I-485 interview

[VicFlange]

My wife is a US citizen. We've been together for 12 years and married for 9. We have a 7 year-old daughter and until recently we lived in London, which is where I'm from.

We submitted all relevant forms and after submitting initial evidence my i-766 was processed.

Today I received an email saying I have to attend an interview. Surely the uscis can see from submitted documents that we have been in a legitimate marriage/relationship?

[maurab291]

I wouldn't worry about it at all. The interview is a very normal part of the I-485 process especially if you are adjusting status through marriage. I would say that nearly everyone who adjusts status through marriage gets an interview. Especially since you've been together and married for a long time, the interview will probably go smoothly. Just be sure to bring as much proof as you can to the interview - photos, shared bills, shared bank accounts, auto registration and title, mortgage or rental agreements, etc.

Good luck!

[VicFlange]

Thanks for your reply. The only US documentation we have in both names is a bank account. We have loads from the UK, which I hope will satisfy them that this isn't an elaborate 12 year hoax.

[WhoDaDaddy]

Thanks for your reply. The only US documentation we have in both names is a bank account. We have loads from the UK, which I hope will satisfy them that this isn't an elaborate 12 year hoax.

In a very similar situation to you. I would expect them to see us for an interview just to check we are genuine people if nothing else! Don't take it to heart that it seems they might not believe what you have put on the forms. A lot of it should be to verify what you have inputted. As I'm sure you have been honest there should be no issues.

They are looking for the sham marriage type situations really and you'd think they would be able to spot them from the genuine ones pretty easily.

The process does make you think, do I have enough evidence to prove my marriage is genuine as we all have different ways of dealing with relationships and what would USCIS deem to be suitable evidence!

I know of a married couple who have been together 8 years and have everything on the financial side totally separate. Not a thing links them, not even life insurance... It's the way they handle their marriage and are comfortable with. They certainly are a genuine married couple though with a couple of children but in this process I bet it would raise red flags! (Not that they intend to emigrate mind!)

[VicFlange]

In a very similar situation to you. I would expect them to see us for an interview just to check we are genuine people if nothing else! Don't take it to heart that it seems they might not believe what you have put on the forms. A lot of it should be to verify what you have inputted. As I'm sure you have been honest there should be no issues.

They are looking for the sham marriage type situations really and you'd think they would be able to spot them from the genuine ones pretty easily.

The process does make you think, do I have enough evidence to prove my marriage is genuine as we all have different ways of dealing with relationships and what would USCIS deem to be suitable evidence!

I know of a married couple who have been together 8 years and have everything on the financial side totally separate. Not a thing links them, not even life insurance... It's the way they handle their marriage and are comfortable with. They certainly are a genuine married couple though with a couple of children but in this process I bet it would raise red flags! (Not that they intend to emigrate mind!)

When I met my future wife in 2004 we had separate bank accounts and for purely practical reasons, BACS transfers, DDs etc we kept them separate. When we moved to the US we opened a joint account. We have tons of other supporting information though, including rental agreements, utility bills and an album full of wedding photos, which include her whole family. I just find the whole process demeaning and unnecessary.

[WhoDaDaddy]

When I met my future wife in 2004 we had separate bank accounts and for purely practical reasons, BACS transfers, DDs etc we kept them separate. When we moved to the US we opened a joint account. We have tons of other supporting information though, including rental agreements, utility bills and an album full of wedding photos, which include her whole family. I just find the whole process demeaning and unnecessary.

Well if you want settle in the US permanently (obviously your objective as you have submitted an application) then follow the immigration rules they set down. Do you think it's any different to settling in the UK for non Europeans?
All government bodies have onerous processes such as these. The fact is there are numerous forms and the timeline seems excessive as you are the one having to complete forms and wait for notices etc it's just frustrating.
Patience is key when embarking on this adventure!

Don't forget just because you have been married for so long and have a child does not mean they don't want to physically see the person wishing to reside in their country. I do understand where you are coming from though (my relationship spans in excess of 15 years), as its not like some of the cases they receive of people who have met and married in 6 months and applied immediately for a GC for their spouse (just generalising).

There is nothing demeaning about it though other than you proving the fact you have been married X years, you do have a child etc... You expect them to take you on face value alone? Just because you state your situation they are supposed to believe your statement... "honest guv'nor".

May I suggest that whiles it's ok to vent on here at the process, how they can improve timelines / forms etc. Just don't take a surly attitude to your interview as you may find your application being placed at the bottom of the approval pile! (I don't doubt for a moment you will be approved).

Good luck with it and I hope you do share your experiences of the process as you move through each stage, positive or negative!

[VicFlange]

Well if you want settle in the US permanently (obviously your objective as you have submitted an application) then follow the immigration rules they set down. Do you think it's any different to settling in the UK for non Europeans?
All government bodies have onerous processes such as these. The fact is there are numerous forms and the timeline seems excessive as you are the one having to complete forms and wait for notices etc it's just frustrating.
Patience is key when embarking on this adventure!

Don't forget just because you have been married for so long and have a child does not mean they don't want to physically see the person wishing to reside in their country. I do understand where you are coming from though (my relationship spans in excess of 15 years), as its not like some of the cases they receive of people who have met and married in 6 months and applied immediately for a GC for their spouse (just generalising).

There is nothing demeaning about it though other than you proving the fact you have been married X years, you do have a child etc... You expect them to take you on face value alone? Just because you state your situation they are supposed to believe your statement... "honest guv'nor".

May I suggest that whiles it's ok to vent on here at the process, how they can improve timelines / forms etc. Just don't take a surly attitude to your interview as you may find your application being placed at the bottom of the approval pile! (I don't doubt for a moment you will be approved).

Good luck with it and I hope you do share your experiences of the process as you move through each stage, positive or negative!

Finally had my interview, which as it turns out was a painless experience. My interview was up near Albany airport and the officer who interviewed us couldn't have been more helpful.

The only reason my application wasn't approved then was that the doctor had made an error on my medical form, one that I missed when I read my unsealed copy. He has since rectified the error and the new medical report has been sent to the officer in Albany. In her words the application will be approved once she received that.

Fingers crossed...