Preparing for the Marriage Green Card Interview
How to successfully navigate your USCIS or NVC interview
What to Expect in the Marriage Green Card Interview
The last step of the marriage green card process is the interview, which is scheduled by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) if the spouse seeking a green card lives in the United States and by the National Visa Center (NVC) if they live abroad. Not sure if you qualify for a marriage based green card? Start by checking your eligibility.
Although this interview may still be months or later in the future, knowing what to expect will help you feel more confident and prepared when that important day comes.
Whether your interview will take place in the United States or abroad, the interviewing officer’s primary goal will be to determine whether your marriage is authentic — in other words, not based on fraud. Questions can focus on, for example, the history of your relationship, your daily activities as a married couple, and your future plans together.
Marriage Green Card Interview Questions
While you can never be certain about the questions that an interviewing officer will ask, here are some of the most typical questions that couples encounter, grouped by category:
YOUR RELATIONSHIP HISTORY
- How did you meet?
- Where did some of your first dates take place?
- How long did you date before deciding to get married?
- What is the story of your marriage proposal?
YOUR WEDDING
- What was your wedding like?
- Who attended your wedding?
- What food was served?
- Were there any special rituals performed? If so, what kind?
- Did you go anywhere for your honeymoon? If so, where?
YOUR DAILY ROUTINES
- What is daily life like for you and your spouse around the house?
- How do you start your day?
- How often do you text or talk on the phone when you’re apart?
- Which of you likes to cook?
- Which of you likes to clean?
YOUR KIDS (IF ANY)
- How do your kids get to school?
- Who are their friends?
- What are their favorite foods?
- Do they play any sports? If so, what?
YOUR PERSONAL HABITS AND NEEDS
- What side of the bed do you sleep on?
- What pajamas do you wear?
- What medications does your spouse take?
BIG EVENTS, RITUALS, OR CELEBRATIONS
- When are your birthdays?
- What did you do to celebrate?
- What did you get each other as gifts?
- What’s the most important holiday of the year in your household, and where do you typically celebrate it?
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Marriage Green Card Interview Tips
Follow these tips to help you ace your interview:
- Be honest and open. Think of the interview as an opportunity to give the officer a window into your life as a couple, not as an obligation to portray the ideal marriage. Every couple experiences marital difficulties, and you shouldn’t be penalized for admitting your own.
- Speak your mind. Some interviewing officers will ask very personal questions. If you find a question too offensive, you can let the officer know, and you can decline to answer. Most officers will understand and move on to the next question.
- Practice, practice, practice. It’s important to rehearse before your interview, especially if one of you tends to be forgetful. Even people in long-term marriages can often find these interviews stressful, but the more you practice, the less anxious you’re likely to be. In this situation, it’s almost always better to be overprepared than under.
- Have fun! It’s essential to be honest and thorough when documenting and recalling details about your marriage, but don’t forget to loosen up. After all, you get to stroll down memory lane and make sure your spouse indeed knows what you like to eat for breakfast!Boundless not only makes it easy for you to complete your marriage-based green card application, but we can also help you get ready for your green card interview. Get started today!