What To Expect At Your Marriage-Based Green Card Interview

In order for your foreign spouse to live, work, and pursue an education in the United States, they must obtain a marriage-based green card. The most stressful part of obtaining a green card is the interview. Immigration officials will conduct an interview to establish the validity of your marriage. They will ask a series of questions as well as look at any documents or records you’ve provided. The entire purpose of the process is to verify that the marriage isn’t a sham used to circumvent immigration law and that you’re eligible for a green card through marriage.

An evaluation of your marriage will begin the moment you step into a USCIS office. The immigration official will look at your demeanor as an individual and as a couple the entire time you are in the office. You and your spouse will be placed together in an interview room. An official will begin to ask you questions for you to answer as an individual and as a couple. The interview will typically take about 20 minutes, and the questions will be relatively simple.

There are a few categories of questions the interviewer will ask, and it’s important that you know information about each other. Please note that these sample questions are not definite, and the immigration official may ask about things, not on this list.

Marriage-based Green Card Interview Questions

How You Met 

You may be asked how your relationship began and progressed prior to marriage. It is important to establish that you and your spouse fell in love prior to your marriage. Some questions that may be asked include:

• Where did you meet?
• Where was your first date?
• When did your relationship become romantic?
• How long was it before you decided to get married?
• Who proposed?
• When did you meet each other’s family?

Wedding

Questions about the day you were married are common. Your wedding day is a special day that most couples cherish. You should be familiar with the details.

• How many guests were at your wedding?
• Where was the wedding held?
• Who were the bridesmaids/groomsmen?
• Where did you go for the honeymoon?

Relationship

These questions often deal with the intimate details of your relationship:

• Who takes care of the finances?
• When is your spouse’s birthday?
• Have you ever been on vacation together?
• Do you live together or plan to live together?
• Do you plan on having children?
• Do you have any children from a previous relationship?
• Do you spend a lot of time together?

Additional Topics

The officer will likely also ask you questions about your friends and family, your education, and your employment. It is understandable that the marriage-based green card interview will make you nervous. Taking some time to prepare and relax can help make things go smoothly.

Contact An Experienced Immigration Attorney

If you are applying for a marriage-based green card, you may want the help of an experienced immigration attorney. At Serving Immigrants, we have the experience and knowledge to help you with your immigration needs. Contact us online or call us at 305-907-6151 to schedule a consultation.