Green Card Interview Tips & Practice Questions

The final step to getting your green card is your interview. Knowing what you should expect and how you can prepare for it will help make sure that you come to your interview prepared and confident.  

Prepare to Be Asked All Sorts of Questions

Regardless of the green card application type, whether marriage-based, family-based, employment-based, or asylum-based, the goal of the following interview questions is to ensure that all the information you submitted is true and consistent with your interview answers: 

Questions About You

• Personal info, including your name, race, contact details, upbringing, your daily routine, friends, your family history, and even your physical traits

Questions About Your Relationship with Your Spouse

• When, where, and how you met your spouse
• How long you dated before you got married
• Where your first date took place
• Where and where you got married
• What your wedding was like, including who was at your wedding and details about the reception, if applicable
• Where you went for your honeymoon
• You and your spouse’s daily routine
• Your spouse’s hobbies, work, and friends, etc.
• Religion that you and/your spouse practice
• Your spouse’s family history 

Questions About Your Children

• Your children’s daily routine
• Their school
• Any sports, hobbies, or activities they play or engage in
• Their favorite foods and places to go

Questions About Your Work and Education

• Your work history
• Your work environment, colleagues, bosses
• Your salary 
• Your education history, including the last school you went to and what you studied

Prepare yourself for personal questions, especially if your application is marriage-based. Also, be ready to answer questions about your immigration history, criminal history, military history, tax history, overseas trips, and affiliations with specific organizations, if applicable.  

Essential Tips for Your Green Card Interview

• Be Prompt – Arrive at your interview 30 minutes early. It’s always better to be early and wait for your turn than arrive late for your interview. Review your documents while waiting and try to calm yourself. 
• Dress Appropriately – You don’t need to dress in formal attire, but make sure to dress professionally. Avoid flashy, provocative, and overly-fitted clothing and flashy jewelry. Avoid clothing and accessories with symbols or slogans as well. 
• Be Organized – Place all your documents in an envelope with dividers so you can easily access them during the interview.
• Be Open and Honest – Answer questions truthfully, succinctly, and fully, but avoid volunteering extra details unless asked. If you don’t understand a question or are uncertain of your answer, tell the interviewer instead of making things up. 
• Take Your Time – You don’t need to answer questions as fast as you can. You can take some time to gather your thoughts before answering questions rather than giving the interviewer inconsistent answers. 

Reach Out to Our Illinois Immigration Attorneys Now

We understand how intimidating a green card interview could be, but with proper preparation, you’ll be able to ace your interview. If a lawyer isn’t representing you, you can consider having interview preparation sessions with an experienced Illinois immigration lawyer. 

Our reputable Illinois immigration attorneys here at Kriezelman Burton & Associates, LLC, can help you prepare by reviewing your documentation and application and conducting mock interviews so you’ll know exactly what to expect during your actual green card interview. Contact us online or schedule your appointment by calling our number.