Examples of questions immigration officers have asked during past interviews include:
- Where do you live?
- When did you last enter the U.S.?
- How did you meet?
- When is your spouse’s birthday?
- When and where did you get married?
- Why is [date you got married] special?
Sample U.S. Embassy Interview Questions
1. What does your spouse do for a living?
2. Where does your spouse work?
3. What is your spouse’s educational background?
Criminal History
1. Has your spouse been divorced?
2. If yes, when did your spouse get a divorce?
3. If yes, why did your spouse’s prior marriage end in divorce?
Additional Questions?
1. Where does your spouse live?
2. Where do your spouse’s parents live?
3. If your spouse has siblings, where do they live?
Interview Questions for Parents Visiting the USA
Below are some of the most common questions people hear at the interview to obtain a US tourist visa:
- What will you be visiting the USA for? Your parents should give the real reason why they want to visit the US (most likely to visit you).
- Where do you plan on staying? It’s best to be specific with this answer. Have your parents include hotel information and relevant addresses.
- How long do you wish to stay? They must let the interviewer know the length of time they wish to spend in the US (not longer than is allowed for the visa they’re applying for).
- Do you have relatives living in the United States? If your parents have any relatives (including you, of course) in the US, they should provide their information.
- What is your son/daughter’s contact information? They should have your contact information written down or memorized, including your phone number and address.
- Which visa does your son/daughter have? Have them let the office know which type of visa you have (for instance, a work visa or green card).
- Where does your child work or study? Tell your parents to have the name of your work or school and its location memorized or written down.
- Who is funding your trip? If your parents are funding their own trip, have them show proof of their available funds (with a printed bank statement). If someone else is funding them, have them prepare to prove this.
- Who is coming with you to the US? If they plan to travel with friends or other family members, now will be the time to give their information.
- What is your job in your home country? Your parents should give as much information as they can about their jobs. If they’re retired, they should mention this.
- How much do you make per year? If your parents earn an income, have them give a yearly figure and show proof of how much they make.
- What will you do with your business while you’re abroad? They will need to explain who will be caring for their business while they’re in the USA.
- Will you be returning to your home country? Since they’ll be visiting on a temporary visa, they must answer yes to this question.
- How will you convince me that you’re returning home? The interviewer has to know that your parents don’t plan to stay in the United States. They must give specific responsibilities in their home country that they’ll return home to fulfill (maintaining a house or caring for children, for example).
- Do you pay income tax in your home country? Your parents should bring documentation related to the taxes they pay in their native country.
The interviewer may also ask your parents whether they have any other children and might ask for their information. They’ll probably ask for your parents’ home address in their native country and whether they have medical conditions. They might want to know if your parents own any businesses or land. It’s important to answer every question as honestly as possible.
It’s best to assume that your parents’ interview will be in English rather than their native language. They should practice answering the questions above in English with a native speaker to prepare for their interview.
Supporting Documents for Visa Interview
As mentioned, your parents must prove that they have strong ties to their native country and will be returning home after their time in the USA. Supporting documentation is a good way to prove this to the interviewing officer. Here are some examples of what they can bring to their appointment:
- Employment or pension benefit statements (if applicable)
- Notarized documents regarding property (buildings, land, etc.)
- Bank statements that show they have the funds to cover their trip
- Tax returns or related tax information that shows how much they pay
Your parents can also bring any other financial statements that show their economic situation to prove they can support themselves in the United States. Any other papers that will help show that they intend to return to their home country are also good to bring.
Understanding the IR5 visa for parents of U.S. citizens
What is the IR-5 visa?
The IR-5 visa allows the parent or parents of a U.S. citizen to lawfully live and work in the United States.
Is the IR-5 right for me?
If you are a U.S citizen and have a parent or parents that are not, you might be looking to bring them over to live with you in the United States. This move could be for many reasons including greater proximity to family, better healthcare, or an increased standard of living.
The IR5 parent visa allows U.S. citizens to bring foreign-born parents to the United States as permanent residents. However, this visa will have to be granted abroad and issued at the U.S. embassy or consulate in the foreign country where the parent resides. You must also be at least age 21 to sponsor the IR-5 visa for a parent.
In this guide you’ll learn about the steps to getting an IR-5 visa as well as special requirements and common questions:
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Eligibility for an IR-5 visa depends on the following factors:
- The U.S. citizen sponsor must be age 21 or older.
- The sponsor must have the financial means to support the parent until they start working.
- The sponsor must live in the United States and have a U.S. address.
- The sponsor must include a copy of their birth certificate to prove the relationship between the sponsor and parent.
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Immigration Interview Questions You Need to Know
Obtaining a Green Card is neither quick nor easy. If you are like most people, you will be very excited when your interview notice finally arrives. At the same time, you may feel anxious about your upcoming interview. While not all Green Card interviews are the same, they usually follow a general format. Being well prepared for your interview will give you peace of mind and increase the likelihood of a successful outcome.
When you receive your interview notice, it is crucial that you read it carefully as it will direct you exactly WHEN (date and time) and WHERE (location) your interview will take place. The interview notice will often include a general list of documents that might not always apply to you completely. It’s recommended to bring the original document of every copy you submitted in your application. You will be instructed to bring an interpreter if you do not speak English fluently.
