The green card interview is crucial to becoming a permanent resident of the United States. Given its importance and the stakes in getting approved, it can be stressful, and you might get too anxious.
However, proper preparation and an understanding of expectations will help you ace the interview. Let’s examine the key aspects of the interview, focusing on how to prepare for it and what to expect.
Key Takeaways:
- Preparing for the green card interview should be thorough. It involves gathering many documents and reviewing applications to ensure consistency.
- Expect security checks and detailed questions when it’s your turn for the interview.
- The kinds of questions for the green card interview depend on the application.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Green Card Interview Process
Types of Green Card Interviews
Preparing for the Green Card Interview
Practice Answering Potential Questions
What to Expect During the Interview
What Happens After the Interview
The Green Card Interview Process
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services holds the green card interview, the final step before getting permanent residence in the U.S. This interview verifies if the information you provided in your application is authentic and assesses your green card eligibility. You usually go through this interview if you’re an employment-based or family-based green card applicant.
Types of Green Card Interviews
Your interview is based on the kind of green card you applied for. The two most common ones are:
Family-Based Green Cards
In this kind of application, especially a marriage-based green card, the USCIS officer will verify the legitimacy of your relationship with your partner. During green card interviews, they’ll ask questions about how you met, your daily life, and future plans. This ensures the marriage is real and not done for immigration purposes.
Other interview questions may depend on your relationship with the U.S. citizen. They might ask questions about your relations and family background, whether you’re a sibling, child, or family member.
Employment-Based Green Cards
This interview revolves around your employment history, qualifications, and job offer. The interviewing officer will ask questions about your employer, your position within the company, and your intentions for staying in the U.S. It’s generally straightforward, but you still need to prepare.
Preparing for the Green Card Interview
Thorough preparation helps you pass a green card interview. You have to show up on the scheduled interview date based on the appointment notice USCIS gave you. These green card interview tips can prepare you:
Review Your Application
Go over your entire application package that you submitted to the USCIS. Check all forms, supporting documents, and additional evidence. Make sure each piece of information is consistent across all documents.
Pay attention to the answers in your application. The USCIS officer will likely ask questions based on this information. Prepare your explanation and clarifications for these inconsistencies.
Gather Original Documents
USCIS requires original documents in the interview, although you submitted copies throughout the green card application process. These documents include:
- Passport: A valid passport with any U.S. visa.
- Birth Certificate: An original copy and, if applicable, its corresponding translation.
- Marriage Certificate: Bring this document if you’re applying for a green card based on marriage.
- Employment Verification: A letter from your employer outlining your employment terms and job offer.
- Proof of Relationship: For spouses, bring financial records like joint bank account statements and photos.
Preparing these documents in advance can show that you’re prepared and credible in the interview. If you have any previous immigration history, USCIS may also investigate it.
Practice Answering Potential Questions
Practicing answers to interview questions can make you feel more confident. These are some that you might encounter:
Family-Based Applicants:
- How did you meet your current spouse?
- What are their hobbies and interests?
- What does your spouse do for a living?
- Where do you live, and how many people do you live with?
Employment-Based Applicants:
- What is your job title and your responsibilities?
- How long have you worked for your current employer?
- What are your qualifications for this particular job?
- Why do you want to work in the United States?
Practicing these questions can help refine your answers and ensure consistency. It also makes you look more professional when the interviewing officer asks the actual questions.
Dress Appropriately
First impressions always matter, and you can make a good one when you dress well. There may be no formal dress code, but it’s advisable to wear business or business-casual attire. Don’t wear too casual clothing, like T-shirts, jeans, and sneakers. How you dress indicates that you’re taking the green card interview seriously.
Arrive Early
Come into the scheduled interview time at least 30 minutes early. This lets you collect your thoughts, review your documents, and undergo security checks at the designated USCIS office where your interview will take place.
What to Expect During the Interview
The interview lasts between 15 to 45 minutes. Here are some expectations:
Security Screening
Leave unnecessary items behind at home to get through security screening smoothly. Then, check-in at the reception and wait until you’re called for an interview.
The Interview Room
The interview happens in a small conference room or a private office. The USCIS officer will ask you to take an oath to tell the truth before the interview. They’ll try to put you at ease.
Questioning
The USCIS officer will go over your application and ask questions to verify all the information you provided. They may want you to clarify and add more details about certain parts of the application. For marriage-based applications, you and your spouse may be questioned together or individually to prove your relationship.
Answer all questions truthfully. Ask for clarification or admit that you don’t know anything when you don’t understand a question.
Reviewing Documents
Prepare your original documents when the officer asks for them. They may also want additional evidence or documentation if your application is incomplete or unclear. In other cases, officers may take copies of your documents.
What Happens After the Interview
The USCIS will inform you what to do next after the interview. These might be the possible outcomes:
- Approval: If your application is approved, you’ll get your green card. In some cases, your application may be approved on the spot during the interview. USCIS will mail it to your address within a few weeks.
- Request for Evidence (RFE): The officer may issue an RFE if they need more information and documents. You have a specific timeframe to respond.
- Denial: You’ll receive a notice explaining your application is denied and information on appealing the decision if you don’t pass the interview.
Parting Words
Passing a green card interview is a combination of preparation, practice, consistency, and understanding of the entire interview process. You need to review your application, get the essential documents, and refine your answers to get approved. Honesty and clarity are your best weapons to get approved.
Working with a competent immigration lawyer is the best thing to do if you want to know the answer to the question, “How long does it take to become a us citizen with a green card?” They know immigration law well and can help you navigate the interview process with advice, input, and support. They’re updated with the latest immigration laws, which can help you prepare well for the green card application.
