Top US Immigration Interview Questions To Prepare Yourself

The process of obtaining a green card is not a hasty one, it requires detailed scrutiny of applicants to see if they qualify to be issued one. Oftentimes, when people get invited for an immigration interview, they have mixed feelings of excitement and anxiety. It is a usual thing, but there is nothing to worry about.

Interview questions very often come in different ways, but the format is usually the same. Getting prepared ahead for your interview gives you a level of confidence and inner peace that will propel you to success.

top-us-immigration-interview-questions-to-prepare-yourself

First, when you get a notification for an interview from the immigration office, you must study every detail and know when and where the interview is to be conducted. This notification often comes with a list of recommended documents that may be needed during the interview. To avoid complications and unnecessary hassles, it is best to go with the original copies of your documents.

How To Prepare For An Immigration Interview

How prepared you are for the immigration interview plays a key role in determining its success. Adequate preparations help you to stay organized and comfortable.

Below are some preparation steps to follow when going for an immigration interview.

1. Locate The Place

Most people have the habit of visiting a place on the day of the scheduled meeting. There could be some challenges or mishaps that might cause some delays. So, it is best to visit the scheduled venue for the interview at least a day before the interview. This will help you to easily identify the building location, know how long it takes to get to the place, how organized the environment is, and so on.

2. Dress Modest

The saying “how you dress is how you are addressed” should be your guide when selecting your dress. Dress professionally and be comfortable in it.

3. Keep To Time

You don’t want to keep your interviewer waiting, that will not be good for you. It is best to arrive at the building for the interview at least 45 minutes before your interview. This will help you settle in and go through some of your stuff before the interview starts.

4. Review Your Application

Do well to review your application and familiarize yourself with answers to any possible questions that might arise from it.

5. Verify Your Documents

Before going for the interview, make sure that all the recommended documents are intact and reachable. Use binders with dividers to organize the documents for ease of identification.

6. Mock Interview

This is best if you have an immigration attorney representing you. You can schedule a meeting with your attorney to review your documents and application, educate you on possible things to expect, and possibly conduct a mock interview for you.

Communication Immigration Interview Questions To Expect

Aside from having all the recommended documents for the interview, a view of what possible questions to expect for the interview will help you stay solid. Interview questions are required to be answered honestly and succinctly. If at any point you don’t understand a question, it is better to say that you don’t understand than to give a false answer. This might jeopardize your chances.

A. Greeting

Immigration interview sessions usually start with a greeting and a brief introduction from the interviewers about themselves and the purpose of the interview. Feel free to reciprocate the greeting and any other small talk referred to you.

B. The Oath

Before the interview officially starts, you will be required to swear an oath. This oath binds you to only providing the truth as anything contrary might limit your chances of getting a green card.

C. Questions

The following questions are some immigration interview questions to expect.

Personal Information

Under this section you might be asked any or all of the following:

What is your full name?
When is your birthday?
Where were you born?
What is your race?
What is your current address?
What is your phone number?

Note: couples who applied for the marriage-based green card will be questioned individually under this section.

Physical Information

Applicants might find this section awkward, especially when your interviewer can see you. Nevertheless, it is a recommended interview section, so do well to provide all the relevant answers truthfully.

How tall are you?
What is the color of your eyes?
What is the color of your hair?
What is your weight?

Family History

Your interviewers would want to know about your family history, so endeavor to provide them with the right answers. Again, couples under the marriage-based green card would be asked questions under this category regarding the families of their spouses.

What is your mother's maiden name?
What is the name of your mother-in-law or father-in-law?
Are your parents US citizens?
How many kids do you have?
Where were your kids born?
Is your kid biologically yours, adopted, or your Spouse’s?

Relationship History

Except for couples, the questions are usually basic relationship questions. Couples who applied for the marriage-based green card should expect disturbing questions from the interviewers as they want to get details of their relationship with their spouse. This section might be individually administered to couples.

How did you meet your spouse?
Where was your first date?
How long did you spend with your spouse before marriage?
When and where did you get married?
Did you go on a honeymoon? If yes, where do you go?
What is your spouse's current job?
How do your parents feel about your spouse?

Military Information

You should expect questions regarding military experience, as the interviewer would want to know if you have served or participated in a military operation.

Have you had any military experience or service in the US or outside?
When did you sign up with Selective Services? (if you are a man)
What was your rank when you served in the military (name of your country)?

Immigration Status

You will be required to give details of your immigration history and status under this section to verify if it is within the stipulated laws. You should expect questions like:

Are you a legal resident or a foreign citizen? If yes, what country?
Have you ever worked in the United States without a license?
Did you violate the rules and regulations of your visa?

Trips

You might be required to give an account of your trips outside of the country. Certain countries pose a threat to the US that might intensify your scrutiny if mentioned. Countries like Iran are considered hostile to the US. There should be a valid explanation to back your trip there if such a case should arise. Aside from the above scenario, questions to expect include:

State the names of foreign countries you have been to in the last ten years.
When last did you travel outside of the US?
What was the duration of your last trip outside the US?

Residential History

Under this section of interview questions, you will be asked to provide details of your past residence – where you lived and when. Think properly before answering, you wouldn’t want to mix up things especially if you have moved around a lot.

Where do you reside now?
How long have you been living there?
Where have you been in the last five years?
Have you relocated since you submitted your application?
Where have you lived since you turned sixteen?

Educational Background And Employment Status

You should expect questions regarding your education and employment status. Expect more questions on employment if you applied under the employment-based application. Nevertheless, certain career choices especially if it is politically oriented can trigger more questions from the interviewers.

Where do you work currently?
What companies have you worked with in the last five years?
How much do you earn?
What was the last school you attended?
What course did you study at the university?

Income Tax

You will be questioned on your tax history. To avoid too many questions, you should go along with your tax records for easy verification. Questions to expect include:

Do you owe local, state, or federal taxes?
Have you ever ignored an order to file a tax return when you were legally obligated?

Ethics

You will be questioned under this category to determine if you are a law-abiding person who possesses a good moral character. Questions to expect include:

Have you ever attacked, discriminated against, or disregarded the rights of others based on their race, ethnicity, religion, culture, or political affiliation?
Will you follow the laws of the United States?

Legal Issues And Affiliation With Certain Organizations

Under this section, you will be asked to provide the names of all the organizations that you are affiliated with for them to determine if any of the organizations pose a threat to the US. Although Form I-485 already issued to you covers this section, the interview questions stand as a required process to verify your claims.

You will be required to also provide any criminal records or police issues you might have had in the past in your Form I-485. Go along with this document to your interview to avoid complications.

Possible questions to expect under this category include:

Have you ever joined or been a member of an organization, finance foundation, party group, or something similar?
Have you ever joined or been a member of a Communist Party, Nazi Party, or terrorist organization?
Have you been arrested before?
Have you ever committed a crime without being prosecuted?

Note: You are expected to provide answers to all questions except in cases where you feel the questions are too personal, then you can decline politely.