Taking petitioner to visa interview

[Cathi 5,782]

I think he must be in UNITED STATE when you are going to the interview

wrong

OP: no one can make that decision for you. I attended my husband's interview at the consulate to provide moral support

[Cathi 5,782]

In which country is the interview? Many countries, especially in the West, don't allow the petitioner at the interview while in other countries, such as Ghana, it's pretty much a must for the petitioner to be there for the interview.

wrong, actually it's the contrary. Most consulates allow the petitioner at the interview or at least inside the consulate. I attended my husband's and I did not need permission to do so.

[Sata 1]

Please do not give false advice about this issue, you posted something similar earlier in another thread.

OP is not FB1.

I did not want to give a wrong advice. but I thought in all cases the petitioner should stayed in US cause the applicant wants to join him/ her. Sorry if you all thought I want to gave a wrong advice, I did not want to.

Edited July 2, 2016 by Sata

[Kastrs 723]

My husband filed for me from the United States. During my scheduled interview date he will be with me in my home country. The letter says the petitioner is not required to go. However many accounts here state that it has been a good interview experience for them taking their petitioners with them. What should we do?

Yes your husband should attend the interview. Make sure he brings his passport along and state when you reach the embassy that he is your petitioner and he will be let inside with you.

If you have any questions about that let me know.

Edited July 2, 2016 by Kastrs

[Ryan H 3,819]

I think in the Dominican Republic it's compulsory? That's the only place I've heard about where the petitioner has to be there.

It's not officially compulsory in the Dominican Republic, but more of a de-facto requirement; Ecuador is similar in this regard.

wrong, actually it's the contrary. Most consulates allow the petitioner at the interview or at least inside the consulate. I attended my husband's and I did not need permission to do so

The other poster is correct, the norm at most Embassies/Consulates is not to allow the petitioner into the interview area itself (allowing it is the exception). Even though a petitioner can get into and Embassy or Consulate during ACS hours or by having previously made an ACS appointment, the ACS area and the visa interviewing area can be in separate areas and security personnel can prevent people from going to other areas of an Embassy/Consulate where they feel that individual doesn't need to be without authorization. What you experienced is not universal.

[Ebunoluwa 6,136]

I did not want to give a wrong advice. but I thought in all cases the petitioner should stayed in US cause the applicant wants to join him/ her. Sorry if you all thought I want to gave a wrong advice, I did not want to.

A petitioner must have domicile in the USA, but can visit as much as he wants to and certainly can be there in support

of the beneficiary for the interview, inside or outside whatever the case may be.

Thank you for responding.