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Are you eligible? -

Assuming you've already checked your eligibility for a marriage-based green card and have been accepted for interview, this is what will happen next.

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Invitation to interview -

If you're applying for a marriage-based green card, you'll be invited for interview by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

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A separate process -

Don't expect to sit the interview together. Each spouse is questioned separately.

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Identical questions -

The interview officer will ask identical or similar questions, and then he/she will compare the results of both interviews.

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Is the marriage authentic? -

The interview can take place in the United States or abroad. Either way, the purpose is to determine whether your marriage is authentic rather than a fraudulent union.

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The interview process -

The questions asked by an immigration official during the marriage interview fall into four main categories.

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Categories of questioning -

These categories are: i - spouse's background and basic information about the spouse; ii - information regarding your relationship with your spouse; iii - information regarding your marital household; and iv - spouse's personal information.

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Typical queries -

While you can never be certain about the kind of questions an interviewing officer will ask during the interview, here are some of the more typical queries that couples encounter.

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Your relationship history -

In the initial part of the interview, expect some basic but important questions such as what is your spouse's full name, where were they born, how did they arrive in the United States, and what was the point of entry?

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Your relationship history -

You'll be quizzed on your relationship history. Typically, how did you meet?

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Your relationship history -

You could be asked to provide information about where some of your first dates took place.

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Your relationship history -

An interviewing officer may express curiosity about how long you dated before you decided to tie the knot.

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Your relationship history -

And detailing the story about how the marriage proposal came about is something else you could well be asked to impart.

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Your wedding -

Questions surrounding your wedding will most likely be asked, things like what was the day like?

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Your wedding -

The interviewing officer will probably ask you about the wedding guests: who attended, and how many, for example.

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Your wedding -

A related question often asked is where exactly did you spend your honeymoon?

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Your daily routines -

You may well be probed about your homelife. For example, the routines you and your spouse follow around the house.

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Your daily routines -

How does the other start the day is a question sometimes leveled towards a spouse.

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Your daily routines -

In this digital age of social media, you can expect to be questioned along the lines of how often do you talk or text on the phone when apart.

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Your daily routines -

Another domestic-centric question that may crop up in the interview is which of you likes to cook?

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Your kids (if any) -

If you have kids, expect a range of questions surrounding their care and well-being. For example, how do they get to school?

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Your kids (if any) -

The interviewing officer may ask about their friends, who they hang out with, and where.

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Your kids (if any) -

A more simple question like what's their favorite food may be thrown into the mix.

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Your kids (if any) -

And be prepared to field questions about your child's favorite sport or activity.

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Your personal habits and needs -

Be prepared for the questioning to become a little more personal. You may be asked what side of the bed you sleep on.

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Your personal habits and needs -

Expanding the theme, it may be that you're asked about the type of pajamas your spouse wears.

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Your personal habits and needs -

And from a different standpoint, the interviewer may ask whether your spouse is on any medication.

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Big events and celebrations -

You may be called upon to recall your spouse's birthday—date, time, and place, even.

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Big events and celebrations -

Furthermore, you could be quizzed about how you both celebrated a specific birthday.

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Big events and celebrations -

What did you get each other as gifts is another question likely to be asked.

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Welcome to the United States -

It's important to be honest and open when applying for a green card, equally so if its a marriage-based green card you're after. The interview is a stressful process, but by practicing answering questions beforehand you'll be prepared for even the most personal of inquiries.

Sources: (USCIS) (Boundless) (Ashoori Law) 

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