One of the most nerve-wracking aspects of the fiancé visa application process is the interview at the U.S. consulate in your native country. This interview is usually the last hurdle to receiving a K-1 visa to enter the United States for the purpose of marrying your intended U.S. citizen spouse. However, the questions should be easy to answer if you know your fiancé well and are prepared ahead of your interview date. Maria Jones Law Firm wants you to be successful in your interview, so here are a few tips to get you through easier.
Prepare for your visit: T he interview will not be scheduled until the U.S. consulate has received notice from the U.S. National Visa Center (NVC) that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has approved the Fiancé Visa Petition (Form I-129F). You should ensure that you are prepared for your visit to the U.S. consulate by bringing the necessary paperwork, submitting to a security clearance, and discussing potential interview questions with your U.S. fiancé or fiancée. Security Clearance: The consulate will request a security clearance from every place the visa applicant has lived since the age of 16. Usually, the consulate simply asks a government office to check its records to see if the person has a police record; and to send a copy of that record or a statement that no record was found. Assuming the records come back clean, the consulate will move on with processing the application. Know the purpose and the format of the interview: At your interview, the consular office will seek to learn more about your background and moral character, ascertain whether you know relevant details about your U.S. citizen fiancé, and determine whether or not your relationship with your future spouse is genuine and that you are marrying in good faith.The consular officer will ask a few basic questions about you and your fiancé’s background and five to ten additional questions about your fiancé and your relationship. It might take place in a separate room or at a window in a larger room in the consulate where you will speak with the consular officer. On average, the entire K-1 visa interview takes about 15 to 30 minutes. Know your spouse: This may seem like common sense, but knowing every bit of basic information about your significant other is crucial to the interview process. As long as you have all the paperwork, are relaxed, and confident, then you should pass with flying colors.