Howdy all...

Just a quick question regarding US spouse visa. My wife's friend just received US spouse visa. For one thing she got the visa without an interview (possible?). Next is they gave her a brown envelope which she has to give to Immigration when she arrives in the US, and which she is not allowed to open. What's this about?

We're just curious mostly. The friend doesn't understand english very well and she doesn't understand what it's about, and we sure as hel_l don't either (only know about oz visa proceedings!).

anyhoo, cheers.

The envelope is the normal immigrant visa paperwork that is collected by immigration at point of entry. I don't expect that is any need to interview her as she has completed all the paperwork, medical and such but have never checked on that so don't know if it is true for everyone or not for spousal immigrant visa.

The sealed paperwork is entirely normal (get mentally prepared for a long wait on arrival in the US for it to be processed, probably hours); but the no interview thing is very strange. I knew someone married to a close friend of the American ambassador and even she had to turn up for an interview. There wasn't anything to it, of course, but she still had to go through the motions.

A sealed envelope one is not allowed to open?

What happens, if you stopover in another country before reaching the US and customs in such country wants to see what's inside?

The sealed paperwork is entirely normal (get mentally prepared for a long wait on arrival in the US for it to be processed, probably hours); but the no interview thing is very strange. I knew someone married to a close friend of the American ambassador and even she had to turn up for an interview. There wasn't anything to it, of course, but she still had to go through the motions.

Her husband works for the US government (not sure what he does exactly), could that be it?

Maybe they will interview her on arrival while they process the paperwork? Will they ask her questions and things while they process it or is it just a waiting game? Maybe it's best her husband brings her back, I'm not sure she could handle questions and things on her own, just in regards to her english and comprehension.

Seems like it would be illegal for anyone, government or not, to tell you to carry something into a border checkpoint without knowing exactly what it is or what is inside of it. It shouldn't matter if it is just an envelope.