanted to be there not only to let my presence be known but also to be there for support after the interview in case my fiancée’s visa was denied. My question is why anyone would not make sacrifices to be there for the interview being that it will probably be one of the most important days in both their lives. If they aren't there and the visa is approved then great but if they are not there and the visa is denied then they will be kicking themselves for not making the trip.

[vaf124 0]

thank you all for your responses! i will pass the information onto my friend that he should be there.

[TBoneTX 46,074]

If they aren't there and the visa is approved then great but if they are not there and the visa is denied then they will be kicking themselves for not making the trip.

Follow this advice. Incidentally, a petitioner's absence from the interview PREMISES in Ecuador guarantees a 221(g) or a refusal... and the consulate will never admit this.

[vaf124 0]

One more question since you're all so helpful:

He heard that even after the interview, he might need to be there for something the following week? Does anyone have any idea about what this is?

[Eric & Jin 10]

One more question since you're all so helpful:

He heard that even after the interview, he might need to be there for something the following week? Does anyone have any idea about what this is?

No, I have never heard of anything like this before unless maybe he is referring to the interview resulting in a possible blue slip (request for more information) but even then the additonal information that is being requested is generally mailed in. After my fiancee's visa was approved it took 2 days to print the visa and then we picked it up at the designated post office in Guangzhou - maybe he was referring to this perhaps - not sure?? Sorry.

[vaf124 0]

Yes, I would definitely recommend that your friend be in Guangzhou during his wife's interview. Guangzhou is one of those consulates where you should definitely take advantage of anything at all which may improve your approval chances. He will not be able to attend the interview itself but he can give his wife his passport to give to the VO who is conducting her interview which will prove that he is there. I would also recommend that he attend an ACH (American Citizens Hour) session which are held on Mondays at 2:30 if at all possible where he can ask any questions that he may have about his case or the process in general but more importantly his presence will be noted in the computer.

I attended my fiancée’s interview in Guangzhou about 3 weeks ago and also attended ACH and I feel that it benefited our case a lot. I wanted to be there not only to let my presence be known but also to be there for support after the interview in case my fiancée’s visa was denied. My question is why anyone would not make sacrifices to be there for the interview being that it will probably be one of the most important days in both their lives. If they aren't there and the visa is approved then great but if they are not there and the visa is denied then they will be kicking themselves for not making the trip.

Is the ACH every Monday or is it just once or twice a month?

[Eric & Jin 10]

Is the ACH every Monday or is it just once or twice a month?

It is every Monday, except on Holidays.

[vaf124 0]

thanks so much!