How to Do a Green Card Interview
If you are scheduled for a green card interview with USCIS, it would help to prepare yourself in advance. Whether or not you pass the interview and are granted lawful permanent residency will depend a lot on your conduct during the interview. For many, it is the final step to an unconditional green card status, so it is crucial to do it right.
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Instructions
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Gather your evidence early. You have plenty of time to prepare for your green card interview, starting from the date of your application. Use it to build up a solid foundation for your case.
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Hire an attorney if your case is complicated or if you are nervous about going to the interview by yourself. Be honest with your lawyer. Tell her all the details about your green card application. The better your attorney knows your case, the better she will be able to help you. You can request for your counsel to be present during the green card interview.
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Review your application. Look over your copies of the forms and documents you previously submitted for your application/petition. Memorize names, dates, places and figures. Having a good recollection of the details will help you answer questions with confidence. Should you forget anything, tell the interviewing officer that you forgot. It would be risky to invent or guess at the answer.
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Prepare your answers. Talk with your family members and/or spouse, and your attorney if you have one. You will probably be asked questions about your personal life. Discuss these issues so that you will be ready. Practice your answers.
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Learn to speak English well, or get an interpreter. The ability to speak, read and write English fluently would help the interview to run more smoothly. Listen closely and answer clearly so nothing has to be repeated. This will shorten the interview.
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Bring all required paperwork. Take with you the originals of all documents you had submitted in your application before. Include a copy of the whole package for the officer to keep for their records. Also, bring your interview appointment letter, passport and identification cards. If anything in your forms has changed, attach documents that explain the change. Refer to your interview appointment letter for instructions.
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Arrive on time or a little early. Make sure you and everyone else on the green card application can come to the interview on time. Dress appropriately for the occasion, as dressing well makes a good impression. Bring everyone including your children. Be prepared to wait. Do not carry prohibited items such as cameras or flammable materials.
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Be well-behaved during the interview. Try not to be nervous. Listen attentively to the interviewing officer's questions. Answer clearly and concisely, without adding unnecessary details. Do not try to argue with the officer or with your lawyer or other family members who go with you to the interview. Do not tell jokes or reply in jest. Take it as seriously as you would a job interview.
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Answer questions honestly. It is important to be truthful in your replies. Any inconsistency can jeopardize your green card application. Keep yourself collected throughout the interview. Not all USCIS interviewing officers are nice, but it wouldn't help you to lose your temper. After the interview, your passport may be stamped with an I-551 serving as a temporary green card. If your passport is not immediately stamped, you should receive an approval notice later in the mail. Bring it to your local USCIS office for stamping. The actual card will be sent to your mailing address some time later. If you are denied a green card, you will be notified of this.
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Tips & Warnings
Marriage-based green card applications require evidence of a bona fide relationship.
Evidence of financial support through recent tax returns and/or other proofs of income may be required.
If you applied for an immigrant visa outside the U.S., your interview will be at a U.S. embassy instead of a USCIS office.
Suspicious-looking cases may be referred to the Fraud Unit for a fraud interview.
