Play Video about CR1 Spousal Visa interview Questions
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Thanks for tuning in, my name is Miatrai Brown, and I am a U.S. immigration attorney based in Washington DC. I am also the Principal Attorney at Direct U.S. Immigration where we work with clients in all 50 states and around the world. Before we start, click the like and subscribe button to follow our immigration hub to get the latest immigration information that could be vital to your case. And also, be sure to stick around until the end to get a bonus tip for a successful visa interview.
As you may know, the conditional residence visa (CR1 visa) is given to the foreign national spouse of a U.S. citizen and is valid for two years. This visa is reserved for individuals who have been married for less than 2 years. When applying for the CR1 visa, there will be a visa interview. This video discusses some of the topics and questions you can expect during the CR1 visa interview.
What Types of Questions Are Asked During A CR1 Visa Interview?
The questions you (and your spouse) receive during a CR1 visa interview may vary based on the specifics of your case. However, there are some more common questions that you can expect to be asked, and it is important to prepare for them before your interview.
However, remember that these are example questions intended to provide a general idea of the topics you should prepare for, and your questions during your interview may be different.
- What Does Your Spouse Do for A Living?
A commonly reported question that married couples are asked during a CR1 visa interview is regarding what their spouse does for a living. As mentioned, the question you receive may look different. For example, rather than being asked about your spouse’s profession, you may be asked about their hobbies or interests.
It is important to understand your spouse very well personally before your interview. Of course, as a method of cross-checking the validity of your and your spouse’s answer, you can also expect to be asked about your career, hobbies, and interests.
- What Are the Names of Your Spouse’s Parents?
Questions about your in-laws are common during CR1 visa interviews. This could be as simple as asking the names of your spouse’s parents and siblings, or they may ask about more specific details such as what they do for a living, where they live, etc. If your spouse has any children from a previous relationship, they may also ask about their names.
- How (and Where) Did You Meet Your Spouse
It is also common for applicants to be asked how they met their spouse and other questions regarding the origin of their relationship. A common question is how and where the two of you met, and you both need to provide the same answer.
They may also ask about what attracted you to your spouse and other slightly more personal questions concerning the origin of your relationship.
- Where Did You and Your Spouse Get Married
Questions about your wedding are very common as well. The officer may ask about where exactly you and your spouse got married. They may also ask who was at the wedding, whether or not photos were taken, etc. It can be helpful to review all details about your wedding (and the facts surrounding it) before your CR1 visa interview.
- What Is Your Spouse’s Religious Background
This may seem unusual, but it is more common than many anticipate and can catch an interviewee off guard if they need to prepare. It is important to understand your spouse’s religious views and how you feel about your spouse’s religious beliefs relative to your own.
- When Do You Plan on Entering The United States?
The consular may also use the interview to learn more about your plans for entering and living in the U.S. Specifically, they may ask about when you plan to enter the United States. They may also ask about your goals once you arrive (i.e., where you will live) and your long-term plans. The CR1 visa is temporary and conditional, so a long-term plan should include applying for an IR1 visa, which is the 10 year green card.
- How Much Time Do You Spend With Your Spouse?
You can also expect to answer questions about how much time you spend with your spouse and some of the things you and your spouse do together. The questions may also be more specific than this, such as asking about the color of your spouse’s eyes. Often, the goal here is to ensure the couple genuinely enjoys each other and has legitimate purposes for their marriage.
- Why Do You Intend To Live In The United States Rather Than Your Native Country?
Last but not least, you can expect to be asked why you and your spouse chose to live in America permanently rather than your country of origin. This can seem tricky, but it is best to be honest, and state clearly what you find desirable about the United States. In other instances, it may be as simple as saying that your spouse does not wish to leave their job.
Bonus Information
As promised, here’s some bonus information that you may not know about:
Practice, practice, practice.
It’s important to rehearse before your interview, especially if one of you tends to be forgetful. Even people in long-term marriages can often find these interviews stressful, but the more you practice, the less anxious you’re likely to be. In this situation, it’s almost always better to be overprepared than under.
I hope you found this video helpful. Subscribe if this content or information helps you in any way, comment below if you want me to talk about something in specific, and share this resource because you never know who needs answers to these questions. Additionally, if you have any specific questions about this video as they pertain to your unique circumstances, please schedule a consultation with us at the link below. I’ll see you in the next video.
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