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The immigration interview is usually the last phase of the family green card application process. You’ve invested a lot of time and energy to get to this point so it’s important to prepare. Go through sample family green card interview questions, tips, background, and other frequently asked questions in this guide. Family green cards can be difficult to obtain, considering the immigration laws and the numerous forms that are required. VisaNation makes the entire process seamless and easy. Get started today!
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It’s Easy and Simple to Get Family Green Cards with VisaNation
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The family green card interview, whether inside or outside the U.S., has two main goals:
Knowing the kinds of questions to expect at your interview and preparing for them will make a difference in your application process. For example, if all your documents line up, you might last just 20 minutes. In this article, we have compiled the most common questions at a family green card interview. Are you just thinking about securing a green card for your family? Let VisaNation assist you throughout the entire process. Create your application today!
If you are in the United States, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will schedule your interview for adjustment of status. If you are outside the U.S., the National Visa Center will schedule your interview at a U.S. consulate or embassy in your country of residence.
Before your interview date, review all the forms and documents. Many of your interview questions will be asked based on the information in these documents. Going through them before the interview will help refresh your memory as you want to avoid giving contradicting answers that will affect your application.
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Complete Your Green Card Application in Just 90 Minutes.
The most common family green card is the marriage-based category, which involves spouses and minors of U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents. This is commonly known as the marriage-based green card interview. The essence is to establish that your marriage is bona fide and that the applicant entered the marriage in good faith based on love rather than for immigration benefits. Some of the sample questions include:
You may be asked some questions about how you began your relationship and how it developed into a serious relationship that led to marriage. Some of the usual questions for this include:
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Reunite with Your Family
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If an adult child of a U.S. citizen is seeking a green card, USCIS may pose the following questions during the green card interview:
The main factor they will determine is that the relationship is valid and you are the son/daughter of a U.S. citizen.
For other family relationships such as siblings, parents, married children, and unmarried children (over 21 years of age), the questions are also based on the family relationship between you and your sponsor. However, they are not as intimate as they are for a marriage-based green card. Some green card interview questions for a child or other family applicants may revolve around the following topics:
NOTE: These questions may not be as direct as they are in the marriage-based interview. The officers usually have a way of verifying whatever information you give at the interview with the one filled in your form.
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Increase Your Green Card Approval Chances with VisaNation
The following tips will help you have a successful interview:
The immigration officers schedule several interviews every day, and they work based on the schedule. Therefore, ensure you don’t come late to the interview. Arriving at the interview location several minutes before your scheduled time is good. Tardiness may show that you are not taking your interview seriously.
Appearing or acting nervous may indicate a red flag. Remain composed and answer each question confidently. Also, wearing conservative or professional clothing will portray you as someone taking the interview seriously. Avoid dresses that may appear controversial or offensive, such as revealing clothing or clothes with political slogans or inscriptions.
The best way to answer the green card interview questions is to be honest and concise. Immigration officers are highly experienced, and in many cases, it is not hard for them to know if an interviewee is not telling the truth. Lying during your interview will not only affect your green card processing but may bar you from future attempts to enter the U.S.
If there are any green card interview questions you are unsure about or cannot vividly remember, give just as much detail as you have for the moment and move on to the next question. Try to avoid rambling or being incoherent. If there are specific questions you are not comfortable answering, you will need to discuss this with your attorney before the interview starts.
Securing a green card for your family members is an unbelievable feeling. They can finally join and stay with you in the U.S. permanently whilst enjoying all the benefits of living in this beautiful country. Are you only thinking about applying for a family green card? At VisaNation, we can assist you throughout the entire process, from application to approval. Get started today!
If everything goes well at your interview, the next is to get the decision from the officer. Sometimes, a determination is made right after the interview, and you will know if your green card application has been approved. However, this isn’t always the case. You may need to wait for several weeks or months before a decision is made. This usually happens if your application is subject to further review or sent to a supervisor for approval. You may also receive a Request for Additional Evidence (RFE), which may further prolong the waiting times.
Even if your application is approved immediately after the interview, you will not get your green card right away. The USCIS only issues a green card through the mail, which may come several weeks after your interview.
If you are interviewed outside the U.S. and the consular officer approves your application, you will also not get your green card immediately. The officer will only stamp your passport to indicate permanent residency approval until the official green card arrives. You will be given a sealed immigration packet, allowing you to travel to the U.S. Do not open this packet.
Once you arrive at a U.S. port of entry, a customs officer will collect and check your sealed immigration packet. After reviewing your packet, the officer may decide to grant or deny you entry. If you are granted entry at the port of entry, you will be able to enter the U.S. as a permanent resident, and your official green card will be mailed to you some weeks after your arrival.
A family-based green card is an immigrant visa based on a qualifying familial relationship between a foreign national applicant and a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident. It is among the most popular ways of obtaining permanent residency among other green card categories in the United States. Up to one-third of the over 1 million green cards issued annually goes to this category. It is divided into two groups – immediate relatives of U.S. citizens and the family preference.
A U.S. citizen or green card holder can sponsor a family-based green card. The petitioner and the beneficiary must prove they have a qualifying familial relationship and meet all the eligibility criteria. In addition, both of you will need to complete a series of forms and submit them with supporting evidence. These documents may vary depending on your category and location. Generally, the USCIS requires the following:
Once the items submitted are processed and approved, you will need to attend an interview where the government will make the final decision on your application. You will be notified of the date and location before the interview.
Marriage-based immigration is very popular in the U.S. However, it also involves one of the most complicated application processes. There are numerous documents and forms to submit, even before the interview stage. At VisaNation we aim to make the process easy and fast for you. Start your family’s green card journey now!
Below are some frequently asked questions our team receives regarding the green card interview.
Will an interpreter be provided during my adjustment of status interview if I am not comfortable speaking English?
While USCIS will not provide an interpreter for you, you can hire your own interpreter or bring a friend who can translate for you. Note that the interpreter must be over 18 years old and fluent in both languages. The sponsoring spouse can’t act as the interpreter.
Does USCIS interview minors?
Often, USCIS will waive the interview for minor applicants.
Can I get a green card for my child over the age of 21?
If you are a U.S. citizen, you can get a green card for your child regardless of their marital status. However, permanent residents can only sponsor children over 21 years old if that child is unmarried.
Can you fail a green card interview?
Yes, you can be issued a Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID) your green card application if the USCIS officer finds your case not to meet the requirements. Alternatively, they may decide to investigate your case more thoroughly before ruling. If the USCIS officer finds that your case is complete and everything is legitimate, you could get conditional permanent resident status right after the interview. Consult with your attorney to ensure all documents are appropriately vetted, and you have the best chance of securing an approval.
The family-based green card application process involves a long and strenuous journey. An interview means you have invested money, time, and energy to get this far. Unfortunately, a single mistake during your interview can lead to a setback or denial. You can avoid this by engaging the services of a family-based green card immigration lawyer.
VisaNation Law Group has a team of highly qualified immigration attorneys with extensive knowledge and experience in the family green card process. They will help prepare your petitions with all necessary supporting evidence to avoid RFEs that could cause delays. Get started today!
