Petitioner Attending the Interview

[X2BWU 2]

I know I am ahead of myself as I just recently file my I-129F petition. However as I browse through VJ I see that several petitioner are able to go visit their beneficiary at the time of the interview. I myself would like to be able to do so, if I can afford time and money off work. I've heard mixed comments that if the petitioner is there during the time of interview then the relationship has more weight and this might result in a less questions being asked. On the other hand others said that it might not be good to have the petitioner there at the interview because it just takes too much time and raise curiosity for the CO?

[lost_at_sea 995]

It depends. Some embassies it's vital that the petitioner attends, and at others it's plain not allowed.

From (for your embassy): http://www.visajourney.com/consulates/index.php?ctry=Cambodia&cty=Phnom%20Penh

Can fiance(e)/spouse attend the interview? No

See also reviews for your embassy: http://www.visajourney.com/reviews/index.php?cnty=Cambodia

Edited June 21, 2013 by lost_at_sea

[Pitaya 2,577]

Recent similar-themed thread:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/433508-will-i-be-able-to-be-in-with-my-fiance-for-his-interview/

[Eriu 1]

My fiancé came with me to the dublin interview as I was such a nervous mess that he flew over to calm me down, in the Irish embassy it was grand, they just asked me "is that your fiancé" and I said yes and they the rest of the questions bar one were towards him (the one question being what I was doing in switzerland when we met there)


I am so glad that our embassy allows it as I think I would have been full force panic attack is he was not there

[RCatherine 0]

I think it may help for the petitioner to be present at the time of the interview, but I have never heard that it is mandatory that they are. Be sure to check if petitioners are even allowed to be present. I think, honestly, even if you are not there, though, that things will still be fine! Best of luck!

[duraaraa 203]

Don't worry too much!

At my fiancee's embassy (Ulaanbaatar,) they allow the fiance/e to attend the interview. However, I had five one-way tickets to pay for (over $4000) just to get her and the kids here, so I didn't attend. They told me, "the result will be the same whether or not you attend."

All of the others who wrote on VJ had attended the interview at that particular embassy, but my fiancee passed with an easy, two-minute interview.

If you're not allowed to attend at your particular embassy, some people have said that giving them your passport and telling them you're waiting outside has helped. Honestly, though, I think that having very, very strong evidence and staying in touch with the embassy to let them know you care is what will make the interview go smoothly. It felt that way in my case, anyway, as the embassy actually told me fiancee how much I've been worried about her and how often I've asked the embassy questions by email and phone.

[sherryandyashpal 7]

IF you can go, meaning if the embassy will allow you.. GO!!!!! it can only work for your case .... think about it..

[lost_at_sea 995]

I think it may help for the petitioner to be present at the time of the interview, but I have never heard that it is mandatory that they are.

It's practically mandatory in some locations. The Philippines, if I'm recalling correctly, are right swines about it. They expect the petitioner to be there (which, naturally, is expensive and difficult for a lot of people) and will often deny if they are absent.

Basically, all the embassies vary to some degree, which is why it's wise to check the embassy reviews and the consulate information that's been gathered: http://www.visajourney.com/consulates/

[duraaraa 203]

It's practically mandatory in some locations. The Philippines, if I'm recalling correctly, are right swines about it. They expect the petitioner to be there (which, naturally, is expensive and difficult for a lot of people) and will often deny if they are absent.

Basically, all the embassies vary to some degree, which is why it's wise to check the embassy reviews and the consulate information that's been gathered: http://www.visajourney.com/consulates/

It's possible you're confusing the Philippines, which, as far as I can recall, doesn't allow the petitioner in, with the Dominican Republic and/or Ecuador, which tend to want to question the petitioner.

[lost_at_sea 995]

It's possible you're confusing the Philippines, which, as far as I can recall, doesn't allow the petitioner in, with the Dominican Republic and/or Ecuador, which tend to want to question the petitioner.

Probably! I know some are that strict though, but naturally, I don't have to follow those countries as closely as my own. Thanks for the clarification.

[Bugs 455]

It's practically mandatory in some locations. The Philippines, if I'm recalling correctly, are right swines about it. They expect the petitioner to be there (which, naturally, is expensive and difficult for a lot of people) and will often deny if they are absent.

Basically, all the embassies vary to some degree, which is why it's wise to check the embassy reviews and the consulate information that's been gathered: http://www.visajourney.com/consulates/

It's possible you're confusing the Philippines, which, as far as I can recall, doesn't allow the petitioner in, with the Dominican Republic and/or Ecuador, which tend to want to question the petitioner.

The Philippines do not make it mandatory and experienced VJers on here have said it doesn't make that much of a difference to the high approval rate, but it can help a little for cases that are borderline from being approved or not. Also, they do allow the petitioner in, as many have attended the interview with their fiances there.

[duraaraa 203]

The Philippines do not make it mandatory and experienced VJers on here have said it doesn't make that much of a difference to the high approval rate, but it can help a little for cases that are borderline from being approved or not. Also, they do allow the petitioner in, as many have attended the interview with their fiances there.

Thanks for the clarification.

[Bugs 455]

Thanks for the clarification.

No problem. And for the record, I plan on being there with my fiance for the interview. It should be a fun experience, and we want to share the joy of an approval together.

[X2BWU 2]

It depends. Some embassies it's vital that the petitioner attends, and at others it's plain not allowed.

From (for your embassy): http://www.visajourney.com/consulates/index.php?ctry=Cambodia&cty=Phnom%20Penh

Can fiance(e)/spouse attend the interview? No

See also reviews for your embassy: http://www.visajourney.com/reviews/index.php?cnty=Cambodia

On my Embassy (Cambodia) it does say NO to fiance(e) attending the interview, however when I did check out the reviews many have stated that they were able to attend. I think I will try to fly there if time and money allows me to. Even if they embassy will not let me inside at least my fiance knows I am just steps away and there to support him.

Thanks everybody for your comments.

[cjmc 10]

I am also planning on attending the interview with my fiancé in the Philippines....I feel that the support shows really good intent and the willingness to participate in such an important part of immigration...would not miss it !!! It truly starts a new beginning of the relationship, what a great time to spend together..... :-)