Pls some help and information will be appreciated for Status Adjustment Interview..

[AhmedSAB]

I am going for my interview for Status Adjustment, my wife and I do not have a joint bank account because they would not grant me one for lacking SS#, I feel nervous, I need support, if anybody have any information about the couple's interview, anything... i got my interview first than my SSN and Work Permit which makes me more nervous yes.. I want to be positive but I am afraid my wife and I do not have enough pics, papers, etc.. please help!!

[deathrow2020]

More Details About Your Case

If you can provide a little more details about your case, we would be able to help u out.

Have u applied for a work permit yet, if so, how long ago was that?

When did u apply for your AOS (Adjustment of Status)?

Do u have any kid(s) together or not yet?

What's your current immigration status - B1/B2, etc., that you are adjusting from?

[AhmedSAB]

If you can provide a little more details about your case, we would be able to help u out.

Have u applied for a work permit yet, if so, how long ago was that?

When did u apply for your AOS (Adjustment of Status)?

Do u have any kid(s) together or not yet?

What's your current immigration status - B1/B2, etc., that you are adjusting from?

thanks for replying...
to answer your questions... I did applied for everything on nov.3rd 2012 and received a receipt on dec. 3rd 2012; got biometrics apptmnt on the 18th of dec.2012 and did biometrics on dec 28th 2012... got the apptmnt for adjustment of status interview for the 13th of feb 2013...
We lost our baby on July 2012 we have the paper work for it...
I am adjusting from a B1/B2 visa; we got married when my visa was still valid on feb 21st 2012 and we applied for an extension of the visa; it was granted and expired on oct 2012... i don't know much else you need to know but pls do not hesitate to ask, i will be happy to answer.. once again thanks for helping me as much as you can with information ...

[deathrow2020]

Pls some help and information will be appreciated for Status Adjustment Interview..

Really sorry to hear about your loss. K, in this case, you would need that paperwork.

First of all, it's really important to let the IO know during your interview that you're unable to secure a SSN(#), yet, hence your inability to be added onto your wife's bank account(s), utility bills (if such utility companies need that info -SSN b4 u can be added onto an account as a joint account holder), etc. Even if you have an SSN, some utility companies still won't put your 2 names on the monthly bills that they send out (for varied reasons), but can add you in their systems as an authorized account user. If you can do that and get a letter from these utility companies confirming the above, that'll help you out a lot as well.
Also, any of the following would help win your case:
Documentation showing joint ownership or property;
A lease showing joint tenancy of a common residence; or
Birth certificate(s) of child(ren) born to you, the petitioner, and your spouse together; or
Documentation showing co-mingling of financial resources; or
Affidavits sworn to or affirmed by third parties having personal knowledge of the bona fides of the marital relationship. (Each affidavit must contain the full name and address, date and place of birth of the person making the affidavit, his or her relationship to the petitioner of beneficiary, if any, and complete information and details explaining how the person acquired his or her knowledge of your marriage); or

Any other relevant documentation to establish that there is an ongoing marital union.

The interview:
It is important to properly prepare for your marriage green card interview, or you could experience a delay in the approval of your case, or worse, your application could be denied if you don’t present the proper information at your interview.
Here are guidelines on preparing for and attending the interview:
Always be on time for your interview. Plan to arrive at least 15 minutes before to your appointment.
Dress formally and conservatively, like you are going to a job interview.
Listen and respond to the the USCIS officer’s questions. The USCIS officer is only given a short amount of time to conduct an interview for each couple. Keep your answers brief and to the point.
Do not guess on anything: The denial of many marriage-based immigrant visa cases have one thing in common: people’s attitude that they have to give an answer and guessing. One of the biggest mistakes a person can make is to guess when he or she does not know the answer to a particular question. It is fine to say that you don’t remember instead of guessing the answer.
You have nothing to memorize: Remember that there is nothing that you need to learn by heart for the interview. There are no specific test questions prescribed for the immigrant interview that you have to memorize. What I mean by this is if the officer asks what was the date when you last entered the U.S.? And you cannot remember you are allowed to look at your I-485 Form, Page 1, for the Date of Last Arrival. That’s it.
If the USCIS officer suspects that the marriage may not be real they may separate you and interview you individually. While not necessarily designed to be tricky the questions can potentially trip up spouses that are not familiar with each other.
Be prepared with the proper documents: Carry a set of original documents and a complete set of duplicate copies that you can give to the USCIS officer. You are expected to provide certain documentation to prove the validity of your marriage. The documents requested include, but are not limited to, wedding invitations, wedding photographs, birth certificates of any children you may have together, property leases with both names featured, photographs of special occasions spent together, joint bank account statements, and other joint financial documents.
Sample Marriage Green Card Interview Questions:
What is your current address?
Who lives at your address?
What your cell #?
What is your spouse’s cell #?
What is your spouse’s date of birth?
How, when and where did you meet your spouse?
How many days after you first saw her/him did you call her/him?
When did you see your spouse a second time?
What did you do with her/him?
Where and with whom did your spouse live when you met your
spouse?
Did she ever come up to see you?
Where did your spouse work when you met your him/her?
What type of work did he/she do?
Where did your spouse work when you met? What type of work did
your spouse do?
What type of work does your spouse do?
What is your spouse’s work schedule?
What is your spouse’s salary?
Are both of these salaries deposited into the same bank account?
What bank account do you use?
Did your spouse have a car when you met? What model, color, etc?
Are these the cars you and your spouse current drive?
If not, when did you and/or your spouse change cars?
If you now have cars, how much money is owed on them? How much
is the monthly payment?
How long did you and your spouse date prior to getting married?
When did you and your spouse decide to get married? Was there a
proposal? Who proposed? When and where did it take place?
Did you and your spouse live together prior to your marriage?
When, where, how long?
When did you and your spouse move in together?
When did you get married?
If you had a celebration, what food/beverages were served?
Did you and your spouse go on a honeymoon? If yes, where did you
go?
How did you purchase the honeymoon travel package, or who made the
How long did you travel for?
How did you get to your honeymoon destination?
Who pays the rent/mortgage? How is it paid? (Do you mail it?
Hand-deliver it?)
Where does your landlord live, or what company holds the mortgage
on your property?
How many sleeping rooms does your home have?
Are all the sleeping rooms on the same side of the home?
What size bed do you and your spouse have?
Describe the pieces of furniture in your bedroom?
*If you have a general immigration question and you think others will benefit from our answer, please also post your question to our new immigration community forum. We will do our best to answer as quickly as possible.

Let me know if the above helps.

[AhmedSAB]

Thanks!! I appreciated your questions..I would also like some more information please

thanks for replying...
to answer your questions... I did applied for everything on nov.3rd 2012 and received a receipt on dec. 3rd 2012; got biometrics apptmnt on the 18th of dec.2012 and did biometrics on dec 28th 2012... got the apptmnt for adjustment of status interview for the 13th of feb 2013...
We lost our baby on July 2012 we have the paper work for it...
I am adjusting from a B1/B2 visa; we got married when my visa was still valid on feb 21st 2012 and we applied for an extension of the visa; it was granted and expired on oct 2012... i don't know much else you need to know but pls do not hesitate to ask, i will be happy to answer.. once again thanks for helping me as much as you can with information ...

thank you so much for all your help and for all the questions you provided for us to practice, they were a great help..
Do you think is normal that i got the interview before i got the work permit and the SSN..?? we submitted all papers together but i got the interview first...
My wife got her citizenship to help me with my paperwork she has been over 18yrs in this country do you think the time she got the citizenship matters? they will take that in account agaisnt us? we met over the internet around 2009, when i came to visit her in sept 2011 she did not want to separate..and we got married in feb 2012, we requested an extension to my B1/B2 visa and it was granted and during this time she did her citizenship and I Sent all my paper work also during this time she got pregnant but lost the baby we have all that paper work of that as well, we live a very normal marriage but i am not sure if this is enough because of the way we met.. I just want to present a strong case..

[deathrow2020]

Nothing Abnormal About Your Case

Each office processes their cases according to their workload and available resources. Consider yourself lucky to even have that fast turnaround time/appt for your GC interview. Some applicants have to wait for a while before they get scheduled for an GC appointment. While their GC application is pending, they're processed for a work permit and or travel document. As far as the timing of your interview is concerned it's normal not to get processed for either work permit or travel document in the form of an Advance Parole. Your interview which is coming up is for your GC based on your marriage to your USC wife which when/if approved supersedes the work permit and or Advance Parole.

You have to remember every case is unique and they'll decide based on the merits of the specific case. Make sure you have originals and copies of all supporting documents you need to take along including but not limited to the following:

1. Documentation about your lost baby including but not limited to the death certificate (once again, am really sorry about your loss)
2. Proof of communication between you 2 before you got married, since you said you met on the Internet (Chat history, emails from each other, letters, etc)
3. Joint pictures taken together before, during and after the marriage (should include other family members and or friends and be sure you can both identify the subjects in the photos you send, in case you get separated)
4. A lease showing joint tenancy of a common residence (both of your names have to be on the lease, if not possible due to lack of SSN, you have to let the IO know)
5. Affidavits sworn to or affirmed by third parties (friends/family members, at least 2 would suffice) having personal knowledge of the bona fides of the marital relationship. (Each affidavit must contain the full name and address, date and place of birth of the person making the affidavit, his or her relationship to the petitioner of beneficiary, if any, and complete information and details explaining how the person acquired his or her knowledge of your marriage); or

Any other relevant documentation to establish that there is an ongoing marital union.

[ricktheruler]

Wife didn't change her lastname

Really sorry to hear about your loss. K, in this case, you would need that paperwork.

First of all, it's really important to let the IO know during your interview that you're unable to secure a SSN(#), yet, hence your inability to be added onto your wife's bank account(s), utility bills (if such utility companies need that info -SSN b4 u can be added onto an account as a joint account holder), etc. Even if you have an SSN, some utility companies still won't put your 2 names on the monthly bills that they send out (for varied reasons), but can add you in their systems as an authorized account user. If you can do that and get a letter from these utility companies confirming the above, that'll help you out a lot as well.
Also, any of the following would help win your case:
Documentation showing joint ownership or property;
A lease showing joint tenancy of a common residence; or
Birth certificate(s) of child(ren) born to you, the petitioner, and your spouse together; or
Documentation showing co-mingling of financial resources; or
Affidavits sworn to or affirmed by third parties having personal knowledge of the bona fides of the marital relationship. (Each affidavit must contain the full name and address, date and place of birth of the person making the affidavit, his or her relationship to the petitioner of beneficiary, if any, and complete information and details explaining how the person acquired his or her knowledge of your marriage); or

Any other relevant documentation to establish that there is an ongoing marital union.

The interview:
It is important to properly prepare for your marriage green card interview, or you could experience a delay in the approval of your case, or worse, your application could be denied if you don’t present the proper information at your interview.
Here are guidelines on preparing for and attending the interview:
Always be on time for your interview. Plan to arrive at least 15 minutes before to your appointment.
Dress formally and conservatively, like you are going to a job interview.
Listen and respond to the the USCIS officer’s questions. The USCIS officer is only given a short amount of time to conduct an interview for each couple. Keep your answers brief and to the point.
Do not guess on anything: The denial of many marriage-based immigrant visa cases have one thing in common: people’s attitude that they have to give an answer and guessing. One of the biggest mistakes a person can make is to guess when he or she does not know the answer to a particular question. It is fine to say that you don’t remember instead of guessing the answer.
You have nothing to memorize: Remember that there is nothing that you need to learn by heart for the interview. There are no specific test questions prescribed for the immigrant interview that you have to memorize. What I mean by this is if the officer asks what was the date when you last entered the U.S.? And you cannot remember you are allowed to look at your I-485 Form, Page 1, for the Date of Last Arrival. That’s it.
If the USCIS officer suspects that the marriage may not be real they may separate you and interview you individually. While not necessarily designed to be tricky the questions can potentially trip up spouses that are not familiar with each other.
Be prepared with the proper documents: Carry a set of original documents and a complete set of duplicate copies that you can give to the USCIS officer. You are expected to provide certain documentation to prove the validity of your marriage. The documents requested include, but are not limited to, wedding invitations, wedding photographs, birth certificates of any children you may have together, property leases with both names featured, photographs of special occasions spent together, joint bank account statements, and other joint financial documents.
Sample Marriage Green Card Interview Questions:
What is your current address?
Who lives at your address?
What your cell #?
What is your spouse’s cell #?
What is your spouse’s date of birth?
How, when and where did you meet your spouse?
How many days after you first saw her/him did you call her/him?
When did you see your spouse a second time?
What did you do with her/him?
Where and with whom did your spouse live when you met your
spouse?
Did she ever come up to see you?
Where did your spouse work when you met your him/her?
What type of work did he/she do?
Where did your spouse work when you met? What type of work did
your spouse do?
What type of work does your spouse do?
What is your spouse’s work schedule?
What is your spouse’s salary?
Are both of these salaries deposited into the same bank account?
What bank account do you use?
Did your spouse have a car when you met? What model, color, etc?
Are these the cars you and your spouse current drive?
If not, when did you and/or your spouse change cars?
If you now have cars, how much money is owed on them? How much
is the monthly payment?
How long did you and your spouse date prior to getting married?
When did you and your spouse decide to get married? Was there a
proposal? Who proposed? When and where did it take place?
Did you and your spouse live together prior to your marriage?
When, where, how long?
When did you and your spouse move in together?
When did you get married?
If you had a celebration, what food/beverages were served?
Did you and your spouse go on a honeymoon? If yes, where did you
go?
How did you purchase the honeymoon travel package, or who made the
How long did you travel for?
How did you get to your honeymoon destination?
Who pays the rent/mortgage? How is it paid? (Do you mail it?
Hand-deliver it?)
Where does your landlord live, or what company holds the mortgage
on your property?
How many sleeping rooms does your home have?
Are all the sleeping rooms on the same side of the home?
What size bed do you and your spouse have?
Describe the pieces of furniture in your bedroom?
*If you have a general immigration question and you think others will benefit from our answer, please also post your question to our new immigration community forum. We will do our best to answer as quickly as possible.

Let me know if the above helps.

I got married to a US citizen but she didn't change her last name. Kindly advise if that will be an issue at the interview or how will it affect the process. I am schedule for an interview in two weeks. Can anyone assist me please.

[deathrow2020]

No, that shouldn't be a problem.

That shouldn't make any difference, so no need to worry about it. No one in the US is obligated to change his/her name after marriage. Name change after marriage is optional for wives/husbands alike.

I got married to a US citizen but she didn't change her last name. Kindly advise if that will be an issue at the interview or how will it affect the process. I am schedule for an interview in two weeks. Can anyone assist me please.

[blue77]

From what you posted here, it sounds like you have a very strong marriage.

The fact that your wife fell pregnant to your child is probably the strongest indication that you have a true and strong marriage. Very sorry that you lost it though, it happened to me in my younger years.

For what it's worth, I had my interview yesterday, and it went very well, the interviewer approved me half way through the interview. If you can call it an interview, it was more like a chat. I think they can probably tell the validity of marriages before the interview in many cases, and probably already know the outcome beforehand. That's just my opinion though, and maybe I was lucky to have a good interviewer.

I met my wife in 2009 online, and came out to the US to be with her three times in 2010. At the end of 2010 I came over on a student visa and have been living with her since. We got married last year and I applied in Nov 2012.

I did send a lot of paperwork with my application, perhaps 150 pages including the forms themselves. In it I had utility bills, life insurance, testimonies from friends and family regarding the trueness of our marriage (I got about 8 testimonies), wedding cards, dog licences, and so on. I did manage to get a bank account without a social security card when I first came over, but my wife's bank refused me. When we got married, we changed my account into joint names. I also gave them more documents, bills, cars in joint names etc once we got to the interview, but she'd already approved me by that time anyway.

Personally, I believe that the government is happy for true marriages, and will have no problems with yours if what you have said is true. Don't forget, America is a nation of immigrants.

This is just all my opinion based on my own experience. No matter what anyone tells you, you're going to be nervous. I was, I didn't think I had enough, but to me the fact you would have had a child together speaks volumes for your true marriage. Good luck.

[meldy360]

Contribution... Only you knows the truth and you have to prove it to the IO. Don't be nervous because there's nothing to worry about if your marriage is legit. I did my interview too yesterday and it was even like a fun chat. What I observed was that you have to be real be relax . If possible, start chatting and playing with your wife in the office before they call up (that's what I did) it will through more light on how you do with your wife at home.
Must to bring to your interview
Album with lots of picture of you and your wife, with families and friends.
House Phone bills or hospital bills
Statement of account or anything that will show you have a joint acct.
You will be good. If you have any question feel free to ask. Good luck!

[AhmedSAB]

thanks fro the encourament.. congrats on your approvement..

From what you posted here, it sounds like you have a very strong marriage.

The fact that your wife fell pregnant to your child is probably the strongest indication that you have a true and strong marriage. Very sorry that you lost it though, it happened to me in my younger years.

For what it's worth, I had my interview yesterday, and it went very well, the interviewer approved me half way through the interview. If you can call it an interview, it was more like a chat. I think they can probably tell the validity of marriages before the interview in many cases, and probably already know the outcome beforehand. That's just my opinion though, and maybe I was lucky to have a good interviewer.

I met my wife in 2009 online, and came out to the US to be with her three times in 2010. At the end of 2010 I came over on a student visa and have been living with her since. We got married last year and I applied in Nov 2012.

I did send a lot of paperwork with my application, perhaps 150 pages including the forms themselves. In it I had utility bills, life insurance, testimonies from friends and family regarding the trueness of our marriage (I got about 8 testimonies), wedding cards, dog licences, and so on. I did manage to get a bank account without a social security card when I first came over, but my wife's bank refused me. When we got married, we changed my account into joint names. I also gave them more documents, bills, cars in joint names etc once we got to the interview, but she'd already approved me by that time anyway.

Personally, I believe that the government is happy for true marriages, and will have no problems with yours if what you have said is true. Don't forget, America is a nation of immigrants.

This is just all my opinion based on my own experience. No matter what anyone tells you, you're going to be nervous. I was, I didn't think I had enough, but to me the fact you would have had a child together speaks volumes for your true marriage. Good luck.

thank you very much for your kind words..
I did get my work permit today. Yes!! it is true that I am nervous no matter what.. and it is hard for me to believe I have enough papers..
congratulations on your residency approval. Sorry for your loss as well. I believe your statements and they are really encouraging..
I am just wondering if I use my work permit as my social or i will get a different card should i wait to search for a job to get one? it is really confusing to me since the interview is so close..

[blue77]

thank you very much for your kind words..
I did get my work permit today. Yes!! it is true that I am nervous no matter what.. and it is hard for me to believe I have enough papers..
congratulations on your residency approval. Sorry for your loss as well. I believe your statements and they are really encouraging..
I am just wondering if I use my work permit as my social or i will get a different card should i wait to search for a job to get one? it is really confusing to me since the interview is so close..

When I got my EAD, I went to my local social security office and they entered the info into their system and within about a week I got my social security card with number. On the card it states 'for work use only', or something along those lines.

Now I have my approval, once I receive my green card, I will need to go back to social security and show them my new status. They will then order another card, and it will have something along the lines of permanent resident. If I then get citizenship in a few years time, I'll have to go back again for them to update to my new status.

I was also a little fortunate in that my card arrived a day before my interview so I was able to give the interviewer my social security number too.

[AhmedSAB]

thank you ...

When I got my EAD, I went to my local social security office and they entered the info into their system and within about a week I got my social security card with number. On the card it states 'for work use only', or something along those lines.

Now I have my approval, once I receive my green card, I will need to go back to social security and show them my new status. They will then order another card, and it will have something along the lines of permanent resident. If I then get citizenship in a few years time, I'll have to go back again for them to update to my new status.

I was also a little fortunate in that my card arrived a day before my interview so I was able to give the interviewer my social security number too.

thank you!!!
I went to the Social Security Office and applied for the card and it was approved and the lady gave the receipt and they said in two weeks I should receive it...