The green card interview is one of the many steps you and your spouse will need to go through when trying to obtain resident status in the United States. This is a regimented process, and the consular officer is very aware of how to ask questions in order to understand your relationship. You will have to be very prepared since the green card interview questions are straight forward and delve deep. One thing you can do is learn as much as you can about the green card process, by conducting as much research as you can and becoming comfortable with the interview questions you might be asked.
A big part of understanding the green card interview is having a glimpse of the types of questions you will be asked. Of course there is no set number of questions or any specific questions that can be studied. Mostly it will be based off of each individual circumstance with the focus on your relationship and living situation. These will get personal so rule number one is keep an open mind. Some of the question categories may consist of the following:
1. The plans you and your spouse or fiance have for the future 2. Detailed questions regarding the veracity of undergoing the green card process 3. You interests, hobbies or pastimes that you enjoy 4. How you met your spouse or fiance 5. Your work history and current work situation 6. Just about any question pertaining to your life and your relationship
The USCIS consular officer's main goal is understanding your relationship and working to ensure the marriage is valid. The questions they ask may not seem to have any rhyme or reason, but it is an effort to ensure there are consistent answers from both partners. These questions will get very detailed regarding your personal relationship. Remember that the green card interview questions are in place to ensure no one is abusing the system. Simple inconsistencies or dishonesty are what the consular officer is trying to uncover during your interview.
Being open and honest are your best weapons. The consular officer may start to be far more direct and go down a particular path if they seem to find contradictions in the answers received by you or your spouse. If deception is detected, or worse yet its proven, then this will have severe consequences on your ability to retain a green card. The green card interview has been honed over many, many years to work well for those couples whose marriage is genuine and not meant to create artificial roadblocks.
When the local consular officer sets your interview, you should have received a list of documents you will be required to bring with you on the day of the interview. The green card interview is not just about the question and answer session, but also focused on helping to complete the picture for the consular officer. These documents are a must have on the day of the interview. Reviewing your letter prior to your interview and making sure you are bringing all that is required is highly suggested. If you fail to provide even one of these documents, it can put your entire application in jeopardy or at a minimum cause severe delay in the green card process.
The following is a general list of the kinds of things you'll probably be asked to bring to your green card interview. Make sure that you inquire with your local office, however, to make sure that you have what they specifically require. Double check your appointment letter for more specifics regarding which types of documentation you need to bring. Some of the most common things required at a green card interview include:
1. Your birth certificate 2. Your marriage certificate if applicable. 3. The green card appointment letter 4. Valid passports 5. Your application for a green card and the alien registration form DS-230 6. Legal proof of divorce 7. Two recent, passport style photographs 8. Death certificates, if applicable 9. Any and all relevant USCIS documentation
The best idea to ensure that you are completely ready for your interview is to create a checklist. On it, list all of the documents that you must bring and check them off as you compile them. Include some of the sample questions that might be asked, and practice answering them before going to your interview. Be sure to go through the checklist with your spouse or fiancee to ensure that the two of you are completely ready for the big day. - 30299
A big part of understanding the green card interview is having a glimpse of the types of questions you will be asked. Of course there is no set number of questions or any specific questions that can be studied. Mostly it will be based off of each individual circumstance with the focus on your relationship and living situation. These will get personal so rule number one is keep an open mind. Some of the question categories may consist of the following:
1. The plans you and your spouse or fiance have for the future 2. Detailed questions regarding the veracity of undergoing the green card process 3. You interests, hobbies or pastimes that you enjoy 4. How you met your spouse or fiance 5. Your work history and current work situation 6. Just about any question pertaining to your life and your relationship
The USCIS consular officer's main goal is understanding your relationship and working to ensure the marriage is valid. The questions they ask may not seem to have any rhyme or reason, but it is an effort to ensure there are consistent answers from both partners. These questions will get very detailed regarding your personal relationship. Remember that the green card interview questions are in place to ensure no one is abusing the system. Simple inconsistencies or dishonesty are what the consular officer is trying to uncover during your interview.
Being open and honest are your best weapons. The consular officer may start to be far more direct and go down a particular path if they seem to find contradictions in the answers received by you or your spouse. If deception is detected, or worse yet its proven, then this will have severe consequences on your ability to retain a green card. The green card interview has been honed over many, many years to work well for those couples whose marriage is genuine and not meant to create artificial roadblocks.
When the local consular officer sets your interview, you should have received a list of documents you will be required to bring with you on the day of the interview. The green card interview is not just about the question and answer session, but also focused on helping to complete the picture for the consular officer. These documents are a must have on the day of the interview. Reviewing your letter prior to your interview and making sure you are bringing all that is required is highly suggested. If you fail to provide even one of these documents, it can put your entire application in jeopardy or at a minimum cause severe delay in the green card process.
The following is a general list of the kinds of things you'll probably be asked to bring to your green card interview. Make sure that you inquire with your local office, however, to make sure that you have what they specifically require. Double check your appointment letter for more specifics regarding which types of documentation you need to bring. Some of the most common things required at a green card interview include:
1. Your birth certificate 2. Your marriage certificate if applicable. 3. The green card appointment letter 4. Valid passports 5. Your application for a green card and the alien registration form DS-230 6. Legal proof of divorce 7. Two recent, passport style photographs 8. Death certificates, if applicable 9. Any and all relevant USCIS documentation
The best idea to ensure that you are completely ready for your interview is to create a checklist. On it, list all of the documents that you must bring and check them off as you compile them. Include some of the sample questions that might be asked, and practice answering them before going to your interview. Be sure to go through the checklist with your spouse or fiancee to ensure that the two of you are completely ready for the big day. - 30299
About the Author:
Tomas Seabey teaches people how to get a green card and learning the ins and outs of legally obtaining a green card through marriage.
