Marriage based Green Card Interview questions

Are you about to adjust status after marrying a US citizen or resident? Then you should know that there are some marriage based Green Card interview questions that you must answer previously.

Many couples ask themselves the following: What questions do they ask me in the residency interview? In this post you will find the answer.

If you would like a personalized consultation with any of our Los Angeles immigration lawyers, give us a call today. The firm is available to attend and evaluate all types of immigration cases.

Common Marriage based Green Card interview Questions asked in 2024

In this blog we will show what are some of the most common marriage based questions asked during the interview. The main goal of this process is that officials can verify and confirm that the marriage is bona fide. That is, it is not a sham or fake marriage. 

It should be noted that:

• As part of the Green Card process , all applicants who are spouses of US citizens or residents must attend a Green Card marriage interview with their spouse;
• This process prevents possible sham marriages that have been created for the sole purpose of obtaining immigration benefits;
• Typically, during the Marriage based Green Card interview questions, the applicant and US spouse are interviewed together. However, they can also be interrogated separately;
• Interviews can also be recorded on video. 

Below, we show you the most frequent questions that can be asked in the interview for the residency by marriage organized by theme:

The period Before getting married

• How did you meet?
• Who introduced you to your partner?
• When and where did you first meet?
• Could you describe the first date?
• Where did you live during the courtship? 
• Where did your spouse live?
• Who was your spouse living with when you met?
• Did you exchange phone numbers or email addresses?
• Did you make arrangements to meet again?
• When did you meet again?
• Where did you go on their second date?
• What did you two have in common?
• What attracted you to your partner?
• Where did you go for your dates?
• When did your relationship become romantic?
• Where were you when your spouse proposed to you?
• Did you live together before marriage?
• How do you and your partner communicate? That is, text messages, phone calls and others.
• How long have you and your spouse been together in person?
• How did you move from being friends to becoming a couple? 
• What activities did you share together when you were dating?
• Why was your period before marriage so short or so long?

Keep reading and you will be able to know more US marriage based Green Card interview questions. Additionally, you may be interested in checking our blog on the fiancé(e) visa (K-1).

About the Engagement

• Who chose the wedding ring?
• Did you and your spouse buy the ring together or separately?
• What did your friends say about the marriage between you two?
• Who decided to get married?
• Have you been married before?
• When did your marriage to each previous spouse end?
• In addition to your current marriage, how many other times have you been married?
• When did you decide to get married?
• Did your spouse give you a ring when you proposed?
• Who proposed to whom?
• Why did you decide to have a long or short engagement?
• Did your parents approve of the marriage? Why or why not?

About The Wedding

• What was the date of your marriage?
• What day of the week did you get married?
• Where was the wedding held?
• Who attended the ceremony?
• Did you exchange wedding rings? 
• Who were the bridesmaids and groomsmen?
• How did you and your spouse get to the church, mosque, gurudwara, courthouse, temple or other?
• Are you wearing your wedding ring right now?
• Did each of your parents attend the wedding?
• Did any of your relatives and those of your spouse attend the wedding?
• Who were the witnesses to the ceremony?
• Was there music or other entertainment? 
• Did you get married to enter the United States? Did you pay your spouse to marry or make any deals? 
• Why do you think your spouse wants to come to the US?
• What are your concerns about being married to someone from another culture?
• Do you trust your partner?
• Do you think your relationship will work?
• Where did you live after the wedding? 
• During the wedding, did any special event occur?
• Who paid for the celebration?

Reception Questions

• Did you have a reception after the ceremony?
• Could you describe how the reception was?
• Did the bride change her clothes for the reception?
• What type of cake or other food was served?
• Did they serve liquor? If so, what type?
• Did anyone get drunk or embarrassed during the reception? Who was? Can you describe it to me?
• What time did you and your spouse leave the reception?
• Until what time did the reception last?
• Who paid for the banquet?
• How was the menu decided?
• Do you remember what was served to eat and drink?
• Was the ceremony and banquet anything out of the ordinary?
• How many people did they invite?
• If you didn’t have a reception, what did you do after the wedding?
• Could you show me a photo of the wedding ceremony and/or reception?

About The Honeymoon

• Did you go on honeymoon? When did you left? How did you arrive? Where did you go? For how long? What airline did you take?
• How many days were on the honeymoon?
• Who chose the honeymoon and why?
• What date did you go on your honeymoon?
• What date did you return from the honeymoon?

Daily Routines

• How many keys do you need to go from the street to the apartment? 
• What time do you get up? 
• What time does your spouse get up?
• Which of the two gets up first?
• Who does the home tasks?
• What was the last movie you two watched together?
• Which side of the bed does each sleep on?
• What size is the bed?
• What is the brand of shampoo, soap, toothpaste that your spouse uses?
• Do you use any contraceptive method? Which do you usually use?
• Who takes care of your children while you work?
• Who irons the clothes?
• Who washes the dishes?
• What is your spouse’s favorite TV show?
• Who bathes and dresses your children?
• Who wakes up and puts your children to bed?
• Who makes breakfast and what do you usually eat?
• What is your spouse’s morning routine? 

Living together

• Do you live in a single-family home, townhome, apartment, or condominium? How much is the mortgage or rent? Who pays it? When is it paid?
• What date did you sign the lease?
• When does the lease expire?
• What’s the name of your pet?
• How much rent do you pay?
• Do you have children? Many?
• What is your child’s favorite toy?
• Where do they currently live?
• What floor do you live on?
• Can you describe the place where you lived right after your marriage?
• Where do you keep the winter clothes?
• What is your spouse’s favorite pajamas?
• How many landline telephones are there in the household?
• Which of the two takes pets to the vet? 
• Who are your neighbors?
• How many people live with you?
• Who pays the bills?
• You have pets? Who takes care of them?
• What kind of pet do you have?
• Does your spouse take any medication on a regular basis?
• What color are the curtains in your house?
• What kind of music does your spouse listen to?
• When was the last time you traveled?
• Where did you last travel?

About The Kitchen

• Do you have a gas or electric stove?
• Do you eat any specific food each week?
• What are your spouse’s favorite and least favorite foods?
• What is your spouse’s favorite restaurant? Do you have a particular place that you visit on special occasions?
• Do you have any BBQ grills? Do you use it?
• Do you go out to eat? How many times a week?
• Who does the shopping?
• Where do you shop for the home?
• Does your refrigerator make ice or use buckets?
• What are the days that garbage is collected?
• Where is the kitchen garbage kept? 
• What type of refrigerator do you have? Is it two door?

Home Technology

• How many televisions are there in total in your house?
• Where are the televisions located?
• Can you name me the last show, movie or series you watched together at home?
• Do you have a subscription to any video streaming services? 
• What company provides cable service and Internet service?
• Does your spouse listen to the radio? What station do they listen to?
• Do you have a DVR?
• Do you have cameras? 
• Who uses the cameras most often?
• Who is it that takes the family photos or of great importance?
• What is your spouse’s current phone number?
• Does your phone have an answering machine? Who checks the messages?
• What is your television provider? 

About The Bedroom And Home

• Do you have a TV in your room?
• What size is your bed?
• When was the last time you had intimate relationships?
• What is your routine before going to sleep? Watch TV, read or what?
• Do you have rugs? Where? What color or pattern?
• What color are the curtains in your bedroom?
• Do you have lamps by your bed?
• On which side of the closet does your spouse hang clothes?
• How many stairs does your home have?
• Do you have washers and/or dryers?
• Where do you keep the toothbrushes?
• Where are the bath towels stored?
• Where do you keep dirty clothes?
• How many remote controls does the household have?
• Do you have a bathtub or shower?
• How many sinks, toilets or showers does your house have?
• Do you use bottled water or a filtration system?
• Does your house have a garage?
• Do you have a normal sofa or is it foldable? 
• Have you had guests sleep over at your home?
• Do they have a normal mattress or a water bed?
• In which compass direction does the front door of your home face?

Regarding The Celebrations

• How do you normally celebrate birthdays?
• What did you buy as a present for your spouse’s last birthday?
• What did you do to celebrate your spouse’s birthday?
• What did you do last New Year’s Eve?
• Do you celebrate any religious holidays? If so, what is it?
• What is the birthday of each one?

Family related Questions

• How often do you visit or go to see the in-laws?
• How do you get along with their respective in-laws?
• When was the last time you saw your relatives?
• Have you given gifts to relatives? 
• Do your children go to the toilet alone?
• Do your children use an extra seat in the car?
• What is your children’s favorite story?
• Have you or your spouse recently received a gift from your family?
• How often do you visit your relatives?
• Did your families know each other?
• Are your parents still alive?

About Employment

• Where does your spouse work? Do you know your boss’s name? What is the location of that workplace?
• What is your spouse’s phone number at work?
• Where does your spouse work? 
• What is your spouse’s monthly salary?
• What is your spouse’s position at work?
• What are your spouse’s work hours?
• What is your spouse’s business phone number?
• What time do you or your spouse usually get home from work?
• What days of the week do you work? What hours do you work?
• Who is your spouse’s employer?
• How long has your spouse worked there?
• Where is your spouse’s employer located?
• What is your spouse’s career goal?
• How much money does your spouse have in savings?

About Studies

• Where did your spouse go to school?
• What extracurricular activities did your spouse participate in?
• Did you go to college together?
• What did your spouse major in?
• What did your spouse graduate from?
• Was your spouse a good student?

General Questions

• Are both included in one bank account? Do you have a bank letter or canceled checks? 
• Does your spouse have bank accounts without you? If so, what is the name of the bank?
• What kind of bank accounts do you have together? Where?
• Do you have an insurance policy that lists your spouse as a beneficiary? Can I see a copy?
• Are you a co-owner of any property?
• Do they have a utility bill where both are listed together?
• Who is responsible for paying all household expenses?
• Do you know your spouse’s salary? If so, how much is it?
• When is your spouse paid?
• Do you write checks to pay bills or do you pay them online?
• What is your annual salary?
• What is your spouse’s educational background?
• Did you file a joint tax return this year? 
• Do you have an alarm clock to get up in the morning?
• How many cars do you have?

Questions Regarding The Day Of The Green Card Interview

• What did you do before attending the interview?
• Did you or your spouse go to work yesterday or today?
• What time did you leave the house to eat?
• Did you have dinner together last night? 
• Did anyone else have dinner with you last night?
• Who prepared dinner last night?
• What time was dinner served?
• Did you watch TV after dinner?
• What programs did you watch on television?
• What time did you go to bed?
• Who went to bed first?
• Who woke up first today? 
• Did the alarm sound?
• Did you have breakfast together? What did you have for breakfast?
• Did you come to the interview together?
• Did you use public transportation?
• Where is your car parked? 
• Do you have other documentation to prove you are living together as a married couple?

Do you want to know how to become a US citizen without speaking English? Is this even possible? We give you all the answers on our blog

What Can I Expect From The Marriage based green card interview?

Obtaining a Green Card through marriage is a frequently exploited path to gaining immigrant status. Therefore, couples must take this process seriously. Also, even if the marriage is bona fide, the interview can become exhausting if the participants are not well prepared. 

Immigration officials can investigate the intentions of the participants on the Internet and on social networks (such as Facebook). Applicants must demonstrate at all times that the marriage was not entered into solely to obtain some immigration benefit.

Do you want to be able to live in the US legally? Check our article on how to legally enter the United States.

Documents Needed For The Interview

• Interview appointment letter. This must be issued by the National Visa Center (NVC);
• Valid passport. Must be valid for 6 months after expected date of entry to the US.
• Photocopy of the biographical page of the passport. It has to be the part where the name and photo of the passport holder is found;
• Two photographs. These photos must be color passport size 2 x 2 inches (5 x 5 cm) with a white background;
• Civil documents. In its original version and in a copy;
• Results of medical examinations. They must be carried in a sealed envelope;
• Confirmation page of Form DS-260. This form must be the same as the one you filed at ceac.state.gov;
• An affidavit of support. It must be a signed Form I-864 with supporting documents from your petitioner and any additional financial sponsors;
• Proof of the status and domicile of the US petitioner. It can be a photocopy of the US passport, certificate of naturalization or Green Card;
• Translations of any document that is not written in English. They have to be certified by a competent translator.

Tips To Face The Marriage based Green Card interview questions

1. Be punctual for the scheduled interview. It is important to arrive at least 30 minutes before;
2. Wear professional or conservative clothing. This is to give the impression that you are taking the interview seriously;
3. Be prepared to answer all kinds of questions. 
4. Go with a calm demeanor. Immigration officials can spot certain signs that indicate marriage fraud;
5. It is not necessary to memorize the facts. A rehearsed couple can raise signs of suspicion. Immigration officials understand that couples may not remember every little detail of the marriage;
6. Act in a natural manner. It is important for couples to be themselves before the interview;
7. Don’t be scared. If USCIS moves the couple into separate rooms, remain calm;
8. Respond truthfully at all times;
9. Carry the necessary documentation;
10. Trust the lawyer. The immigration attorney will know the case inside and out, so they will know every aspect of this process.

To Take Into Consideration 

If the interview takes place in the US and one of the spouses does not speak English well, they can bring an interpreter to the interview. The English speaking spouse is not allowed to translate for their spouse. 

If everything goes well, as in the vast majority of cases, the spouse of the American may consider how to become a an American citizen after 3 years of marriage. 

During the waiting time to become a US citizen, it is important not to commit certain criminal bars to citizenship. Also, it is important to know how to dress for the citizenship interview. 

What Problems Can Arise During Or After The Interview For The American Residence?

The questions for the marriage Green Card interview are a single step in the overall process. If immigration believes they are dealing with a sham marriage, there will be serious consequences. However, if an American concludes that they have married solely for convenience, they have two options:

1. Report your partner;
2. If possible, cancel the couple’s residence permit before it becomes permanent. 

Divorce can have important migratory effects when the residence is obtained by marriage. Also, this can apply even if the divorce occurs after the conditionality of the Green Card has been lifted.

We invite you to learn more about this topic in our article “What happens if you get divorced before Green Card interview”. 

In the event that the aliens are victims of abuse or find it very difficult to live with their US citizen spouse, they may be eligible for a VAWA visa.

How Long Does It Take For A Resident To Petition to bring their partner?

Currently, the time it takes for a permanent resident to petition for their husband or wife ranges from 9 to 36 months. However, it is important to consult the visa bulletin through www.travel.state.gov to know the waiting times. 

Note: The process of immigration questions for marriage does not usually take a long time.

Is There A Second Marriage Immigration Interview?

If the officer in charge suspected a fraud situation based on the questions asked, they may ask the couple to return for a second interview. Note that:

• Increased suspicion can come from doubts with the questions, having different answers or not answering the questions asked;
• The second interviews are known as marriage fraud interviews or stokes interviews;
• An officer will place each spouse in a separate room and interview them separately. 
• An immigration officer will ask each spouse the same questions and then compare the answers to see how closely they agree;
• USCIS is likely to deny the case if each spouse has different answers to the same question. Also, if the foreign spouse is in the US, they will be placed in removal proceedings.

Are you facing removal proceedings? Check our article dedicated to cancellation of removal to assess your chances.

Documents Required For The Second Interview

If you attend a second interview, you may need to provide the following documents:

• Passport of the alien spouse;
• Marriage certificate;
• Bank statements;
• Regular bills;
• Receipts for mortgage or rent payments;
• Photos of the couple;
• Proof of US citizenship of the sponsoring spouse;
• Evidence of employment or pay stubs;
• Active insurance policies.

Frequently Asked Questions About Marriage based Green Card Interview Questions

Lluis Law Can Help You Understand And Prepare For Your Interview

The marriage interview is a critical process to get the Green Card, that is why it must be taken very seriously. Immigration questions for marriage residency are designed to determine how well couples know each other and whether their marriage is bona fide.

It is recommended that the couple prepare thoroughly for the Green Card interview, this is to limit the stress or anxiety of this process.

Do you still have doubts about what questions they ask in an interview for couples seeking residency by marriage? Contact our team of professionals at the Lluis Law firm in Los Angeles. We have more than 40 years of experience helping aliens in any immigration case.