[Note: this list was complied from several sources, including postings on VisaJourney (For additional specific questions, check out VJ's consulate feedback/reviews and VJ's Example Interview Questions. The questions below are directed toward people who have applied for the CR-1/IR-1 visas with the beneficiary living abroad, but many would be applicable to Adjustment of Status interviews, too. Of course no one will be asked all of these questions, and many won't apply if you don't live together, but it appears that all of these questions have been asked in someone's interview somewhere. Please add your own in the appropriate sections...]
First, here are some tips for the interview [from VJ member Virtual wife, April '07. Also the original pinned posting includes many immigration questions - similar to, but different from the ones listed below - in post #5]:
1. Do not volunteer information. For most questions, the shorter and more direct the answers are, the shorter the interview and the higher the chance of success. If the question is a yes or no question, give yes or no answers only. If the question is a simple question like "What is your name?" answer simply with your name.
2. If you do not know the answer to a question, do not lie. Say, "I don't know the answer to that at this time." or "I don't remember."
3. The answer to many questions will be in the papers that were sent in the petitions. Questions like, "what are your husband's parent's names". They will expect you to know the information given in your petitions. Review everything in your paperwork with your wife before her interview, and do a mock interview to see how the information may be applied.
4. Avoid saying "I think . . .". Women do this a lot. The examiner will expect you to know not be unsure, of your answers. Also, avoid adding "umm", "you know" and "ahh" type fillers to your speech.
5. When applicable, don't just state, demonstrate. If the examiner asks a question that can be answered with a document or photograph(s), provide it along with your answer.
For example, if the examiner asks, "What does your family think of your husband?", give them a picture or two with your answer; "They like him very much. Here is a picture of him with my mother and father at my parent's home."
Or, "How many attended your wedding?" Answer, "(give a number, then say) We have some lovely wedding photos of our guests having fun. Here are a few that I can show you."
6. Give American answers for dates and times. 12/24/07, not 24/12/07.
7. Dress well, but not overdressed.
8. Try to appear calm, well organized, and friendly. Nervousness raises suspicions.
9. Remain focused. If the examiner makes jokes, smile and enjoy, but do not make jokes too.
10. Make proper eye contact when conversing with the examiner, and try to control your own facial expressions so that your face remains pleasant and cordial.
11. Be audible so that your examiner doesn't have to ask you to repeat your answers.
12. Organize your papers in a way that will allow you to retrieve them easily and quickly. Examiners appreciate order and someone who doesn't waste their time.
13. When the interview is over, always ask for the results. "What should I now tell my husband about my visa status after our interview?" Before you leave, have them explain any papers they give to you and/or any procedures they will be taking to complete your case. Try to get the examiner's name for future reference, if needed. Write it down.
14. If the interview is in another city than the one you live in, arrive a day or two early to complete biometrics and get the results of your medical exam.
15. Arrive early to the consulate, but also be prepared to wait for a time past your scheduled interview appointment time. Be careful of thieves around the consulate if you have to carry cash. Bring ID; you cannot enter without it.
16. It is rare for the consulate to give you a visa on the spot. Be prepared to return for it, if approved.
For the interview, bring:
1. Original marriage documents, translations and certifications.
2. Formal, long form birth certificate.
3. Copies of any divorce records or death decrees of former SO(s).
4. Passport, with an expiration date of no earlier than 6 months. Try to have more than 6 months before expiration.
5. Police certificate with "Nothing" written on it, indicating no criminal record
6. Fingerprints (consulate will instruct you regarding how, when and where these will be taken). There is a fee for this.
7. Medical exam results (consulate will instruct you regarding how, when and where this will be taken). There is a fee for this. Make sure you get a copy from the medical examiner.
8. Passport type photos of each of you. (consulate will instruct you regarding these)
QUESTIONS FOR THE BENEFICIARY
ABOUT YOU:
What do you do for a living in your home country?
Do you plan to work in the U.S and what position?
Have you ever been issued/denied a visa to the US?
Have you ever been in the US?
- If so, when and how long were you in the US?
- Where were you?
- What did you do while you were there?
- Did you work while you were there? Doing what?
- Have you ever been deported ?
Were you married before this marriage?
Do you have any children?
Have you ever been convicted of any crime?
Describe your employment history
Describe your education history
Do you need a social security number (SSN) when you arrive in the US?
ABOUT YOUR SPOUSE:
General information
Name/Date of birth/Place of birth. Spell your spouse's name.
Immigration status in the US? (Citizen or Permanent Resident) [Additional questions if your spouse was not born in the US: Where did your spouse first live in the US? When and where was his or her naturalization?]
Where does your spouse live in the US? How long has s/he been at the current address?
Contact numbers/ E-mail address?
Was your spouse married before?
- If divorced:
- Ex-spouse’s name, age, etc.
- Why did the previous marriage not last; reasons for divorce
- Who initiated the divorce?
- Do you have the copy of divorce papers
- Where did the divorce take place
- Are there any outstanding issues related to divorce? If yes, describe in detail
- How much are the alimony payments?
- Does your spouse still see his/her ex-spouse? Why or why not?
Does your spouse have any children?
- If yes:
- How many?
- What are the name(s) and age(s) of the child(ren)?
- Whom do they live with, and why? (Why do they not live with your spouse?
- How often does your spouse see the children?
- How much is the monthly child support?
- How does your spouse manage child support?
- Are they planning to move with your spouse?
- If both of you have kids, how have you ensured that your kids and your spouse’s kid will live/get together/co-operate with each other?
Has your spouse ever been convicted or have a criminal record?
Do you know your spouse’s friends?
- Provide the names, if possible phone numbers
- How long have they known each other?
- Where do they live?
- Do they know about your spouse’s previous relationships?
- What are your spouse’s hobbies?
- What does your spouse like/dislike? Foods/movies/books/music/activities/etc.
- What does your spouse own?
- House?
- Car (Make, model, year of manufacture, and color of the car. License plate number?)
Your Relationship/Wedding/Marriage
How long have you known each other?
Where and how did you meet? Was anyone else around?
What did you do on your first meeting? What did you first notice about your future spouse? Do you remember what either of you were wearing?
What language do the two of you converse in?
When did the relationship turn romantic?
Did your spouse meet any of your relatives? If not, why not? Did you meet any of your spouse’s relatives? If not, why not?
How much time did you spend together before you decided to get married? Why did you decide to get married? Who proposed to whom? How did the topic come up? Why did you decide to have a long/short engagement? What do your parents/friends think of your decision to marry this person? What do your spouse’s parents/friends think?
When and where was your wedding ? Do you have any photos of the ceremony and/or reception? Who from the US came to attend your marriage? (Why did others not come here to attend the marriage?) How many people were at your wedding? Did you have a reception? Describe.
Did you go for a honeymoon? If so, when and where?
How has your relationship been since you got married?
Why do you want to come to the US? What do you like and dislike about moving there?
Did you get married to get in to the US? Did you pay your spouse to get married or make any other deals?
What are your concerns about being married to someone from another culture?
What do you think the biggest problems will be, and have you thought about how you will deal with them?
Do you think that your relationship will work?
Do you trust your spouse?
Employment/Education
If your spouse is working:
- What does your spouse do for living?
- Where does s/he work?
- Employer name & location; phone number if possible
- What are his/her job duties/job title?
- How much does s/he make per hour/annual salary?
- What is your spouse’s work schedule?
- If your spouse is in school:
- Provide details of the degree/diploma s/he is registered in; what kind of courses taken
- What year of study?
- Total length of program/ expected completion date?
Describe your spouse’s education history
Spouse’s Living Situation
Who does your spouse live with? (details on roommates/relatives)
What kind of place it is? (apartment, condo, house, etc.)
How much rent/mortgage?
Have you been to where your spouse lives?
- If so, how many rooms there are? How many bathrooms?
- Can you remember any details of what kind of furniture is in the house, colors, etc?
- What kind of TV, stereo, etc is in the house?
- Who else lives near by – neighbors?
- What is the neighborhood like?
Finances – show copies of everything
Did you file a joint tax return this year? Do you have an International Tax ID number?
What is your spouse’s bank in the US? What are the accounts there?
Do you share any accounts? Why or why not?
Do you own any property together?
Do you have an insurance policy listing your spouse as the beneficiary? Does your spouse have insurance policy where you are the beneficiary?
Spouse’s relatives
Father’s name and where he lives? Where does he work?
Mother’s Name and where she lives? Where does she work?
If they have spouses other than each other, who are they?
Were they born in the US? Where?(many more questions about when they arrived, etc if they immigrated )
What is your spouse's mom's parents' [maternal grandparents'] names and information?
What is your spouse's Dad's parents' [paternal grandparents'] names and information?
How many brother and sisters does your spouse have?
- Names?
- Names of their spouses?
- Names of their kids?
- Where were they married?
- Where do they live now?
- How many maternal and paternal uncles and aunts does your spouse have?
- Name all of them and their spouses
- Name all their kids
QUESTIONS FOR THE PETITIONER, IF YOU ATTEND THE INTERVIEW
(Many are the same as above)
ABOUT YOU:
What is your immigration status in the US? (Citizen or Permanent Resident? If naturalized, expect more questions about when arrived, when naturalized, etc etc)
When and where was your US passport issued?
Where do you live?
What are you doing in this country? (if not just visiting for the interview) Do you like it here? What don't you like? Would you ever consider living here?
Do you speak your spouse’s language?
What do you do for a living?
What is your education?
Were you married before this marriage?
Do you have any children?
Have you ever been convicted of any crime?
ABOUT YOUR SPOUSE:
General information
Name/Date of birth/Place of birth
Where does your spouse live? How long s/he has been at the current address?
Contact numbers/ E-mail address?
- If divorced:
- Ex-spouse’s name, age, etc.
- Why did the previous marriage not last; reasons for divorce
- Who initiated the divorce?
- Do you have the copy of divorce papers
- Where did the divorce take place
- Are there any outstanding issues related to divorce? If yes, describe in detail
- How much are the alimony payments?
- Does your spouse still see his/her ex-spouse? Why or why not?
Does your spouse have any children?
- If yes:
- How many?
- What are the name(s) and age(s) of the child(ren)?
- Whom do they live with, and why? (Why do they not live with your spouse?
- How often does your spouse see the children?
- How much is the monthly child support?
- How does your spouse manage child support?
- Are they planning to move with your spouse?
- If both of you have kids, how have you ensured that your kids and your spouse’s kid will live/get together/co-operate with each other?
- Has your spouse ever been convicted or have a criminal record?
- Do you know your spouse’s friends?
- Provide the names, if possible phone numbers
- How long have they known each other?
- Where do they live?
- Do they know about your spouse’s previous relationships?
- What are your spouse’s hobbies? What does your spouse like/dislike? Foods/movies/books/music/activities/etc.
- What does your spouse own?
- House?
- Car (Make, model, year of manufacture, and color of the car. License plate number?)
Your Relationship/Wedding/Marriage
How long have you known each other?
Where and how did you meet? Was anyone else around?
What did you do on your first meeting? What did you first notice about your future spouse? Do you remember what either of you were wearing?
What language do the two of you converse in?
When did the relationship turn romantic?
Did your spouse meet any of your relatives? If not, why not? Did you meet any of your spouse’s relatives? If not, why not?
How much time did you spend together before you decided to get married? Why did you decide to get married? Who proposed to whom? How did the topic come up? Why did you decide to have a long/short engagement? What do your parents/friends think of your decision to marry this person? What do your spouse’s parents/friends think?
When and where was your wedding ? Do you have any photos of the ceremony and/or reception? Who from the US came to attend your marriage? (Why did others not come here to attend the marriage?) How many people were at your wedding? Did you have a reception? Describe.
Did you go for a honeymoon? If so, when and where?
How has your relationship been since you got married?
What are your concerns about being married to someone from another culture? What do you think the biggest problems will be, and have you thought about how you will deal with them?
Are you worried about how your spouse will adjust to life in the US?
Why do you think your spouse wants to come to the US? Are you worried that s/he married you for a green card? Did your spouse pay or you to get married or make any other deals with you?
Do you think that your relationship will work?
Do you trust your spouse?
Employment/Education
If your spouse is working:
- What does your spouse do for living?
- Where does s/he work?
- Employer name & location; phone number if possible
- What are his/her job duties/job title?
- How much does s/he make per hour/annual salary?
- What is your spouse’s work schedule?
- If your spouse is in school:
- Provide details of the degree/diploma s/he is registered in; what kind of courses taken
- What year of study?
- Total length of program/ expected completion date?
- Describe your spouse’s education history
Spouse’s Living Situation
Who does your spouse live with? (details on roommates/relatives)
What kind of place it is? (apartment, condo, house, etc.)
How much rent/mortgage?
Have you been to where your spouse lives?
- If so, how many rooms there are? How many bathrooms?
- Can you remember any details of what kind of furniture is in the house, colors, etc?
- What kind of TV, stereo, etc is in the house?
- Who else lives near by – neighbors?
- What is the neighborhood like?
Finances – show copies of everything
Did you file a joint tax return this year? Why did you decide to file/not file jointly? Did you apply for an International Tax ID number for your spouse?
What accounts do you have in the US? Do you share any accounts? Why or why not?
Do you own any property together?
Do you have an insurance policy listing your spouse as the beneficiary? Does your spouse have insurance policy where you are the beneficiary?
Spouse’s relatives
Father’s name and where he lives? Where does he work?
Mother’s Name and where she lives? Where does she work?
If they have spouses other than each other, who are they?
Were they born in the US? Where?(many more questions about when they arrived, etc if they immigrated )
What is your spouse's mom's parents' [maternal grandparents'] names and information?
What is your spouse's Dad's parents' [paternal grandparents'] names and information?
How many brothers and sisters does your spouse have?
- Names?
- Names of their spouses?
- Names of their kids?
- Where were they married?
- Where do they live now?
- How many aunts and uncles does your spouse have?
- Name all of them and their spouses
- Name all their kids
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NOTE: The above information does not address the specific requirements for any given case and is not a substitute for the advice of an attorney.
