USC Spouse presence at the interview

[Redneck-NOVA 1]

I was wondering if USC spuose has to be present at the interview in case of marriage based application (3 years). My wife was going to go with me as she always did for all immigration appointments, but my interview happens to be on the day when she has an extremely important work conference and basically cannot go unless she absolutely has to. I cannot find any info on spouse presence being required, but just wanted to check around.

Also, if it's not required, will that be beneficial and are they even allowed to attend?

Thanks!

[warlord 73]

I was wondering if USC spuose has to be present at the interview in case of marriage based application (3 years). My wife was going to go with me as she always did for all immigration appointments, but my interview happens to be on the day when she has an extremely important work conference and basically cannot go unless she absolutely has to. I cannot find any info on spouse presence being required, but just wanted to check around.

Also, if it's not required, will that be beneficial and are they even allowed to attend?

Thanks!

No they do not have to be present at all. Mine never went as she was working. The IO just asked why she wasn't there and I told him she was at work. No problems at all...

[annelizabeth 1]

I made my husband come with me, but they didn't even ask if he was there, let alone want to speak to him. So, I don't think you need to get your wife to attend.

Good luck on the interview! I am sure it will be a breeze.

[Live By Faith 0]

I went with my wife for just in case if they wanted to talk with me, but they didn't and I just sat outside in the waiting area.... everything went well without any problems or any need to talk with me.

Personally, in our experience we always want to be in a situation where we don't give USCIS a reason for objection, so I would suggest that if all your documentation is in place there is a good chance they will be fine with yourself. However if for some reason the officer want to talk with your wife and she is not present, your process will be delayed and proabably asked to come again with your wife present....

I think if she can attend her meeting on the phone, have her go and stay in your car outside to attend the meeting and be available on a moment's notice if needed....

(Again this is my personal opinion and should not be taken as legal advise).....

Cheers and good luck

[wannabe_texan 0]

I made my husband come with me, but they didn't even ask if he was there, let alone want to speak to him. So, I don't think you need to get your wife to attend.

Good luck on the interview! I am sure it will be a breeze.

I had the same experience as AnnElizabeth. I think you could tell the IO your wife had a really important work meeting (if asked), and that you can call her cell phone if the IO needs to speak with her. If everything's straightforward in your case, and you take extra evidence etc with you, I don't think you'll have any issues with your wife not being there. I would bring your wife's passport and also DL if possible.

I brought tons of extra paperwork with me, and was not asked for any of it. Mainly the IO congratulated me on having such a good package in the first place (I had copies of house purchase papers, joint checking account, copy of our DLs, hubby's passport and BC, joint auto insurance, marriage cert, divorce decree in original application) and that's all he wanted.

[kaibigan 8]

i think it will help your wife if you will attend

she will feel more at ease compared to going

in an interview alone.

but for me.. i think what matters most is how

you answered the question clearly and correctly and how you prepared the

necessary documents that they asked you.

i wish you and your wife all the best! God will bless you

the approval for sure!

[satyam 0]

I got your answers, but Still wondering Does It mandates for Interview that Both needs to Present or Optional Per Se its Just an Added Advantage when IO still has Doubts in Mind to Cross check?

[lucyrich 20]

I got your answers, but Still wondering Does It mandates for Interview that Both needs to Present or Optional Per Se its Just an Added Advantage when IO still has Doubts in Mind to Cross check?

It is NOT required in a standard case. There could be special circumstances in your particular case that would make them want to speak with your spouse, but if there are such circumstances, they'll tell you. That would be unusual.

In virtually all the cases I've seen reports of here at VJ, they did not ask to see the USC spouse. In most reports, they did not allow the USC spouse to attend the interview, but forced him/her to wait outside in a waiting area. Most people here report that they went to the office together, because the USC spouse wanted to provide emotional support on this important day. But some people had scheduling conflicts which made attendance difficult. When the USC didn't attend, I have not heard of a single instance where the USC's absence caused a delay or other problem.

We went to the office together, but the USC was forced to wait outside during the interview.

[NickD 202]

Seems strange they don't, just walk in as a couple and take a short oath that you are married and living together rather than bringing in tons of paper work..

Clearly recall our AOS, wife and daughter were nervous, weren't that good at English, and had a difficult time understanding all the follow through, I did most of the talking. But after living here for almost four years, wife could handle herself speaking very clear English and could repeat word by word everything here IO said. Since I have been a member of this board, can only recall one women stating her IO wanted to meet her spouse. Sure didn't want to meet me, felt my papers were more important than me. Damn, I have been replaced by a piece of paper? LOL.

Even in contacting the USCIS, they wanted to speak to her, really a contradiction in my opinion, they want to make sure we are a family, but isolate us. Would say, wait a minute, this is my wife, this is my family, I am the one that brought her here, I paid all the fees, this is my life too, and I just have a simple question, certainly I have the right to know what's going on! That usually did the trick, they want to make sure we are a family, but quickly forget about that. Feel like I am dealing with idiots.

[antda 13]

Hi Everyone,

I was wondering the same thing too....Does the USC spouse need to be present at the interview?

It wouldn't be a problem in my situation though, as my husband has always been there for me for all of my immigration appointments and non-appointments to my "local" office, especially so that I need him to drive me there, since it is a long-distance drive (about 200+ miles round-trip) to the city (I hate driving in cities), and more so that I need him for moral support. He doesn't mind though, and I'm always glad to have him there with me. And yes, he'll be there with me when I have my N-400 interview (whenever that may be...hopefully not in the middle of a snowstorm!)....

In my opinion, yes, I think it is beneficial for one to have their spouse attend, even if they are just waiting in the waiting room. It is good to know that there is "someone there by your side for support through this difficult immigration process", and can actually be quite beneficial that way. However, if they can't make it though, for some valid reason or other, I'm sure the immigration officials would understand their absence (if they are required to attend for such an interview or for whatever else). Just make sure though, the immigration officials have a good explaination as to why that is the case and a way to contact that spouse if need be. For example, give them your spouse's work or cell phone number and have your spouse answer the phone call from them.

Lol...with all that extra "joint evidence" that one sends in, you would think that would be enough for them......

Then again...maybe it's better to appear in-person anyways..."To put a human face to all that paperwork..."

Hope this helps too. Good luck with the rest of your immigration journeys.

Ant

P.S. Hmm...this topic makes me think about another similar question about who to bring to the local office....Will post that on another message thread/post though....

I was wondering if USC spuose has to be present at the interview in case of marriage based application (3 years).

Also, if it's not required, will that be beneficial and are they even allowed to attend?

Thanks!

Edited September 17, 2009 by Ant+D+A

[lucyrich 20]

However, if they can't make it though, for some valid reason or other, I'm sure the immigration officials would understand their absence (if they are required to attend for such an interview or for whatever else). Just make sure though, the immigration officials have a good explaination as to why that is the case and a way to contact that spouse if need be. For example, give them your spouse's work or cell phone number and have your spouse answer the phone call from them.

Immigration Officer: Is your spouse outside in the waiting area?

Naturalization Candidate: No.

IO: Why not?

NC: Because none of the paperwork or other official information we got from the USCIS suggested his presence was required or beneficial.

IO: Do you know where he is?

NC: Yes, he's at home mowing the lawn.

IO: Ok, let's move on. Who was the first president of the United States?

OK, I wouldn't really expect the conversation to go exactly like that. But really, if they don't bother to ask for a person to be present, they can't get too upset if that person doesn't show up. If they wanted the spouse to show up, they'd ask for the spouse's presence, like they do for adjustment of status interviews.

Obviously, there's nothing WRONG with having a good excuse and a cell phone number ready, but I don't believe it's necessary.