Visitor Visa for minor child

[bigg01 2]

Hi

My relative applied for a visitor visa (B1-B2) for 1.5 years old child, they got an interview waiver appointment and in response, they receive a letter to appear for the interview with a consular officer along with both parents.

Both parents have valid visitor visa (applied before their child's birth) and they want to visit the United States for summer vacation for a few weeks this year.

We are confused about why they need to attend the interview and what questions can they expect?

[SusieQQQ 11,587]

1 minute ago, bigg01 said:

Hi

My relative applied for a visitor visa (B1-B2) for 1.5 years old child, they got an interview waiver appointment and in response, they receive a letter to appear for the interview with a consular officer along with both parents.

Both parents have valid visitor visa (applied before their child's birth) and they want to visit the United States for summer vacation for a few weeks this year.

We are confused about why they need to attend the interview and what questions can they expect?

It’s always the right of the consulate to request an interview. Happened for me, but only I had to go in, and the reason was  that there was an immigrant visa petition in process for me. Wanting both parents as well as the child along for the interview however makes me think it is something else. All they can really do though is expect to be asked the usual kind of b visa questions - ties to home etc.  If they haven’t been asked to bring the birth certificate showing both parents I would take that along as a precaution too.

[Crazy Cat 42,033]

35 minutes ago, bigg01 said:

Hi

My relative applied for a visitor visa (B1-B2) for 1.5 years old child, they got an interview waiver appointment and in response, they receive a letter to appear for the interview with a consular officer along with both parents.

Both parents have valid visitor visa (applied before their child's birth) and they want to visit the United States for summer vacation for a few weeks this year.

We are confused about why they need to attend the interview and what questions can they expect?

Because it at the discretion of the consulate officer to call ANYONE in for an interview.  I would expect the parents will be quizzed about their intent.

[Mike E 11,742]

42 minutes ago, bigg01 said:

My relative

Are you a US citizen?

[Rocio0010 5,599]

1 hour ago, bigg01 said:

Both parents have valid visitor visa (applied before their child's birth) and they want to visit the United States for summer vacation for a few weeks this year.

It's at the discretion of the officer. Where are they from? What relatives do they have in the US?

[bigg01 2]

1 hour ago, Mike E said:

Are you a US citizen?

No, I'm on H1b 

[Mike E 11,742]

6 minutes ago, bigg01 said:

No, I'm on H1b 

That’s good. 
 

When the entire family has visitor visas the concern is whether the family will visit the USA at the same time and stay to adjust status or over stay.  As you have an H1-B they can’t adjust through you.  So the next thing the embassy will figure out are the chances the family will over stay.  

[SusieQQQ 11,587]

Or there is some kind of red flag about the baby and they want to ensure (a) it’s their baby and (b) both parents are on board with it getting a visa.
When I got called in for my kids’ applications, only one parent and neither of the kids needed to be there, and that was a question on immigrant intent. 

[African Zealot 1,455]

18 hours ago, bigg01 said:

Hi

My relative applied for a visitor visa (B1-B2) for 1.5 years old child, they got an interview waiver appointment and in response, they receive a letter to appear for the interview with a consular officer along with both parents.

Both parents have valid visitor visa (applied before their child's birth) and they want to visit the United States for summer vacation for a few weeks this year.

We are confused about why they need to attend the interview and what questions can they expect?

Pray for the best. Many people have been invited to appear and had their own previously issued  visas voided after applying for a visa for a minor child.

 

Venezuelans, Brazilians and Haitians were victims of such predicaments.

 

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/amid-crisis-venezuelans-say-u-s-revoking-tourism-visas-n876166

 

As to questions, they should prepare as if they’re going for the interview themselves.

Edited May 25, 2022 by African Zealot

[seekingthetruth 1,248]

13 hours ago, SusieQQQ said:

Or there is some kind of red flag about the baby and they want to ensure (a) it’s their baby and (b) both parents are on board with it getting a visa.
When I got called in for my kids’ applications, only one parent and neither of the kids needed to be there, and that was a question on immigrant intent. 

I'm confused.  The OP says this is a tourist visa for a baby.  Is there such a thing as an "Interview Waiver" for a first time tourist visa?  I would think the embassy just wants to see the baby and make sure the photos match, etc.

 

When my stepdaughter was 12 she got her first B1/B2 in Manila, and I never heard of a "Interview Waiver" possibility.

 

My wife renewed her tourist visa with the Interview Waiver program, but that is definitely only for qualified renewals.

[SusieQQQ 11,587]

31 minutes ago, seekingthetruth said:

I'm confused.  The OP says this is a tourist visa for a baby.  Is there such a thing as an "Interview Waiver" for a first time tourist visa?  I would think the embassy just wants to see the baby and make sure the photos match, etc.

 

When my stepdaughter was 12 she got her first B1/B2 in Manila, and I never heard of a "Interview Waiver" possibility.

 

My wife renewed her tourist visa with the Interview Waiver program, but that is definitely only for qualified renewals.

Yes. In my own example above, one of my kids was a first time applicant. Many consulates will waive interviews for under-14s if one of the parents has a valid US B visa. 
 

edit to add quote to show this - note nothing about the child needing to have had one before::

Applicants may also qualify to apply for their U.S. visas without appearing for an interview if the applicants are under the age of 14 (with at least one parent holding a valid visa in the same category) 

https://za.usembassy.gov/visas/ 

 

 

Edited May 25, 2022 by SusieQQQ

[SusieQQQ 11,587]

33 minutes ago, seekingthetruth said:

I'm confused.  The OP says this is a tourist visa for a baby.  Is there such a thing as an "Interview Waiver" for a first time tourist visa?  I would think the embassy just wants to see the baby and make sure the photos match, etc.

 

When my stepdaughter was 12 she got her first B1/B2 in Manila, and I never heard of a "Interview Waiver" possibility.

 

My wife renewed her tourist visa with the Interview Waiver program, but that is definitely only for qualified renewals.

FYI - Does actually apply to Philippines as well, as long as the child is in the country when the visa is being applied for 

 

https://www.ustraveldocs.com/ph/ph-niv-below14andover79.asp

Overview

Applicants under 14 years old and over 79 years old may qualify for exemption from the in-person Interview and may not need a personal appearance at the U.S. Embassy when applying for a visa or renewing their visa.

Qualifications

Under 14 years old - To qualify for interview exemption, either or both parents of the applicant must have a valid B1/B2 visa, and the applicant must be physically present in the Philippines at the time of the application.

[seekingthetruth 1,248]

11 minutes ago, SusieQQQ said:

Under 14 years old - To qualify for interview exemption, either or both parents of the applicant must have a valid B1/B2 visa, and the applicant must be physically present in the Philippines at the time of the application.

Was this in effect in 2017?  Maybe I blew it.  My step-daughter was 13 when she got the visa and we had to make a trip to the Manila embassy for the quick appearance.  Her Filipina mom already had the B1/B2 and I am a USC.

[SusieQQQ 11,587]

1 hour ago, seekingthetruth said:

Was this in effect in 2017?  Maybe I blew it.  My step-daughter was 13 when she got the visa and we had to make a trip to the Manila embassy for the quick appearance.  Her Filipina mom already had the B1/B2 and I am a USC.

I don’t know specifically for manila, but it was certainly the case for many consulates at that stage. For my own case above, that would have been in 2009 or 2010.  

[Chancy 6,243]

2 hours ago, seekingthetruth said:

Was this in effect in 2017?  Maybe I blew it.  My step-daughter was 13 when she got the visa and we had to make a trip to the Manila embassy for the quick appearance.  Her Filipina mom already had the B1/B2 and I am a USC.

 

I don't think interview waiver was available for first-time applications in Manila pre-COVID.  I looked through the interview waiver options when my senior citizen mom and I got our B visas back in 2018.  Also, even if it were available then, your stepdaughter would not have qualified.  Both parents must be B1/B2 visa holders.