Immigration Interview Questions You Need to Know
Obtaining a Green Card is neither quick nor easy. If you are like most people, you will be very excited when your interview notice finally arrives. At the same time, you may feel anxious about your upcoming interview. While not all Green Card interviews are the same, they usually follow a general format. Being well prepared for your interview will give you peace of mind and increase the likelihood of a successful outcome.
When you receive your interview notice, it is crucial that you read it carefully as it will direct you exactly WHEN (date and time) and WHERE (location) your interview will take place. The interview notice will often include a general list of documents that might not always apply to you completely. It’s recommended to bring the original document of every copy you submitted in your application. You will be instructed to bring an interpreter if you do not speak English fluently.
Common Immigration Interview Questions in 2020
Aside from organizing your documents, knowing what sort of questions you can expect to be asked will help you prepare for your interview. Answer all questions fully, succinctly and truthfully, but do not volunteer information unless asked. If you’re unsure of the answer or do not understand a question, you should always say so rather than guess.
Greetings
The interview will start with the USCIS officer greeting you and introducing themselves. You should do likewise. They might ask, “How are you?” or something similar. Many will make small talk, such as commenting about the weather. Most people report that their USCIS interviewer was friendly, but there are exceptions. The officer will explain the purpose of the interview.
The Oath
Before going to your interview, be aware that you will be asked to swear an oath. When instructed, raise your right hand and wait until instructed to say the following: “Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth?” You might be asked if you understand what an oath is. It is essential to know that lying under oath is a crime and can make you ineligible to receive a Green Card.
Personal information
You can expect questions asking basic personal information such as:
- What is your full name?
- When is your birthday?
- Where were you born?
- What is your race?
- Are you Hispanic or Latino?
- What is your current address?
- What is your phone number?
- Should you apply for a marriage-based Green Card, expect to be asked these questions about your spouse, too.
Physical information
It might seem strange to be asked questions about your physical appearance when your interviewer can easily see you. Nonetheless, you might be asked questions such as:
- How tall are you?
- What color are your eyes?
- What color is your hair?
- What is your weight? (Don’t lie, though it might be tempting!)
Family history
Be prepared to answer questions about your family. Should you apply for a marriage-based Green Card, there might also be questions about your spouse’s family. Typical questions include:
- What is your mother’s maiden name?
- -in-law or father-in-law’s first name?
- Is your mother or father a U.S. citizen?
- How many children do you have?
- Where were your children born?
- Is your child your biological, adopted, or your spouse’s?
What is the process for immigrating to the United States?
Once you’ve determined what type of immigrant visa you’ll be applying for, you’re probably wondering what you need to do next. Here’s a step-by-step look at what it takes to get an immigrant visa.
- The sponsor (family member who’s a U.S. citizen/permanent resident or prospective employer) files an immigrant visa petition with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
- If the petition is approved, it’s passed to the National Visa Center (NVC) for pre-processing. The NVC will contact you.
- Next you need to choose an agent, the person who will receive all communication from NVC about your case. You can choose yourself, your sponsor, an attorney or a friend or family member you trust.
- You’ll have to pay your immigrant visa application processing fee and affidavit of support fee. Note that to do this you’ll need a U.S. bank account.
- Complete and submit your visa application form.
- Have sponsor complete affidavit of support and gather evidence of their income (tax returns) and proof of their citizenship and your relationship.
- Collect all documents you’ll need to support your application — you’ll submit photocopies to the NVC but will also need the originals for your interview. The specific documents you’ll need will vary by your country of origin but generally include birth and marriage certificates, court and prison records, military records, divorce decrees and passports.
- Submit everything from steps 6 and 7 to the NVC (you have to submit it all together or your application could be delayed).
- NVC reviews your application and all other supporting documents. If everything is completed, they will schedule an interview for you with the right U.S. Embassy or Consulate. You’ll get a letter informing you of the interview details.
- Before the interview, you’ll need to schedule a medical examination with an embassy-approved doctor. Each embassy or consulate also has additional requirements that you’ll want to review before you go. Watch the State Department’s video on preparing for your interview.
- Attend the interview and bring your interview appointment letter, passport, photographs, medical exam results and all your original and supporting documents required when you submitted your application.
- You will be told whether your visa is approved or denied at the end of your interview.
What is an H-1B working visa & who is eligible?
A “specialty occupation” non-immigrant employment visa. It helps those with bachelor’s or advanced degrees, those working for the Department of Defense, or those working as a fashion model, work in the USA for certain periods of time.
The H-1B has several levels and criteria that qualify you in various ways. Some fall under the quota system, and others do not. It’s very important that you and your employer work very closely together to determine the requirements, and the timing, as there are deadlines for some H-1Bs, and for others, it may be better to apply at a different time of year when it’s not competing for attention with those satisfying the deadlines.
Your H-1B visa may be for up to three years. Any renewals generally do not extend beyond six years. Some family members of the H-1B visa holder may seek H-4 nonimmigrant visas.
What is conditional permanent residence?
A conditional green card is valid for only 2 years, and the designation “CR1” on the physical card stands for “conditional resident.” A conditional green card holder must file Form I-751 to “remove the conditions” and obtain a permanent green card. In most cases, a conditional green card is issued to a spouse who has been married for less than 2 years at the time their green card was first approved.
Why would a green card application be denied?
A green card application may be denied by the U.S. government for several reasons, including but not limited to mistakes on the required forms, missing documents, insufficient financial resources, or failure to demonstrate eligibility
Can I work in the U.S. while waiting for my green card?
Anyone who already has a valid work visa (for example, an H-1B or L-1 visa) can usually continue working in the United States even while applying for a U.S. green card. Otherwise, green card applicants aren’t allowed to start working in the United States until they obtain a work permit by filing Form I-765.