Need to be present at interview?

[senzaflash 0]

Hi all,

I've noticed that in various topics people make reference to the USC being present at the fiance's embassy interview. That stage is a ways off for me, but is that necessary/recommended in all cases? I seem to see plenty of cases where the USC is not present. I ask because I work in academia and I suspect my fiance will get his interview over the summer or fall, and it would be a bit complicated to travel to Scandinavia for this one event. Any explanation, reassurance, or opinions will be mightily appreciated.

Thanks always for your help!

Lisa

[coraliesolms 47]

No, the USC is not REQUIRED to be present at the interview. And since your fiance is not in a "high fraud country" you really dont HAVE to be there. As long as he has LOADS of "relationship" evidence with him ( photo's, engagement ring receipts, copies of boarding passes from visits etc..) then he will be ok

From and emotional standpoint though, it can be very nerve-wrecking, and sometimes having ones significant other there can help.

[Alcheringa 39]

I just happened to be living here with my fiancée, so it was a non-issue as to me being present for the interview. I wasn't certain I'd be allowed in, though.

Ultimately, I was and the CO divided the interview up between us evenly -- which also surprised me.

Was I required to be there? Absolutely not. Did it end up being well worth it in regard to supporting my fiancée? Absolutely. Was the CO pleased to see me present? Yes, and said so himself.

It's one of those things that you may as well do if you can, but if not be certain your evidence is rock-solid and voluminous as the PP suggested.

Personally, I'd not have missed it for the world; It was one of the most singular events in my life.

[Alcheringa 39]

I just happened to be living here with my fiancée, so it was a non-issue as to me being present for the interview. I wasn't certain I'd be allowed in, though.

Ultimately, I was and the CO divided the interview up between us evenly -- which also surprised me.

Was I required to be there? Absolutely not. Did it end up being well worth it in regard to supporting my fiancée? Absolutely. Was the CO pleased to see me present? Yes, and said so himself.

It's one of those things that you may as well do if you can, but if not be certain your evidence is rock-solid and voluminous as the PP suggested.

Personally, I'd not have missed it for the world; It was one of the most singular events in my life.

[TBoneTX 46,288]

I gently disagree with the lovely & gracious Coralie on a couple of points:

No, the USC is not REQUIRED to be present at the interview.

At some embassies & consulates, it is an unpublicized requirement that the USC be on the premises during the first interview. Failure to heed this requirement courts a 221g or an outright refusal of the visa.

As long as he has LOADS of "relationship" evidence with him ( photo's, engagement ring receipts, copies of boarding passes from visits etc..) then he will be ok

More than a few stories on here recount that the interviewee brought considerable "evidence of bona fide relationship" to the interview, but the consul refused to accept it, consider it, or even acknowledge its existence. (This is why, for most consulates except perhaps in lower-fraud countries, it's prudent to front-load one's K-1 or CR-1 petition before sending it to USCIS -- the consulate cannot then deny or disclaim the existence of the evidence.)

From an emotional standpoint, though, it can be very nerve-wracking, and sometimes having one's significant other there can help.

This is 100% correct. The added confidence that's conferred by your presence can lead to a more confident interview presentation. Also, even if you (the USC) are not allowed INTO the interview, you can hand your U.S. passport to your SO to show the CO. This lends credibility that could (you may never know) mean the difference between issuance or refusal of the visa.

Read the Embassy Reviews for Denmark to learn about specific expectations there, and consider that it is always prudent to cover all conceivable bases.

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

I agree with TBoneTX's assessment. In the OP's case, it isn't required for the petitioner to be present, and probably wouldn't make much difference if she was there. However, there are many consulates where it can make a significant difference, and a few where it is essential. Since other people will read this thread for guidance, and since this issue is dependent on the specific consulate, it's important that any advice should be qualified accordingly. Coralie's statement is probably correct for over 90% of the consulates. Anyone should verify whether their fiancee will be interviewing at one of the remaining consulates before assuming that it is also correct for them. The regional forums are a good place to seek answers to consulate specific questions.

[MGsgirl 0]

Hi all,

I've noticed that in various topics people make reference to the USC being present at the fiance's embassy interview. That stage is a ways off for me, but is that necessary/recommended in all cases? I seem to see plenty of cases where the USC is not present. I ask because I work in academia and I suspect my fiance will get his interview over the summer or fall, and it would be a bit complicated to travel to Scandinavia for this one event. Any explanation, reassurance, or opinions will be mightily appreciated.

Thanks always for your help!

Lisa

Hi there,

My husband went to the embassy by himself. I couldn't get the time off either, so I wasn't able to travel to Denmark to go with him. He said I didn't need to be there anyway. He said he was asked a few simple questions to verify our relationship; the woman who interviewed him said she could tell we had a true relationship, just by the way he talked about us and answered the questions. He also said that as long as your fiancee has the required paperwork with him when he goes to the interview, he shouldn't have a problem. I know my husband took a picture of me with him and asked the interviewer if she'd like to see it. He had the pic in his wallet, I think. Tell your fiancee if he uses pics, to have some printed out, as the guards will take cameras and cell phones when he enters (and will give them back when he comes out). But if he has photos stored on these devices, he won't be able to use them in the interview. My husband said the interview was no big deal at all. If I remember correctly, he was in and out in no time. I had him call me as soon as he was done. It may have been about an hour and a half total. Advice is just that your honey should be there on time and look respectable, which is a given I think. And tell him to answer the questions about your relationship from the heart. Don't worry about the interview. Once we got to that part, I knew we were on our way! Now we have been married for 2 years and we are in the process of removing his residency conditions. For the most part, we didn't seem to hit any snags along the way. Thank god! Good luck to you!

[senzaflash 0]

Hi there,

My husband went to the embassy by himself. I couldn't get the time off either, so I wasn't able to travel to Denmark to go with him. He said I didn't need to be there anyway. He said he was asked a few simple questions to verify our relationship; the woman who interviewed him said she could tell we had a true relationship, just by the way he talked about us and answered the questions. He also said that as long as your fiancee has the required paperwork with him when he goes to the interview, he shouldn't have a problem. I know my husband took a picture of me with him and asked the interviewer if she'd like to see it. He had the pic in his wallet, I think. Tell your fiancee if he uses pics, to have some printed out, as the guards will take cameras and cell phones when he enters (and will give them back when he comes out). But if he has photos stored on these devices, he won't be able to use them in the interview. My husband said the interview was no big deal at all. If I remember correctly, he was in and out in no time. I had him call me as soon as he was done. It may have been about an hour and a half total. Advice is just that your honey should be there on time and look respectable, which is a given I think. And tell him to answer the questions about your relationship from the heart. Don't worry about the interview. Once we got to that part, I knew we were on our way! Now we have been married for 2 years and we are in the process of removing his residency conditions. For the most part, we didn't seem to hit any snags along the way. Thank god! Good luck to you!

Thank you for your input! I really appreciate it!

[mike101 8]

I'll be going to the interview with my Fiancee for the following reasons..

#1) She has never been to Bogota and I'm not comfortable with her being their for the first time alone.

#2) I will need to be there to pay for expenses (Plane tickets, taxis, hotel, medical exams, food, etc)

#3) She will need me there for moral support

#4) I'll be there as proof if the officer has doubts about the relationship

#5) Lastly.. I miss her

Sadly I wont have vacation time to wait until the visa arrives in the mail so I plan on sending her to the POE by herself. The plan is to have her fly back about 2 weeks after the interview given that the visa is approved and I will meet her at the POE airport which wold be either Atlanta or Miami.

[kennym 275]

Being my fiancee is Colombian, I beleive the best thing for me to do is be at the embassy. This entire thing is way to valuable and there has been a lot of time and money invested to take any chances.

I understand that this may be diferent for certain countries, but would not risk a bad outcome regardless.. I've set time aside for the appointment at the Embassy and to be with her on the trip to the US for her POE and wouldn't dream of having it any other way..

Hoping all goes well with the Petition so that day will arrive..

[mike101 8]

Being my fiancee is Colombian, I beleive the best thing for me to do is be at the embassy. This entire thing is way to valuable and there has been a lot of time and money invested to take any chances.

I understand that this may be diferent for certain countries, but would not risk a bad outcome regardless.. I've set time aside for the appointment at the Embassy and to be with her on the trip to the US for her POE and wouldn't dream of having it any other way..

Hoping all goes well with the Petition so that day will arrive..

I agree 100%... We are going to put our best foot forward in an effort to get approved on the first visit. I literally cant afford to pay for a second visit so its a must we get it right the first time. I would also imagine that Colombia is on the "high risk" list and being their could influence the desicion.

I'll try to add as many details about our experience when we have our interview.

[Alexandra_v 0]

Hi all,

I've noticed that in various topics people make reference to the USC being present at the fiance's embassy interview. That stage is a ways off for me, but is that necessary/recommended in all cases? I seem to see plenty of cases where the USC is not present. I ask because I work in academia and I suspect my fiance will get his interview over the summer or fall, and it would be a bit complicated to travel to Scandinavia for this one event. Any explanation, reassurance, or opinions will be mightily appreciated.

Thanks always for your help!

Lisa

My interview was in Stockholm Sweden, I went there by myself even though me and my fiancé (at that time) ware over a 1and half apart from each other.

You just need to have proof that you DO have a relationship and be able to answer the questions!

Good Luck you will be fine…

[~Johnny~ 27]

I agree with TBoneTX's assessment. In the OP's case, it isn't required for the petitioner to be present, and probably wouldn't make much difference if she was there. However, there are many consulates where it can make a significant difference, and a few where it is essential. Since other people will read this thread for guidance, and since this issue is dependent on the specific consulate, it's important that any advice should be qualified accordingly. Coralie's statement is probably correct for over 90% of the consulates. Anyone should verify whether their fiancee will be interviewing at one of the remaining consulates before assuming that it is also correct for them. The regional forums are a good place to seek answers to consulate specific questions.