If you have a family member who is a U.S. citizen, you probably want to go to the United States of America to be with that person. This is where a family green card comes into play. It’s an immigrant visa that authorizes you to reside in the U.S. with your citizen loved one permanently. It’s usually issued based on the familial relationship between you as a foreign national applicant and a lawful permanent resident.
However, before obtaining a family green card, you need to go through an interview to meet the requirements. If you want to achieve a more desirable result, you have to familiarize yourself with what the interview is all about.
Below are the four things to know about the family green card interview:
1. Timeline And The Persons You May Bring To The Interview
It’s also essential to know when a family green card interview usually happens. In most cases, the interview serves as the final step of your application which occurs seven to fifteen days after the filing. Apart from the timeline, it’s also crucial to know the people you may bring to the interview. Although it may not be necessary, you can ask these individuals to accompany you in the interview process:
Interpreter:
If you’re not well-versed or fluent in English and you can’t understand the conversation during the interview, you may also bring an interpreter to help you. Their task is to provide accurate and honest translations of what the interviewing officer says. The interpreter should also bring a government I.D. and execute an oath and privacy statement before the interview starts.
Lawyer:
You may certainly bring a lawyer to your family green card interview. Their presence can be beneficial if you have some immigration or criminal issues on your record. They can help explain these problems and advocate for you during the interview to improve your chances of getting a favorable outcome. Moreover, a U.S. immigration lawyer can also guide you through the interview without getting into further trouble. Hence, if you decide to bring your lawyer, make sure they fill in and submit the necessary forms like the Notice of Appearance as Attorney or Accredited Representative to authorize their presence during the interview.
2. Reasons For A Family Green Card Interview
Aside from being a green card application requirement, attending a family green card interview is essential for the following reasons:
It helps certain U.S. government authorities like the Department of State and the U.S. Consulate or Embassy to ensure that no applicant is taking advantage of the country’s immigration system.
It helps stop unqualified applicants from becoming residents of the United States under pretenses.
It also provides an opportunity for the applicant to modify any incorrect information that may have changed since the filing of the green card application.
3. Things To Bring During The Interview
Apart from specific individuals, you also need to bring some items to ace the family green card interview. These can include:
- A passport that will be valid six months after the date that you enter the United States;
- Your two passport-style photos;
- Affidavit of Support;
- Immigrant Visa forms like the DS-260 form;
- Civil documents, including your birth or marriage certificate, Social Security card, and your driver’s license;
- Proof of an approved medical examination.
Once you have these documents ready, you can increase the odds of successfully doing the interview. So, make sure to bring these items to avoid problems along the way.
4. Potential Questions To Be Asked During The Interview
For someone going to a family green card interview, you should be prepared for the question that’s more likely person to you and the lawful U.S. citizen involved. The questions will be used to establish your familial relationship with the lawful resident of the U.S. and determine your eligibility for a green card. In that case, you need to be as honest as possible to make it successful.
The following are some potential questions you can expect during the interview:
- Questions about yourself: These can include your birthday, the side of the bed you sleep on, how you start your day, your likes and dislikes, and other personal questions about you.
- Questions about your spouse and your relationship: When the green card holder who sponsors your application is your spouse, you should expect questions relating to them. These can include the details of your first date, your wedding date, the place where you go for your honeymoon, the medications your spouse currently takes, and other related questions.
- Questions about your kids: If the person who wants to bring you to the U.S. is your kid, make sure you’re ready to answer questions related to them. These can include your kid’s favorite food, the sports they love to play, their likes and dislikes, and other personal questions.
- Questions on significant events in your life: It’s also crucial to be prepared for questions relating to the religion you practice at home, the most holiday celebrated in your household, and other celebrations in your life.
Bottom Line
Dealing with a family green card interview can be challenging if you have no idea what to expect from the start. Therefore, if you want to ensure you’ll do your interview correctly, it’s best to keep the abovementioned information in mind. By doing so, you can have peace of mind knowing you’re prepared for what may transpire during the interview.