One of the most common pathways to permanent residency in the US is a marriage-based green card. During the application process for a marriage-based green card, the United States Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) carries out a rigorous interview to ensure that the relationship is genuine and entered into in good faith. This leaves many marriage-based green card applicants wondering: what types of questions does USCIS ask at a marriage-based interview?
By understanding what to expect during a USCIS interview for a marriage based green card, including the questions that will be asked, the purpose of these questions, and how to prepare accordingly, couples can move into their interview feeling confident and ready.
Why Does the USCIS Marriage-Based Interview Exist?
Processing times for family-based immigration cases, including marriage green cards, are increasing. The number of immigration judges is capped at 800. As of 2025, there are 51.9 million immigrants living in the United States.
For many people, the USCIS marriage-based interview is extremely nerve-wracking because even if a couple knows each other well, they might slip up on some personal details or other aspects of their spouse’s life. It’s important to note, however, that the purpose of this interview is not to shake people down but rather to ensure that the marriage is genuine and not being entered into for immigration benefits.
Recent Policy Changes to Immigration Through Marriage
In 2025, the process for getting a marriage-based green card has become stricter, even though there has been no official announcement of a major policy change.
New editions of important forms are now mandatory as of 2025, including the following:
- For Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status), only the version dated January 20, 2025, is accepted.
- For Form I-129F (Fiancé Visa), only the January 20, 2025, version is accepted.
- The current Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) is still valid from April 1, 2024, but it now includes stronger warnings about marriage fraud and reminders about choosing between adjustment of status and consular processing.
All pages in a form package must have the same edition date. If any pages are mismatched or outdated, USCIS may reject the submission. USCIS also now requires each form to have a separate payment; if one check covers multiple forms, the entire package could be rejected.
There are many new and increased fees for immigrants. These include:
- $100 asylum application fee plus $100 annually for pending cases
- $250 for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status
- $5,000 penalty for crossing between ports of entry without authorization
- $550 for initial work authorization applications based on asylum or parole
- $500 for Temporary Protected Status
- $250 for non-immigrant visa issuance
- $1,500 for a green card application
- $900 for court appeals
- $5,000 for failing to appear in court
Policy Changes for Those Sponsoring Their Spouses
A new Trump administration policy means some immigrants applying for green cards through marriage or other family members could now face deportation if they do not have legal status.
The change took effect immediately on August 1, 2025, and applies to pending and new applications. Nearly 520,000 I-130 petitions were filed in the first half of 2025, and there are currently over 2.4 million pending. More than 1.9 million of these applications have been waiting for more than six months.
In the past, applicants usually only faced removal during this process if they committed serious crimes. Now, the new rule allows USCIS to start removal at any point.
Types of Questions You May Be Asked
The marriage-based USCIS interview is generally conducted to prevent fraud or misrepresentation. There are various types of questions that can be asked during the interview. As each couple is unique, the questions may vary, but the following categories can be expected:
- History of the Relationship.
- Personal Information About Your Spouse.
- Daily Life in the Home.
- Details of Your Engagement/Wedding.
- Family and Social Circles.
- Financial Decisions.
Some of the questions asked may seem overly mundane, such as the first and last name of your spouse. As the answers may seem obvious to you, they could trip someone who is in a fraudulent marriage. It’s crucial to note that some of the questions may seem overly intimate or personal, which you have the right to respectfully decline if it is inappropriate or too intrusive. A certain level of personal inquiry, however, is normal for USCIS marriage-based interviews.
Advice for Before and During the Interview
Well before your USCIS marriage-based interview, you should go over the information on your green card application with your spouse. Both you and your spouse should be very familiar with the answers you provided on the application. During the interview, if a question comes up that you don’t know the answer to, that’s perfectly fine. Be honest with the USCIS officer, as any discrepancy between answers could lead to suspicion.
To ensure you and your spouse are comfortable during the interview, you can practice answering different questions well ahead of your scheduled appointment. This can help you go into the interview with confidence. Furthermore, providing supporting documentation, such as joint bank statements, your lease agreement, and photos from your wedding and engagement, can help clarify any questions the USCIS officer may have.
Ultimately, it is advised to stay calm during the interview and be confident in your relationship and your answers. By carefully reviewing everything, practicing answering some questions to ease the nerves, and bringing supporting documentation, you and your spouse can confidently present the authenticity of your relationship.
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act
On July 4, 2025, President Trump signed the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBBA) into law. The law allocates $45 billion for immigration detention through 2029. This more than quadruples Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s annual detention budget. The law also explicitly allows family detention, including indefinite detention of children.
The law removes Medicaid, CHIP, Medicare, SNAP, and Affordable Care Act premium tax credit eligibility from most lawfully present immigrants. Only green card holders, certain Cuban and Haitian entrants, and residents from Palau, Micronesia, and the Marshall Islands have access to these resources. This excludes:
- Refugees
- Asylum seekers
- Domestic violence and trafficking survivors with pending or approved applications
- People with Temporary Protected Status
- People with valid visas
FAQs
How Long Does a USCIS Marriage-Based Interview Last?
The length of a USCIS marriage-based interview may be dependent on various factors, including the case complexity, the robustness of the evidence involved, and the officer who was initiating the questioning. If a USCIS officer suspects fraud or misrepresentation, or if further verification is needed, a marriage-based interview may be extended. For a more detailed estimate of the length of your interview, it is recommended to work with a lawyer.
What Kind of Questions Will USCIS Ask About Relationship History During a Marriage-Based Interview?
During a marriage-based interview, USCIS representatives are likely to pose questions regarding the history of your romantic relationship to make sure it is genuine and that it was entered into in good faith. It’s important to hire an immigration lawyer so they can help you understand the type of questions you can expect to be asked, such as those related to the dates you’ve been on, how you met, the details of your proposal, and the general timeline of your relationship.
Will We Be Interviewed Separately During the Marriage-Based USCIS Interview?
During marriage-based interviews conducted by USCIS, the couples involved in the application are usually interviewed together. In cases where the USCIS representative believes that your answers are inconsistent or that there is a potential for fraud, however, you may be separated. This separation of the couple is done so that each party can be asked the same question separately, and the answers can be compared to test accuracy.
What Happens If We Don’t Know the Answer to a Question During a Marriage-Based USCIS Interview?
If you are stumped or don’t know the answer to a question posed by a USCIS officer during your marriage-based interview, it’s important to keep calm and exercise honesty. For questions involving detailed personal history or extended family dynamics, for example, it is not uncommon for couples to not know all of the answers. Instead of making up an answer, it’s important to tell the officer that you don’t know so you don’t threaten your credibility.
How Can We Prepare for a USCIS Marriage-Based Interview?
There are various steps you can take to adequately prepare for your USCIS interview, such as going over various details of your relationship habits, timeline, and future plans together. Review all the documents submitted with your application, such as housing contracts and joint bank account statements, and be ready to answer questions about them. An experienced immigration lawyer can help you prepare accordingly for your interview.
Hire an Immigration Lawyer Today
If you have an upcoming interview with USCIS for your marriage-based green card, you are likely feeling nervous and overwhelmed. Thankfully, a skilled immigration lawyer from U.S. Law Center can review your case details and help you understand what questions you may expect based on your situation. Furthermore, they can anticipate emerging legal issues and address them proactively. Contact us today to get started developing a preparation plan.
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