The required interview during the green card process can be extremely nerve-racking. But, when you properly prepare, and you lean on the legal expertise of an experienced immigration attorney, your interview process and entire application process will go much smoother.
To ensure you build the strongest possible green card case and are prepared to ace the interview, count on the legal expertise of Attorney Eric Price. J. Eric Price is nationally known as a “green card lawyer.” Our law firm practices immigration law exclusively. Our dedication and hard work consistently ranks us among the best lawyers in Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, Dallas, Ft. Worth, and Houston.
Arrive On Time
First and foremost, you absolutely, with no question, must arrive on time for your visa interview. By on time, we mean 15-30 minutes before the scheduled start time.
Wait For Your Attorney
If you arrive before your attorney and the officer is ready to start the meeting, do not proceed without your attorney. Your attorney is a key resource and lifeline for you during your visa interview. Your attorney will provide clarifications, explain facts, and provide any necessary legal arguments, among many other things that you can’t risk missing out on.
Dress For The Occasion
You need to dress professionally for your visa interview in order to present yourself in the best light.
Men should wear slacks, and a tie and women should wear slacks or a skirt with a blazer or business-casual dress. Keep accessories, makeup, and perfume minimal.
Silence Your Cell Phone
Silencing your cell phone will reduce interruptions and keep the reader focused on the questions being asked. If your phone becomes too disruptive, your officer may ask you to leave the room or even end your interview. It’s not worth the risk, so don’t forget to silence your phone.
Provide Direct Answers & Tell The Truth
You will have to answer a series of questions designed to find out whether you actually qualify for the visa in question. You will vow to tell the truth, and you must abide by that. Honest, direct answers are the way to go during these interviews instead of trying to be evasive.
If you lie to the immigration officer, you are committing fraud/misrepresentation, and you will be permanently inadmissible from the United States.
Prepare For Personal Questions (Marriage-Based Interviews)
For marriage-based visa interviews, you need to be prepared to answer personal questions to validate the legitimacy of your marriage, including:
- How did you meet?
- Who proposed to whom?
- Where was your wedding?
- Who was your best man?
- Who wakes up first in the morning?
- How many alarm clocks do you set each morning?
- Does your spouse drink coffee in the mornings? How do they take it?
- Do you have any pets?
- What days is garbage pick up?
- Do you have a joint bank account?
- Does your spouse take any medications?
- Who packs lunches for the kids?
- What are your kids’ favorite activities?
- What’s your babysitter’s name?
- Who does most of the cooking?
- Who does most of your family’s grocery shopping and where?
- What is your spouse’s favorite food?
- Is your stove gas or electric?
- Have you met each other’s parents?
- Do you get along with your parents-in-law?
- What type of cell phone does your spouse have?
- What color are your spouse’s pajamas?
- Who sleeps on the right side of the bed?
- What form of birth control are you using?
- When was your wife’s last menstrual cycle?
- When did you last have intimate relations?
- Do you watch TV before bed? Do you watch it together?
- Have you ever had a fight that resulted in either spouse sleeping outside of the bedroom or home?
- When is your spouse’s birthday?
Bring An Interpreter
If you are not fluent or comfortable speaking English, it’s imperative that you bring an interpreter to your visa interview with you. This will ensure you understand all questions completely so that you can answer them accurately while also communicating any key points across effectively.
You and the interpreter are required to jointly submit Form G-1256, Declaration for Interpreted USCIS Interview.
Bring Originals & Copies Of Importance Documents
You are responsible for bringing all required original or certified copied documents to your vis interview.
Here’s what you need to bring:
- Your appointment letter (received from NVC).
- Passport for each application. Your passport must be valid for six months beyond the intended date of entry into the country.
- Two identical passport-style photographs of each applicant. These photos must meet USCIS’ Photograph Requirements.
- DS-260 Confirmation Page
- Supporting documents , including original or certified copies of all civil documents uploaded via CEAC. These documents will be returned to you at the end of the interview.
Remain Calm
An immigration interview is intimidating. But, try your best to be calm. When you are prepared and represented by an immigration attorney, you can rest easy knowing you have their legal expertise to lean on and guide you through the process and that you are not alone. Use all resources possible, including an interpreter, to give you added confidence of being able to understand and communicate effectively and accurately. The more resources you use, the more confident you will be, which will help you stay calm.
Take The Interview Seriously
The green card interview can make or break your future in the United States and, as such, needs to be treated seriously. Arrive on time, dress professionally, and be respectful and polite in all interactions with immigration officers and officials.
What Happens If You Don’t Pass The Interview?
If you fail your visa interview, you will need to rely on the guidance of your attorney to determine the next best course of action required to put you back on the path to residency.
Contact Attorney Eric Price Today!
To make sure you are as prepared as possible for your green card interview, count on Attorney Eric Price. Contact Eric Price for a free case consultation today. With his experience as an ICE prosecutor, he has the capacity to understand a case from both the prosecution and defense perspectives. His ability to properly evaluate & strategize immigration cases has resulted in winning hundreds of cases for his clients both in and out of court.
