Marriage-Based Green Card Interview Questions: Your interview process will begin the moment you walk into the USCIS office. When walking into the building, officers will look at the demeanor of both parties as individuals and as a couple from the moment they enter the building until the time they leave.
You will be placed together in an interview room and an officer will begin directing questions for you both to answer as individuals or as a couple. The interview usually lasts an average of 15-20 minutes and the questions are relatively simple.
Marriage-Based Green Card Interview Questions
Below are a few sample categories and marriage-based green card interview questions that each partner in a relationship should know about one another. Please note that these sample questions are not definite and an immigration officer can ask questions that are not listed below.
How You Meet – Questions about how your relationship started and progressed prior to being married. It’s important to display that you and your spouse established a relationship and actually fell in love prior to being engaged then married.
- Where did you meet?
- What did the two of you have in common?
- Where was your first date?
- When did your relationship turn romantic?
- How long was it before you decided to get married?
- Who proposed to whom?
- Why did you decide to have a long or short engagement?
- When did you meet each other’s parents?
Wedding – Questions about the day you tied the knot are common. Your wedding day is a special day that most couples cherish. You should be able to account for many details of that day.
- How many people attended your wedding?
- Did each of your parents attend?
- Where was the wedding held?
- Who were the bridesmaids/groomsmen?
- Where did you go for the honeymoon?
Relationship– these questions usually deal with the intimate details of your marriage. Most married couples discuss these topics at least at some point in the first year.
- Who takes care of the finances?
- When is your spouse’s birthday?
- Have you ever been on vacation together?
- Do you attend church?
- When is your anniversary?
- Do you plan on having children?
- Do you have any children from previous marriages?
- Do you live together or plan on living together?
- Do you spend a lot of time together?
Friends and Family
- Have you met each other’s families?
- How often do you see each other’s families?
- When was the last time you saw them?
- How do you typically celebrate holidays? For example, do you spend Thanksgiving with one family and Christmas with another?
- How many brothers and sisters does your spouse have? What are their names?
- Does your spouse have any nieces or nephews?
- Do you have mutual friends?
- What’s your spouse’s best friend’s name?
Education
- Where did your spouse go to school?
- Did they go to college?
- What did your spouse major in?
- What did your spouse get a degree in?
Employment
- Who is your spouse’s employer?
- How long has your spouse been working there?
- What is your spouse’s position?
- Where did your spouse work prior?
It’s understandable and normal that the marriage-based green card interview will make you nervous or stressed out. Before and while answering marriage-based green card interview questions, it is best that you utilize the tips for marriage-based green card interview questions listed above to be a few steps ahead.
How Can You Obtain a Marriage-Based Green Card?
Here is a comprehensive list of the items required to apply for a green card:
- Petition for Alien Relative (USCIS Form I-130)
- Application to Register Permanent Residence (USCIS Form I-485)
- Biographic Information (USCIS Form G-325A)
- Affidavit of Support (USCIS Form I-864)
- Permission for Work Authorization (Optional) (USCIS Form I-765)
- Medical Examination Results (USCIS Form I-693)
- Request for Travel Documents (Optional) (USCIS Form I-131)
- The appropriate supporting documents
If you are a U.S. citizen within the country through lawful admission/parole, you will need the following:
- File Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative
- Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust status
If you are a citizen outside the U.S.:
- File Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative
Are You Prepared for Your Interview?
Marriage-based green card interviews are held at a USCIS office and will be conducted by a trained immigration official. The interview usually takes place between 3-4 months after your petition is filed with USCIS. During this time, you may want to gather any additional documents that show proof of the relationship for your interview.
Remember that the main purpose of this interview is to confirm the validity of your relationship. Take the time to review your relationship in entirety with your spouse. It’s normal for you to forget things about your marriage but you can work together to jog each other’s memory prior to the interview.
They are also looking to see if the U.S. citizen in the relationship can support the immigrant spouse. Your spouse will need to submit an affidavit of support to show that they have adequate means of financial support and are not likely to rely on the U.S. government financially.
Going through a process as tedious as a green card interview is not something you should do alone. If you have any questions or concerns before the interview, consult your immigration attorney.
Tips for a Marriage Based Green Card Interview
We know how stressful the interview process can be, so take a look at these top tips to make the best of your situation.
- Be punctual for your scheduled interview by arriving at least 30 minutes prior to the scheduled time.
- Wear professional and/or conservative clothing because first impressions are important and you want to give the impression that you are taking this interview seriously.
- Be prepared to answer all types of questions. Immigration officials are likely to ask simple marriage-based green card interview questions as well as ones that you may have to think a little harder about to answer.
- Come with a calm and organized demeanor because immigration officials look for red flags that indicate fraud. Looking flustered and nervous looks will raise their suspicion. Remain calm and be confident in the knowledge of your marriage.
- No need to memorize facts. It can potentially make the couple sound rehearsed, which is a red flag. Immigration officials understand that you won’t remember every small detail about your marriage. If you’re not sure or don’t know, then simply say it. It is always better to say you don’t know than it is to lie. Not knowing might lead to having your green card denied, but lying or other fraudulent behavior might lead to barred access to the U.S. altogether. However, you should be able to answer simple questions about your marriage.
- Act normally; not overly affectionate or uncomfortable. USCIS immigration officials are trained to recognize signs that individuals are not behaving normally. This type of in-authenticity is a red flag, so it’s best you both be yourselves and act normal.
- Don’t panic if you are separated. If you and your spouse are moved to separate rooms, remain calm and answer the immigration official’s additional marriage-based green card interview questions honestly.
- Remember to bring the necessary paperwork which can be any necessary forms and any proof of your relationship. This can be wedding or vacation photos or bank statements.
- Confide in your attorney if you’re unsure about anything pertaining to your green card case. Your attorney will know your case inside and out and will make you feel more prepared by addressing any and all concerns you or your spouse may have.
- Review additional resources to feel even more confident about the marriage-based green card interview. Marriage related green card resources are available at the bottom of this page.
Ultimately, having a legitimate case and an experienced attorney should be your most valuable assets during this interview. These questions are designed to determine if your marriage is fraudulent. If that is not the case, then simply follow the above tips and be confident.
After the Marriage Green Card Interview
Once you’ve completed your marriage-based green card interview, you’ll have to wait for the USCIS to approve your petition. There isn’t a defined period of time for marriage green card approvals which can make the waiting process even more stressful.
A few weeks from the interview date, you may receive the news that your green card has been either granted or denied. It can take longer if your file is undergoing an additional security review. If your petition is approved, then your passport will be returned to you with the conditional green card printed inside, allowing you and your spouse to enter the U.S. as legal permanent residents.
You and your spouse are able to check the status of your green card case by entering your case number into the USCIS Case Status Search.
Disclaimer: This site is not owned by any U.S Government Agency or an Immigration attorney. The contents in the site/post is for informational purpose only collected from various public domains (YouTube, search engines), you may need to contact an expert immigration attorney for your specific immigration needs.