AOS Interview Tips/Tricks/Tirades

[slim 1,533]

Coming down to the wire, interview next Friday.

This is one that I actually play a part in, so I've got to say I'm a little nervous as well. Not public speaking in your underwear dreams nervous, but maybe first day of school jitters nervous. I think our packet pretty much covered everything, so I don't know really what else we need to do. Any suggestions?

How about-

Pictures? Should we take "newer" photos of us, from the past couple of months? Wedding photos, pics of us together having fun, pictures of us doing things together around the house, neighborhood, city, etc.? And should they look like we love each other?

Financial Docs; Banks, Insurance, Leases, etc., and what is really "necessary"? Do we really "need" a joint bank account. She's not working yet, so there's no money to put in one anyway. Should I open one just to have one?

Anything else linking her to having a "real life" here. I was thinking about taking in the cat adoption papers, to show that she's "adopted" two cats, and without AOS, it's going to be hard for those cats to survive!

Any tips/tricks? Any bad things or "shoulda woulda couldas?" What did you guys take to the interviews to help you pass? What did they actually look at/check out? WHAT SHOULD WE DO NEXT WEEK???

Thanks Russia Forum.... and this one is a big thanks to all our "visitors" as well! Here's your chance!

[Satellite 1]

Do we really "need" a joint bank account.

No, but joint bank account and joint tax filing is usually all you need to show bona fide relationship based.

What did you guys take to the interviews to help you pass? What did they actually look at/check out?

In our case the officer simply checked of the AOS application in front of us and confirmed the questions on it. We had brought updated tax and I-864 information and few recent pictures. None of it was asked for although I did give them the updated financial documents. We also brought a recent pay stub and recent bank statement, but it was not asked for. In our case it was a simple rubber stamp in under 15 minutes. Experience varies widely.

[Cassie 8]

if anything has changed since the submission of your AOS packet, bring evidence of it. For example, my husband received a raise, so we got an updated letter from his employer. The adjudicator went over the financial AOS and made notations where it was different, and took the letter.

We took pictures from our wedding, and pictures of us after that point, he was more interested in the latter. We made sure to take pictures that had both of us, as well as us with family members.

You don't "need" a joint banking account, but what is needed is some evidence that you are beginning to co-mingle your assets/liabilities. Medical insurance plans, joint tax filing, etc. We were asked about a joint lease or mortgage agreement, and when Jerry explained why we didn't, he seemed satisfied about that.

We were asked if we had any utilities in our names -- we told him and showed him that at that point we had managed to have one started in both our names, and he took evidence of that.

If she has anything -- DL, library card, etc -- that shows her current address, that helps.

They want to see that you have a ongoing bonafide relationship.

Best wishes for nest week!

[JamesT 12]

This is probably silly, but I always thought the best way to prove your marriage was real would be to walk into the interview, put your arms around each other, and embrace in a nice, long, sloppy, passionate kiss! Wouldn't that prove you love each other and it was a "real" marriage? Would two strangers who were only fradulantly posing as a couple to get a green card be willing to do that? (Probably not, and even if they did it wouldn't be convincing.)

[nane1104 146]

How about bringing a baby plus paternity test? j/k

But yes, I sometimes wonder too why you need all that paper proof....

[Cassie 8]

How about bringing a baby plus paternity test? j/k

But yes, I sometimes wonder too why you need all that paper proof....

babies are good, birth certificates listing you both as the parents are better!

Why do they need paper proof? Because sometimes people are great actors, and you can profess your love over and over again, but if you don't put actions to the words, it doesn't mean squat.

[nane1104 146]

How about bringing a baby plus paternity test? j/k

But yes, I sometimes wonder too why you need all that paper proof....

babies are good, birth certificates listing you both as the parents are better!

Why do they need paper proof? Because sometimes people are great actors, and you can profess your love over and over again, but if you don't put actions to the words, it doesn't mean squat.

Yepp, I know, I guess it was more of a rhetoric question, I am just a little fed up with the whole process right now...

[Cassie 8]

How about bringing a baby plus paternity test? j/k

But yes, I sometimes wonder too why you need all that paper proof....

babies are good, birth certificates listing you both as the parents are better!

Why do they need paper proof? Because sometimes people are great actors, and you can profess your love over and over again, but if you don't put actions to the words, it doesn't mean squat.

Yepp, I know, I guess it was more of a rhetoric question, I am just a little fed up with the whole process right now...

I hear ya, and completely understand.

[Jashley820 0]

Hey Slim,

Good luck on your interview, man. I got transferred to CSC, so I won't be making that trip downtown for an interview.

I had planned on bringing much of the same stuff that you already have. Things like a Costco membership, blockbuster, gym memberships, library cards are good. As for pics, having pics of you guys with your family is good. I always try to take a pic or two with all of us together every time we go over for dinner or spend the day at their pool. Pics of you guys doing activities together in a social situation is good too (my husband and I play volleyball and softball in a co-ed league, so team pics are also good). Anything that shows that your lives are intertwined are good!

good luck!

[Chuckles 0]

Slim

It matters alot where you are interviewed as far as how picky the interviewer will be, and how much evidence they will want to see. If you can find someone who recently went to the same office you are going to, that would be good.

Other then that, assume they will be pricks and take it all. Wedding photos are of course very good. You need to show evidence of living at the same address, so mail addressed to your wife or her name on the lease is required. It is also required that you show joint assets. I know a bank account sounds stupid in your situation, but it is basically free so go start one with her real quick. If you have her on your insurance bring proof of that. If she is the benificery on your life insurance bring that.

[Milenka 0]

I haven't been through AOS yet, so sorry I don't have any advice for you, Slim. I just wanted to wish you good luck for next friday! Will be waiting to see your post afterwards Milena.

[Addie_Goodvibes 0]

The Following Tips are very important during the AOS Interview:

You look down, they know you're lying and up, they know you don't know the truth. Don't use seven words when four will do. Don't shift your weight, look always at the Interviewing Officer but don't stare, be specific but not memorable, be funny but don't make the IO laugh. The IO has to like you then forget you the moment you've left the Interview. And for God's sake, whatever you do, don't, under any circumstances...

[featherB 1]

Only just filed for AOS so I have no tips or anything else useful to say other than 'good luck', but as I'm also in Cincinnati, I'll be looking out to see how it goes (smoothly & stress-free, I hope) in case we end up having an interview. So... good luck on Friday, and please please report back!

[Addie_Goodvibes 0]

The Following Tips are very important during the AOS Interview:

You look down, they know you're lying and up, they know you don't know the truth. Don't use seven words when four will do. Don't shift your weight, look always at the Interviewing Officer but don't stare, be specific but not memorable, be funny but don't make the IO laugh. The IO has to like you then forget you the moment you've left the Interview. And for God's sake, whatever you do, don't, under any circumstances...

No seriously, Relax and don't sound rehearsed. Most importanat preperation is to have all originals of everything you submitted ( BC, marriage Liscense, ID, IRS statements, Paycheck stub..) Have a copy of everything you submitted as support evidence such as Joint account documentation, utility bills, ect..

To prepare for the interview Look over the G325 you submitted be sure you can answer all questions refering to that, make sure you know the info you provided. On your I-485 be sure you look over the answers you gave and answer the same as yopu did on the form.

Basically they will ask you about the information you have already provided, so you better know it and be consistant.

They most likely will not ask for pictures and letters or airline tickets ect. but have them on hand just in case.

Remember to relax and don't be tense, tell them how you met your Spouse and let your IO hear your story of how you tow met , think of it as a chance to share your story.

Relax and be genuine with your responses..

Edited May 30, 2007 by Addie_Goodvibes

[elyjack 0]

The only thing we were asked for was the prior year's income tax form. That was because it had been almost two years and they didn't have the latest. And this was after spending the better part of a weekend getting all kinds of the usual stuff together.

I heard photos were pretty useless and they rarely look at them. If somebody was committing fraud would it be that hard to fake some photos? I think more important are official/legal looking documents showing joint ownership, etcetera. If I was doing it again I'd just take a few things along like that and be done with it.

Personally, I thought the whole thing was friggin' silly and mostly about a job for a government employee whose salary is paid from our taxes. They get to sit there like good bureaucrats and look at your papers knowing they hold your life in the balance. Makes 'em feel important. It's the Department of Homeland Security, don't you know? (And it was quite a fortress where we went with armed guards and metal detectors and conveyor belts just like at the airport).