Interview Rules to be in person or VIA Zoom?

[zochu 255]

Hi all, 

 

I have my interview next week and I am wondering if there is a law that states that US spouse visa interview MUST be conducted in person rather than an alternative, like zoom? Or perhaps, a different consulate (In Melbourne?)

 

Is there a US federal regulation or Act I can refer to? Would anyone know where to find such rule

 

Thanks!

[Lucky2Lucky 2,526]

2 hours ago, zochu said:

Hi all, 

 

I have my interview next week and I am wondering if there is a law that states that US spouse visa interview MUST be conducted in person rather than an alternative, like zoom? Or perhaps, a different consulate (In Melbourne?)

 

Is there a US federal regulation or Act I can refer to? Would anyone know where to find such rule

 

Thanks!

You can google but you have to be in person because they have to verify who you are and will obtain fingerprints as well as make you swear an oath that has to be done in person. 

[zochu 255]

Just now, Luckycuds said:

You can google but you have to be in person because they have to verify who you are and will obtain fingerprints as well as make you swear an oath that has to be done in person. 

ive google and searched the federal regulations pertaining to immigration and I’ve gone through the act and can’t find anything.

 

i was hoping someone had a direct link.

 

so the purpose is to make the oath, and get fingerprints? 

[Lucky2Lucky 2,526]

12 minutes ago, zochu said:

ive google and searched the federal regulations pertaining to immigration and I’ve gone through the act and can’t find anything.

 

i was hoping someone had a direct link.

 

so the purpose is to make the oath, and get fingerprints? 

Verify who you are. If zoom or Skype was allowed immigration services wouldn’t have come to a (Basically) complete stop.

 

You also have the chance to submit any additional documents and receive documents back as well.

Edited July 20, 2020 by Luckycuds

[payxibka 10,045]

2 hours ago, zochu said:

Hi all, 

 

I have my interview next week and I am wondering if there is a law that states that US spouse visa interview MUST be conducted in person rather than an alternative, like zoom? Or perhaps, a different consulate (In Melbourne?)

 

Is there a US federal regulation or Act I can refer to? Would anyone know where to find such rule

 

Thanks!

Sydney is the ONLY IV unit in Australia 

[zochu 255]

1 minute ago, payxibka said:

Sydney is the ONLY IV unit in Australia 

Oh I did not know this. 
 

so you have to attend Sydney as it’s the only IV unit in Australia and I have to provide fingerprints, verify myself in person and make an oath which ultimately cannot be done anywhere except Sydney.

 

this is good thanks 

[jan22 3,052]

FYI, the requirement for an in-person interview with a consular officer can be found in 22 CFR 42.62 Personal Appearance and IntervIew of Applicant which states, in part, that "Every alien applying for an immigrant visa...shall be required to appear personally before a consular officer..." (with the only possible exception a waiver for children under 14 at the discretion of the officer).

Edited July 20, 2020 by jan22

[geowrian 22,337]

Besides that, there are multiple technical, logistical, and security considerations with at-home video interviews.

Heck, the ability to record it or have somebody nearby off-screen would be an issue in itself, let alone any sort of distractions that could come up.

Zoom is not something DOS would want to use for sensitive operations like visas. It would very likely need to be something in-house or at least DoD or similar certified.

 

USCIS (not DOS...so no visas involved and all within the US) was doing a trial of some on-site video conferencing options. These were closed loops and located on site. You would arrive, go through security checks to get inside, then go to the room with the conference equipment setup. Then they would go through the entire process.

Who knows if DOS would implement a regulation allowing it to do something similar, but it would not avoid the need to show up on site.

 

6 hours ago, zochu said:

Oh I did not know this. 
 

so you have to attend Sydney as it’s the only IV unit in Australia

Every country has at most 1 IV post (well, India has 2 depending on visa type IIRC). People in countries with none have to interview at a nearby country's post.

[payxibka 10,045]

29 minutes ago, geowrian said:

 

 

Every country has at most 1 IV post (well, India has 2 depending on visa type IIRC). People in countries with none have to interview at a nearby country's post.

Not any more.   Mumbai is it.  Delhi stopped a while back 

[Babu Frik 1,162]

Where did this information come from that it could possibly be on Zoom?

[Fjjfdd jjggf 28]

9 hours ago, Luckycuds said:

You can google but you have to be in person because they have to verify who you are and will obtain fingerprints as well as make you swear an oath that has to be done in person. 

Do you have to say an oath at the interview even for the CR-1/IR-1 visa??? 🤨

[Lil bear 4,189]

8 hours ago, zochu said:

Oh I did not know this. 
 

so you have to attend Sydney as it’s the only IV unit in Australia and I have to provide fingerprints, verify myself in person and make an oath which ultimately cannot be done anywhere except Sydney.

 

this is good thanks 

Sydney is the only US consulate in Australia where the DOS conducts Immigrant visa interviews. I hope you’re not in Melbourne   Oh bummer you are ... so so sorry  ... 🤬

Edited July 20, 2020 by Lil bear

[Fjjfdd jjggf 28]

14 minutes ago, Babu Frik said:

Where did this information come from that it could possibly be on Zoom?

No way it can be done via Zoom. How can anyone even imagine this happening. Lol.

[Lil bear 4,189]

Just now, Daria Parkinson said:

Do you have to say an oath at the interview even for the CR-1/IR-1 visa??? 🤨

You swear that you are telling the truth and all your documents are truthful and correct .. but it’s not like the “oath of allegiance” that is said at citizenship ceremonies 

[JFH 12,190]

The alternative is to put your case on hold until after the “pandemic” if you are unable or unwilling to travel. Presumably, if you are applying for a visa, you must be healthy enough and willing to travel a long way as that is the purpose of the visa.