Why do you think US citizens can't attend the interview?

[weiaijiayou]

Does someone have an insight or theory?

 

I find it unsettling that such an important decision is ultimately at the discretion of a VO who spends several minutes interviewing the beneficiary. At least if the petitioner could come then the interview could provide some clues about how well the two are able to communicate. As is, the interview probably just reinforces the preconceptions of the VO, making him or her more confident but no more accurate...

[Avs81]

I think it has to do with you (petitioner) maybe helping your girl in some way. I am sure all of us here would try to calm them down and maybe try to explain what they are trying to say.

 

I don't think its realistic to say you would stay in the corner and be quiet. Not if a white or blue was issued, you would have something to say, so it gives the VO too much power if you ask me.

[chilton747]

"35. Can the petitioner attend the interview?

No. Due to space and time limitations, the Consulate cannot allow petitioners to participate in visa interviews. In certain extraordinary circumstances, where the applicant would have difficulty navigating the interview alone (typically due to age or infirmity), an escort may be permitted. These are rare exceptions."

 

This comes from the GZ FAQs.

[Randy W]

At least Hong Kong and I believe many other consulates around the world DO allow (maybe even require) the petitioner to attend.

[Sebastian]

Many Other Consulates do allow the spouse to attend for I-130 interviews.

[Urkidding]

Many Other Consulates do allow the spouse to attend for I-130 interviews.

 

That's what Randy said...

[NUWORLD]

Many Other Consulates do allow the spouse to attend for I-130 interviews.

 

How do you know this?

why just the I-130

 

I think you need to do some more home work!

[LeeFisher3]

Some consulates do allow the spouse to attend the I-130 interview in under the same rules that have a spouse attend the AOS interview. The K-1 and K-3 visa's do not fall under that same processing classification because an AOS interview will be held at a later time by the USCIS and the couple will be interviewed together.

 

But the consulates that process a large volume visa cases do not allow ANY petitioner to attend the interview. It's not just family related visas, but all visa cases for these consulates and has to do with logistics and security.

 

I would speculate that in the case of GUZ the visa processing would be cut to as much as 1/5 of the number of visa interviews they currently handle if petitioners were in attendance both because of the size of the facility and the extended time that would be required for each interview.

 

Unfortunately there would be some USC's who would start DEMANDING THEIR RIGHT TO A VISA in a loud manner and the entire facility would go under lock down by DHS which would mean that no one waiting would receive an interview that day.

 

While you say it wouldn't be you, I'd speculate there would be at least 1 each day and the entire process would grind to a halt.

[HKG]

I'm wondering just how big is the interview room, is it a broom closet, that policy would use it as an excuse for not having someone with the beneficiary at the interview, and screaming petitioners, causing lock-downs another good reason good grief..

[ChrisA]

Putting 150 or 200 people in that interview room which has about 60 or 80 chairs, which is where they also hold the ACH, it's a very tight fit. They have about 32 windows for the interview, if I remember correctly when I went the to the ACH. Then add the petitioner along with this amount of visa applicants, they would have to limit the number of Visa interviews down to 50 or 75 per day. I don't see it happening!

[HKG]

Putting 150 or 200 people in that interview room which has about 60 or 80 chairs, which is where they also hold the ACH, it's a very tight fit. They have about 32 windows for the interview, if I remember correctly when I went the to the ACH. Then add the petitioner along with this amount of visa applicants, they would have to limit the number of Visa interviews down to 50 or 75 per day. I don't see it happening!

Not faulting you, this petition process is not without cost, $455.00 initial and the cost to the petitioner when they attend the interview, let them get a bigger room, they charge enough.

[Richard & Li]

That's interesting.

 

I had always thought the same as Avs81 (due to influencing the interview). That would be a valid reason.

 

But, lack of space? That's weak. I agree with the incredulous comments about it.

[heyjimi]

Many Other Consulates do allow the spouse to attend for I-130 interviews.

 

How do you know this?

why just the I-130

 

I think you need to do some more home work!

 

 

I believe my Russian friend told me her fiancee can be at the interview.

i will write her today and ask her,to be sure.She is engaged to an Australlian man,and whats cool about their situation,fiancees and married husband or wife,is very easy to get the visitor visa to Australlia.She was there with him,now is going back to Russia,has an interview in Moscow,in March.(took only 6 months from start to interview date).and her interview for the visitor visa was done over the phone.I am dead serious.

My opinion on why they don't allow the petitioner,is so the petitioner doesn't see how screwed up "guz" is.When a petitioner actually sees how the woman are treated.....they would freak !!! and then everyone would agree with me that is not an interview but a trial.....i mean really think about it.....it makes sense to see how two people interact with each other,is there a real relationship going on here?i mean thats kind of hard to fake....sure people can fake that too....but it takes a lot of practice......i think if a couple were faking it,two people sitting in front of each other,the "vo" could have a much better picture of a bona fide relationship or not.(After all,they are trying to catch the bad guys......right? )I think too,the woman would be much more relaxed......my take on all this....its all about power......like a nazi looking down on a Jew.....a way to belittle them......after all they are all out for the great all mighty visa right?(their thinking).Hey,this is my take on it.

 

Jimi

[heyjimi]

Putting 150 or 200 people in that interview room which has about 60 or 80 chairs, which is where they also hold the ACH, it's a very tight fit. They have about 32 windows for the interview, if I remember correctly when I went the to the ACH. Then add the petitioner along with this amount of visa applicants, they would have to limit the number of Visa interviews down to 50 or 75 per day. I don't see it happening!

Not faulting you, this petition process is not without cost, $455.00 initial and the cost to the petitioner when they attend the interview, let them get a bigger room, they charge enough.

 

 

After this massive bail out/stimulus crap....i think they couldve easily thrown a few billion dollars in, on a few more chairs for consulates around the world.don't you think?

[Kevin&Leilei]

I've been wondering why they don't open another consulate or two for K visa interviews? Anyone know? It would surely lighten the load at GUZ, and make everything go faster. And people who live far from Guangzhou wouldn't have to travel so far only to be treated like a criminal. Why does Canada (pop. 33.6 million) get two consulates, and China (pop. 1346 million) only get one?