Petitioner not required to attend interview?

[ShadowCat170 0]

My husband and I have been married for 4 years, so we're applying for IR-1.

Our interview was just scheduled at the Rio de Janeiro consulate, and I was surprised to see this paragraph in the letter:

Petitioners are not required to attend the applicant's immigrant visa interview.

Facility size and/or security concerns may limit who may accompany a visa applicant during his or her visit to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

I'm the petitioner and the wife, so I do plan to be there, of course. But I'm curious to hear from other married couples - do they always interview both of you? Has anyone been told at the consulate "No, we just need to talk to the applicant" ?

[Darnell 8,478]

eh, it's a visa interview, they want to interview the visa applicant.

[dwheels76 5,468]

My husband and I have been married for 4 years, so we're applying for IR-1.

Our interview was just scheduled at the Rio de Janeiro consulate, and I was surprised to see this paragraph in the letter:

Petitioners are not required to attend the applicant's immigrant visa interview.

Facility size and/or security concerns may limit who may accompany a visa applicant during his or her visit to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

I'm the petitioner and the wife, so I do plan to be there, of course. But I'm curious to hear from other married couples - do they always interview both of you? Has anyone been told at the consulate "No, we just need to talk to the applicant" ?

The majority of embassies petitioners aren't allowed in. The Dominican Republic is the only embassy that I know of that the petitioners attendance isn't required but attendance is strongly suggested.

They will just have you wait outside. It's all about them anyway.

[ShadowCat170 0]

The majority of embassies petitioners aren't allowed in. The Dominican Republic is the only embassy that I know of that the petitioners attendance isn't required but attendance is strongly suggested.

They will just have you wait outside. It's all about them anyway.

Even for a marriage-based immigration visa, though? Interesting.

I guess I'll just have to prep him well in terms of knowing which documents are which (he's not intimately familiar with my U.S. tax return, for example).

[dwheels76 5,468]

Even for a marriage-based immigration visa, though? Interesting.

I guess I'll just have to prep him well in terms of knowing which documents are which (he's not intimately familiar with my U.S. tax return, for example).

Nope because its about the Beneficiary convincing a CO not the petitioner. Well your tax forms unless you have updated them won't be needed.

All you submitted to NVC will be sitting right there. But still familiarize him. Put different documents in folders label them since he has to have all his originals at interview that's whats important and has to be turned over before the interview.

[ShadowCat170 0]

Nope because its about the Beneficiary convincing a CO not the petitioner. Well your tax forms unless you have updated them won't be needed.

All you submitted to NVC will be sitting right there. But still familiarize him. Put different documents in folders label them since he has to have all his originals at interview that's whats important and has to be turned over before the interview.

Thanks, this is helpful!

I will have updated tax forms, but I think I'll send him in with both (I submitted 2014 tax forms to the NVC, but will have 2015's done by the time of the interview).

Here's a question about document organization that might seem silly, but I'm wondering which is best:

• Have each original document clipped to its copy
• OR - prepare one "packet" of all originals, and one "packet" of all copies in the same order

In other words, I know they ask to see the originals... but will they also keep the copies? Because if they do, the second way would be easiest.

[dwheels76 5,468]

Thanks, this is helpful!

I will have updated tax forms, but I think I'll send him in with both (I submitted 2014 tax forms to the NVC, but will have 2015's done by the time of the interview).

Here's a question about document organization that might seem silly, but I'm wondering which is best:

• Have each original document clipped to its copy
• OR - prepare one "packet" of all originals, and one "packet" of all copies in the same order

In other words, I know they ask to see the originals... but will they also keep the copies? Because if they do, the second way would be easiest.

Have all the originals together. They will want those (All originals of the copies submitted to NVC).

Usually you are asked for that, medical, passport and than given a number and you go sit until it's your turn for interview. So all those papers are gone through by someone else to make sure everything is in order.

[Ryan H 3,812]

The Dominican Republic is the only embassy that I know of that the petitioners attendance isn't required but attendance is strongly suggested.

Ecuador is another one like that.

[TBoneTX 45,304]

It's good for the petitioner to be on the consular premises or within range anyway, in case the CO has questions that can be resolved then and there, thus precluding the need for a 221(g) delay.

[dwheels76 5,468]

Ecuador is another one like that.

My Bad. How could I forget Ecuador and our sweet dear friend TBoneTX.

[mallafri76 1,012]

Thanks, this is helpful!

I will have updated tax forms, but I think I'll send him in with both (I submitted 2014 tax forms to the NVC, but will have 2015's done by the time of the interview).

Here's a question about document organization that might seem silly, but I'm wondering which is best:

• Have each original document clipped to its copy
• OR - prepare one "packet" of all originals, and one "packet" of all copies in the same order

In other words, I know they ask to see the originals... but will they also keep the copies? Because if they do, the second way would be easiest.

I brought one envelope with originals and one envelope with copies.

Don't worry about the tax return and stuff, the interview will focus on the petitioner and the bona fidas of your relationship, not your finances.

[TBoneTX 45,304]

Don't worry about the tax return and stuff, the interview will focus on the petitioner and the bona fidas of your relationship, not your finances.

This might vary according to consulate.