It depends on the consular post. In the EB-1 category — the green card for extraordinary ability (in sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics) — the consular interview confirms the information in the petition and the applicant’s eligibility, and the principal applicant is the focus of the process.
When a spouse and children are included as dependents, they also go through the consular stage, but the logistics vary from one consulate to another. In practice, you may encounter situations such as:
- Everyone appears together, at the same scheduled appointment.
- Dependents have a separate interview scheduled.
- Local requirements specific to who must appear and when.
Because there is no single standard, the safe step is to read the official instructions provided with your appointment notice and the guidance from the consulate handling your case. Up-to-date information comes from official sources such as the Department of State.
If you have questions about the documentation required for dependents or the format of the interview, confirm directly with the post or with a specialist before your appointment date.
Learn more about EB-1
- Category
- EB-1 Green Card (1st priority)
- Requirement
- Extraordinary ability
- Self-petition
- Allowed (no sponsor needed)
- Processing
- 6-18 months
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About the author
Victoria Harper
Editor-in-Chief
As a journalist and lead editor at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps ensure that immigration topics are covered in a clear, trustworthy, and easy-to-understand way. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.