I485 Interview (What to expect?)

[RayU]

I recently received a "request for initial interview."

I have read a couple threads but I'm wondering is anyone can give me a good idea of what we can expect in the interview. Do the interviewers tend to be pretty intense? I picture an interrogation, but I assume that's just something I've built up in my mind.

I'm Canadian and my wife is American. Our interview is in Nashville.

[UScitizenFilingforspouse]

This thread should give you a pretty good idea of how to prepare. It's simple. If you walk in there with little evidence of bona fide marriage OR if it looks like you met on Monday, married on Tuesday and then filed for AOS on Wednesday, then yes, expect additional scrutiny.

https://www.immihelp.com/forum/showthread.php/239999-Links-Evidence-of-bona-fide-marriage-for-I-130-I-485-filing-amp-interview-tips?p=585093#post585093

[RayU]

This thread should give you a pretty good idea of how to prepare. It's simple. If you walk in there with little evidence of bona fide marriage OR if it looks like you met on Monday, married on Tuesday and then filed for AOS on Wednesday, then yes, expect additional scrutiny.

https://www.immihelp.com/forum/showt...093#post585093

I will check that out. We've been living together (11 In Canada and the past year and a half in the US) for 12 years and married over 6 years. So I'm thinking it should be pretty straight forward for us.

Thanks for the help.

[UScitizenFilingforspouse]

I will check that out. We've been living together (11 In Canada and the past year and a half in the US) for 12 years and married over 6 years. So I'm thinking it should be pretty straight forward for us.

Thanks for the help.

Yes, but do not show up empty handed. Immigration Officers have to justify their decisions. Aim to be approved on the spot. You should have plenty of evidence since you have been married this long.

Prepare. Times are changing. It's best to be prepared.

[andre89]

Interview in Nashville

I recently received a "request for initial interview."

I have read a couple threads but I'm wondering is anyone can give me a good idea of what we can expect in the interview. Do the interviewers tend to be pretty intense? I picture an interrogation, but I assume that's just something I've built up in my mind.

I'm Canadian and my wife is American. Our interview is in Nashville.

I had my interview today and was really nervous but the officer made us feel really relaxed and she had a smile on her face the whole time and that helped a lot. She asked like how we met, where was our first date, were was our wedding and about vacations we took together.

[Dreamerdancer42]

I recently received a "request for initial interview."

I have read a couple threads but I'm wondering is anyone can give me a good idea of what we can expect in the interview. Do the interviewers tend to be pretty intense? I picture an interrogation, but I assume that's just something I've built up in my mind.

I'm Canadian and my wife is American. Our interview is in Nashville.

I had my interview yesterday and I think, this is so individual, based on your whole marriage, that its hard to generalize it. We were asked very few questions , mainly from my I 485 form, nothing about our relationship , only 1 question, in the doorway, when we were leaving and our IO was almost done looking thru our album asked ?how did you meet?? He said, hes approving us, because ( we also had 3 huge folders , table of content organized by years - 2007-2018) its really obvious - weve been together for long time and have a child im sure , that played a huge part as to , why there were no questions about - whats your wives? birthday, when was the wedding, names of...? none of that. Basically, he didnt question our relationship. He wanted taxes. That was all. And bank statements. Photo album, I basically ?forced ? him to look at So whatever your situation is, thats how it will go. Good luck

[Houston2016]

I had my interview today and was really nervous but the officer made us feel really relaxed and she had a smile on her face the whole time and that helped a lot. She asked like how we met, where was our first date, were was our wedding and about vacations we took together.

I have read so many posts like that before our interview, but it wasn't what happened to us.

As we realized letter on FB group we got an Officer whose style was not that "friendly".
We came expecting friendly conversation but in minutes our interview start turning to interrogation. We got so nervous my husband forgot my siblings and my father name!
Later he managed screw up yes/no answers from I-485. In the end she told us we will receive some answer in 120 days. we got massage that we were approved and card sent for printing in a few hours.

We are leaving together for 4 years, married for 2.5 years and have a baby, we both making a stable income and my husband on L1 visa - we were thinking obviously we should be approved no question asked - WRONG!

Bottom line - the officer was professional, just very strict, it was her style.
Don't expect friendly conversation, prepare all documentation. We've front loaded our application and brought with us a case of new documents to cover almost 2 years since we've filed.
Practice yes/No question from I-485, go through stock interview questions with your spouse. i was asked my husband phone number - I don't know, I hardly ever dile it, who dials these days?! Happens it is very common question.

Don't repeat our mistake, by expecting friendly, casual interview - Officers their to "investigate" us, not to entertain.

Good luck!

[MsGhassemi]

Hi Houston2016, did you bring a new medical exam to the interview? (Since it has been two years since your initial one)

I have read so many posts like that before our interview, but it wasn't what happened to us.

As we realized letter on FB group we got an Officer whose style was not that "friendly".
We came expecting friendly conversation but in minutes our interview start turning to interrogation. We got so nervous my husband forgot my siblings and my father name!
Later he managed screw up yes/no answers from I-485. In the end she told us we will receive some answer in 120 days. we got massage that we were approved and card sent for printing in a few hours.

We are leaving together for 4 years, married for 2.5 years and have a baby, we both making a stable income and my husband on L1 visa - we were thinking obviously we should be approved no question asked - WRONG!

Bottom line - the officer was professional, just very strict, it was her style.
Don't expect friendly conversation, prepare all documentation. We've front loaded our application and brought with us a case of new documents to cover almost 2 years since we've filed.
Practice yes/No question from I-485, go through stock interview questions with your spouse. i was asked my husband phone number - I don't know, I hardly ever dile it, who dials these days?! Happens it is very common question.

Don't repeat our mistake, by expecting friendly, casual interview - Officers their to "investigate" us, not to entertain.

Good luck!

[WaitedLongEnough]

I have read so many posts like that before our interview, but it wasn't what happened to us.

As we realized letter on FB group we got an Officer whose style was not that "friendly".
We came expecting friendly conversation but in minutes our interview start turning to interrogation. We got so nervous my husband forgot my siblings and my father name!
Later he managed screw up yes/no answers from I-485. In the end she told us we will receive some answer in 120 days. we got massage that we were approved and card sent for printing in a few hours.

We are leaving together for 4 years, married for 2.5 years and have a baby, we both making a stable income and my husband on L1 visa - we were thinking obviously we should be approved no question asked - WRONG!

Bottom line - the officer was professional, just very strict, it was her style.
Don't expect friendly conversation, prepare all documentation. We've front loaded our application and brought with us a case of new documents to cover almost 2 years since we've filed.
Practice yes/No question from I-485, go through stock interview questions with your spouse. i was asked my husband phone number - I don't know, I hardly ever dile it, who dials these days?! Happens it is very common question.

Don't repeat our mistake, by expecting friendly, casual interview - Officers their to "investigate" us, not to entertain.

Good luck!

Thanks for sharing this

[UScitizenFilingforspouse]

I have read so many posts like that before our interview, but it wasn't what happened to us.

As we realized letter on FB group we got an Officer whose style was not that "friendly".
We came expecting friendly conversation but in minutes our interview start turning to interrogation. We got so nervous my husband forgot my siblings and my father name!
Later he managed screw up yes/no answers from I-485. In the end she told us we will receive some answer in 120 days. we got massage that we were approved and card sent for printing in a few hours.

We are leaving together for 4 years, married for 2.5 years and have a baby, we both making a stable income and my husband on L1 visa - we were thinking obviously we should be approved no question asked - WRONG!

Bottom line - the officer was professional, just very strict, it was her style.
Don't expect friendly conversation, prepare all documentation. We've front loaded our application and brought with us a case of new documents to cover almost 2 years since we've filed.
Practice yes/No question from I-485, go through stock interview questions with your spouse. i was asked my husband phone number - I don't know, I hardly ever dile it, who dials these days?! Happens it is very common question.

Don't repeat our mistake, by expecting friendly, casual interview - Officers their to "investigate" us, not to entertain.

Good luck!

This is sage advice. No matter what demeanor or style the Immigration Services Officer displays, you are to remain objective, and never lose your cool. It is a good idea to practice the I-485 Yes/No questions. Some of them have complex words.

[Dreamerdancer42]

This is sage advice. No matter what demeanor or style the Immigration Services Officer displays, you are to remain objective, and never lose your cool. It is a good idea to practice the I-485 Yes/No questions. Some of them have complex words.

YES! Wish I knew to practise YES&NO questions- thats where I was cought of guard with one particular question - and I didnt know, what to say. My husband jumped in and saved me. I came as an au- pair in 2001 and after my year was over, i tried to extend/change nonimmigrant status but was denied that visa. I was trying to do the right thing, but never left. I never heard from immigration again back than, just got denial letter. The IO had asked me, why the visa was denied. I have no clue- they dont tell u, they deny it to most ppl I heard ( I think i was trying to get the B1 its called)...and also it appeared I answered one question in Yes/NO section YES and he didnt like that. The question was something like “have u ever violated immigration decission...” I was thinking and answered “ yes”, because I didnt leave the country after that extension was denied, that was violating... I thought....I explained in the back , what I meant but still..that was the only moment I felt interrogated for a min- those yes/no questions are confusing and I find - its easier just answer everything no I answered truthfully ?yes? and maybe threw myself under the bus so to speak. Practise those answers! Wish I had.

[Houston2016]

Hi Houston2016, did you bring a new medical exam to the interview? (Since it has been two years since your initial one)

Thank to this forum I've learned that our medical expired, so we brought a new one. I made my hubby schedule a Dr appointment as soon as we received invitation letter, about 1 week after online status update. The Officer ask for it even before interview started.

[RayU]

Thanks to everyone. There's some great info and advice in here.

How long does the medical exam last before it expires?

[Houston2016]

Thanks to everyone. There's some great info and advice in here.

How long does the medical exam last before it expires?

Simple answer is: 2 years since Doctor signed it.

more complicates answer:
If you have submitted it more than 60 days after Dr signed it - 1 yr from USCIS receive you case.
If you have submitted it less than 60 days after Dr signed it - 2 yr since Dr signature.
from Nov 1 you have to submit it with your I-485 within 60 days from Dr signature.

[UScitizenFilingforspouse]

Simple answer is: 2 years since Doctor signed it.

more complicates answer:
If you have submitted it more than 60 days after Dr signed it - 1 yr from USCIS receive you case.
If you have submitted it less than 60 days after Dr signed it - 2 yr since Dr signature.
from Nov 1 you have to submit it with your I-485 within 60 days from Dr signature.

I can just see these directors coming up with those dynamics. "We could make this easy and say it's valid for two years OR we could over complicated with twists and turns. Let's see a show of hands. Who votes for easy? *Chirp chirp* *Cricket*
"Who votes for twists and turns?"
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