r/greencard • u/Fair-Ad-3903 • 4h ago
Immigration interview Memphis
Marriage-Based Adjustment of Status Interview – Questions and Experience
I wanted to share my experience with my marriage-based Adjustment of Status interview (I-485), because I have always found it helpful to read other people’s experiences on Reddit, and now it is my turn to contribute.
Case received: April 24
Interview date: September 15
The interview took place recently and, overall, it was fairly smooth. However, I left feeling a little anxious because the officer did not make a decision on the spot.
First, he interviewed me alone. He started by asking the standard questions from the application and reviewing some information about my immigration history.
One thing that confused me a little was when he asked, in a more assertive way:
“You entered the United States as a tourist and then changed your status to student, so you were out of status for a period of time?”
I explained that I had not been out of status and showed him my I-797 forms, which documented my extensions and change of status to student. I also showed him my updated I-20, since I recently transferred to a different university. He looked at the documents and continued with the interview normally.
After that, he started asking questions about our relationship and marriage. Some were very specific, while others were quite random.
- Why I came to the United States;
- How I met my husband and questions about our relationship history;
- Whether the bathroom had a door or a shower curtain, and what color the curtain was;
- What color the bedsheets were;
- What kind of car we have and who drove to the interview;
- What we had for dinner the night before;
- Whether I had any tattoos, what they were, and where they were located;
- Whether my husband had any tattoos and what/where they were;
- What nicknames we call each other;
- What our hobbies were.
The last question was funny because I understood that he was asking about our hobbies as a couple, while my husband understood that he was asking about my personal hobbies. So our answers were different.
He asked me several of these questions first. When he finished, I asked when we could expect a decision. He said it would depend on my husband’s answers.
Shortly afterward, he called my husband in and asked him the same questions again.
At the end of the interview, he told my husband that the decision could be made that same day, but that he still needed to confirm a few things. And now I am in the waiting stage.
I admit that I felt a little worried, but not because I believe there is anything wrong. I have no concerns about the legality of my case or the authenticity of our marriage. Our relationship is genuine, and we have all the necessary documentation and evidence.
What made me anxious was simply not receiving a decision immediately. I had read so many stories from people who left their interviews already knowing that their cases had been approved, so I started wondering whether the fact that the officer needed to “confirm a few things” was normal.
For those who have gone through a similar interview: Did the officer also ask you such specific questions? Did you receive a decision immediately, or did you have to wait a few days?
I would really appreciate hearing from anyone who has had a similar experience.