Montreal - Bringing Spouse to Interview

[scottishlander 5]

Hi, my interview letter says the applicant has an interview. Can my spouse (petitioner) attend the visa interview with me? I always assumed that's how it happened but now I'm not sure after reading the letter and embassy webpage!

The letter says petitioners (my spouse) do not need to attend and that I should consult the embassy for the rules.

Then on the Montreal page it says:

"Consular-Related Visitors

The following persons may accompany a visa applicant during Consular-related visits:

• Interpreter: Applicants may bring one interpreter if they do not speak English well enough to participate in an interview.
  
  Note: The working language of the U.S. government is English. The applicant is responsible for providing a translator for any language other than English, even if that language is an official language of Canada, i.e. French.
• Special Needs Visitors: Applicants may bring one person to help if they are elderly, disabled, or if the applicant is a minor child applying for a visa.

Due to waiting room size, the large volume of applicants and the time required to screen consular clients, other accompanying persons cannot be admitted to the waiting room.

Drivers, friends, and extra relatives must wait outside or return to meet the applicant after the interview has been completed. The sole exception to this rule is applicants with minor children under the age of 18."

Can my spouse attend??? On the VisaJourney review page it says they can.

http://www.visajourney.com/consulates/index.php?ctry=Canada&cty=Montreal

I'm confused.

Thanks!

Edited December 17, 2014 by scottishlander

[twin810s 23]

That is a bit confusing. My husbands interview was in May (in Montreal) and I went with him. I went to both windows, the second one being the interview itself with no problems. But I've been reading on here that the USC lately had been told they had to sit and wait while their spouse was being interviewed. It seems like it has changed or basically depends on the interviewers mood that day.

[scottishlander 5]

Thanks! Anyone who had recent experiences in Montreal is encouraged to post!

We both plan on going to Montreal anyway but it'd be nice to know in advance if we can both participate in the interview!

[Udella&Wiz 325]

It depends on the country as well, you may find that inetrviews in other countries are handled slightly differently. I dont; think anyone coming through Canada has received any objections about their spouse attendig with them...worst comes to worst they'd be asked to wait in the waiting room.

[scottishlander 5]

Thanks! We'll both go in and see what happens!

[Exocet 88]

My husband came to the consulate with me, but he just sat in the waiting area the whole time. So he was there for support! The guards at the front of the building told him not to talk to anyone up there during the whole interview process.

[scottishlander 5]

Hmm. So the whole spouse attending thing sounds iffy.

[scottishlander 5]

Here it says the spouse must attend:

http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/immigrate/immigrant-process/interview/applicant_interview.html

[Flames9_RN 358]

NO..for Canada, the spouse does not have to attend, mine and many others have not. Yes in some countries with high fraud rates, that may be the case..but not for Canada! The interview for 99.9999999% of Cdns is extremely easy.....One is lucky to be i the little cubicle for 10 minutes...and most of that time is spent by the consular officer looking over everything...questions are very basic.....After it is all done--you wonder why you had to spend big bucks on travel to get there!!

[scottishlander 5]

Thanks but my question was more "Is my spouse barred from attending?" and not "Does my spouse have to attend?"

Edited December 17, 2014 by scottishlander

[twin810s 23]

Both go (if you were already planning), the worse that could happen is your spouse would just have to wait in the waiting room (which is about 20 steps away). And if the spouse needs to be there, you're safe. It'll be a fun experience for both of you cause Montreal is gorgeous. We made a little vacation/celebration trip (Montreal, Toronto and then Niagara Falls)

Good luck!

Edited December 17, 2014 by twin810s

[scottishlander 5]

Montreal is great! Don't know how much fun it will be before the interview! If all goes well there will plenty of places to get a great meal and celebrate!

[Sarah&Marc 22]

Yes, he can go with you. I attended with my husband in October. I was not told not to talk to anyone, in fact I did almost ALL the talking at the first two windows as I am the organizer of the two of us and so was the one presenting all the paperwork that was asked for. I was, however, asked to wait in the waiting room during the actual interview (a whole 5 mins). Good luck!!!

[NikLR 13,227]

Yes a spouse can attend. There is no issue with this.

[Flames9_RN 358]

They can enter the consulate with no issues..it is up to the consular officer if the USA citizen can actually go inside the booth and attend the actual interview...as you have read, some have been able to..some not.