Attending Interview with Spouse
 

Hello, hubby is UKC and has his marriage-based visa interview on 29 July. Can I attend the interview with him, and if so, how do I get permission from the US Embassy? I searched the Embassy London website but couldn't find details on how to request entry with him. It also wasn't in his interview invite letter.
Thanks in advance for your advice!

Re: Attending Interview with Spouse
 

Someone just posted about this. It really should be a sticky!

http://britishexpats.com/forum/marri...cr-1-a-861492/

Re: Attending Interview with Spouse
 

Thank you!! Just went to the link provided and submitted the request.

Re: Attending Interview with Spouse
 

You can be allowed into the building to wait in the waiting area. You won't be able to attend the actual interview.

Rene

Re: Attending Interview with Spouse
 

Rene has a lot more experience than me, so I'm sure she's right that USC spouses not allowed to the interview proper. I wouldn't be surprised if my experience is not the norm.

It might be the CO's discretion, but my husband was allowed to go up to both counters (handing over documents and the second 'interview' bit). At the 'interview portion' our officer said that it was OK for Mr. Sparkle to be there and he could add comment/information, but that she would be directing all questions for me to answer.

These tips were mentioned by other posters somewhere else but I'll repeat just in case:
- Print out the email confirming that they have added you to the list and bring it with you on the day. It might not be necessary but it made things run smoothly on our interview day. Make sure you bring photo ID too.
- If you haven't had a reply confirming that they've been added, chase them up using the same enquiries web form.

My own tip:
- Bring your own snacks and a good book/entertainment. They had closed the snack stand (only hot drinks) and they were only showing an information presentation and cbeebies kids TV when we were there!!

Everyone may say that the applicant does not 'need' their USC spouse there, but I'm a massive worrier, so it helped to have someone hold my hand, confirm for the 100th time that I did have all the documents:o, and listen out for my number when we were waiting.

Re: Attending Interview with Spouse
 

Thanks, Sparkle!
Our interview is at 1pm. What time should we plan to arrive at the U.S. Embassy?

Re: Attending Interview with Spouse
 

In time for your interview. Anything more is up to you!

Ian

Re: Attending Interview with Spouse
 

You're welcome :)
I wondered this too - some people with morning appointments talked of queues and I settled on arriving 30 minutes before. There was no line outside when we went.

Our interview was at 1pm, so I was aiming to get there at 12:30. Ended up dashing from bond street after I missed my intended train and getting there for 12:50 (:thumbdown: late running work phone calls!) This wasn't an issue for getting in (though it made me a bit flustered and stressed at the time). Although we probably got a later number for arriving later, people who arrived early probably waited just as long overall.

Personally, just like any other important appointment in life, I'd aim to be in the area (not at the embassy) 30-45 minutes before.
If you run late, you have some buffer time (like I did).
If you get there earlier and it's a nice day, you can sit in Grosvenor Square's park - next to the embassy building - until they allow you in, which is 30 minutes before your appointment. If the weather is awful, Bond Street tube with the M&S food and other shops is about a 10 minute walk away, so you can hang out there.

Re: Attending Interview with Spouse
 

Take cash.

The card machines were broken when I went and apparently it happens fairly often.

Re: Attending Interview with Spouse
 

Good point - having cash also means you can pay in pounds and save paying commission for paying dollars on your credit/debit card

Re: Attending Interview with Spouse
 

Again -- thank you!!
What did you do with your phones? It's true we can't bring them into the embassy, right?

Re: Attending Interview with Spouse
 

I, too, was allowed to go to the counter with my husband and she said the same thing to me. :)

We ended up sitting in the park for about 45 minutes but were allowed in at 12:30! We were there for about 3 hours

Re: Attending Interview with Spouse
 

Mobile phones, kindles and tablets are fine now, big bags and laptops aren't.
The Interview & documents required in support of the application | Embassy of the United States

Re: Attending Interview with Spouse
 

Alison - how did the interview go!?!?!?

Re: Attending Interview with Spouse
 

Great -- approved!!!
The interview itself lasted less than 10 minutes. No trick questions.