Understanding questions at AOS interview

[lostinblue 1,989]

A question has come up on candle. If the spouse is not fluent in english is it possible to have questions written down to answer. Many Chinese can read and write rather well in english. At times it is hard to understand spoken english. Have anyone been through an interview where some of the questions were written on paper for her to read Then have her answer in spoken english or written english.

[Alex+R 0]

I don't know if they have translators or what, but I CAN tell you that if you don't speak extremely fluent Chinese or some other common language and your wife needs this kind of help, the interviewer is going to be VERY suspicious of your relationship.

[Nancy2015 2]

A question has come up on candle. If the spouse is not fluent in english is it possible to have questions written down to answer. Many Chinese can read and write rather well in english. At times it is hard to understand spoken english. Have anyone been through an interview where some of the questions were written on paper for her to read Then have her answer in spoken english or written english.

I think you should bring an interpreter to be on a safer side.

[sjoefl01 1]

I don't think they will write the questions for you. They didn't seem to go by a script. It might be better to spend a few bucks on an interpreter if you are worried.

[Ladylethal 12]

And get her some English classes asap.

[motu 6]

I don't know if they have translators or what, but I CAN tell you that if you don't speak extremely fluent Chinese or some other common language and your wife needs this kind of help, the interviewer is going to be VERY suspicious of your relationship.

Not correct. I know very little Spanish and my wife knew very little English when we went for the interview (we did take an interpreter but she was able to understand and answer many questions on her own.) When the interviewer asked me - do I speak Spanish I told him very little. We were approved without any problems. Language is not the only means of communications and a relationship can exist on many levels (is probably better than just on spoken communication). How you two behave and how they perceive you is what you are judged on - language in my opinion is over-rated as a means of communication - is not that big a deal for establishing relationship. Good Luck

[pj1959us 0]

It would be best to check their local DO's info under the USCIS site. From what I've seen (at least for our own DO) is an interpreter would have to be provided by the beneficiary if needed, at their own expense. It is highly doubtful that they will write the questions and allow answers to be written in English.

[David&Marissa 0]

I think it would be up to the officer doing the interview, but I can't imagine them agreeing to it.

Based on our experience (one interview) I would say the most important thing to do is relax. We were actually missing some of the documents we were supposed to bring, but I think from talking to us for a few minutes it was obvious that we had been living together and had known each other and that our relationship was genuine. Trying to over-prepare for possible questions sometimes might give the appearance that you are trying to give the "right answers" rather than just relaxing and telling the truth. We welcomed more questions during the interview because we knew that we were simply telling the truth about our relationship and our history.

Now if only the FBI namecheck would go so easily. Still waiting on that. . . .

Good luck.

David & Maris