In general, companions of nonimmigrant visa applicants are not allowed to enter the U.S. Embassy compound. A person whose name does not appear on the gate access list will not be allowed to enter the premises. Only nonimmigrant visa applicants with interview appointments are allowed access into the interviewing area.
Applicants with special needs or conditions will be assisted by the Embassy staff. Parents of minor applicants (17 years old and below) and adult children of elderly or disabled applicants are allowed to accompany the applicants to the interview. Upon request, parents of adult applicants (18 years old and above); caregivers or yayas of minor applicants; and sons- or daughters-in-law, relatives, lawyers, or caregivers of elderly or disabled applicants may be allowed to accompany the applicants to the interview, if the request is approved.
The Embassy attempts to expedite the processing of the nonimmigrant visa applications of minors, the elderly, and those with special needs.
Please note: American citizens or Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs) may not accompany nonimmigrant visa applicants to their interviews, except for applicants who fall into one of the special categories above.
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What is the meaning of a priority date? My fiance called the visa information and appointment service to ask what will we put on the priority date and the operator told him to just put 10/10/2010. Why 10/10/2010??? how will it affect my appointment because when i saw my appointment confirmation it says there REGULAR under the category of visa priority.
One more thing, my scheduled appointment will be on the 24th of September because those were the only ones available. My notice of approval from the USCIS will be valid until the 7th of October. Will I still be able to meet the time frame?
Your priority date is the date on which your petition was filed with USCIS.
then why did the operator told my fiance to just put 10/10/2010??????? can i still change the entry on my priority date without affecting my schedule???
For specific information regarding your case, please send an email to IVManilaReplies@state.gov, with the your complete name, case number, and current contact information clearly indicated.
I find this article interesting but i am surprised why an american citizen cannot accompany a person to the interview for a non immigrant visa.
Marlon, only nonimmigrant visa applicants (except for parents or legal guardians of minor applicants) are interviewed by consular officers. Applicants must be ready to answer the questions of the interviewing officer. American citizens may only accompany nonimmigrant visa applicants to their interview if the applicant would fall into one of the special categories provided in the blog post..
If one of the parents of a minor applicant is an applicant as well, can the non-applicant parent still accompany the minor applicant? The non-applicant parent would be better able to demonstrate social and economic ties of the family and therefore would like to be able to accompany the minor applicant.
Alvin, the non-applicant parent can accompany the minor applicant to the interview. Minor applicants are required to appear with both or at least one parent for the interview. The parent will need to present to the Embassy staff at the gate a valid photo ID and proof of relationship to the minor applicant. Thank you.
my daughter was included on my petition for K1, but we just stated there that she will follow me after 6 months, my question is do i need to bring her also on my interview even if she will follow me?
We understand that your daughter will be following-to-join you in the U.S. She need not be present at your visa interview.
Please be aware that under U.S. immigration law and regulation, issuance of a fiancé(e) derivative (K2) visa must follow within one year from the date the fiancé(e) visa (K1) was issued to the principal applicant. Once you are prepared to have your daughter join you in the U.S., you or her adult representative should visit this website: http://www.ustraveldocs.com/ph to schedule a visa interview appointment. The applicants’ guardian may also contact the Embassy’s Visa Information and Appointment Service at (632) 982-5555 to schedule a visa interview date. The Visa Information and Appointment Service is open Mondays through Fridays, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Manila time), except on U.S. and Philippine holidays. Callers in the USA may contact the Appointment Service at (214) 571-1600 between 8:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. (Eastern Standard Time).
Callers should have the applicant’s case number, passport number, and passport expiry date ready when requesting a visa appointment. Please note that K2 applicants must pay the visa application fee before they can request a visa appointment via the online appointment website or the Embassy’s Visa Call Center.
Does this include K1 visa category? So even my fiance (USC) can’t go with me during my K1 visa interview?
Thank you for posting a comment on VISAtisfied Voyager, U.S. Embassy Manila’s visa blog.
The petitioner need not be present during the visa interview. Be assured that his/her absence, in and of itself, will not affect the applicant’s case. However, the petitioner is welcome to accompany the applicant should he/she wishes to do so.