Questions to Expect During A Marriage-Based Green Card Interview
Posted on: 2 March 2022
If you are married to a U.S. citizen, you may be eligible for a marriage-based green card. The green card allows you to live and work permanently in the United States.
The process of obtaining a marriage-based green card can be complex, so make sure you understand the requirements. For instance, you'll need to convince the U.S. government that your marriage is real. An immigration officer will ask you several questions to confirm this fact.
Here are some of the questions you can expect to be asked during your interview for a marriage-based green card.
How Did You Meet Your Spouse?
The officer will ask about the circumstances of how you met your spouse and the duration of your marriage. They will be looking for any signs that you got married solely to obtain a green card. So, make sure to have a good story about how you met and fell in love.
You'll probably have to give specific answers to the following questions:
- Who introduced you to each other?
- Where did you first meet?
- When did you decide to get married?
You and your spouse should be prepared to answer these questions together. The officer may ask you different versions of these questions, so you need to have your story straight.
How Was Your Wedding?
An immigration officer will likely ask you to describe what your big day was like. They're not interested in the details, but they want to ensure that it was a bona fide wedding.
You may need to provide some documents to show that you were married in line with U.S. law. If you held a small ceremony, be sure to provide additional documentation, such as photographs from the event. Make sure you bring any relevant paperwork with you when you go for your interview to avoid delays during the approval phase.
The documents needed may vary on a case-to-case basis. So, if you're unsure what documents are required, consult with an experienced immigration lawyer.
Have You Lived Together Since Your Wedding Day?
If you haven't lived together since you got married, the officer may want an explanation for why this is the case. They'll be looking to see whether you live in the same house and interact as a couple.
You should be prepared to answer questions such as:
- Where does your spouse live?
- When was the last time you saw your spouse?
- How often do you communicate with your spouse?
Be prepared for these questions and have your answers ready. Being honest and truthful can smooth things along during the interview. And the sooner the officer can verify these details, the sooner you'll get your green card.
But, even if everything goes well during the interview, you may still need an immigration lawyer to help you with the next steps. They can file the necessary paperwork and represent you in court if there are any problems with your case.
If you want to learn more, contact a firm such as Ricardo Skerrett Immigration Law Firm.
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