New procedure for spousal visa interview?

[Newba]

Finally!...We just got the appointment letter for the interview for my wife's visa. However, it contained something that surprised me and makes me curious. Under "*** IMPORTANT *** Interview Reminders" it says : "Petitioners are not required to attend the applicant's immigrant visa interview. Facility size and/or
security concerns may limit who may accompany a visa applicant during his or her visit to the U.S. Embassy
or Consulate. Please visit the U.S. Embassy or Consulate's webpage for more information at
www.usembassy.gov"

I thought the whole idea of the interview is so that they can see that we're clearly married. Is this a new procedure that they only want the applicant to attend? I went to www.usembassy.gov but didn't see where to find any other information.

Has anyone ever heard of them only asking for the applicant and not the petitioner to be in the interview? Just wondering ...

 

[Jackolantern]

Interviews outside the US at a consulate don't require the petitioner to be present. That is standard, nothing new. If both of you can be there, that's OK and can be helpful, but the presence of the petitioner is not requested or required.

But marriage-based interviews inside the US will require both spouses to attend, apart from a few exceptions (e.g. spouse is deployed in the military).