The interviewing officer will want to see original copies of documents that were submitted with your green card interviews application. This includes birth certificates, passports, and marriage or divorce certificates. Employment based applicants should also bring pay stubs, tax returns, and evidence of shared finances like joint bank accounts and credit cards.
Depending on your application type, the officer will ask different questions. For marriage-based applicants, the officer will also inquire about your relationship.
Be Prepared
It’s important to prepare for your interview by reviewing your green card application and documents. It’s also helpful to practice answering common questions with a friend or family member.
The officer will ask you questions about the information on your forms, including:
Your answers should be brief and honest. Remember, the officer is there to assess your credibility and can charge you with perjury if you give false or misleading information.
Marriage-based green card applicants should bring evidence of their marital relationship and shared life, such as wedding photos, emails or texts, joint credit cards, home leases, bills in both names (utility, phone, etc.), and birth certificates of children you have together.
You should also prepare any new evidence that you realized can help prove your case and for some reason did not submit with your initial package of documents. Put these in a folder and arrange them in chronological order. You should dress formally since you will be entering the government’s building.
Be Honest
The officer will ask you questions about the content of your application and other supporting documents. It is crucial that you are honest and accurate with your answers. Being dishonest can lead to a finding of fraud and bar you from receiving any immigration benefits in the future. In some cases, a misstatement in your background check or a question you were unprepared for may even result in the denial of your green card.
If you are applying for a marriage-based green card, the interviewing officer will want to know about your relationship. Be prepared to answer questions about where you and your spouse met, your love story, and your common life. The questions can get personal and delve into things that are private, such as past criminal records or previous immigration history. Be open and honest with your responses, even if they are uncomfortable or you believe that they might hurt your application. Honesty is always the best policy in these types of interviews.
Arrive on Time
The green card interview is typically the last step before receiving your permanent residence. Depending on your specific situation, this interview will take place either at the USCIS office or at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad. This interview consists of questions primarily regarding your background, relationship and immigration history. It is very important to be prepared and to bring all original documents listed in your Appointment Letter as well as copies for the officer’s records. Also be sure to refresh your memory on any life changes since you submitted your application (e.g. birth of a child, new job, etc.).
On rare occasions, the interviewing officer may call you into the interview earlier than your scheduled time before your attorney has arrived in the waiting room. If this happens, politely ask the officer to wait until your attorney has arrived before proceeding with the interview. Otherwise, you risk being asked to sign a form agreeing to the interview without your lawyer present.
Bring Documents
Green card interviews can involve a variety of questions, some of which might seem invasive or personal. It’s important to stay calm and be honest at all times. If you’re uncomfortable answering a question, politely decline to do so.
It’s also a good idea to bring any new documentation that might affect your answers to the questions on your green card application. This could include things such as job changes, travel plans, or family issues. For example, if you’re applying for a marriage-based green card and your spouse has recently been arrested, you may need to explain the circumstances surrounding their arrest in order to establish good faith.