As experienced Full Service Immigration and Green Card Attorneys in Boca Raton, FL and Philadelphia, PA, Voloshen Law Firm PC understand how anxious you may feel about your upcoming marriage green card interview. You’re not alone. This is a huge step, and many find it downright intimidating. The best way to reduce your anxiety is to learn more about the interview. What can you expect? What do you need to bring? This article will give you a good start on understanding the ins and outs of your interview.
Inside the United States
For spouses living together in the United States, the USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) handles your interview after they’re reviewed all your application paperwork. Once they finish the review, the documents go to a regional USCIS office closest to your home. You will receive notification of your appointment (date, time, address), and both parties must be present.
If your spouse lives abroad, the State Department’s National Visa Center reviews your paper, then sends it on to the U.S. consulate for processing. Due to distance, only the spouse outside the US must attend. Voloshen Law has the option of remote consultations that prove quite useful for this situation.
Preparation for the Interview
Over time it’s normal that you forget some details of your relationship. Now’s the time to refresh those memories. You want to know the important dates in your relationship like when you met, got engaged, and your anniversary. Additionally, you need:
- All requested documentation (double and triple check). Examples include court records, divorce documents, passports, marriage certificates, and birth certificates. You will get a list. Stick to it like glue.
- Gather photographs, bank statements, recent photographs, vacations, property documents, joint health insurance, phone records, etc. This helps prove your marriage’s authenticity.
- Organize everything. You don’t want papers falling all over the place during your interview.
Attending the Interview
You will meet with an interviewing officer with training in green card interviews. The main goal of the interview is to determine the authenticity of your marriage. The officer also reviews documentation like legal problems, immigration history, and customs records that prove a foreign spouse qualifies for a green card.
There will be a series of questions not only about the history of you two as a couple but also about things you like to do together, daily routines, if you’re planning a family, etc. Answer honestly. Some questions get personal, but try to remain unflustered. Be direct and concise. By the way, “I don’t know” is a perfectly fine reply. Don’t make things up.
Factoid: If there are any red flags of a fraudulent marriage or adverse evidence from an investigation, the two of you may go through separate interviews.
After the Interview
What happens after your marriage green card interview ends? One of several things. On a happy note, you will be informed of approval at the end of the questioning. Alternatively, they may require more information like bills in both names and bank statements. They will provide you with a list, and explain what to do with the documents when you’re done.
Sometimes the officer needs to do a second review of everything presented. In this case, you wait until there’s a final decision or instructions as to how to proceed arriving by mail. In some cases, you may be required to go through a second interview. It will be similar to the first but refine some points.
In the case where your interview and documentation do not meet legal standards, the green card is denied.
Legal Assistance
Voloshen Law Firm, PC specializes in all areas of immigration law. Be it our offices in Boca Raton, FL or Bucks County, PA we have experts on hand to help you through every step of the process for your marriage green cards. You can call us at 215-437-7854 or use our online form for more information.