Preparing for the Marriage-Based Green Card Interview

Congratulations! You have received a notice from the USCIS (former INS) instructing you to appear at a local US immigration office for a green card interview!   Amidst the excitement of getting your green card, you might be worried about appearing in front of immigration authorities to answer questions about your relationship.  What if you or your spouse stumble? What if one of you doesn't recall what face cream the other one likes!?!  

Beyond what you say or don't say, know that government officials will look at the unspoken and largely be able to tell if the relationship is real, and whether you are happy or unhappy with each other that day.

 

When you receive the interview notice, put the time and date on the calendar for yourself AND your USC spouse, because your spouse will be required to attend the interview, too.  Review all the questions and answers to the application forms I-130, I-485, G-325 and I-864 that you filed.

In preparation for the interview, be sure to gather the following materials and documents:

1. The Interview Appointment Notice. Take the original and a copy with you.
2. Valid photographic identification such as your driver’s license and your social security card.
3. Your Birth Certificate and Passport.
4. Your spouse’s Birth Certificate or US Passport.
5. Marriage Certificate.
6. Copy of your I-130/I-485 petition.
7. Two months most recent paystubs for your spouse to show his/her ability to support you financially.
8. Documents proving the bona-fide nature of your marriage such as:

a.    Insurance Policies (car, life, health)

b.    Joint Property Documents (car, apartment of house lease or deed)

c.     Bank and Credit Statements

d.    Non-Joint Bills (one for each party, showing both of you at the same address)

e.    Wedding Photos and Photos of you and friends/family together (bring any marriage-album and any other picture album)

f.     Any Other Evidence or Marriage like cards or emails to each other.

Before you are seated you and your spouse will be sworn to tell the truth. The first set of questions may be basic, biographical questions about each other such as:

Family Based Green Card Practice of Ryvin Wallace Group

Spouses of US Citizens. The family-based immigration practice of Ryvin Wallace Group helps obtain green cards for spouses of US citizens. Whether applying for adjustment of status in the United States, or applying for an immigrant visa at a US consulate abroad, we understand the importance of communication in this time of transition. Ryvin Wallace Group employs a hands-on approach to help our clients successfully navigate the process.

We are also able to extend advice and develop strategies for people who need to later become divorced, need to file with USCIS to remove the conditions on residence, or even have problems so personal that filing a battered spouse petition for emotional, mental or physical abuse is necessary.

Family Members Filing for Green Cards. Ryvin Wallace Group helps with routine green card filings for parents of US citizens, children of US lawful permanent residents, foreign stepchildren of US citizens, and other categories to obtain green cards as relatives of a US citizen or resident.

National/International Reach of our Family-Based Immigration Practice. Notably, the federal practice of immigration law allows Ryvin Wallace Group to represent people in any US state or residing in any country in the world. We know well the nuances of choosing filing methods and location, depending on where the foreign national lives, or where he/she wishes to be. Further, our work can be done quickly to help a foreign national who is currently in the US or has to be in the US in the shortest time frame possible.

Citizenship is Not the Same as a Green Card. US Citizenship is obtained via separate filing with USCIS only after a green card holder has been in the US as a lawful permanent resident for a certain period of time.

Personal Experience. Our Partner, Michael, has taken part in the family based immigration process personally, having successfully acted as attorney and petitioner for his own spouse.

How to Prepare for a Green Card Interview:
http://ryvinimmigrationblog.blogspot.com/2011/10/preparing-for-marriage-based-green-card.html